Vocations from our Parish - Their stories…
EACH OF THE RELIGIOUS, PRIESTS AND BROTHERS HAVE A MARVELLOUS STORY OF THEIR OWN…WHY/WHAT INSPIRED THEM TO JOIN; THE WORK THEY ARE INVOLVED IN; THE TRIALS AND HARDSHIPS OF WORKING IN OUR LORD'S VINEYARD AND THE JOY THEY HAVE FOUND IN FOLLOWING IN OUR LORD'S FOOTSTEPS.
Religious :
1. Sr. Christina Rose Mendes
Sr. Christina Rose Mendes was the first vocation from Kandivli Village. Born on September 12, 1883, she was one of six siblings of late John (Joao) Caitan (1847-1921) and late Anna Frances Mendes, and younger sister of late Michael Mendes (1880-1973) from Kandivli Village.
She joined the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Clare Road, Byculla, Bombay, in 1901; made her first profession of vows in Bombay on July 22, 1903; and took her final vows on January 6, 1909.
She served the Lord with joy for 48 precious years, and died in 1951. She was buried in the Sewri Christian Cemetery in the section reserved for the Sisters of the Convent of Jesus and Mary.
Religious :
1. Sr. Christina Rose Mendes
Sr. Christina Rose Mendes was the first vocation from Kandivli Village. Born on September 12, 1883, she was one of six siblings of late John (Joao) Caitan (1847-1921) and late Anna Frances Mendes, and younger sister of late Michael Mendes (1880-1973) from Kandivli Village.
She joined the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Clare Road, Byculla, Bombay, in 1901; made her first profession of vows in Bombay on July 22, 1903; and took her final vows on January 6, 1909.
She served the Lord with joy for 48 precious years, and died in 1951. She was buried in the Sewri Christian Cemetery in the section reserved for the Sisters of the Convent of Jesus and Mary.

2. Sr. Anne Marie (Scarlette Miranda)
Sr. Scarlette Miranda is the daughter of late Thomas (Sunny) and late Ivy Miranda, and grand niece of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes of Kandivli Village.
In her own words, "I heard the Call very early when Prince Charming whistled and I followed. I joined the Carmel of Christ the King Convent,Calcutta, in July 1962. Carmel was my dream.
It was the Beauty of Silence that attracted me to the Cloister which grows into a deep mutual friendship with Jesus, daily sitting at His feet in prayer and gazing into His face - praying for all mankind, for those who cannot, will not and have not the time for prayer.
Our life if totally Marian centred, is one of silence and prayer. It's a beautiful vocation, never a dull moment, busy,we keep abreast with the world, yet withdrawn. Requests for prayers come from all over the world through emails, phones, letters etc. Our Chapel is peaceful and quiet where people find their solace; it attracts many people of all religions, young and old.
Never once have I regretted my vocation. It is beautiful and challenging in spite of a thorn strewn path at times - who does not encounter some of them sometimes? Next year will be 50 years since I left my home to work in the Lord's Vineyard and it has been extremely rewarding and fulfilling..."
Note : Her sister, Sr. Claudette Miranda, has joined the Daughters of St. Paul and her late uncle Fr. Hilary Miranda and brother Fr. Trevor Miranda are both Jesuit priests.
For further information, please contact Carmel of Christ the King Convent, 4 Outram Street, Kolkata-700017.
Mobile: 9831432612; 9163282913; 033-2287-4050.
3. Sr. Pamela Ferreira
Sr. Pamela Ferreira is the daughter of late Joseph and late Dorothy Ferreira of Kandivli Village. In the year 1962 she joined the Poor Sisters of Our Lady (PSOL) - the same Congregation that has a convent at Bunderpakhadi.
She has been posted at various Convents in Mumbai and at present is at the St. Pius Convent at the St. Pius College (Seminary), Goregaon East.
Note : Her sister, Sr. Regina Ferreira, has joined the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of The Good Shepherd (Good Shepherd Sisters).
Sr. Scarlette Miranda is the daughter of late Thomas (Sunny) and late Ivy Miranda, and grand niece of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes of Kandivli Village.
In her own words, "I heard the Call very early when Prince Charming whistled and I followed. I joined the Carmel of Christ the King Convent,Calcutta, in July 1962. Carmel was my dream.
It was the Beauty of Silence that attracted me to the Cloister which grows into a deep mutual friendship with Jesus, daily sitting at His feet in prayer and gazing into His face - praying for all mankind, for those who cannot, will not and have not the time for prayer.
Our life if totally Marian centred, is one of silence and prayer. It's a beautiful vocation, never a dull moment, busy,we keep abreast with the world, yet withdrawn. Requests for prayers come from all over the world through emails, phones, letters etc. Our Chapel is peaceful and quiet where people find their solace; it attracts many people of all religions, young and old.
Never once have I regretted my vocation. It is beautiful and challenging in spite of a thorn strewn path at times - who does not encounter some of them sometimes? Next year will be 50 years since I left my home to work in the Lord's Vineyard and it has been extremely rewarding and fulfilling..."
Note : Her sister, Sr. Claudette Miranda, has joined the Daughters of St. Paul and her late uncle Fr. Hilary Miranda and brother Fr. Trevor Miranda are both Jesuit priests.
For further information, please contact Carmel of Christ the King Convent, 4 Outram Street, Kolkata-700017.
Mobile: 9831432612; 9163282913; 033-2287-4050.
3. Sr. Pamela Ferreira
Sr. Pamela Ferreira is the daughter of late Joseph and late Dorothy Ferreira of Kandivli Village. In the year 1962 she joined the Poor Sisters of Our Lady (PSOL) - the same Congregation that has a convent at Bunderpakhadi.
She has been posted at various Convents in Mumbai and at present is at the St. Pius Convent at the St. Pius College (Seminary), Goregaon East.
Note : Her sister, Sr. Regina Ferreira, has joined the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of The Good Shepherd (Good Shepherd Sisters).

4. Sr. Claudette Miranda
I, Sr. Claudette Miranda, daughter of late Thomas & late Ivy Miranda, and grand niece of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes from Kandivli Village, joined the Daughters of St. Paul in Bandra in June 1963 when I was 18, to offer myself in the service of spreading God's Word through the media of communications.
Within two years I was sent to Italy where I completed my formation and Masters in Theology and then returned to India.
I was sent to Shillong, a new mission where I was involved in Outreach Missions to neighbouring states to communicate God's Word. Those were my best years as I was young and full of enthusiasm wanting to reach the remotest corners of the North Eastern States with the Word of God. Arunachal Pradesh was the only state where I had not reached as in those years it was a forbidden land for missionary work. Later, I was in charge of the Book Centre as soon as it was inaugurated there. I was then sent to Delhi to offer my services in the Archdiocesan Public Library in the Cathedral complex. Then I was appointed Superior in Nagpur for two terms establishing a new Community, the Book Centre and Outreach Mission. I was then elected on the Provincial Council for two terms and was transferred to Secunderabad where I was in charge of the Book Centre and got involved in the Diocesan work of Basic Christian Communities. I was then appointed as Superior of the Goa Community. When I finished my term there, I was asked to go to Calcutta to take charge of the Book Centre and accounts for four years. While I was there, the community of Vasai was being born and I was asked to come down to Vasai to be one of its pioneers. After three and a half years in Vasai, there was a request to offer my services at the National Office of the Conference of Religious of India (CRI), to take up the media department.
CRIB or the Conference of Religious India e-Bulletin is the prime communication channel of Religious in India. This is published every week at www.religiousindia.org and reaches 1,28,000 religious and 16,000 communities across the country every week. So, I am continuously in touch on our website and all the Catholic Websites searching for the latest happenings in religious and church circles in India and around the world. Through the magazine "Religious India" as Editor,we offer new orientations and challenges to all religious. Besides, at this centre many seminars are held for Major Superiors of religious men and women all through the year. It is a very challenging task to be here and I feel I have gained much personally, socially and spiritually and even become media savvy.
In Bandra, the Daughters of St. Paul have the Provincial House, the Formation House and the Publishing House of the Pauline Publications and Audio-Visual (AV) Productions. Ourcommunities attached with Book Centres are established in all the main cities of India. For us Daughters of St. Paul, the Book Centre is like a Church from where we proclaim God's Word to all who visit us. We also reach out to the neighbouring areas offering the Word of God and other wholesome value-based literature to children and adults, by putting up Book Exhibitions in Schools, Parishes and at Seminars.
Note : Her sister, Sr. Scarlette Miranda, has joined the Carmel of Christ the King Convent,Calcutta, and her late uncle Fr. Hilary Miranda and brother
Fr. Trevor Miranda are both Jesuit priests
I, Sr. Claudette Miranda, daughter of late Thomas & late Ivy Miranda, and grand niece of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes from Kandivli Village, joined the Daughters of St. Paul in Bandra in June 1963 when I was 18, to offer myself in the service of spreading God's Word through the media of communications.
Within two years I was sent to Italy where I completed my formation and Masters in Theology and then returned to India.
I was sent to Shillong, a new mission where I was involved in Outreach Missions to neighbouring states to communicate God's Word. Those were my best years as I was young and full of enthusiasm wanting to reach the remotest corners of the North Eastern States with the Word of God. Arunachal Pradesh was the only state where I had not reached as in those years it was a forbidden land for missionary work. Later, I was in charge of the Book Centre as soon as it was inaugurated there. I was then sent to Delhi to offer my services in the Archdiocesan Public Library in the Cathedral complex. Then I was appointed Superior in Nagpur for two terms establishing a new Community, the Book Centre and Outreach Mission. I was then elected on the Provincial Council for two terms and was transferred to Secunderabad where I was in charge of the Book Centre and got involved in the Diocesan work of Basic Christian Communities. I was then appointed as Superior of the Goa Community. When I finished my term there, I was asked to go to Calcutta to take charge of the Book Centre and accounts for four years. While I was there, the community of Vasai was being born and I was asked to come down to Vasai to be one of its pioneers. After three and a half years in Vasai, there was a request to offer my services at the National Office of the Conference of Religious of India (CRI), to take up the media department.
CRIB or the Conference of Religious India e-Bulletin is the prime communication channel of Religious in India. This is published every week at www.religiousindia.org and reaches 1,28,000 religious and 16,000 communities across the country every week. So, I am continuously in touch on our website and all the Catholic Websites searching for the latest happenings in religious and church circles in India and around the world. Through the magazine "Religious India" as Editor,we offer new orientations and challenges to all religious. Besides, at this centre many seminars are held for Major Superiors of religious men and women all through the year. It is a very challenging task to be here and I feel I have gained much personally, socially and spiritually and even become media savvy.
In Bandra, the Daughters of St. Paul have the Provincial House, the Formation House and the Publishing House of the Pauline Publications and Audio-Visual (AV) Productions. Ourcommunities attached with Book Centres are established in all the main cities of India. For us Daughters of St. Paul, the Book Centre is like a Church from where we proclaim God's Word to all who visit us. We also reach out to the neighbouring areas offering the Word of God and other wholesome value-based literature to children and adults, by putting up Book Exhibitions in Schools, Parishes and at Seminars.
Note : Her sister, Sr. Scarlette Miranda, has joined the Carmel of Christ the King Convent,Calcutta, and her late uncle Fr. Hilary Miranda and brother
Fr. Trevor Miranda are both Jesuit priests

