History

Historical Overview of The Resurrection Church, Virar

The community began on December 26, 1976, when Rev. Peter Almeida celebrated the first Holy Eucharist at the Pereira Building in Virar East. Triggered by a house blessing during the Christmas season, this event led to the formation of the Catholic Association of Virar. As a growing influx of cosmopolitan, English-speaking families relocated from Mumbai for affordable housing, the community expanded from 80 families to over 700 individuals, prompting the transition to bilingual services in English and Marathi. In May 1993, pastoral care was handed over to the Salesians of Don Bosco, who began purchasing fragmented plots of land for a permanent church. The Salesians established a permanent presence in 1997 with the opening of "Don Bosco Bhavan" in Virar West, which served as a residence and prayer hall, and reorganized the community into 18 Small Christian Communities to handle the rapid growth.

On May 7, 2000, Bishop Thomas Dabre officially decreed the creation of the Parish of Virar, named Jeevan Data Prarthnalaya - the Resurrection Church. Under the leadership of the newly appointed Parish Priest, Fr. Orville Coutinho, long-awaited CIDCO clearances were obtained in 2001, and construction began at Manvelpada, Virar East, funded by local parishioners, benefactors, and the Mumbai Salesian Province. To accommodate a booming population of over 500 families, services were held in temporary sheds and local halls until Bishop Dabre officially consecrated and inaugurated the completed Resurrection Church on January 4, 2003. In the years following, the vibrant parish successfully established an active youth group, a dedicated Sunday school, a St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) unit, and a parish burial ground, solidifying its spiritual and pastoral foundation.

THE BEGINNINGS

The Sacrament of THE HOLY EUCHARIST was administered in Virar on 26th December, 1976, at Pereira Building, Virar East by Rev. Peter Almeida, a Diocesan Priest from the Vasai Diocese.

Mr. Augustine Pereira, the owner of Pereira Building, initiated celebration of The Holy Eucharist, when there was a request for a house blessing. Being Christmas Season, a Crib was prepared, and this marked the start of Catholic Association of Virar with seven members; three of whom were non-Catholics.

Under the banner of "Virar Sarvajanik Christ Jayanti Utsav", the association with the help of local shopkeepers celebrated Christmas Eucharist, on 26th December from 1977 to 1980.

On 1st June 1981, the Parish Priest of Nandakhal, was given additional charge of Virar too. Around 80 families were accounted for as residents. Initially, the Eucharist was held on alternate Sundays from September 1982 and later for convenience of all, the anticipated Sunday obligation was celebrated on Saturday evenings in Marathi.

Fr. Peter Almeida sensed the cosmopolitan nature of the parishioners, who had relocated to Virar from the English-speaking Parishes of Mumbai in search of affordable housing. Thus, began the bi-lingual Eucharist – in Marathi and English with some hymns in Hindi too. The Church "Support Fund", under the title of "JEEVAN DATA PRARTHANALAYA SUPPORT FUND" was started.

A Census of Catholic families revealed there were around 700 Catholic people. Permission was granted for separate celebrations of the Holy Week Services and Christmas Eucharist in Virar, by Fr. Michael Gonsalves, the Diocesan Parish Priest of the Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal.

A historical change was announced on the 15th May, 1993, by Fr. Peter Almeida. The Virar Eucharist Centre would be handed over to the Salesians of Don Bosco from 1st. June 1993.

THE SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO TAKE CHARGE

In 1983, the Salesians of Don Bosco Society began purchase of land, mainly from Catholic landowners, who were happy to sell their land for building the Church in Virar East.

Rev. Fr. Peter Almeida, Mr. Augustine Pereira, and several Salesian Provincial Administrators spent a lot of time resolving the issues of buying fragmented land owned by multiple-owners.

In the same year, the Bombay Salesian Society (Don Bosco, Matunga), appointed Rev. Fr. Raphael Lobo sdb, Rev. Fr. Xavier Devadas, Rev. Fr. Joe Braganza sdb and Rev. Fr. Anaclete D'mello sdb, to celebrate the weekly Eucharist at Virar East, every Sunday morning. The Eucharist and all related meetings or programmes were held at Pereira Hall, close to the Railway Station at Virar East.

All Feast Day Eucharistic Services, for Christmas, Holy Week and Easter celebrations, were organized on the open grounds on either Virar East or Virar West to accommodate the large gatherings during festive Mass.

It October 1993, the Good Shepherd Sisters, established a Community to reside in Virar West and the sisters began to help in the Parish work while simultaneously carrying on their pastoral work of village development.

In 1996, Fr. Dominic Lisboa sdb, assumed responsibility for the Pastoral care of Virar initially commuting from Bosco Boys' Home, Borivali to Virar on a need basis. The priests of Nandakhal Church were finding it difficult to attend to the Sacramental needs of the people of Virar on a regular basis. Fr. Dominic Lisboa sdb was appointed as the Priest In-charge of Virar area and resided briefly at Holy Spirit Church.

