HISTORY & DEMOGRAPHY
In the month of June 1996, the Fransalians under Fr Francis Mulackal MSFS came to Koparkhairane along with the idea in mind " Rehabilitation of Street Children and Rag Pickers". They were asked to look after the Pastoral needs of the Catholic resident in Koparkhairane as well. Fr Francis Mulackal MSFS was appointed Asstt. Parish Priest of Vashi with residence at the Church.
On November 18, 1996, the operation of Rehabilitation of Street children and Rag Pickers continued at Kapikatan CHS, Sector -15, Koparkhairane and the place also became Mass Centre for the local Catholics. In the year 1999, Fr Jerry Misquith was appointed to help in the work of the Fransalians here in Koparkhairane.
As the Catholic population in Koparkhairane grew the mass centre was shifted to Mrs. Nathaline Buttelo’s residence, Chandralok CHS, Sector - 10.
On September 9, 2001, His Lordship Bishop Agnelo Gracias, officially inducted St. Francis de Sales Parish, Koparkhairane as New Parish Unit with Fr Jerry Misquith as the First Priest in Charge.
A committee was formed for the work of obtaining a plot of land from CIDCO for our own Church in Koparkhairane. In the year 2001 when the Mermier Bal Ashram was constructed in Sector -11, Koparkhairane, the Mass centre was shifted there.
The first Parish Pastoral Council of St. Francis De Sales Church was inducted on June 20, 2004.
In June 2005 the FMM sisters came to Koparkhairane. The members were Sr. Mary Lonappan, Sr. Arogya and Sr. Alice. The Salesian sisters came to Koparkhairane on the 13th of June 2010. The members were Sr. Moksha Mary and Sr. Mary Cherian.
Fr Timothy M Raj was appointed priest in- charge in 2006. The efforts, patience and perseverance of Fr Timothy and his team bore fruit and on September 9, 2009, CIDCO authorities allotted a plot of land, at the place to the liking of all, at Sector 11, Koparkhairane. Cardinal Oswald Gracias laid the foundation stone on the 17th of April 2010. The Construction of the Church building commenced on the 10th of October 2011.
Our own Fathers, the Assistants Fr. Andrew, Fr. Sagayaraj, Fr. Sushant Mantri along with Fr Timothy did a wonderful job in the collection drives. The Fathers celebrated the Eucharist at these churches and preached the homily. This showed the parishioners of the churches of our visit that the priests and our parishioners are very eager for their own church. We had Fr. L. Vincent, Fr. Mario D'Souza and Fr. Prabhaker celebrate the Eucharist and preach at many churches. Bro Jaison and Bro Robert were a great help at the collections. The FMM and Salesian sisters were never short of enthusiasm in visiting churches for fund collection drives.
After four long years of dedicated efforts, hectic, tiring hard work, we pray at the altar of our beloved St Francis De Sales Church, the collective inspiring memories of the collection drive will rush back to our minds. The commitment and dedication of all our parishioners men and women, young and old will reverberate from the hallowed walls in the church as we bow down before God Almighty. Various Fund Collection Drives helped to collect substantial amount for the completion of the construction of the Church.
Total Population of the Centre: 1,00,000 people'
Catholic Population of the Mission: 1,250