5. Sr. Mary Laurentia (Judy Rodrigues)
Sr. Mary Laurentia was born on March 2, 1945, and is the daughter of late Lawrence and late Clare Rodrigues of Kandivli Village.She joined the Congregation of the Carmelite Religious in 1964.
Her entry into the convent in Kerala caused an upheaval in her. She refused to stay even for a day - the food, the people, the long hours of prayers….!
No,home life was sweet, less stifling. With great difficulty she succumbed to "just give yourself a chance, (to put it in her own words), Time, reflection and guidance saved me! Today I thank God for calling me".
After her early Formation and College studies in Trivandrum and Pune, she spent 4 years in Rome for Religious studies and 1 year in France. She then came back to Trivandrum. Her apostolate was mostly teaching : All Saints' College, Trivandrum - French, Catechism, Value Education, etc. She enjoyed teaching her junior sisters mostly spiritual topics. She was Principal for the last four years prior to her retirement. She was also a member of the General Team for 6 years. At present she is a member of the Provincial Team for Vocations.
Her address : Sr. Mary Laurentia, St. Joseph Convent, 9, Burr Road Kirkee, Pune - 411003.
Note : One of her brothers, Br. Malcolm Rodrigues, has joined the Jesuits and the other,Fr. Leslie Rodrigues, is a diocesan priest.
Sr. Mary Laurentia was born on March 2, 1945, and is the daughter of late Lawrence and late Clare Rodrigues of Kandivli Village.She joined the Congregation of the Carmelite Religious in 1964.
Her entry into the convent in Kerala caused an upheaval in her. She refused to stay even for a day - the food, the people, the long hours of prayers….!
No,home life was sweet, less stifling. With great difficulty she succumbed to "just give yourself a chance, (to put it in her own words), Time, reflection and guidance saved me! Today I thank God for calling me".
After her early Formation and College studies in Trivandrum and Pune, she spent 4 years in Rome for Religious studies and 1 year in France. She then came back to Trivandrum. Her apostolate was mostly teaching : All Saints' College, Trivandrum - French, Catechism, Value Education, etc. She enjoyed teaching her junior sisters mostly spiritual topics. She was Principal for the last four years prior to her retirement. She was also a member of the General Team for 6 years. At present she is a member of the Provincial Team for Vocations.
Her address : Sr. Mary Laurentia, St. Joseph Convent, 9, Burr Road Kirkee, Pune - 411003.
Note : One of her brothers, Br. Malcolm Rodrigues, has joined the Jesuits and the other,Fr. Leslie Rodrigues, is a diocesan priest.

6. Sr. Filomena da Cruz
Sr. Filomena da Cruz, daughter of late Carlos and late Maria da Cruz,hailing from Goa, was a teacher in a Portuguese school in Silvassa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli. She was in the choir of Our Lady of Piety (Piedade),Silvassa, and also sang occasionally for the choir of Our Lady of the Assumption, Kandivli, Bombay.
She worked in an office in Charni Road,Bombay, and in another office in Colaba, Bombay, and also taught in Fatima Devi High School in Malad East,Bombay, before joining the religious life.
She joined the Mission Sisters of Ajmer in May 1967 from the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Kandivli. She took her final vows in Ajmer in 1975. She completed her teacher's training in Bombay after joining the convent. She has been posted at Ajmer, Bikaner, Deoria, Bhilwara, Mt. Abu, Abu Road, Mapusa, Goa, etc.
She is presently posted at Mapusa. She has served the convent in different areas of work, including teaching the K.G and Primary School students.Since the year 2000, she has been working in the Prison Ministry. She visits the prisoners and interacts with them every Wednesday. Besides this, she also does social work and offers counselling to mentally challenged persons in co-ordination with a psychologist and a psychiatrist.
Sr. Filomena da Cruz, daughter of late Carlos and late Maria da Cruz,hailing from Goa, was a teacher in a Portuguese school in Silvassa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli. She was in the choir of Our Lady of Piety (Piedade),Silvassa, and also sang occasionally for the choir of Our Lady of the Assumption, Kandivli, Bombay.
She worked in an office in Charni Road,Bombay, and in another office in Colaba, Bombay, and also taught in Fatima Devi High School in Malad East,Bombay, before joining the religious life.
She joined the Mission Sisters of Ajmer in May 1967 from the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Kandivli. She took her final vows in Ajmer in 1975. She completed her teacher's training in Bombay after joining the convent. She has been posted at Ajmer, Bikaner, Deoria, Bhilwara, Mt. Abu, Abu Road, Mapusa, Goa, etc.
She is presently posted at Mapusa. She has served the convent in different areas of work, including teaching the K.G and Primary School students.Since the year 2000, she has been working in the Prison Ministry. She visits the prisoners and interacts with them every Wednesday. Besides this, she also does social work and offers counselling to mentally challenged persons in co-ordination with a psychologist and a psychiatrist.

7. Sr. Loretta Rodrigues
Sr. Loretta Rodrigues is the daughter of late Albert and late Mathilda Rodrigues of Kandivli Village. She was born on Nov. 15, 1947, and along with her six siblings she studied in St. Joseph's School and later on at St. Anne's School, Malad. She has done her B.Ed. and on Dec. 29, 1967, at the young age of 20, she joined the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FHIC) better known as Mount Mary Sisters, Bandra. She made her final profession on June 3, 1970.
She loves teaching and is happiest with children in the various Mission Centers, guiding and helping them in their studies and various activities.She has been posted in various centers in India- St. Clare Convent, Agra; Infant Jesus Convent, Manori, Thane; Sacred Heart Convent, Sadashivgad, Karnataka; Shanti Bhuvan,Lucknow; Mount Mary's Convent, Bandra; Jyoti Niwas, Delhi; Ashapad, Dahanu; St.Joseph's Convent, Goregaon; St.Francis d'Assisi Convent, Navsari, Gujarat; St. Joseph's High School,Billimora, Gujarat; and is presently still serving at St. Joseph's High School, Valsad, Gujarat.
She celebrated her silver jubilee on June 3, 1995, and has been of service in the Lord's Vineyard for 44 long years and happily looks forward to serving many more years.
Sr. Loretta Rodrigues is the daughter of late Albert and late Mathilda Rodrigues of Kandivli Village. She was born on Nov. 15, 1947, and along with her six siblings she studied in St. Joseph's School and later on at St. Anne's School, Malad. She has done her B.Ed. and on Dec. 29, 1967, at the young age of 20, she joined the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FHIC) better known as Mount Mary Sisters, Bandra. She made her final profession on June 3, 1970.
She loves teaching and is happiest with children in the various Mission Centers, guiding and helping them in their studies and various activities.She has been posted in various centers in India- St. Clare Convent, Agra; Infant Jesus Convent, Manori, Thane; Sacred Heart Convent, Sadashivgad, Karnataka; Shanti Bhuvan,Lucknow; Mount Mary's Convent, Bandra; Jyoti Niwas, Delhi; Ashapad, Dahanu; St.Joseph's Convent, Goregaon; St.Francis d'Assisi Convent, Navsari, Gujarat; St. Joseph's High School,Billimora, Gujarat; and is presently still serving at St. Joseph's High School, Valsad, Gujarat.
She celebrated her silver jubilee on June 3, 1995, and has been of service in the Lord's Vineyard for 44 long years and happily looks forward to serving many more years.

8. Sr. Regina Ferreira
Born on April 23, 1946, to late Joseph and late Dorothy Ferreira of Kandivli Village, she joined the Congregation of Our Lady of the Charity of the Good Shepherd, better known as the Good Shepherd Sisters, on Dec. 17,1977, and took her final vows on July 16, 1980.
She is presently involved in the following - Animator of a Project for 1500 children called "Chalice-Canada"; Animator for the ongoing formation of the Province of India and Animator for the Provinciliate Community. Besides this, she has also been involved in Formation, Caring for Destitute children and Animator of different Communities and has been posted in Mumbai and presently at Bangalore.
The Congregation of Our Lady of the Charity of the Good Shepherd is an International Congregation having houses all over the world. In India they are present in 7 states and Nepal.Their main charism is making known the merciful and compassionate love of Jesus the Good Shepherd towards women and young girls. They run schools, social centres, homes for destitute children, single mothers and work with trafficked women and children and with the tribals in remote tribal areas.
Note : Her sister, Sr. Pamela Ferreira has joined the Congregation of the Poor Sisters Our Lady (PSOL).
Born on April 23, 1946, to late Joseph and late Dorothy Ferreira of Kandivli Village, she joined the Congregation of Our Lady of the Charity of the Good Shepherd, better known as the Good Shepherd Sisters, on Dec. 17,1977, and took her final vows on July 16, 1980.
She is presently involved in the following - Animator of a Project for 1500 children called "Chalice-Canada"; Animator for the ongoing formation of the Province of India and Animator for the Provinciliate Community. Besides this, she has also been involved in Formation, Caring for Destitute children and Animator of different Communities and has been posted in Mumbai and presently at Bangalore.
The Congregation of Our Lady of the Charity of the Good Shepherd is an International Congregation having houses all over the world. In India they are present in 7 states and Nepal.Their main charism is making known the merciful and compassionate love of Jesus the Good Shepherd towards women and young girls. They run schools, social centres, homes for destitute children, single mothers and work with trafficked women and children and with the tribals in remote tribal areas.
Note : Her sister, Sr. Pamela Ferreira has joined the Congregation of the Poor Sisters Our Lady (PSOL).

