Sesquicentennial
Celebration
Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Kandivli (W).
History Past...
History Present...
History Future...
Will culminate in the
sesquicentennial jubilee celebrations
of our parish, beginning on October 25, 2011,
with the grand finale on October 27, 2011.
Welcome to community spirit, welcome to joyous
participation,
Welcome to being church!
150 years, October 27, 1861 - 2011
Celebration
Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Kandivli (W).
History Past...
History Present...
History Future...
Will culminate in the
sesquicentennial jubilee celebrations
of our parish, beginning on October 25, 2011,
with the grand finale on October 27, 2011.
Welcome to community spirit, welcome to joyous
participation,
Welcome to being church!
150 years, October 27, 1861 - 2011
© Copyright : October 27, 2011
All rights Reserved
Research (textual and visual),
Compilation and Editing : Harold Mendes
Cover Design & Layout : Pratima Gracias
Water Colour Sketch : Sharon Pimento Dev
Archival photos : Gwen D’Souza and Donald Remedios (Bandra),
Esther D’Souza, Marie Miranda,
Selwyn Miranda, Gerald Miranda and
Elton Rodrigues
Photography : Harold Mendes
Published by : Fr. Gerald A. Fernandes, Fr. Constancio Noronha
and the Sesquicentennial Jubilee Committee,
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption,
Kandivli West, Mumbai - 400067.
Tel : 022 28056708
Printed by : Michael D’Souza
Mobile : 9820467526
E-mail : [email protected]
All rights Reserved
Research (textual and visual),
Compilation and Editing : Harold Mendes
Cover Design & Layout : Pratima Gracias
Water Colour Sketch : Sharon Pimento Dev
Archival photos : Gwen D’Souza and Donald Remedios (Bandra),
Esther D’Souza, Marie Miranda,
Selwyn Miranda, Gerald Miranda and
Elton Rodrigues
Photography : Harold Mendes
Published by : Fr. Gerald A. Fernandes, Fr. Constancio Noronha
and the Sesquicentennial Jubilee Committee,
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption,
Kandivli West, Mumbai - 400067.
Tel : 022 28056708
Printed by : Michael D’Souza
Mobile : 9820467526
E-mail : [email protected]
Cardinal Oswald Gracias
I am happy to note that on October 27,2011, Our Lady of the Assumption
Church, Kandivli will complete One Hundred and Fifty years of its existence.
The Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into
Heaven at the end of her life. The Catholic Church teaches us that the Virgin Mary
“having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into
heavenly glory.” Who else but “our tainted nature’s solitary boast” deserved such
a reward. We praise God for the bounties of His love showered on our Lady.
This Jubilee, which the parish celebrates, is more than a date, for the Church
remembers 150 years of vibrant faith in Kandivli. When this unit first began, the
pioneer priests nurtured the faith of the parishioners. Today it has blossomed
into a lively parish with new settlements in every corner.
As we stand at this moment in history, we thank the good Lord for all that
He has blessed you with and look forward with trust and hope in Him alone. We
remember all the Pastors, past and present, who have laboured hard for the faithful
here. We also remember their many collaborators, lay and religious. I greet
your parish priest, Fr Gerald A. Fernandes, Fr Constancio Noronha and the Poor
Sisters of Our Lady who are now serving this parish. Keep up the good work!
May Our Lady of the Assumption fill your hearts with love and joy so that
it may overflow in your good deeds and actions.
On this special occasion, I invoke God’s blessings on each one of you.
Church, Kandivli will complete One Hundred and Fifty years of its existence.
The Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into
Heaven at the end of her life. The Catholic Church teaches us that the Virgin Mary
“having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into
heavenly glory.” Who else but “our tainted nature’s solitary boast” deserved such
a reward. We praise God for the bounties of His love showered on our Lady.
This Jubilee, which the parish celebrates, is more than a date, for the Church
remembers 150 years of vibrant faith in Kandivli. When this unit first began, the
pioneer priests nurtured the faith of the parishioners. Today it has blossomed
into a lively parish with new settlements in every corner.
As we stand at this moment in history, we thank the good Lord for all that
He has blessed you with and look forward with trust and hope in Him alone. We
remember all the Pastors, past and present, who have laboured hard for the faithful
here. We also remember their many collaborators, lay and religious. I greet
your parish priest, Fr Gerald A. Fernandes, Fr Constancio Noronha and the Poor
Sisters of Our Lady who are now serving this parish. Keep up the good work!