In 1997, Fr. Dominic Lisboa rented a flat in Virar West and was assisted by Fr. Allwyn D'souza sdb. The Bombay Salesian Society purchased two bungalows, in Virar West and called it "DON BOSCO BHAVAN", which were combined into residence for the Priests and prayer hall for the faithful in Virar. The abode was blessed by Fr. Nazareth Gabru, a Diocesan Priest on 14th. November, 1997. Daily Eucharist, Sunday Mass, daily Mass and all solemn Feast Day Services were conducted here. This marked the beginning of the permanent presence of Don Bosco Fathers as they were fondly called.

In June, 1998 the old Parish Pastoral Council was dissolved and 18 new communities (Small Christian Communities) were established. The New Parish Council has two of its Members being inducted into the Parish Pastoral Council.

On 6th September 1998, Rev. Fr. Luciano Odorico visited Virar and met the Parish Council who put forth an appeal to expedite building a church.

Fr. William Falcao sdb succeeded Fr. Dominic Lisboa sdb, as the Priest-in-Charge at Virar. He was assisted by Fr. Dominic Savio Fernandes sdb. They operated from Naigaon, and worked tirelessly to progress with the construction of the Church building. The Foundation Stone for the Church Building, was Blessed by Bishop Thomas Dabre, on 8th September, 1999. Due to technical difficulties, the construction could not commence as scheduled.

THE PARISH OF VIRAR

On 7th May, 2000, Bishop Thomas Dabre, Bishop of Vasai, through a decree, declared the newly established Parish of Virar, known as Jeevan Data Prarthnalaya - the Resurrection Church.

The newly appointed Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Orville Coutinho commenced the work of building the church. Fervent prayers and novenas to Mary Help of Christians brought blessings in the form of the necessary permissions from CIDCO on 16th. May, 2001. Mr. Francis Rodrigues of Master Constructions and Mr. Bharat Dalal, the architect worked on the church project.

The Time Capsule was laid into the footing (foundation) of the Church on 3rd. June 2001 on the feast of the Pentecost. The tireless efforts of the faithful, the monthly and annual contributions of the Parishioners of Virar, the generosity of the benefactors and major financial contribution from the Mumbai Province of the Salesian Congregation spearheaded by Provincial, Rev. Fr. Tony D'souza and his Council ensured the Church was constructed.

Parishioners steadily increased to around 500 plus families. Daily Mass continued to be held at the Don Bosco Bhavan (West), at 7.30 am. With more people residing around Don Bosco Bhavan in Virar West, the large gathering of Catholics for outdoor Sunday Eucharist was inconveniencing the residents of the housing society. The new Church Construction site helped to alleviate the problem and the Eucharist was held outside the construction site in a temporary shed. The Eucharist Services were held at the Resurrection Church in the East while evening Eucharist was held in the evenings at Unitech Hall in Virar West.

INAUGURATION AND BLESSING

"THE CHURCH BELLS CHIMED FOR THE PEOPLE OF VIRAR", on Saturday, 4th. January, 2003 as Bishop Thomas Dabre, consecrated and inaugurated THE RESURRECTION CHURCH (JEEVAN DATA PRARTHNALAYA), at Manvelpada, Virar East.

A vibrant and dedicated Salesian Cooperators unit of Virar, which was formed in 2006 saw the first three members make their promise in August, 2013.

Over the years, to support the deserving section of the Parish, the SVP unit of Virar evolved. Various cells and committees including property committee, graveyard committee, liturgy cell, skill training cells, cultural cell, choir group were formed to cater to the needs of the parishioners.

Parish Priest Fr. Lawrence (Year 2011 -2017) and the constant support of the parishioners finally enabled the Parish to have a burial ground.

The youth group, which played an energetic role in various activities, is now being shepherded to follow the path of the Lord as inspired by Don Bosco.

The commitment and dedication of the teachers in the Sunday school caters to a large group of school-going youngsters for the formation of their faith.

The pastoral plan being prepared will now usher in a path to spirituality with love for one another, love for nature and love for all God's creation.

✝ IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF RESURRECTION CHURCH VIRAR

It was Fr. Peter Almedia who worked hard towards giving Virar Parish importance and a real shape. He also was involved in bringing Salesians of Don Bosco to Virar.