9. Sr. Rowena Miranda - 25 years in the service of God's people
"As I look back from where I have come and who I am today, my heart is filled with deep gratitude and wonder for the way God has journeyed with me… ".
She was brought up in Kandivli Village amidst her 7 siblings. Her parents were late Paul and late Bonnie(Bona) Genevieve Miranda.
This is her story in her own words…
My parents instilled values that have been life giving. They were loving, hardworking,generous and service oriented. My parents were liberal and gave us much freedom. I was a very lively child, more of a tomboy actually. My dad used to call me a "live wire". After my teacher's training I taught at St. Joseph's Convent School, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and later on at Greenlawns High School, Peddar Road, Mumbai.I was a member of many of the organizations in the parish - Youth, CLC,SCC, Charismatic group, Choir, Catechism teacher, Parish Council, etc. I was on the core team and steering committee in the diocese for the CLC and SCC. A few of us from the parish formed a service team to help out in the parish and we started with the first official and detailed census of the parish.
This opened us up to the length and breadth of the parish and we met almost all the parishioners right from Damupada in the far East to Charkop in the West. We reached out especially to the poor and needy of the parish and organized many programs for the children, youth and senior citizens. We took up social and civic issues too. For me this was a great joy as we reached out to the slum areas in the East and the Industrial Estate area.
I started my own business in dress designing and sewing wedding gowns and the entire decor for a wedding. I realized that I could not cope with a full time teaching job, parish involvement and dress designing and so in 1979, after seven years, I discontinued teaching and focused more on my business and parish work which I enjoyed very much. My years of involvement in my home parish - Our Lady of the Assumption - have helped me decide on my way of life.
A turning point…. A significant milestone…
In January 1985 my mother fell and fractured her right leg. This was a turning point for me.She had to be cared for and so I took time off from my activities and involvements and spent time with her. I had time to reflect on my life and my future. Deep within me I felt a calling and realized that marriage would not fulfill it. It was a calling to service beyond the limits of family life and the parish.
I took the time to discern this Calling. Under the guidance and direction of the late Fr. Tony D'Mello, S.J., I was able to speak my truth and own my deepest desire. It was he who introduced me to Medical Mission Sisters and once I decided, there was no turning back. Fr. Tony D'Mello told me that Medical Mission Sisters treat persons with respect as mature persons and give them the freedom to grow as they are. They are non-traditional and pioneers in many areas. Thus I joined Medical Mission Sisters in April 1986 to the shock of most of my friends, priests I knew and even Bishop Bosco Penha. My family members too wondered at my decision. However, my mother was a big support during this time.
From Mumbai I went straight to the State of Bihar - to the poorest and most backward State.The first few months were a big challenge for me. Being a girl from the city, going to the rural area of Maner, Bihar, for my novitiate, was in itself a big cultural shock and I had to adjust to the food, life style, language, dress and values. I quickly adapted to it all and it was here that I grew to be more 'Indian.'
The poverty around exposed me to a new reality and I was witness to the gap between the rich and the poor. My deep longing for 'a one world' of peace and justice and fellowship which I had always yearned for, confirmed that I could play a role with like minded groups in effecting change. This deepened my conviction and desire to live a simple lifestyle, and be a counter witness to the materialistic and consumerist world.
My new family - Medical Mission Sisters
My journey as a Medical Mission Sister these 25 years have broadened my horizons,widened my vision and connected me to people across the whole world. My friends circle has grown and I experience great freedom. I still have contacts with my long time friends in Kandivli and other parts of Mumbai. I professed my first vows on April 23, 1988, in Maner, Bihar. My novitiate was in the context of living with people in a village in the most backward State of Bihar.
I started my ministry in a tribal area in Jharkhand - working in the community health department of our hospital there. Living amidst the wonder and beauty of nature I developed a deep relationship and connection with the cosmos. It spoke to me of the changing seasons, life-death-resurrection.I also got involved in the parish- BCC and Youth, and for a short time in the rehabilitation centre for addicts.
I professed my Vows for Life on April 23, 1994, in our parish church - Our Lady of the Assumption, Kandivli.
In July 1994, I was back in Holy Family Hospital, Mandar, Bihar assigned to the dietary department. It was a new area for me. Handling the kitchen staff and trying to set some discipline was a big challenge. I learnt that working 'with' the employees is a big help rather than playing the 'in charge' role. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Theology through Vidyajyoti, Delhi. I was Formation Coordinator of our province from January 1999 - December 2003. My teaching profession was a big help here as I had to teach the women who came to join us and also accompany them on their journey to be Medical Mission Sisters. I was in the USA from 2005-2007 to train in spiritual direction/ personal transformation at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership,and Masters in Pastoral Studies + Financial Management at Loyola University, Chicago.
I am now entrusted with the responsibility of leadership as Provincial of the North India Province which includes States from Goa to Delhi. Hence, I have a lot of traveling to do. I am also appointed as one of the finance team members for our Society at the central level. I am currently based in Pune.
My daily prayer is the 'Serenity Prayer'
Medical Mission Sisters (a short history)
Medical Mission Sisters is a Catholic religious international congregation. We were founded in the United States of America on September 30, 1925, by an Austrian woman - Mother Anna Dengel. Our Charism is “called to be a HEALING presence in a wounded world." We are sisters of different cultures and 22 nationalities working in India and around the world. Our various ministries are hospitals, community health, work with HIV/ AIDS patients, cancer patients,street children, the homeless, drug/alcohol addicts, holistic health centres (education and healing without allopathic medicines), retreat work, counseling, SCC, slums and in justice issues. Our thrust is to the poor and marginalized people with a focus on women and children.
I am grateful for my CALL to religious life and it is a joy to be part of the Medical Mission Sisters' family.
I continue to say 'THANKS' to all that has been and I say 'YES' to what will be.
Sr. Rowena Miranda, Medical Mission Sisters, Bibwewadi, Pune 411037. Ph: 020- 24230037
(mobile - 9422892136) Email: [email protected]
Note : Sr. Rowena Miranda is the grand niece of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes; cousin of Sr.Scarlette Miranda, Sr. Claudette Miranda,
Fr. Trevor Miranda and Fr. Noel Sheth, all of Kandivli Village.
"As I look back from where I have come and who I am today, my heart is filled with deep gratitude and wonder for the way God has journeyed with me… ".
She was brought up in Kandivli Village amidst her 7 siblings. Her parents were late Paul and late Bonnie(Bona) Genevieve Miranda.
This is her story in her own words…
My parents instilled values that have been life giving. They were loving, hardworking,generous and service oriented. My parents were liberal and gave us much freedom. I was a very lively child, more of a tomboy actually. My dad used to call me a "live wire". After my teacher's training I taught at St. Joseph's Convent School, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and later on at Greenlawns High School, Peddar Road, Mumbai.I was a member of many of the organizations in the parish - Youth, CLC,SCC, Charismatic group, Choir, Catechism teacher, Parish Council, etc. I was on the core team and steering committee in the diocese for the CLC and SCC. A few of us from the parish formed a service team to help out in the parish and we started with the first official and detailed census of the parish.
This opened us up to the length and breadth of the parish and we met almost all the parishioners right from Damupada in the far East to Charkop in the West. We reached out especially to the poor and needy of the parish and organized many programs for the children, youth and senior citizens. We took up social and civic issues too. For me this was a great joy as we reached out to the slum areas in the East and the Industrial Estate area.
I started my own business in dress designing and sewing wedding gowns and the entire decor for a wedding. I realized that I could not cope with a full time teaching job, parish involvement and dress designing and so in 1979, after seven years, I discontinued teaching and focused more on my business and parish work which I enjoyed very much. My years of involvement in my home parish - Our Lady of the Assumption - have helped me decide on my way of life.
A turning point…. A significant milestone…
In January 1985 my mother fell and fractured her right leg. This was a turning point for me.She had to be cared for and so I took time off from my activities and involvements and spent time with her. I had time to reflect on my life and my future. Deep within me I felt a calling and realized that marriage would not fulfill it. It was a calling to service beyond the limits of family life and the parish.
I took the time to discern this Calling. Under the guidance and direction of the late Fr. Tony D'Mello, S.J., I was able to speak my truth and own my deepest desire. It was he who introduced me to Medical Mission Sisters and once I decided, there was no turning back. Fr. Tony D'Mello told me that Medical Mission Sisters treat persons with respect as mature persons and give them the freedom to grow as they are. They are non-traditional and pioneers in many areas. Thus I joined Medical Mission Sisters in April 1986 to the shock of most of my friends, priests I knew and even Bishop Bosco Penha. My family members too wondered at my decision. However, my mother was a big support during this time.
From Mumbai I went straight to the State of Bihar - to the poorest and most backward State.The first few months were a big challenge for me. Being a girl from the city, going to the rural area of Maner, Bihar, for my novitiate, was in itself a big cultural shock and I had to adjust to the food, life style, language, dress and values. I quickly adapted to it all and it was here that I grew to be more 'Indian.'
The poverty around exposed me to a new reality and I was witness to the gap between the rich and the poor. My deep longing for 'a one world' of peace and justice and fellowship which I had always yearned for, confirmed that I could play a role with like minded groups in effecting change. This deepened my conviction and desire to live a simple lifestyle, and be a counter witness to the materialistic and consumerist world.
My new family - Medical Mission Sisters
My journey as a Medical Mission Sister these 25 years have broadened my horizons,widened my vision and connected me to people across the whole world. My friends circle has grown and I experience great freedom. I still have contacts with my long time friends in Kandivli and other parts of Mumbai. I professed my first vows on April 23, 1988, in Maner, Bihar. My novitiate was in the context of living with people in a village in the most backward State of Bihar.
I started my ministry in a tribal area in Jharkhand - working in the community health department of our hospital there. Living amidst the wonder and beauty of nature I developed a deep relationship and connection with the cosmos. It spoke to me of the changing seasons, life-death-resurrection.I also got involved in the parish- BCC and Youth, and for a short time in the rehabilitation centre for addicts.
I professed my Vows for Life on April 23, 1994, in our parish church - Our Lady of the Assumption, Kandivli.
In July 1994, I was back in Holy Family Hospital, Mandar, Bihar assigned to the dietary department. It was a new area for me. Handling the kitchen staff and trying to set some discipline was a big challenge. I learnt that working 'with' the employees is a big help rather than playing the 'in charge' role. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Theology through Vidyajyoti, Delhi. I was Formation Coordinator of our province from January 1999 - December 2003. My teaching profession was a big help here as I had to teach the women who came to join us and also accompany them on their journey to be Medical Mission Sisters. I was in the USA from 2005-2007 to train in spiritual direction/ personal transformation at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership,and Masters in Pastoral Studies + Financial Management at Loyola University, Chicago.
I am now entrusted with the responsibility of leadership as Provincial of the North India Province which includes States from Goa to Delhi. Hence, I have a lot of traveling to do. I am also appointed as one of the finance team members for our Society at the central level. I am currently based in Pune.
My daily prayer is the 'Serenity Prayer'
Medical Mission Sisters (a short history)
Medical Mission Sisters is a Catholic religious international congregation. We were founded in the United States of America on September 30, 1925, by an Austrian woman - Mother Anna Dengel. Our Charism is “called to be a HEALING presence in a wounded world." We are sisters of different cultures and 22 nationalities working in India and around the world. Our various ministries are hospitals, community health, work with HIV/ AIDS patients, cancer patients,street children, the homeless, drug/alcohol addicts, holistic health centres (education and healing without allopathic medicines), retreat work, counseling, SCC, slums and in justice issues. Our thrust is to the poor and marginalized people with a focus on women and children.
I am grateful for my CALL to religious life and it is a joy to be part of the Medical Mission Sisters' family.
I continue to say 'THANKS' to all that has been and I say 'YES' to what will be.
Sr. Rowena Miranda, Medical Mission Sisters, Bibwewadi, Pune 411037. Ph: 020- 24230037
(mobile - 9422892136) Email: [email protected]
Note : Sr. Rowena Miranda is the grand niece of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes; cousin of Sr.Scarlette Miranda, Sr. Claudette Miranda,
Fr. Trevor Miranda and Fr. Noel Sheth, all of Kandivli Village.
Priests :