May Our Lady of the Assumption fill your hearts with love and joy so that
it may overflow in your good deeds and actions.
On this special occasion, I invoke God’s blessings on each one of you.
Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay
October 4, 2011
Archbishop of Bombay
October 4, 2011
Bishop Bosco Penha
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Kandivli is celebrating its 150th anniversary
on the 27th of October 2011. A great day, surely, for the whole parish
- priests, religious and laity. A day to look back and to savour the graces and
blessings that God has showered on your parish for the past 150 years. This
should fill us with a tremendous spirit of thanksgiving, and prepare us to give of
our best in the challenges that lie ahead.
I wish to convey my warm congratulations to all concerned and my loving/
prayerful good wishes for God’s abundant and continued blessings on Our Lady
of the Assumption Parish, Kandivli.
on the 27th of October 2011. A great day, surely, for the whole parish
- priests, religious and laity. A day to look back and to savour the graces and
blessings that God has showered on your parish for the past 150 years. This
should fill us with a tremendous spirit of thanksgiving, and prepare us to give of
our best in the challenges that lie ahead.
I wish to convey my warm congratulations to all concerned and my loving/
prayerful good wishes for God’s abundant and continued blessings on Our Lady
of the Assumption Parish, Kandivli.
+ Bosco Penha
Auxiliary Bishop
Archdiocese of Bombay
Auxiliary Bishop
Archdiocese of Bombay
Bishop Percival Fernandez
When Our Lady of the Assumption Church celebrates its 150th Anniversary,
it is time for us not only to thank God for the gift of this place of worship for the
Catholic residents of the area, but to thank the pioneer parishioners and all the
priests who have served the people in this parish, established in 1861!
One can imagine the troubles and inconveniences they all must have under-
gone to sow the seeds and nourish it to its present status of meeting the spiritual
needs of over 4,000 Catholics! Thank you my dear people and my dear Fathers
for all you did to help the steady growth of this beautiful parish.
The best the Catholics of this parish can do today is exactly what Jesus
would want them to do : to be His reflections to the thousands who do not yet
know Him. If what Mahatma Gandhi once said is true, namely “If every Christian
lived like Christ, the whole world be Christian!” then we know our responsibility
before God!
it is time for us not only to thank God for the gift of this place of worship for the
Catholic residents of the area, but to thank the pioneer parishioners and all the
priests who have served the people in this parish, established in 1861!
One can imagine the troubles and inconveniences they all must have under-
gone to sow the seeds and nourish it to its present status of meeting the spiritual
needs of over 4,000 Catholics! Thank you my dear people and my dear Fathers
for all you did to help the steady growth of this beautiful parish.
The best the Catholics of this parish can do today is exactly what Jesus
would want them to do : to be His reflections to the thousands who do not yet
know Him. If what Mahatma Gandhi once said is true, namely “If every Christian
lived like Christ, the whole world be Christian!” then we know our responsibility
before God!
Bishop Percival Fernandez
Zonal Bishop
October 07, 2011
Zonal Bishop
October 07, 2011
Bishop Agnelo Gracias
On a journey we come across small milestones and every now and again
we come to a “landmark”. This is true with an Institution. This year, Our Lady
of the Assumption Church,Kandivli commemorates its Sesquicentennial year,
150 years of its foundation.
It is a moment for joyous thanksgiving. The parish of Kandivli has grown
like the Gospel mustard seed - from a tiny seed into a mighty tree. Every year is
a milestone; but a hundred and fifty years is surely a landmark!
I am delighted to learn that the parish has chosen “His flock has followed
in His footsteps faithfully” as its theme for the celebrations. How appropriate
indeed! I congratulate the parish Fathers and the parishioners who have contributed
each in his / her own way to the growth of the Church.
May God shower His choicest blessings on the Our Lady of the Assumption
parish community as they strive to make the parish vibrant communities of
Communion, faith, love and unity.
we come to a “landmark”. This is true with an Institution. This year, Our Lady
of the Assumption Church,Kandivli commemorates its Sesquicentennial year,
150 years of its foundation.
It is a moment for joyous thanksgiving. The parish of Kandivli has grown
like the Gospel mustard seed - from a tiny seed into a mighty tree. Every year is
a milestone; but a hundred and fifty years is surely a landmark!
I am delighted to learn that the parish has chosen “His flock has followed
in His footsteps faithfully” as its theme for the celebrations. How appropriate
indeed! I congratulate the parish Fathers and the parishioners who have contributed
each in his / her own way to the growth of the Church.
