The following article is that which I had written from Vasai for our annual publication known as Mustard seed.

The diocese of Vasai

Historical facts of the diocese.

The diocese of Vasai was established on 22nd May 1998, by the virtue of the Decree of His Holiness Pope John Paul II entitle "Eternae Salutis" The Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Dabre became the first Bishop of the diocese who was Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay from 1990 - 1998. Location of the Diocese of Vasai is North of Mumbai city and south of Gujarat state, along the Arabian Sea coast, total area of 6693.68 Sq Kms. Total population of 3041000(approximate), of which 120,000(approximate) are Catholic Christians. There is a big migration of people from all over south India in particular, who are here for different kinds of jobs. Though Marathi is the main local language, one will find almost all the Indian languages being spoken here and more than 75% of the people speak English or they understand.

Vasai is a land of saints. The only Indian saint comes from the diocese of Vasai, i.e. St. Gonsalo Garcia. He was a martyr in Nagasaki, Japan in the year of 1597, along with other 25 martyrs. The tradition holds that St. Bartholomew, the apostle of Jesus, visited the Port of Kalyan. He preached the Gospel of the Savior and spread the message of the Master in this region. And Vasai were influenced by the presence and the message of the Apostle. Blessed Thomas of Tolentino is yet another saintly soul that has sanctified this land of Vasai. It is well known fact that St. Francis Xavier did come to Vasai. Visit of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta on 6th April 1986. Visit of His Holiness late John Paul II on 9th of February 1986.

Vasai has been a mine of great poets, writers, grammarians, mathematicians, engineers but above all , it is a land of ascetics and saints who have left a deeper imprint along the corridors of time making the history of Vasai, vivid unforgettable and lasting.

Diocese of Vasai can be divided into two such as west and east. The west side of the diocese one can find almost all the well-established parishes and parishioners. Almost all the people with high education and white color jobs. It has also all the other facilities of life. On the east side of the diocese are mostly mission areas with adivasis and poor people with little facilities of life. So diocese has this two contrasting sides. So far we could not go to this mission areas, because it will take hours of journey from where are appointed.

SCJs in Vasai.

Deacon Aji SCJ and Deacon Sanil Michael SCJ came to the diocese of Vasai on 19th of December 2007. First time we were here just for one week, and we were staying with Canossian father in Fatherwadi, which located in the east of the diocese. And after that we left for Andhra Pradesh for the district assembly. After the assembly when we came back, we had a nice meeting with bishop and the diocesan authority. Deacon Aji is appointed in Berampur St. Goncalia Garcian church, which is under construction. He is doing his ministry along with Fr. Powkar who is the parish priest of this parish. This parish is located just in front of the Bishop's house. Aji is staying in the old Bishop house, which is also in the same compound of the present Bishop's house, which is known as 'garcian building'. Bishop also wants us to work in a village known as 'Jamkipada' which is poor village, where people are from different states of India. They are migrants from other states, who are here for finding job. It is a small village outside of the city. Dn. Aji goes everyday and visits them and learn about their problems and take statistics of the Catholic and so on. It is a place where our attention is very much needed. Many of them works in the near by factories and earn their livelihood. On all Friday s, there is full day power cut and people get holiday on Friday only. Initially this place is under Jesuits and we collaborate with them. Fr. Joe is the parish priest and also Canossian fathers too come to help them with Sacraments and the Eucharistic celebrations.

Me- Sanil Michael is appointed in Mulgaon, St. Mary Magdalene parish. It is some 10 Km away from Bishop's house. We have some 2500 Parishioners and it is a well established parish. All the church services are in Marathi and I do not the language. But almost all the people do speak English and so communication is not a problem for me. Fr. Parish Priest (Fr. Denis Kokya) is the diocesan in charge of the BCC (basis Christian Community). Every first Tuesday of the month we have meeting in all the BCC groups. So I learn from him and from this parish mainly about BCC. How it is done and held and so on. And also I go for house visiting everyday, which is basic of the BCC.

We both come together at least once a week and discuss about our life and experiences. We have different programs in the parish for this lent season.

After this experience we will have meeting with Fr. Martin Van Ooij (District Superior) and we will decide about our coming to Vasai, with the help of God.

By

DEACON SANIL MICHAEL SCJ

VASAI.