1. Fr. Joseph Maria Braz de Souza
Born in the village of Orlem (which was a part of our parish till 1912), Fr. Joseph Maria Braz de Souza, of the principal family of Valnai (Orlem), a former chaplain of military forces at Satara from 1861 to 1886 built, at his own expense, a private chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes at Orlem Village (then a hamlet of just about 12 families) in the year 1880.
In 1908, Fr. D'Souza was elevated to the dignity of CAMARIERE SEGREDO EXTRA URBEM to Pope Pius X.
He died in December 1912 and was buried in the sanctuary of the chapel at Orlem, that he built.
- Website of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Orlem.
Born in the village of Orlem (which was a part of our parish till 1912), Fr. Joseph Maria Braz de Souza, of the principal family of Valnai (Orlem), a former chaplain of military forces at Satara from 1861 to 1886 built, at his own expense, a private chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes at Orlem Village (then a hamlet of just about 12 families) in the year 1880.
In 1908, Fr. D'Souza was elevated to the dignity of CAMARIERE SEGREDO EXTRA URBEM to Pope Pius X.
He died in December 1912 and was buried in the sanctuary of the chapel at Orlem, that he built.
- Website of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Orlem.

2. Fr. Hermenegild Francis Mendes
Fr. Hermenegild Mendes, born on January 1, 1880, was the eldest son of late Maria Francisca (of Gorai) and late Daniel Mendes, residing at Meurin Street, Kandivli Village. His father Daniel oversaw the family farms and was
also the head clerk in the collector's office.
He had two older sisters, Lucy and Leopoldine. His younger brother, Paul Mendes, retired as the Food Ministry Secretary in the Bombay Presidency. His youngest brother, George Mendes, did his MBBS from Grant Medical College and was Kandivli's first qualified doctor.
Hermenegild studied at St. Mary's High School, Byculla. He completed his matriculation from Bombay University, staying with his mother's relatives who had shifted to Mazagon. He joined St.Xavier's College and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Botany in 1902. His love for Botany continued during his priestly years and he often conducted nature sessions for his young relatives and neighbouring children with the aid of a microscope that was his cherished possession.
He served in the Bombay Secretariat from 1902-06 and rose to be the first Indian Under Secretary in the then Bombay Presidency. He left a promising public career and studied in the seminaries at Mangalore and Kandy, Ceylon, where he was ordained a priest on 23 rd March, 1912, by Archbishop Jurgens S.J. He served in various parishes, including Mahim,Mazagaon, the Cathedral at Bhuleshwar and St. Theresa's Chapel, Girgaum.He also served as parish priest of Juhu, Culvem, Vakola, Orlem and Manikpur (Bassein) parishes, and as Chaplain at the Rescue Home, Kandivli.
In his later years, he suffered from severe rheumatism and opted for early retirement in the year 1937, retiring to the family house at 64, Meurin Street, Kandivli Village. He had very strong ethnic feelings and insisted that his relatives and local friends admit and register that they were of Maratha stock and their mother tongue was Marathi. He was also instrumental in the carving out of the Orlem parish from our parish on July 02, 1916. He also aided a monthly journal styled the Bombay Watchman, which was printed and published from May 1911 to April 1916, with literary and financial contributions. The object of the journal was mainly to advocate the abolition of the Portuguese Padroado. He patiently waited for the setting up of the Clergy Home at Bandra,and was one of its first entrants.
He died on July 19, 1963, at the Clergy Home and was buried at St. Andrews Church cemetery.
- Austin Mendes
Fr. Hermenegild Mendes, born on January 1, 1880, was the eldest son of late Maria Francisca (of Gorai) and late Daniel Mendes, residing at Meurin Street, Kandivli Village. His father Daniel oversaw the family farms and was
also the head clerk in the collector's office.
He had two older sisters, Lucy and Leopoldine. His younger brother, Paul Mendes, retired as the Food Ministry Secretary in the Bombay Presidency. His youngest brother, George Mendes, did his MBBS from Grant Medical College and was Kandivli's first qualified doctor.
Hermenegild studied at St. Mary's High School, Byculla. He completed his matriculation from Bombay University, staying with his mother's relatives who had shifted to Mazagon. He joined St.Xavier's College and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Botany in 1902. His love for Botany continued during his priestly years and he often conducted nature sessions for his young relatives and neighbouring children with the aid of a microscope that was his cherished possession.
He served in the Bombay Secretariat from 1902-06 and rose to be the first Indian Under Secretary in the then Bombay Presidency. He left a promising public career and studied in the seminaries at Mangalore and Kandy, Ceylon, where he was ordained a priest on 23 rd March, 1912, by Archbishop Jurgens S.J. He served in various parishes, including Mahim,Mazagaon, the Cathedral at Bhuleshwar and St. Theresa's Chapel, Girgaum.He also served as parish priest of Juhu, Culvem, Vakola, Orlem and Manikpur (Bassein) parishes, and as Chaplain at the Rescue Home, Kandivli.
In his later years, he suffered from severe rheumatism and opted for early retirement in the year 1937, retiring to the family house at 64, Meurin Street, Kandivli Village. He had very strong ethnic feelings and insisted that his relatives and local friends admit and register that they were of Maratha stock and their mother tongue was Marathi. He was also instrumental in the carving out of the Orlem parish from our parish on July 02, 1916. He also aided a monthly journal styled the Bombay Watchman, which was printed and published from May 1911 to April 1916, with literary and financial contributions. The object of the journal was mainly to advocate the abolition of the Portuguese Padroado. He patiently waited for the setting up of the Clergy Home at Bandra,and was one of its first entrants.
He died on July 19, 1963, at the Clergy Home and was buried at St. Andrews Church cemetery.
- Austin Mendes

