Bunderpakhadi
In 1905, a plot of ground was secured free, from the Government (84’ x 52’) for a filial Chapel at Bunder Pakadi, a fishing village on the creek towards the West of Candolim, where lived about 100 Catholic Koli and Bhandari fisher folk. Here, a small Chapel was built and the children were gathered together for elementary education in the evenings. The Examiner of Dec. 21, 1907, speaks of a Holy Cross Chapel built by Fr. Joseph Soares, the Vicar of Kandivli, for the benefit of the poor Bhandari and Koli Christians of Bunderpakhadi, about a mile from the parish church. This Chapel is still functioning (and the Feast day is celebrated with great fanfare on the 1st of May every year) and was rebuilt in 1916 through the efforts of Rev. John A. Gomez and subsequently renovated over the years. He also succeeded in building a Marathi medium school there in the year 1921 (now defunct) with the help of Archbishop Alban Goodier, S.J., in 1964.
In the year 1988, the Congregation of the Helpers of Mary established a Convent in the rooms adjoining the Chapel. They were largely responsible for the upliftment and improvement in the quality and standard of living of the Catholics living there. They taught in the school,conducted various workshops for the women and children with the establishment of a MahilaMandal and Balwadi, educated the men folk about work opportunities, conducted literacy classes for young girls, started the Marathi Youth Choir, conducted Marriage and First Holy Communion preparation courses in Marathi, in addition to helping out in the main Parish by teaching in the Sunday School, visiting the parishioners etc. The village folk still remember with fondness Srs.Aruna, Sushama, Gracy, Mathilda (the laughing nun), Julie, Yvette, Anita and Ancilla (the nun with the guitar) among others. Sadly, they left our parish in 1997 to continue their mission in other more needy areas of India. In the year 2001, the Congregation of The Poor Sisters of Our Lady (PSOL) set up a convent there and continue the same work begun by the earlier nuns; the driving force being the gentle, soft spoken and “always at your service”, Sr. Marie Gonsalves. Sr.Elizabeth Gonsalves was the first PSOL Principal of St. Joseph High School, followed by Sr.Fatima Fernandes.
In 1905, a plot of ground was secured free, from the Government (84’ x 52’) for a filial Chapel at Bunder Pakadi, a fishing village on the creek towards the West of Candolim, where lived about 100 Catholic Koli and Bhandari fisher folk. Here, a small Chapel was built and the children were gathered together for elementary education in the evenings. The Examiner of Dec. 21, 1907, speaks of a Holy Cross Chapel built by Fr. Joseph Soares, the Vicar of Kandivli, for the benefit of the poor Bhandari and Koli Christians of Bunderpakhadi, about a mile from the parish church. This Chapel is still functioning (and the Feast day is celebrated with great fanfare on the 1st of May every year) and was rebuilt in 1916 through the efforts of Rev. John A. Gomez and subsequently renovated over the years. He also succeeded in building a Marathi medium school there in the year 1921 (now defunct) with the help of Archbishop Alban Goodier, S.J., in 1964.
In the year 1988, the Congregation of the Helpers of Mary established a Convent in the rooms adjoining the Chapel. They were largely responsible for the upliftment and improvement in the quality and standard of living of the Catholics living there. They taught in the school,conducted various workshops for the women and children with the establishment of a MahilaMandal and Balwadi, educated the men folk about work opportunities, conducted literacy classes for young girls, started the Marathi Youth Choir, conducted Marriage and First Holy Communion preparation courses in Marathi, in addition to helping out in the main Parish by teaching in the Sunday School, visiting the parishioners etc. The village folk still remember with fondness Srs.Aruna, Sushama, Gracy, Mathilda (the laughing nun), Julie, Yvette, Anita and Ancilla (the nun with the guitar) among others. Sadly, they left our parish in 1997 to continue their mission in other more needy areas of India. In the year 2001, the Congregation of The Poor Sisters of Our Lady (PSOL) set up a convent there and continue the same work begun by the earlier nuns; the driving force being the gentle, soft spoken and “always at your service”, Sr. Marie Gonsalves. Sr.Elizabeth Gonsalves was the first PSOL Principal of St. Joseph High School, followed by Sr.Fatima Fernandes.
