History

In the year 1980 Fr. Toni M. Kolb, SAC, the Delegate Superior contacted MAROL, MUMBAI. Rt. Rev. Ferdinand J. Fonseca, the Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, and conveyed to him his desire to have a place in the Archdiocese for the Pallottines. The Archdiocesan Administration responded positively to the request. Most Rev. Simon Pimenta, the Archbishop ofBombay, bifurcated the Parish of St. John the Evangelist, Marol, and entrusted the new Parish to the Pallottines. From September 1980 Fr. Xavier D'Souza, SAC, stayed at St. John the Evangelist Church, Marol, to minister to the area proposed for the new parish.

By the beginning of 1981 Fr. Anton Nenzl, SAC, joined him. The parish was canonically erected on August15, 1981 and dedicated to St. Vincent Pallotti. Fr. Anthon Nenzl was appointed its first Parish Priest and Fr. Xavier D'Souza, as his assistant. The Fathers took up residence in a flat, purchased by the Pallottines, in the Vijay Towers nearby. Land for the Church, Parochial House and a Pallottine Pastoral Centre was purchased. On January 23, 1983 the Archbishop Simon Pimenta of Bombay laid the foundation stone for the proposed Church. Despite many difficulties and roadblocks, and the untiring efforts of the Priests and people the construction began on April 22, 1997.

Fr. Anthony Correia, SAC, the then Parish Priest, saw that the construction of the Parish Church, the Parochial House and the Church Hall were completed on record time. On April 09, 1998 his Eminence Cardinal Simon Pimenta blessed them, while Very Rev. Fr. Christudhas, SAC, the Provincial Superior inaugurated them. The Parish Church is situated four Kilometres from Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Over the years this Parish developed as an exemplary parish under the care of the Pallottines. The vibrant youth groups, children's groups, pious associations, and an active parish council give the parish an exceptional vitality.

The Parish has about 1500 families and a Catholic population of 6000 Catholics. The Pallottines who served in this Parish as Pastors are Frs. Xavier D'Souza, SAC, Fr. Paul Chandrankunnel, SAC, Fr. Paul Coutinho, SAC, Fr. Anthony Correia, SAC, Fr. Patrick Furtardo, SAC, Fr. Thomas D'Souza, SAC, Fr. Claudy Vas, SAC. Fr. Valerian Charles Fernandes, SAC, and Fr. Reginaldo Antonio Mascarenhas, SAC, is the present Parish Priest.