May God shower His choicest blessings on the Our Lady of the Assumption
parish community as they strive to make the parish vibrant communities of
Communion, faith, love and unity.
+ Agnelo Gracias
October 1, 2011 Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay
October 1, 2011 Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay
From
Fr. Gerald A. Fernandes
VISION :
To build a vibrant, united, Christian parish, caring and sharing for each
other selflessly.
His flock has followed his steps faithfully.
Every long and difficult journey begins with the first determined step we take.
Such an adventure calls for meticulous planning, detailed preparation and successful
execution, aided by well practiced skills.
To build a vibrant, united, Christian parish, caring and sharing for each
other selflessly.
His flock has followed his steps faithfully.
Every long and difficult journey begins with the first determined step we take.
Such an adventure calls for meticulous planning, detailed preparation and successful
execution, aided by well practiced skills.
The journey of Our Lady of the Assumption Church to this memorable milestone
of the Sesquicentennial Centenary began as all new initiatives, at a slow pace on
27th October, 1861. Though few in numbers, beginning with just around 100 odd
parishioners, it spread gradually like the proverbial mustard seed into a stately tree
by the river side - very much in the manner of the verse from Scripture "By the rivers
of Babylon". It has been known to be a community having firm roots of deep faith and
trust in God, total surrender to His Holy will, power of constant prayer, regular and
fervent reception of the sacraments and continuously fortifying itself spiritually by
the reading of the Bible. Bonded by the armour of love this potent spiritual power of
faith has been handed down like a torch to successive generations. Today the same
tiny parish of 100 odd parishioners has increased in size and numbers to around
4200, thanks to the development of Mumbai and the influx of new parishioners from
other parts of the city and the country.
It is with legitimate pride that we cast a glance down the corridors of time and
see the first resolute step traversing miles, leading to the resplendent and glorious
150 years - which we call our Sesquicentennial Celebrations.
It is a glowing testimony to the rich heritage of the faith of our ancestors that
each successive generation has endeavoured to transmit the faith more brightly as
time elapsed to encompass more into the flock of Christ in this parish. The religious
and vocational seeds planted by our predecessors have yielded a rich and abundant
harvest of diocesan and religious priests and nuns working in the Vineyard of the Lord.
These have contributed much to further the growth of the Archdiocese of Bombay,
the Church in India and the Universal Church, with their personal, spiritual and
moral example along with the education imparted and social service rendered. It can
also justifiably be said that the education imparted by our parish school, St. Joseph
High School for over a century, has trained and formed the minds and hearts of the
young belonging to various castes and creeds. Equipped with excellent skills and
lofty values, the students have branched out into the world in varied professions of
the business and corporate world and can in many instances be claimed to be second
to none in this financial capital of India.
Over the years due credit should be given to the Cardinals and Auxiliary Bishops
who have played an anchor role to nurture, guide and direct our faithful to witness a
vibrant and lively faith and to inculcate a zeal for missionary and evangelizing activity.
In keeping with the goals and priorities of the various Synods held in the
Archdiocese of Bombay and under the direction of our Archbishops and Auxiliaries
we have evolved a specific Vision and Mission Statement for our parish namely, "TO
BUILD A VIBRANT, CHRISTIAN PARISH, SHARING AND CARING FOR EACH
OTHER FAITHFULLY". To implement this goal we have set up committees, cells
and organizations which work in co-ordination and healthy collaboration to fulfill
the objectives drawn up by the Archdiocesan and Parish pastoral plan; which are as
follows : The PPC, The SCC Steering Committee, Bible Cell, Liturgy Team, Sunday
School Pastoral Team, RCIA Initiation Team, Pre- Baptism Team, Altar Servers,
Eucharistic Ministers, Legion of Mary (Seniors, Juniors, Tamil ), Parish Prayer
Group, Vocation Promoters' Cell, Family Cell, Parish Youth Movement, Bombay
Catholic Sabha, Centre for Community Organization, Health Cell, Poor & Needy
and Helpage, Civic & Political Cell, Ushers' Ministry, Music Ministry and Parish
Bulletin Team.
Thus with overwhelming joy in our hearts, we thank Almighty God for all his
immeasurable blessings showered on our parish all through these years and to
Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption and our Patroness, for interceding on
our behalf - guiding, nourishing, and strengthening our faith handed down to us by
our forefathers.
