St. Peter’s Church, Sant Shilanand Bhawan, Jail Road, Bhandara – 441904 M.S.
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Established
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1996
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Sub-Station
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Jawahar Nagar
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Patron
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St. Prter
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Feast
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29th June
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Families
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50
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Parish Priest
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Fr. Jeya Prakash, +919407014872
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Religious House (Women)
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Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy
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Earlier the people of Bhandera Parish, had to go to different places for Holy Mass, sometimes they used
to go to Jawahar Nagar. Sometimes in Sister Josephs' quarter or in Sister Nicole's house. In 1981-82 the
Parish Priest Fr. Brycie of Jawahar Nagar parish used to come for the celebration of the Holy Mass.
In 1994 it was decided to purchase a land for the construction of the church. Fr. Bhosle was staying in
Jawahar Nagar. In 1995 Fr. J.Thomas started the construction of the church. And thus a parish was
established in the name of St. Peter. In 1996 Fr. P M Thomas became the parish priest. After 6 years,
Fr. Francis Leonard then followed by Fr. A. Thomas. Then Fr. Daniel for the next 3 year, followed by
Fr. Michael, Fr. Varghese and Fr. Prasad OSS were parish priests.
Psalm 28:7 - The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my
heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.
Thanks be to God that the Lord has given us a beautiful church, where mass is celebrated daily. On Sunday,
catechism class for the children; we have S.C.C. prayers among the families along with parish priest.
Every feast is now celebrated with enthusiasm and love. There are about 30 families and they take part
in prayers and celebration of the Holy Mass. We wish that our Parish may grow and come forward to do
every task faithfully and joyfully.
Nirmala Niketan Bhendala, P.O. – Tharsa, Via – Ramtek, Tha. – Mauda, Dt. – Nagpur,
M.S. – 441407 - 07115-238684
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Established
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1978
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Sub-Station
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Mauda, Tarsa, Pashuvardhan Camp.
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Patron
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Mary Immaculate Conception
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Feast
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8th Dec.
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Families
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25
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Parish Priest
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Fr. Jackson, +919850874472
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Religious House (Women)
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1) John the Baptist Sisters
2) Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy
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Fr. Varkey did a lot of pioneering work in Bhendala from Jawaharnagar. As he discovered a few Catholic
families (Telegus-all farmers), he decided to cater to their spiritual needs. It was in the year 1973
a few hindus received faith. Simultaneously the work of evangelization was going on in the neighbouring
villages also. The people built a small mud hut (Nirmalakutir) and the mass was being celebrated there.
Later in 1980 Nirmalakutir became Nirmala Niketan, a multipurpose hall-cum-church and residential
quarters for sisters (St.John the Baptist)was blessed and inaugurated by Archbishop Leobard D'Souza.
In 2007 Nirmala Niketan church was renovated and blessed by Archbishop Abraham. Our parish is focusing
on social, health and spiritual apostolate of the people. In 2008 a girls, hostel was opened for the
poor children in the church.
Our Parish Priests:
1. Fr. Varkey Pulikekara 1976-1782
2. Fr. Brycie Coutinho 1983-1992
3. Fr. Francis Leonard 1992- 1999
4. Fr.Kurian V.O 1999-2000
5. Fr.Kennet D'Souza (O.F.M) 2000-2007
6. Fr. John Vianney 2007-
St. Thomas Church, Sawri, Bhandare O.F., Bhandara – 441906
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Established
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1971
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Patron
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St. Thomas
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Feast
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3rd July
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Families
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18
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Parish Priest
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Fr. RajkishoreKullu, 9765016121, rajkishorekullu81@gmail.com
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Due to Ordinance factory in the year 1961, realizing the needs of the Catholic community, the Archbishop
of Nagpur the Most Rev. Eugene D'Souza, arranged to send a priest once a month from Nagpur. Later on
the Parish Priest of Gondia directed to attend to the spiritual needs of Catholic Community. That is
on every Sunday and every major feast.