3. Msgr. Raymond Mendes
Msgr. Raymond Mendes followed his cousin Fr. Hermenegild Mendes and joined the Seminary in 1926 (?).
He was the son of late Joseph and late Rita Mendes of Kandivli Village. He possessed a strong physique and like so
many of his fellow Mendes' from the village, he revelled and excelled in Hockey and Cricket at St. Stanislaus, Bandra.
In those halcyon days, green Kandivli had lots of open spaces for hunting, fishing, swimming and bare back horse riding on horses left loose for grazing. This hard build of his stood him in good stead during his pastoral life at Holy Cross Church, Nirmal (Bassein),St. Francis Xavier Church, Vile Parle West, Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal,Bassein, and San Thome (St. Thomas) Church, Sandor, Bassein.
During those days priests had to walk miles over so called roads and fields and marshy lands. During the rainy season one funeral from a village half a mile away would wear out the stoutest of shoes. The priest would return after a couple of hours utterly spent. The lives of the people in Bassein were mostly concentrated around the household chores and the family fields and plantations. They got up early at 4 am and did all the work themselves. The women folk would carry the produce on their heads and go to far away areas by train to sell it.
Fr. Raymond and other priests of the area sensed and foresaw that without education the local people would remain mired in their misery and poverty. Primary education was fine but there were hardly any children coming to school as they were needed to work in the fields.
Fr. Balaguer, the then Vicar General of the Bombay Diocese, issued a "fiat" that every church should have a primary school at least. Fr. Raymond lived, worked and wound up his mission and life all the time in the parishes at Bassein, barring a few years at Vile Parle. Kandivli can boast that its son was one of the great builders of Bassein (especially in the field of education), whose people are the first to acknowledge this and to this day hold his name in benediction.
He expired on Feb. 20, 1971, and was interred in a special grave in a leafy glade next to the side porch of the old church.
Note : His nephew Fr. Kenneth Mendes is a retired diocesan priest.
- Fr. Kenneth Mendes
Msgr. Raymond Mendes followed his cousin Fr. Hermenegild Mendes and joined the Seminary in 1926 (?).
He was the son of late Joseph and late Rita Mendes of Kandivli Village. He possessed a strong physique and like so
many of his fellow Mendes' from the village, he revelled and excelled in Hockey and Cricket at St. Stanislaus, Bandra.
In those halcyon days, green Kandivli had lots of open spaces for hunting, fishing, swimming and bare back horse riding on horses left loose for grazing. This hard build of his stood him in good stead during his pastoral life at Holy Cross Church, Nirmal (Bassein),St. Francis Xavier Church, Vile Parle West, Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal,Bassein, and San Thome (St. Thomas) Church, Sandor, Bassein.
During those days priests had to walk miles over so called roads and fields and marshy lands. During the rainy season one funeral from a village half a mile away would wear out the stoutest of shoes. The priest would return after a couple of hours utterly spent. The lives of the people in Bassein were mostly concentrated around the household chores and the family fields and plantations. They got up early at 4 am and did all the work themselves. The women folk would carry the produce on their heads and go to far away areas by train to sell it.
Fr. Raymond and other priests of the area sensed and foresaw that without education the local people would remain mired in their misery and poverty. Primary education was fine but there were hardly any children coming to school as they were needed to work in the fields.
Fr. Balaguer, the then Vicar General of the Bombay Diocese, issued a "fiat" that every church should have a primary school at least. Fr. Raymond lived, worked and wound up his mission and life all the time in the parishes at Bassein, barring a few years at Vile Parle. Kandivli can boast that its son was one of the great builders of Bassein (especially in the field of education), whose people are the first to acknowledge this and to this day hold his name in benediction.
He expired on Feb. 20, 1971, and was interred in a special grave in a leafy glade next to the side porch of the old church.
Note : His nephew Fr. Kenneth Mendes is a retired diocesan priest.
- Fr. Kenneth Mendes

4. Fr. Hilary Miranda
Born : 14th January 1923
Joined the Society of Jesus (S.J.) : 20th June 1939
Ordained: 24th March 1954
Back to the Lord: 22nd August 2006
A life of abundance, a holy man, a great educationist, a spirit filled good leader, humble and self-effacing… words that best describe Fr. Hilary Miranda.
His parents were late John Dominic and late Rose Miranda of Kandivli Village.He led a full life with its ups and downs. During his Juniorate at Hazaribagh (1941), he developed lung infection and had to have one lung removed. No one expected him to live long. It was often said that
Fr. Hilary had a knack of knocking at St. Peter's door only to be sent back. Against all odds, he continued for another 60 years and went on to
hold many major responsibilities.
Fr. Hilary began his education ministry as Principal and Rector to many schools viz. St.Xavier's, St. Stanislaus, St. Mary's, Campion School, and as Chaplain at Infant Jesus Shrine Nashik, with short stints at Delhi, Manmad, Retreat House and finally Vinayalaya.One would expect that he would wear all these accomplishments proudly on his sleeve. He was too shy for that. The only important thing, he would say, is to know Christ, that everything else was secondary.
After his retirement, he gracefully changed gears and moved into spiritual ministry, an apostolate that was close to his heart. He was a member of the first Charismatic Service team.Fr. Hilary was truly a remarkable man, able to judge the secret thoughts of peoples' hearts and to bring God's loving touch to many a troubled soul. His few and softly spoken words brought light to seekers of truth and comfort those heavily burdened.
He was a true 'Yes Man', a Jesuit who always said 'Yes' to the Lord and to any assignments far and wide. Fr. Hilary ran his race well, inspiring one and all by his charisma.Truly 'the foolish one of this world has God chosen to confound the wise, and the weak ones by human reckoning to confound the strong'.
- Gerald Miranda
Note : Two of his nieces, Sr. Scarlette Miranda and Sr. Claudette Miranda, joined the Carmel of Christ the King Convent and Daughters of St. Paul respectively, and his nephew Fr. Trevor Miranda is a Jesuit priest.
Born : 14th January 1923
Joined the Society of Jesus (S.J.) : 20th June 1939
Ordained: 24th March 1954
Back to the Lord: 22nd August 2006
A life of abundance, a holy man, a great educationist, a spirit filled good leader, humble and self-effacing… words that best describe Fr. Hilary Miranda.
His parents were late John Dominic and late Rose Miranda of Kandivli Village.He led a full life with its ups and downs. During his Juniorate at Hazaribagh (1941), he developed lung infection and had to have one lung removed. No one expected him to live long. It was often said that
Fr. Hilary had a knack of knocking at St. Peter's door only to be sent back. Against all odds, he continued for another 60 years and went on to
hold many major responsibilities.
Fr. Hilary began his education ministry as Principal and Rector to many schools viz. St.Xavier's, St. Stanislaus, St. Mary's, Campion School, and as Chaplain at Infant Jesus Shrine Nashik, with short stints at Delhi, Manmad, Retreat House and finally Vinayalaya.One would expect that he would wear all these accomplishments proudly on his sleeve. He was too shy for that. The only important thing, he would say, is to know Christ, that everything else was secondary.
After his retirement, he gracefully changed gears and moved into spiritual ministry, an apostolate that was close to his heart. He was a member of the first Charismatic Service team.Fr. Hilary was truly a remarkable man, able to judge the secret thoughts of peoples' hearts and to bring God's loving touch to many a troubled soul. His few and softly spoken words brought light to seekers of truth and comfort those heavily burdened.
He was a true 'Yes Man', a Jesuit who always said 'Yes' to the Lord and to any assignments far and wide. Fr. Hilary ran his race well, inspiring one and all by his charisma.Truly 'the foolish one of this world has God chosen to confound the wise, and the weak ones by human reckoning to confound the strong'.
- Gerald Miranda
Note : Two of his nieces, Sr. Scarlette Miranda and Sr. Claudette Miranda, joined the Carmel of Christ the King Convent and Daughters of St. Paul respectively, and his nephew Fr. Trevor Miranda is a Jesuit priest.

5. Fr Kenneth Mendes
Fr. Kenneth (Kenny) Mendes is the son of late Benedict and late Delphine Mendes, of Kandivli Village. He was born on Aug.9, 1934, and is the nephew of Msgr. Raymond Mendes. People who remember him talk about his jovial nature and smart turn of phrase and quick repartee. Many were indeed surprised that he chose to become a priest and serve Our Lord.
His family shifted to the Girgaum Parish at Khotachiwadi, Mumbai to take advantage of the education opportunities available in South Mumbai,from where he joined the Seminary in 1954, after graduating in Science. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 21, 1961. A few months before his ordination he had a serious fall while playing on the Seminary grounds which had serious consequences,as he had to have a kidney removed.
He served in the following parishes - Our Lady of Grace,Papdy, Bassein; Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal, Bassein; St. Joseph Church, Colaba; St. Michael Church, Mahim; Our Lady of Good Health, Sahar; St. Joseph Church, Juhu; Sacred Heart Church, Worli; St. Joseph Church, Vikhroli, and St. Lawrence Church, Wagle Estate, Thane.When he was posted at Wagle Estate Thane, it was intended to be a position of a builder. He accepted the challenge and set out to build a church in D'Souza Wadi, Wagle Estate, Thane, in honour of St. Lawrence. The church was nearly completed, when Kenny had to undergo an urgent cardiac by-pass operation. Taking only a couple of months' rest to recuperate, he resumed his church completion exercise, which proved to be quite a strain on his health, especially post by-pass. Having successfully built the church, he opted for premature retirement on health grounds.
He completed his B.Ed. after his sojourn at Nandakal. Juhu, Mahim, Worli, Sahar and Vikhroli were the parishes where Kenny was head honcho in the education stream.It is with the people of Bassein that he most identifies himself with and the people have fond memories of him. On Sundays he used to travel by tonga to say masses in Umrale, Bolinj,Nanbhat, Jhapke, Rajodi (Ranpatti) and other villages in Bassein. His mentors were Msgr.Sebastian Vaz and Fr. Bernard Bhandari. He used to say of the people of those days…" times were hard, people were poor, they sometimes only had one meal a day….but they were still happy and believed in God…". In those days people from neighbouring villages would come to bury their dead at the Nandakhal Church and the bodies were brought by handcarts through rutted and slushy roads, but at the end of the day it was the people's unfailing faith and unbounded love for Christ that inspired him.
His reduced activity after his retirement did not deter him from his favourite pastime of swimming. Another forte is his love for languages - Latin in particular, and while residing in the Clergy Home he learnt the classic language - Greek. Well versed in English,he writes well,though off the beaten track at times. His articles in The Examiner draw kudos from many.
Fr. Kenneth retired in the year 2000 and presently resides at Clergy Home, Bandra.
Note : His uncle is Msgr. Raymond Mendes.
Vivian Mendes / Harold Mendes (adapted from the Marathi article in Suvarta, August 2011)
Fr. Kenneth (Kenny) Mendes is the son of late Benedict and late Delphine Mendes, of Kandivli Village. He was born on Aug.9, 1934, and is the nephew of Msgr. Raymond Mendes. People who remember him talk about his jovial nature and smart turn of phrase and quick repartee. Many were indeed surprised that he chose to become a priest and serve Our Lord.
His family shifted to the Girgaum Parish at Khotachiwadi, Mumbai to take advantage of the education opportunities available in South Mumbai,from where he joined the Seminary in 1954, after graduating in Science. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 21, 1961. A few months before his ordination he had a serious fall while playing on the Seminary grounds which had serious consequences,as he had to have a kidney removed.
He served in the following parishes - Our Lady of Grace,Papdy, Bassein; Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal, Bassein; St. Joseph Church, Colaba; St. Michael Church, Mahim; Our Lady of Good Health, Sahar; St. Joseph Church, Juhu; Sacred Heart Church, Worli; St. Joseph Church, Vikhroli, and St. Lawrence Church, Wagle Estate, Thane.When he was posted at Wagle Estate Thane, it was intended to be a position of a builder. He accepted the challenge and set out to build a church in D'Souza Wadi, Wagle Estate, Thane, in honour of St. Lawrence. The church was nearly completed, when Kenny had to undergo an urgent cardiac by-pass operation. Taking only a couple of months' rest to recuperate, he resumed his church completion exercise, which proved to be quite a strain on his health, especially post by-pass. Having successfully built the church, he opted for premature retirement on health grounds.
He completed his B.Ed. after his sojourn at Nandakal. Juhu, Mahim, Worli, Sahar and Vikhroli were the parishes where Kenny was head honcho in the education stream.It is with the people of Bassein that he most identifies himself with and the people have fond memories of him. On Sundays he used to travel by tonga to say masses in Umrale, Bolinj,Nanbhat, Jhapke, Rajodi (Ranpatti) and other villages in Bassein. His mentors were Msgr.Sebastian Vaz and Fr. Bernard Bhandari. He used to say of the people of those days…" times were hard, people were poor, they sometimes only had one meal a day….but they were still happy and believed in God…". In those days people from neighbouring villages would come to bury their dead at the Nandakhal Church and the bodies were brought by handcarts through rutted and slushy roads, but at the end of the day it was the people's unfailing faith and unbounded love for Christ that inspired him.
His reduced activity after his retirement did not deter him from his favourite pastime of swimming. Another forte is his love for languages - Latin in particular, and while residing in the Clergy Home he learnt the classic language - Greek. Well versed in English,he writes well,though off the beaten track at times. His articles in The Examiner draw kudos from many.
Fr. Kenneth retired in the year 2000 and presently resides at Clergy Home, Bandra.
Note : His uncle is Msgr. Raymond Mendes.
Vivian Mendes / Harold Mendes (adapted from the Marathi article in Suvarta, August 2011)

