In the mid-1980s, the absence of a church in Navi Mumbai compelled residents to travel to Thane or neighboring cities for religious services. Recognizing this need, a few Catholic families residing in Ghansoli took the initiative to establish a church in their locality. On December 3rd, 1984, a significant step was taken as St. John the Baptist Church in Thane acquired a plot for this purpose. The newly acquired land was christened "OUR LADY OF FORSAKEN CHURCH" in Ghansoli.
The visionary founding priest, Late Reverend Fr. Peter J. Bombacha, bestowed his blessings upon the land and initiated the construction of the church with the invaluable assistance of local residents. This marked the commencement of a journey that would shape the spiritual landscape of the community.
The dedication and contributions of the locals played a pivotal role in the growth of the church, fostering a sense of faith, unity, togetherness, and overall well-being within the community. As construction progressed, the church emerged not just as a physical structure but as a symbol of the collective spirit and determination of the people of Ghansoli to establish a place of worship in their midst.
Until 2006, the spiritual ministry of Our Lady of Forsaken Church was entrusted to the priests of the Archdiocese of Bombay. Thereafter, the Dominic's Fathers undertook the sacred duty of overseeing the spiritual well-being of the congregation.
Dear brothers and sisters, and to all of my dear parishioners. On this Joyous occasion of Easter, I am delighted and excited to launch a new website for our parish, www.olfcghansoli.com which stands for Our Lady of Forsaken Church, Ghansoli.
We all know that we live in an era of social media and e-communication. The internet has become an integral part of our lives. Our life cannot be complete without the internet, social media, and websites because we seek information and knowledge through them. Technology helps us communicate faster, clearly, enlightening, and entertainingly. Communication is a foundation for building relationships.
As St. Paul in 1Cor 15:14 says, “And if Christ has not been raised our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain”. We believe and we celebrate the Risen Lord today. We must preach the Risen Lord both through the website and through our lives.
Having observed today the greatest feast of Christianity Easter (the Lord has Risen), today is indeed an appropriate day to launch our parish website. Now, we can communicate all the information required to our Christian families and others through this website.
May the Risen Lord be with each one of us in this endeavor and fill us with His Peace, Joy, and Love.
Wishing you a very Happy and Joyous Easter.
Yours in Risen Lord
Fr. George Raj OP
Priest-In-Charge
(OLFC, Ghansoli)
The flag is a captivating blend of deep purple and light celestial blue. Each colour was carefully chosen to convey profound spiritual meanings. The deep purple symbolizes the royalty and divinity of Christ, evoking a sense of sacredness and power that is central to the faith. In contrast, the light celestial blue represents the divine touch that connects earthly endeavors to the heavenly realm, underscoring the church’s mission to bridge the temporal with the eternal.
At the heart of the flag is a radiant star, a symbol that shines on both sides, representing the twelve months of the year. This star serves as a reminder of the constant presence and guidance of Mother Mary, who is gracefully positioned at its center. Together, the symbols and colours interlace to form a visual narrative of spiritual significance and celestial beauty, perfectly encapsulating the essence of Our Lady of Forsaken Church.
The flag was first unveiled as the church embarked on a 9-day novena, leading up to the feast day on January 26, 2024. The novena, held from January 17 to January 25, 2024, was themed "Mary, Mother of the Divine Word: A Hope for the Changing Society." This theme, given by Fr. George Raj, aimed to inspire and offer spiritual guidance to the faithful during a time of societal transformation.
Throughout these nine days, the OLFC community experienced a spiritually enriching journey, with daily masses celebrated by different parishes from the Navi Mumbai and Thane Deanery. Each day brought new insights and blessings, culminating in a vibrant and joyous feast day celebration.
The flag of Our Lady of Forsaken Church stands not only as a symbol of the church's devotion to Mary but also as a beacon of hope and faith for the community. It is a testament to the enduring connection between the divine and the earthly, a connection that the church continually nurtures and celebrates.
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