As the projects of ordinance factory progressed, the member of Catholic steadily increased. Then Parish
Priest of Gondia, Fr. Epiphanus Rodrigues in 1963, purchased a plot of land in the village Kondi, with
the intention of constructing a place of worship for Catholic. In the year 1966, Fr.Michael Ferrao,
a newly ordained priest was appointed as a Parish Priest of Bhandara and Jawaharnagar. Due to his
tireless efforts and the cooperation of the people, he purchased a plot of land in Sawri, village
where today stands St.Thomas Church. (Saint Yugal Kumar Bhawan)
In June 1970 Fr.Varkey Pullikekara a dynamic personality took over as parish priest. He had great zeal
for mission activity. It was due to his tireless efforts and supervision that St. Thomas Church
(Saint Yugal Kumar Bhawan) was build and inaugurated on 31st Oct 1971 with the blessing by the
Most Rev. Raymand Leonard.
In 1973 Fr. Varkey set foot in Bhendala. Fr. Brycie Coutionho helped Fr. Varkey in administration of
Bhandara, Jawaharnagar and the new mission of Nirmala Niketan at Bhendala. It was on the 30th Oct 1982
that a sudden pale of gloom descended on a mission .News reached Jawaharnagar that Fr. Varkey had met
with a tragic accident .His memory still lives in the minds and hearts of all those with and for whom
he worked especially the poor. Immediately in 1982 monsignor Sylvester Monteiro was appointed as a
priest in charge, besides being the vicar general of the Diocese, to help Fr. Brycie who was mostly
in Bhendala. With the return of Fr.Antunes Nazareth to the diocese, he was immediately appointed as
a new Parish Priest in 1984.He purchased a plot of land for the Bhandara Church.
On the 15th July 1988, Jawaharnagar welcomed its new pastor Fr.Joseph Quadras, who came from Kamptee.
Both Fr. Joseph Quadros and Fr. Louis Bhosle worked together in vineyard of Lord and they were very
much loved by the people. In 1989 Fr. Louis Bhosle was replaced by Fr. James Thomas. He took personal
interest in the parish activities. He looked after Bhandara, outstations of Sakoli, Sunflag and Madgi.
The effort of Fr. Alfie and Fr. James saw the new Church and priest residence at Bhandara completed
and blessed by Rt. Rev. Bishop Sylvester Monteiro. From the year 2001 to 2003 Fr. Thomas took care of
St. Thomas Church.
In June 2007 a new ordained priest Fr. Praful Dungdung was appointed as a priest in charge to St.
Thomas Church. . It was on the 3rd July 2010 Fr. Praful Dung Dung passed away. The care of St.Thomas
Church was taken by Fr. John Vianney for a short period. In July 17th 2011 Fr. Gonsalo Rodrigues is
appointed as a priest in charge to St. Thomas Church.
Fransalian House, Shivaji Nagar, Nimkheda P.O., Mauda – Taluka, Nagpur – Dt,
M.S. Ph: 07115238903, 07115238875
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Established
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1990
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Patron
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Holy Family
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Feast
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Holy Family
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Families
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6
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Parish Priest
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Fr. Philip Malaparampil MSFS, 7083022269,
philipmail.simon@gmail.com
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Religious House (Men)
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MSFS Fathers
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Religious House (Women)
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St. Josephs of Anecy
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Tuman Mission center is 45K.M. away from Nagpur city and 20k.m from Mouda. It is a small village of about
2500 people. It is surrounded with small villages like Shivajinagar, Nimkhed, Birsi, Pardi, Revral,
Khaparkheda, Hingnga,and Rajoli. Tuman mission was separated from Bhendala jurisdiction and erected
into a new ecclesiastical circumscription as the center by Archbishop Leobard D'souza on the 10th
May 1991.
The mission was entrusted to the Missionaries Of St.Francis De Sales on 27th May 1991.Fr. Mathew Ubale
was the first priest in charge of the center. The center was named as Navjeevan Community.
Navjeevan Community
The Tuman community center is an experiment of the Archdioceses of Nagpur. In other words it is called a
“grass root community”. This mission is directly under the guidance and supervision of the Archdioceses
of Nagpur. The ICM sisters were invited by the Archdiocese of Nagpur. They were working in close
collaboration with this mission. The sisters were given a house in front of Navjeevan Community
called Shanti Bhavan.
The Apostolate of the Center
The apostolate of the center was pastoral, social and health care. The ICM sisters congregation was
invited for this apostolate and they were working with MSFS at the center from the beginning. These
apostolate were carried on by the sisters and fathers.
Activities Of the Center
A. Adult Education. Value education for cows and goat grazing boys and school going children. Helping
them in their studies, particularly English classes .