6. Fr. Noel Sheth S. J.
"My late father Kantilal (baptismal name Kenneth) Sheth was a convert from Hinduism. Seven years after becoming a Catholic, he married my mother Connie Mendes, from Kandivli Village. It was only after the wedding that he informed his Hindu family that he had become a Catholic and had got married to a Catholic. They were so infuriated that they severed their relationship with him.
I am the eldest among my three other siblings. When I was born, my Hindu relatives heard that a child was born and came with clothes for the new baby and the family was reconciled again. Now they are very proud of me,especially since I am a scholar in Hinduism.
Dad spurred me in the quest for excellence. He also used to take me and my younger brothers to his Hindu friends when they invited him for religious celebrations, etc.; so from childhood I learnt to be broad-minded and open to different cultures and traditions. My mum taught me gentleness and non-violence, not by words but by deeds. Dad passed away when I was still in school. Shortly after that we moved to Kandivli Village, mum's hometown. She brought us up single-handed, took up a teacher's job and also did all the cooking and other work at home.Her self-sacrifice and selfless love were a great inspiration to me.
When I returned from school, before doing my homework, I would go and fill water at the common tap and fill up the water tanks in my grandparents' (Michael and Rita Mendes) home where we were staying for some time until we moved to a rented flat just opposite Assumption Church. I was the only boy among the women who filled up water at that tap and I picked up some East Indian Marathi from their conversations. I was good in athletics and I joined others in the village in playing cops and robbers (chor police) and other games. I also used to make frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament in the church.
I realized later that my vocation was nurtured not only by my family but also by my grandparents and uncle and aunts, especially those who were in Kandivli. I remain ever grateful to my relatives who prayed and still pray for me and my perseverance. When I was in my final year at Jesuit-run St. Xavier's High School, I made a retreat and felt God's call to dedicate myself to the service of others in the priesthood. I was very touched when Uncle Alban Mendes collected contributions from relatives and bought towels, clothing, etc. before I entered the Jesuit novitiate at Andheri in 1960 at the age of 16. God has blessed me with many talents and so I did well in my studies and extra-curricular activities such as picking up Indian classical singing, elocution,different Indian and foreign languages, etc.
Besides the usual novitiate and juniorate in Mumbai and the ecclesiastical studies of philosophy and theology in Pune, I was asked to study Sanskrit and Pali by my Jesuit superiors.All my companions in college and university in the Sanskrit and Pali classes were Hindus and,after a short initial unease at a Christian studying with them, we became good friends and that friendship still continues today. In fact, we used to study together in the late evenings under a street lamp, where I used to explain things to them in Marathi. I received a full scholarship to do my doctorate in Sanskrit at Harvard University, U.S.A., one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
The Society of Jesus has given meaning and vision to my life. Last year we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of my joining the Society of Jesus.
At different times I received offers to teach full-time in different prestigious universities abroad, but conscious of my mission to teach in the national and oldest degree-conferring ecclesiastical institution of India - Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Religion, in Pune, I go only as a visiting professor and also deliver public lectures at various institutions in different countries.
I was appointed Rector of the Papal Seminary, Pune, and President/Principal of Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, both of which celebrated the Centenary and the Platinum Jubilee respectively,of granting degrees, while I held office. This gave me experience in administration and dealing with people in different walks of life. The cooperation that I received from my colleagues and students resulted in my being awarded the Sam Higginbottom Award for Best Principals of India 2004-2005. I also gained administrative experience by being a member of the administrative council or board of such international bodies as the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), the Conference of Catholic Theological Institutions (COCTI), and the Conference of Catholic University Institutions of Philosophy (COMIUCAP). I happen to be a member of various learned bodies, both national and international, and was also a member of the Regulatory Council of the prestigious Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. From India, I am the only Christian who presents papers at Sanskrit Conferences.
My publications deal with the exegesis of Sanskrit and Pali texts, on Christianity and the other Indian Religions, and on comparative philosophy and theology. At present I am the Convener of the International Secretariat for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations of the Society of Jesus and advisor to the Jesuit General for relations with Hinduism. In a sense I am a "hyphenated priest" - a priest-scholar, a priest-formator.I think that, to be truly good priests in India, we need to integrate Indian spirituality (which includes Indian forms of prayer and meditation) into our Christian spiritual life, otherwise our Christianity will not have an Indian soul.
The Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Kandivli has produced many priests and religious serving God and people in various ways, in different parts of India. Let us pray that this beloved parish of ours may continue to bring forth priests, religious sisters and brothers and lay religious leaders to act as a leaven in society, transforming it from within. My hearty congratulations,high appreciation and deep gratitude to the priests, religious sisters and brothers, and lay parishioners of Assumption Parish as it celebrates 150 years of sterling service in the Lord's vineyard.
Note : Fr. Noel Sheth is the grand nephew of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes and cousin of Sr.Scarlette Miranda, Sr. Claudette Miranda,
Sr. Rowena Miranda and Fr. Trevor Miranda, all of Kandivli Village.
"My late father Kantilal (baptismal name Kenneth) Sheth was a convert from Hinduism. Seven years after becoming a Catholic, he married my mother Connie Mendes, from Kandivli Village. It was only after the wedding that he informed his Hindu family that he had become a Catholic and had got married to a Catholic. They were so infuriated that they severed their relationship with him.
I am the eldest among my three other siblings. When I was born, my Hindu relatives heard that a child was born and came with clothes for the new baby and the family was reconciled again. Now they are very proud of me,especially since I am a scholar in Hinduism.
Dad spurred me in the quest for excellence. He also used to take me and my younger brothers to his Hindu friends when they invited him for religious celebrations, etc.; so from childhood I learnt to be broad-minded and open to different cultures and traditions. My mum taught me gentleness and non-violence, not by words but by deeds. Dad passed away when I was still in school. Shortly after that we moved to Kandivli Village, mum's hometown. She brought us up single-handed, took up a teacher's job and also did all the cooking and other work at home.Her self-sacrifice and selfless love were a great inspiration to me.
When I returned from school, before doing my homework, I would go and fill water at the common tap and fill up the water tanks in my grandparents' (Michael and Rita Mendes) home where we were staying for some time until we moved to a rented flat just opposite Assumption Church. I was the only boy among the women who filled up water at that tap and I picked up some East Indian Marathi from their conversations. I was good in athletics and I joined others in the village in playing cops and robbers (chor police) and other games. I also used to make frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament in the church.
I realized later that my vocation was nurtured not only by my family but also by my grandparents and uncle and aunts, especially those who were in Kandivli. I remain ever grateful to my relatives who prayed and still pray for me and my perseverance. When I was in my final year at Jesuit-run St. Xavier's High School, I made a retreat and felt God's call to dedicate myself to the service of others in the priesthood. I was very touched when Uncle Alban Mendes collected contributions from relatives and bought towels, clothing, etc. before I entered the Jesuit novitiate at Andheri in 1960 at the age of 16. God has blessed me with many talents and so I did well in my studies and extra-curricular activities such as picking up Indian classical singing, elocution,different Indian and foreign languages, etc.
Besides the usual novitiate and juniorate in Mumbai and the ecclesiastical studies of philosophy and theology in Pune, I was asked to study Sanskrit and Pali by my Jesuit superiors.All my companions in college and university in the Sanskrit and Pali classes were Hindus and,after a short initial unease at a Christian studying with them, we became good friends and that friendship still continues today. In fact, we used to study together in the late evenings under a street lamp, where I used to explain things to them in Marathi. I received a full scholarship to do my doctorate in Sanskrit at Harvard University, U.S.A., one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
The Society of Jesus has given meaning and vision to my life. Last year we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of my joining the Society of Jesus.
At different times I received offers to teach full-time in different prestigious universities abroad, but conscious of my mission to teach in the national and oldest degree-conferring ecclesiastical institution of India - Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Religion, in Pune, I go only as a visiting professor and also deliver public lectures at various institutions in different countries.
I was appointed Rector of the Papal Seminary, Pune, and President/Principal of Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, both of which celebrated the Centenary and the Platinum Jubilee respectively,of granting degrees, while I held office. This gave me experience in administration and dealing with people in different walks of life. The cooperation that I received from my colleagues and students resulted in my being awarded the Sam Higginbottom Award for Best Principals of India 2004-2005. I also gained administrative experience by being a member of the administrative council or board of such international bodies as the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), the Conference of Catholic Theological Institutions (COCTI), and the Conference of Catholic University Institutions of Philosophy (COMIUCAP). I happen to be a member of various learned bodies, both national and international, and was also a member of the Regulatory Council of the prestigious Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. From India, I am the only Christian who presents papers at Sanskrit Conferences.
My publications deal with the exegesis of Sanskrit and Pali texts, on Christianity and the other Indian Religions, and on comparative philosophy and theology. At present I am the Convener of the International Secretariat for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations of the Society of Jesus and advisor to the Jesuit General for relations with Hinduism. In a sense I am a "hyphenated priest" - a priest-scholar, a priest-formator.I think that, to be truly good priests in India, we need to integrate Indian spirituality (which includes Indian forms of prayer and meditation) into our Christian spiritual life, otherwise our Christianity will not have an Indian soul.
The Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Kandivli has produced many priests and religious serving God and people in various ways, in different parts of India. Let us pray that this beloved parish of ours may continue to bring forth priests, religious sisters and brothers and lay religious leaders to act as a leaven in society, transforming it from within. My hearty congratulations,high appreciation and deep gratitude to the priests, religious sisters and brothers, and lay parishioners of Assumption Parish as it celebrates 150 years of sterling service in the Lord's vineyard.
Note : Fr. Noel Sheth is the grand nephew of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes and cousin of Sr.Scarlette Miranda, Sr. Claudette Miranda,
Sr. Rowena Miranda and Fr. Trevor Miranda, all of Kandivli Village.