In 1993 the Salesians officially took over the Virar center. The Provincial appointed the Don Bosco Wadala Shelter community to cater to Virar on weekends. Fr. Raphael Lobo and Fr. Joseph Braganza were commuting from Wadala to Virar every Saturday for an evening mass.
Commuting every Saturday became difficult. Hence in 1994 Fr. Anaclete and Fr. Dominic Lisboa were put in-charge of Virar. The Saturday mass was shifted to Sunday at 8.00 am. The response from the faithful was better.
In 1995 Fr. Provincial appointed Fr. Dominic Lisboa in-charge of Virar. He was to cater to Virar from Bosco Boys Home, Borivli
The Nandakal Parish Priest told the Provincial that they found it difficult to cater to the Sacramental need of the Virar people. Hence Fr. Provincial appointed Fr. Dominic Lisboa as full time in-charge of Virar and residing at Nandakhal Parish. Fr. Dominic Lisboa arrived at Nandakhal Church on the 3rd of July 1996.
At the request of the Parish Priest of Nandakhal Fr. Dominic Lisboa was asked to look for accommodation closer to the faithful. Hence in 1997 Fr. Dominic Lisboa took a flat on rental basis in Virar. Now the people had daily mass in Virar. Earlier masses were held at Sisters residence, Pereira Hall, MB Estate ground, flats of the parishioners, Manual Pada ground etc. A Bunglow was also purchased and was unofficially inaugurated by Fr. Nazareth Gabru on 14th Nov 1997. Now all the meetings and celebrations were held at this Bunglow "DON BOSCO BHAVAN."
On 5th Jan 1998 the wedding mass was celebrated at the Don Bosco Bhavan.
On 1st Feb, the parish celebrated the feast of St. John Bosco at the Don Bosco Bhavan.
On 8th Feb 1998 the Parish Celebrated their Parish Feast, the feast of Infant Jesus the mass was celebrated at Pereira Hall.
In June 1998 Fr. Dominic Lisboa dissolved the old council and re-organised the new parish council, dividing it into 4 zones, 18 areas. Two representatives of each area formed the parish council members.
In July 1998 Fr. Provincial send Fr. Allwyn D'Souza to help Fr. Dominic Lisboa in Virar.
On 23rd of August 1998 the parishioners of Infant Jesus Parish, Virar welcomed and felicitated the new Bishop Thomas Dabre.
1st Feb 1999 the parish decided to translate Infant Jesus as Jeevandata Prathanalaya.
The parishioners organised a send-off for Fr. Dominic Lisboa as he was transferred to Ahmadnagar. Fr. Dominic left for Ahmadnagar on 14th May 1999
From 24th May the new in-charge Fr. William Falcao took over the Parish of Virar.
On 10th September 1999 Fr. Dominic Savio Fernandes officially came to help out as assistant to Virar Parish.
10th October 1999 onwards the Holy mass Celebrated on Saturday at 7.30 pm and at Manvelpada on Sunday at 8.00 am
15th October 1999 Parish Council decided to name the Parish as the Resurrection Parish.
24th October 1999 Statue of Mary of Nazareth visits Virar Parish.
12th December 1999 a full day retreat for the Parishioners in preparation of Christmas.
26th December 1999 Jingle- Mingle (Christmas Party for parishioners) at Don Bosco Bhavan Virar
7th May 2000 Bishop Thomas Dabre declares Virar Mass Centre as a canonically erected parish with the Risen Christ as the Titular.
29th May 2000 the Parish Council meets to say thanks to Fr. William Falcao and they welcome Fr. Orville Coutinho who takes over as a Parish Priest.
17th December 2001 there is rejoicing as first son of our Parish is Ordained a Salesian Priest. Fr. Noel Mathias.
20th May 2001 Farewell to Fr. Dominic Savio Fernandes.
5th June 2001 Fr. Orville C laid Time Capsule in the foundation of the new building at Manvel Pada.
17th December Virar Parish Priest Fr. Orville Coutinho Celebrates 25 years of Priesthood.
January 4th 2003 Resurrection Church, Virar (E) was inaugurated by Rev. Bishop Thomas Dabre.
13th March 2004 Resurrection Church witnessed the Extraordinary Visitation of Rev. Fr. Francis Alencherry - the mission Superior of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
26th May 2005 Fr. Francisco Pereira (Franco) arrived to take over from Fr. Orville Coutinho.
26th July 2006 as there was a talk of the division of the Parish 5 of our members went to meet Bishop they were not given a chance to meet the bishop. They met Fr. Andrew and made their thoughts and their feelings bare to him.
27th May 2007 Resurrection Church was bifurcated (EAST & WEST) Fr. Andrew, Fr. Michael Rozario, Fr. Michael Correa and Fr. Thomas D'Souza Fr. Andrew announced the division and Fr. Michael Correa was appointed the new Parish Priest of Virar VWest.
27th March 2011 Fr. Lawrence has corne to take charge of the Parish and Fr. Blany Leaves for his new posting
11th August 2011 Relic of Don Bosco Visits Virar. It was a grace filled day.
6th July 2012 we had first burial in our own Property which we had marked as a cemetery.
4th January 2013 DECENNIAL CELEBRATION' of the Resurrection Church, Virar
27th January 2013 Confirmation to 51 candidates from Resurrection Ch and Mary Help of Christian Ch. Naigaon and blessing of the Statues of Mary Help of Christians and Don Bosco.