B. As a part of activity a small hall was bulild for village children in Shivaji Nagar, where classes were
held for tribal children.
C. Helping school dropout children. Meetings with Mahila mandals and forming SHG groups.
Inter-Religious Dialogue
Celebrating Diwali, Raksha Bhundan. On such occasions interreligious dialogue is organized and the
feasts are celebrated. Through these feasts people are brought together. In the month of December
Christmas is celebrated, whole village take part in Christmas celebration. Jesus is the peace maker,
light of the world is made known to them.
House visiting
A Hall was built at Shanti Nagar later on it was known as Holy Family Church. Fr. Mathew, Sr. Archna and
Bro. Marcus worked with people for the Church construction. He continued his mission work till 2001.
Blessings of New House (Fransalian house) Shivagi Nagar:-
Shanti Bhavan was not enough for the activities therefore Navjeevan Community house was given to sisters
and land was bought by the congregation at Shivaji Nagar for the priest residence. Fransalian house was
build at Shivagi Nagar and Blessed on 4th August 2002. SFS Ballwadi at Shivagi Nagar was also started
with eight students:
Arrival of Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy, Bhuvaneshwar
SJA sister arrived at Tuman and their House Shanti Bhavan Tuman was blessed on 4th August 2002 by Archbishop
Abraham Virutukulangra. A part of new Fransalian house also was used by sisters as Kripa clinic for rural
health scheme. Sr. Thomasina looked after the health center. SJA sisters continued the apostolate of
Tuman mission i.e. social, pastoral and health care for Shivagi Nagar people at continued for three
years and later it was shifted to Nimkheda; in the school campus.
New apostolate for Tuman Mission
SFS school had begun at Fransalian House Shivajij Nagar with eight students. As number of admissions were
increasing, five acres land was bought by NFS with Fr. Valerian in March 2003- for school purpose and the
school was build in Nimkheda. Fr. Valerian and Sisters started a primary school. January 2012 SFS
completes 10 years of its existence in Tuman .
At present there are 236 students on roll and it has reached up to 7th std. Three sisters are working in
the school and one of them is looking after the health center. 10th Nov. 2011 School extension building
work started for further classes. Six classrooms and four toilets were built and also a stage for the
school activities were build. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy and MSFS Fathers are working in
close collaboration and carrying on the mission that is entrusted to them.
C/o Dr. Santoshi, Near Petrol Pump, Above State Bank, Tumsar – 441 912, Dist.- Bhandara Ph: 07183233896
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Established
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1999
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Sub-Station
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Dongri Mines, Chikla Mines
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Patron
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St. Francis Xavier
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Feast
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3rd Dec
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Families
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33
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Parish Priest
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Fr. Floriano Rodrigues SFX, 8888951234, florodis@gmail.com
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Asst.Parish
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Fr. Diogo S.Gama ,
9604010095 dgama@rediffmail .com
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Religious House (Men)
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Pilar Fathers
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Religious House (Women)
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Daughters of Mary Immaculate
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The place called Tumsar comes under Bhandara District in Maharashtra under the Archdiocese of Nagpur.
Formally, this Parish was looked after by the Priests of Nagpur Diocese i.e. from Gondia Parish, around
60 km away from Tumsar. Sunday Masses and days of obligations were celebrated for these people at Tumsar
. But due to distance and other inconveniences there was no regularity in the celebration of Eucharist
and other spiritual needs. People were waiting and longing for residential priest who would take care
of their spiritual and moral needs.
In the year 1999, two young missionary priests (Pillar Fathers) landed in Tumsar and started functioning
and celebrating Eucharist for the people at Dr. Santoshi's clinic in a small hall. Besides the Eucharist
at Tumsar, Fathers used to go for visiting at far-off villages. There were around 135 catholic families
mostly migrants for sake of job.
Today, there are about 35 catholic families and these are mostly in Tumsar, Madgi, Devadi, Chikkla,
Sitasongi Dongri, but there are other villages where DMI sisters reach out to them with their self help
group. Basically, these villagers are farmers. With Government scheme and other facilities they try to
educate their children.
The Church has organized the Basic Christian Communities (B.C.C ) which is presently functioning. Once a
week, the prayer service is held in every catholic family. They come together and have one-hour prayer
service, discuss and share their problem and support each in any ways they can.. Various prayer group
leaders ably conduct these prayer services in their respective places.