Nelson Gonsalves SJ

There was a felt need years back by the Gadinglaj people to have a new church and raise it to the level of a parish. Gadinglaj is a sub-station of Ajara parish and having 18 further sub-villages under its care plus it is constantly growing as more people keep coming on account of jobs and education.

The priest-in-charge, Fr. Augustine Fernandes sj has initiated the process of constructing a new church and has applied for the status of a parish. The foundation stone was blest and laid on the 8th of February, 2009 by the very hands of Most. Rev. Bishop Alwyn Barretto, Bishop of Sindhdurg Diocese. Together with him there were at least 20 other priests besides scholastics and sisters of various parishes surrounding Gadinglaj to witness this long-awaited day. There were also people from all the neighbouring villages.

Soon after Tertianship, Christmas was Fr. Augustine's last major activity in the old chapel from where Swami Prabhudar, Fr. Vellapani, Fr. Justine Borges, Fr. Paul Fernandes and others have served the people. That chapel is now demolished and the same structure is temporarily put up where the Fathers are currently residing. Masses will be held there until the new church is completed.