7. Fr. Leslie Rodrigues
Fr. Leslie Rodrigues is the son of late Lawrence and late Clare Rodrigues of 56, Meurin Street, which was situated on the only Rock in Kandivli. He was born on Dec. 11, 1942, and studied at the local parish school and subsequently at Antonio da Silva School, Dadar.
He joined St. Pius X College (Seminary) on the 1st of January 1961 and completed Rhetoric, Spirituality and Philosophy courses in April 1966, and then joined the St. Charles Seminary at Nagpur for Theology in June 1966. He was ordained a priest on the 1st of November 1969, at St. Peter's Church, Bandra, for the Diocese of Amravati. His first appointment was at St. Francis de Sales High School, Aurangabad (famous for the world renowned Ajanta and Ellora Caves), on 10th June 1970. He superannuated from the same School as Headmaster on 31st December 2000.
At present he holds a triple post of Manager of St. Francis de Sales Primary & High School;Secretary of St. Francis de Sales Education Society (that has seventeen schools under its umbrella, both English & Marathi medium) and is Parish Priest of St. Thomas Catholic Church, consisting of about 250 families, all of which are in Aurangabad. He will complete 42 years of priesthood on 1st November 2011. He states, " All these years I have been blessed to be with students, fully involved in their all-round formation imparting Christian values basically to a non-Christian world".
His ordination motto is - "To serve and not to be served."
Note : Fr. Leslie's sister, Sr. Mary Laurentia (Judy Rodrigues) has joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Third Order Apostolic of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and his brother Malcolm Rodrigues is a Jesuit brother.
Fr. Leslie Rodrigues is the son of late Lawrence and late Clare Rodrigues of 56, Meurin Street, which was situated on the only Rock in Kandivli. He was born on Dec. 11, 1942, and studied at the local parish school and subsequently at Antonio da Silva School, Dadar.
He joined St. Pius X College (Seminary) on the 1st of January 1961 and completed Rhetoric, Spirituality and Philosophy courses in April 1966, and then joined the St. Charles Seminary at Nagpur for Theology in June 1966. He was ordained a priest on the 1st of November 1969, at St. Peter's Church, Bandra, for the Diocese of Amravati. His first appointment was at St. Francis de Sales High School, Aurangabad (famous for the world renowned Ajanta and Ellora Caves), on 10th June 1970. He superannuated from the same School as Headmaster on 31st December 2000.
At present he holds a triple post of Manager of St. Francis de Sales Primary & High School;Secretary of St. Francis de Sales Education Society (that has seventeen schools under its umbrella, both English & Marathi medium) and is Parish Priest of St. Thomas Catholic Church, consisting of about 250 families, all of which are in Aurangabad. He will complete 42 years of priesthood on 1st November 2011. He states, " All these years I have been blessed to be with students, fully involved in their all-round formation imparting Christian values basically to a non-Christian world".
His ordination motto is - "To serve and not to be served."
Note : Fr. Leslie's sister, Sr. Mary Laurentia (Judy Rodrigues) has joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Third Order Apostolic of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and his brother Malcolm Rodrigues is a Jesuit brother.

8. Fr. Bosco Remedios
Fr. Bosco Remedios is the son of late John Salvador and late Angela Remedios of Kandivli Village.
He joined the Seminary in the year 1961.
God's call-and a response.
For whatever occurred during that little dash between God's call and my response, I am extremely grateful; it has been the growing edge of my life. So I am extremely grateful to God for inviting me to be His priest. My gratitude also goes to my parents who shaped my life, stood by me and encouraged me to face every fear and doubt.My family has always been around me in an intimate way.While in the seminary it seemed that my vocation to the priesthood was theirs too! Their constant prayers and self-sacrifices at that crucial juncture of my life meant very much to me; were it not for them I am not too sure if life in the seminary would be as smooth even though it was an uphill task. Besides God, I owe the fulfillment of my priesthood to them as well. For this I always thank God and I am extremely grateful to them as well. This closeness to the family continues for me into the priesthood too. That's the place where I am absolutely free to be myself. I have conveyed this to them ever so often. So for their sheer acceptance and allowing me to be the person I wish to be, for their understanding and patience I am very grateful to them.For their timely fraternal correction I am very happy. They have been a sounding board for me with regard to my sermons, talks, prayer services, instructing couples intending marriage and reaching out to married couples. I wish to express my deep appreciation to them for all this. The vocation to the priesthood is a pearl of great price-but many are involved in paying the price for it.
I have served in many parishes in Mumbai including Sacred Heart Church, Santa Cruz,Gloria Church, Byculla (where I have organized various Family Enrichment Programs which include Marriage Preparation Sessions and Engaged Encounters), St Andrew's Church, Bandra,and am presently posted at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Mazagaon.
Fr. Bosco Remedios is the son of late John Salvador and late Angela Remedios of Kandivli Village.
He joined the Seminary in the year 1961.
God's call-and a response.
For whatever occurred during that little dash between God's call and my response, I am extremely grateful; it has been the growing edge of my life. So I am extremely grateful to God for inviting me to be His priest. My gratitude also goes to my parents who shaped my life, stood by me and encouraged me to face every fear and doubt.My family has always been around me in an intimate way.While in the seminary it seemed that my vocation to the priesthood was theirs too! Their constant prayers and self-sacrifices at that crucial juncture of my life meant very much to me; were it not for them I am not too sure if life in the seminary would be as smooth even though it was an uphill task. Besides God, I owe the fulfillment of my priesthood to them as well. For this I always thank God and I am extremely grateful to them as well. This closeness to the family continues for me into the priesthood too. That's the place where I am absolutely free to be myself. I have conveyed this to them ever so often. So for their sheer acceptance and allowing me to be the person I wish to be, for their understanding and patience I am very grateful to them.For their timely fraternal correction I am very happy. They have been a sounding board for me with regard to my sermons, talks, prayer services, instructing couples intending marriage and reaching out to married couples. I wish to express my deep appreciation to them for all this. The vocation to the priesthood is a pearl of great price-but many are involved in paying the price for it.
I have served in many parishes in Mumbai including Sacred Heart Church, Santa Cruz,Gloria Church, Byculla (where I have organized various Family Enrichment Programs which include Marriage Preparation Sessions and Engaged Encounters), St Andrew's Church, Bandra,and am presently posted at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Mazagaon.

