Sacred Heart Church Vashi

At the start of the Seventies, there was just a sprinkling of Catholics in the new township at Vashi. As the number of Catholics increased, they got together, informally in 1974 and arranged for Sunday Masses, Holy Week and Christmas services.

Fr. Osborne Pereira said the first mass at Vashi on 3rd February 1974. Although he was attached to R.C. Church, Colaba and thereafter at Rosary Church, Dockyard, he continued to be a visiting priest upto March, 1977. For the next one year, Fathers Eric Lewis, Juze D’Souza and Mariotta SDB helped to serve the Catholics of Vashi.

Whilst Sunday masses were held in the residence of some of the Catholics, Holy Week and Christmas services were held on the terrace of one of the building in Sector -1. During these years our late Valerian Cardinal Gracias, the then Archbishop of Bombay, visited Vashi often and decided to develop this place into a Parish. He also proposed to obtain a plot of land for the Church. I 1976, the Catholics formed themselves into a Parish. He also proposed to obtain a plot of land for the Church. In 1976, the Catholics formed themselves into a formal Catholic Community and appointed four office bearers and twelve nominated members. The census drawn up during this year indicated that the Community comprised of 100 families.

The Catholic of Vashi held a constant dialogue with Bishop Simon Pimenta (now Cardinal), for the development of Vashi as a Parish. He in turn took the matter vigorously with CIDCO authorities for the allotment of the Church Plot.

There was also a need for the Burial Ground. The Committee in 1977 approached Bishop Simon Pimenta who in turn took up the matter with CIDCO allotting a plot for the Church in 1977. After having paid the premium for the plot, the Archdiocese signed the Agreement to lease in 1980.

Despite the hectic involvement during 1991-92 in the construction and fund raising activities, it is satisfying to note that there still exists a tremendous upsurge in the parochial activities and participation in the Church services.

Lenten neighbourhood masses, Life in the Spirit Seminar were conducted in the early months of 1991. In August, 1991 the Franciscan Missionary of Mary opened a house in the Parish. They came in with 4 Sisters, two of whom would be involved in Parish activities. In September, 1991, The Bombay Catholic Sabha, Vashi Unit was formed.

In December, 1991, a prayer campaign for the construction of the new Parish Church was started. In February, 1992 Mass was celebrated at the Church site and Lenten Neighbourhood Masses were held in various sectors. Bishop Bosco Penha visited the Parish and met Parishioners in March that year. On International Women’s Day, Women’s Cell was formed in the Parish. In June, again Bishop Bosco visited New Bombay and met Parishioners at Nerul, CBD Belapur and Vashi. This year the P.C.C. launched five commissions to see to the various activities of the Parish. They have worked out the rules for burial; have finalized and printed the Parish Pastoral Council Constitution. With the election in June the Parish Coordination Committee (PCC) gives way to the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC).

We have to further consolidate upon the existing activities of the Parish. Besides, we have to spread out beyond our Community with the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ through Catholic action. If this action has to be meaningful, we have to involve ourselves in the following tasks which have already been drawn up at the time of planning our Community Centre viz: