St Thomas Malanakra Catholic Church, Thane

holic Association in the year 1974, many of Thane malankarites have become its members and they started attending Malankara Liturgy being celebrated at Wadala and subsequently also in Andheri. During 1974 to 1987, celebration of Holymass was initiated at St John’s the Baptist church, Thane. We remember the services rendered by Rev Fr Agustin Kailath OIC, Fr. Possenthi Thannikakuzhi OIC, Fr. Ignatius Kadiankunnil OIC, and Fr. Daniel Kadakampallil OIC. With the arrival of Rev Fr Peter John OIC in the year 1987 an organised effort was made to bring together the scattered Malanakara Catholics and celebration of regular Holy mass was started twice a month at St. John the Baptist Church Thane. During this period, Rev Fr Peter John was also instrumental in starting a Holy mass at St. John’s Prayer Hall, Mumbra. This period marks the formal establishment of the Malankara Catholic Church at Thane with a membership of around 40 families. He understood the power of youth in organising the church activities, which resulted in the formation of the youth body, MCYM. The most important event that took place was the first organised Sunday School, which was started during the period. We have to remember and we cannot forget the Holy Mass being celebrated at 3 pm every Sunday at St John’s the Baptist church and the rush to finish it before their Latin mass started at 5:30 pm. With the formation of the Mumbai - Pune region of Malankara Catholic Church in the year 1989 and arrival of Rev Fr. Ignatious Thangalathil OIC as its mission superior, many of the younger members were motivated to have our own church at Thane. His dynamic leadership inspired the members to an extent that the Thane parish, became a noticeable entity in the Malankara Catholic Church. Our late Archbishop, His Grace Benedict Mar Gregorios visiting Thane and offering Holy Mass at St. John the Babtist Church on 27th June, 1989, was a dream come true for Thane Malankarites. A renaissance had taken place with the arrival of Rev Fr. John Berchamans OIC, a dynamic missionary of great inspiration. He visited families in and around Thane and reinforced them with a personal touch. James Mamootil OIC served us till 1995. During this time a small hall in Shanti Nagar, Wagle Estate was purchased and was used for conducting Holy Mass on Saturdays for, who could not attend Holy Mass on Sundays. The prayer group was also formed during the period. We gratefully remember the services rendered by Fr.Sajeev Theckecharuvil OIC, Fr. Thomas Kuruvilla OIC, Fr. Geevarghese Palavilayil OIC and Fr. George Ayyenathu OIC during this period.

1995-2000: Tenure of Fr Mathai Iranathara OIC
This was the period of great action. There were no funds available to think of buying a property for having a Malankara church at Thane. Mathai planned major initiatives to raise funds. The laity participated extensively. Their one month salary was immediately pledged for the church. A souvenir was brought out and a magic show program by Samraj was organised at Kalidas Natya Mandir, Mulund. The present Vartak Nagar property was purchased and a temporary chapel was built there. The first Holy Mass was offered by Fr. Ignatius Thangalathil OIC, Fr. Mathai Iranithara OIC and Fr. Antony Padipurackal OIC on Palm Sunday in 1997. The church was renovated and consecrated on 22nd August 1999 by the then Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios. A matru samajam was formed during the period. A souvenir and address book of all members was released during the period

2000-2007:
We remember the services rendered during this period by our parish priests Fr. Kurien Thondukuzhiyil OIC, Fr. Jacob Oravackal OIC, Fr. Antony Padipurackal OIC, Fr. Zacharias Nanthiat OIC and Fr. Jacob Varghese OIC. The Bethany Sisters have also contributed to our growth right from the beginning in a big way. With sincere gratitude we recollect the services of Sr. Nairmalya SIC, Sr. Zalik SIC, Sr. Humilina SIC, Sr. Prakash SIC, Sr. Sandra SIC, Sr. Chetna SIC, Sr. Celina SIC, Sr. Prateeksha SIC, and Sr. Brigita. SIC, Sr. Tereseena SIC and Sr. Martin SIC.
2007 till date:
Parish priest: Rev Fr. Ani Zacharia OIC
Sister in charge: Sr. Pradeepthi SIC

and goes on..................
Today we have 83 families and 292 members residing in and around Thane and Mulund. We are proud of our catechism students, our enthusiastic and energetic MCYM youth, and our Mathrusamajam members who have won many accolades over the years in Central activities. We have two prayer groups, namely, St. John’s and St. Mary’s which meet once in a month at members’ residences. Holy Mass is conducted 7 am on every 1st and 2nd Sunday and 10 am on every 3rd, 4th and 5th Sunday. On all Wednesdays, Novena, intercessory prayers to Mother Mary and Holy Mass are conducted at 7 pm. Today, St Thomas Malankara Catholic Church, Thane, is in the forefront in every facet of its activities. Many of our faithful had contributed their best to bring our church to the present status. We remember them with love and prayers.