9. Br. Malcolm Rodrigues S.J.
I am Malcolm Rodrigues, fourth child of late Clare and late Lawrence Rodrigues, formerly of Kandivli Village.
I was born on the 8th of May, 1947.I joined the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) on the 8th of June, 1965.
I strongly believe that it was the strong religious milieu of the family (Family Rosary,daily Mass, religious minded Parents)
and our family life revolving around the Parish, that created the soil for the seed of my vocation to grow in.
I have been a Jesuit Brother for the last 46 years now, and I have enjoyed every bit of it. I have been involved in Teaching,Administration,Jesuit Formation, Mass Media and Communication and at present I am the Financial Administrator (Treasurer) of the Gujarat Jesuit Province. Apart from my work, I direct Retreats, conduct Seminars and Workshops on Inner Healing and Personal Counseling. All in all,it is an exciting life, and I would invite anyone to join this life, if he or she is interested in being fully integrated and happy. I am really proud that this small Parish has had numerous vocations and pray that it will continue doing so.I am proud to be part of the 150 years heritage; wish you all God's abundant blessings. Thank you.
Br. Malcolm Rodrigues, S.J. Premal Jyoti, P.B. 4002 Ahmedabad 380009 Gujarat.
Note : Br. Malcolm's sister, Sr.Mary Laurentia (Judy Rodrigues), has joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Third Order Apostolic of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and his brother Fr. Leslie Rodrigues is a diocesan priest.
I am Malcolm Rodrigues, fourth child of late Clare and late Lawrence Rodrigues, formerly of Kandivli Village.
I was born on the 8th of May, 1947.I joined the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) on the 8th of June, 1965.
I strongly believe that it was the strong religious milieu of the family (Family Rosary,daily Mass, religious minded Parents)
and our family life revolving around the Parish, that created the soil for the seed of my vocation to grow in.
I have been a Jesuit Brother for the last 46 years now, and I have enjoyed every bit of it. I have been involved in Teaching,Administration,Jesuit Formation, Mass Media and Communication and at present I am the Financial Administrator (Treasurer) of the Gujarat Jesuit Province. Apart from my work, I direct Retreats, conduct Seminars and Workshops on Inner Healing and Personal Counseling. All in all,it is an exciting life, and I would invite anyone to join this life, if he or she is interested in being fully integrated and happy. I am really proud that this small Parish has had numerous vocations and pray that it will continue doing so.I am proud to be part of the 150 years heritage; wish you all God's abundant blessings. Thank you.
Br. Malcolm Rodrigues, S.J. Premal Jyoti, P.B. 4002 Ahmedabad 380009 Gujarat.
Note : Br. Malcolm's sister, Sr.Mary Laurentia (Judy Rodrigues), has joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Third Order Apostolic of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and his brother Fr. Leslie Rodrigues is a diocesan priest.

10. Fr. Trevor Miranda S. J.
Fr. Trevor Miranda, son of late Thomas and late Ivy Miranda, was born in Kandivli Village on 12th July 1953. He completed his schooling in our parish school,St. Joseph's, and was part of the first successful batch to appear for the SSC exam in 1970. He has two degrees in Arts and Law (BA,LLB) and a Diploma in Business Management and Journalism. He also has an Honorary Doctorate (D. Lit.) conferred on him by Marquette University,U.S.A., in 2005, in recognition of his contribution to the cause of education for the underprivileged.
He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1976 and was ordained in 1986. In April 2011,he celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination.After his ordination he was appointed the Treasurer of the Bombay Jesuits which he did for 10 years. But his heart was for the poor and in fact he started REAP while he was still in Regency (in formation).
He founded REAP (Reach Education Action Programme) in 1987 as a response to the challenge of countering illiteracy. This became his passion. He wanted every child to be in school and not working. He went about systematically setting up a non-formal education system reaching the poorest in their situations. Thus was born a literacy movement empowering lives. Today REAP has a network boasts of 250 education centers spanning the length and breadth of Mumbai city and surrounding rural areas up to Khardi (halfway to Nashik) covering about 7,000 learners -mainly rag-pickers, child labourers, slum and rural children. To encourage tribal girls and boys to complete high school, he has also started two boarding schools for them in Dolkhamb, Shahapur Taluka. He believes that education must lead to social change. This he does by empowering women through formation of Self Help Groups (SHG's). As of today, REAP has 200 such groups and their total savings is more than Rs.1 crore. REAP also offers teacher training programmes and short term courses for youth to make them employable.
His work is much appreciated and he has received several awards for his hard work. But his most prized lifetime award is the $1 million International OPUS Prize for outstanding humanitarian work conferred on him in the United States of America in 2005;the funds enabled him to carry out his mission with greater fervor. Fr. Trevor Miranda resides and operates in Kalwa,Thane Dist.
For more information go to www.reapchild.org
Note : Fr. Trevor Miranda is the grand nephew of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes; nephew of late Fr. Hillary Miranda; brother of Sr. Scarlette Miranda and Sr. Claudette Miranda;cousin of Sr.Rowena Miranda and Fr. Noel Sheth, all of Kandivli Village.
Fr. Trevor Miranda, son of late Thomas and late Ivy Miranda, was born in Kandivli Village on 12th July 1953. He completed his schooling in our parish school,St. Joseph's, and was part of the first successful batch to appear for the SSC exam in 1970. He has two degrees in Arts and Law (BA,LLB) and a Diploma in Business Management and Journalism. He also has an Honorary Doctorate (D. Lit.) conferred on him by Marquette University,U.S.A., in 2005, in recognition of his contribution to the cause of education for the underprivileged.
He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1976 and was ordained in 1986. In April 2011,he celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination.After his ordination he was appointed the Treasurer of the Bombay Jesuits which he did for 10 years. But his heart was for the poor and in fact he started REAP while he was still in Regency (in formation).
He founded REAP (Reach Education Action Programme) in 1987 as a response to the challenge of countering illiteracy. This became his passion. He wanted every child to be in school and not working. He went about systematically setting up a non-formal education system reaching the poorest in their situations. Thus was born a literacy movement empowering lives. Today REAP has a network boasts of 250 education centers spanning the length and breadth of Mumbai city and surrounding rural areas up to Khardi (halfway to Nashik) covering about 7,000 learners -mainly rag-pickers, child labourers, slum and rural children. To encourage tribal girls and boys to complete high school, he has also started two boarding schools for them in Dolkhamb, Shahapur Taluka. He believes that education must lead to social change. This he does by empowering women through formation of Self Help Groups (SHG's). As of today, REAP has 200 such groups and their total savings is more than Rs.1 crore. REAP also offers teacher training programmes and short term courses for youth to make them employable.
His work is much appreciated and he has received several awards for his hard work. But his most prized lifetime award is the $1 million International OPUS Prize for outstanding humanitarian work conferred on him in the United States of America in 2005;the funds enabled him to carry out his mission with greater fervor. Fr. Trevor Miranda resides and operates in Kalwa,Thane Dist.
For more information go to www.reapchild.org
Note : Fr. Trevor Miranda is the grand nephew of Sr. Christina Rose Mendes; nephew of late Fr. Hillary Miranda; brother of Sr. Scarlette Miranda and Sr. Claudette Miranda;cousin of Sr.Rowena Miranda and Fr. Noel Sheth, all of Kandivli Village.

11. Fr. Ashlyn Chand
Born and brought up in South Mumbai, his family members were parishioners of the Cathedral of the Holy Name, Colaba. Fr. Ashlyn's family moved to the Dahanukarwadi area of our parish at Kandivli in 1983. He is the son of late Anthony Leyland and late Amelia Chand of Mumbai. He joined the Seminary in 2001 and was ordained on March 22, 2009.
Here is what he has to say….
"I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." Phil.4:13
June 2001 is the month I will always remember. It was the month I joined the seminary. Behind me lay ten plus years of work experience. My last job was as a Consultant for a software consultancy company. Even though I was doing well in my profession, the salary being good along with a high position,I found there was something missing in my life. At that time I could not recognize what it was.
It was in the year 1998, that I started attending "Wellsprings", a theology course for the laity organized at Juhu, by Mrs. Penny Bajaj. It was during this course, which I attended from 1998 - 2000, that I began to find answers to my life. Learning theology gave me a direction and purpose in life. Being very service oriented and people friendly I began to ask myself the question, "Is God calling me?". This was because there was a great desire within me to serve and help out people, and this reaching out to people gave me a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. It was during a retreat conducted by Bishop Ferdinand (Ferdie) Fonseca, organized by " Wellsprings " that I first spoke to Bishop Ferdie about my call. During the retreat Bishop Ferdie helped me discern and accept my call.
However, leaving the security of a job, which offered me a good position and an excellent salary, was not easy. However, after a great deal of discernment and firm faith in God, I decided to quit my job and join the seminary. On joining the seminary, all my doubts and apprehensions were wiped away and I experienced a deep inner peace, joy and fulfillment which convinced me that I had made the right decision of leaving everything to come answer God’s call - To follow HIM & Serve HIS people.
Note : His first and current posting is at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Mount Poinsur, Borivli.
Born and brought up in South Mumbai, his family members were parishioners of the Cathedral of the Holy Name, Colaba. Fr. Ashlyn's family moved to the Dahanukarwadi area of our parish at Kandivli in 1983. He is the son of late Anthony Leyland and late Amelia Chand of Mumbai. He joined the Seminary in 2001 and was ordained on March 22, 2009.
Here is what he has to say….
"I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." Phil.4:13
June 2001 is the month I will always remember. It was the month I joined the seminary. Behind me lay ten plus years of work experience. My last job was as a Consultant for a software consultancy company. Even though I was doing well in my profession, the salary being good along with a high position,I found there was something missing in my life. At that time I could not recognize what it was.
It was in the year 1998, that I started attending "Wellsprings", a theology course for the laity organized at Juhu, by Mrs. Penny Bajaj. It was during this course, which I attended from 1998 - 2000, that I began to find answers to my life. Learning theology gave me a direction and purpose in life. Being very service oriented and people friendly I began to ask myself the question, "Is God calling me?". This was because there was a great desire within me to serve and help out people, and this reaching out to people gave me a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. It was during a retreat conducted by Bishop Ferdinand (Ferdie) Fonseca, organized by " Wellsprings " that I first spoke to Bishop Ferdie about my call. During the retreat Bishop Ferdie helped me discern and accept my call.
However, leaving the security of a job, which offered me a good position and an excellent salary, was not easy. However, after a great deal of discernment and firm faith in God, I decided to quit my job and join the seminary. On joining the seminary, all my doubts and apprehensions were wiped away and I experienced a deep inner peace, joy and fulfillment which convinced me that I had made the right decision of leaving everything to come answer God’s call - To follow HIM & Serve HIS people.
Note : His first and current posting is at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Mount Poinsur, Borivli.