We are also grateful to all our parishioners who have painstakingly helped to
successfully organize these Sesquicentennial Celebrations and to all the rest for their
most valuable and much appreciated prayers, financial support, encouragement and
goodwill.
Our hearts glorify the Lord for all the wonders he has worked among our
parishioners to further His Kingdom on earth. We also entrust the subsequent
generations to his love, care and protection that the one steady step which began the
journey culminating in these Sesquicentennial Celebrations will continue for many
more jubilees according to his Divine Will.
of the Sesquicentennial Centenary began as all new initiatives, at a slow pace on
27th October, 1861. Though few in numbers, beginning with just around 100 odd
parishioners, it spread gradually like the proverbial mustard seed into a stately tree
by the river side - very much in the manner of the verse from Scripture "By the rivers
of Babylon". It has been known to be a community having firm roots of deep faith and
trust in God, total surrender to His Holy will, power of constant prayer, regular and
fervent reception of the sacraments and continuously fortifying itself spiritually by
the reading of the Bible. Bonded by the armour of love this potent spiritual power of
faith has been handed down like a torch to successive generations. Today the same
tiny parish of 100 odd parishioners has increased in size and numbers to around
4200, thanks to the development of Mumbai and the influx of new parishioners from
other parts of the city and the country.
It is with legitimate pride that we cast a glance down the corridors of time and
see the first resolute step traversing miles, leading to the resplendent and glorious
150 years - which we call our Sesquicentennial Celebrations.
It is a glowing testimony to the rich heritage of the faith of our ancestors that
each successive generation has endeavoured to transmit the faith more brightly as
time elapsed to encompass more into the flock of Christ in this parish. The religious
and vocational seeds planted by our predecessors have yielded a rich and abundant
harvest of diocesan and religious priests and nuns working in the Vineyard of the Lord.
These have contributed much to further the growth of the Archdiocese of Bombay,
the Church in India and the Universal Church, with their personal, spiritual and
moral example along with the education imparted and social service rendered. It can
also justifiably be said that the education imparted by our parish school, St. Joseph
High School for over a century, has trained and formed the minds and hearts of the
young belonging to various castes and creeds. Equipped with excellent skills and
lofty values, the students have branched out into the world in varied professions of
the business and corporate world and can in many instances be claimed to be second
to none in this financial capital of India.
Over the years due credit should be given to the Cardinals and Auxiliary Bishops
who have played an anchor role to nurture, guide and direct our faithful to witness a
vibrant and lively faith and to inculcate a zeal for missionary and evangelizing activity.
In keeping with the goals and priorities of the various Synods held in the
Archdiocese of Bombay and under the direction of our Archbishops and Auxiliaries
we have evolved a specific Vision and Mission Statement for our parish namely, "TO
BUILD A VIBRANT, CHRISTIAN PARISH, SHARING AND CARING FOR EACH
OTHER FAITHFULLY". To implement this goal we have set up committees, cells
and organizations which work in co-ordination and healthy collaboration to fulfill
the objectives drawn up by the Archdiocesan and Parish pastoral plan; which are as
follows : The PPC, The SCC Steering Committee, Bible Cell, Liturgy Team, Sunday
School Pastoral Team, RCIA Initiation Team, Pre- Baptism Team, Altar Servers,
Eucharistic Ministers, Legion of Mary (Seniors, Juniors, Tamil ), Parish Prayer
Group, Vocation Promoters' Cell, Family Cell, Parish Youth Movement, Bombay
Catholic Sabha, Centre for Community Organization, Health Cell, Poor & Needy
and Helpage, Civic & Political Cell, Ushers' Ministry, Music Ministry and Parish
Bulletin Team.
Thus with overwhelming joy in our hearts, we thank Almighty God for all his
immeasurable blessings showered on our parish all through these years and to
Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption and our Patroness, for interceding on
our behalf - guiding, nourishing, and strengthening our faith handed down to us by
our forefathers.
We are also grateful to all our parishioners who have painstakingly helped to
successfully organize these Sesquicentennial Celebrations and to all the rest for their
most valuable and much appreciated prayers, financial support, encouragement and
goodwill.
Our hearts glorify the Lord for all the wonders he has worked among our
parishioners to further His Kingdom on earth. We also entrust the subsequent
generations to his love, care and protection that the one steady step which began the
journey culminating in these Sesquicentennial Celebrations will continue for many
more jubilees according to his Divine Will.