A Brief History of Holy Family Forane Church
St. Mary’s parish Bommanahalli was started in 1994. Rev. Fr. Thomas Kollamparampil was the third vicar to take charge in 1999. Hongasandra was a ward under St. Mary’s parish, with nine families from the Hongasandra area at that time. Mr. T.J. Thomas, followed by Mr. K.A. Joseph, K.C. Thankachan, were elected councillors for the Hongsandra ward.
Mr. S. Thomas was the councillor, and late Mr. P.A. Lukas and Mrs. Omana Kurian were the animators for the Hongsandra ward in April 2000.
Mr. K.P. Chackappan , who came to Hongasandra in January 2001, approached Rev. Fr. Sebastian Poonoly CMI, Rector of Dharmaram on 16th February 2001, requesting him to commence a Eucharistic Centre and holy mass on Sundays in the Hongasandra area.
Rev. Fr. Sebastian Poonoly was very favourable to the request and called Rev. Fr. Thomas Kollamparampil CMI, Vicar of St. Mary’s Parish, Bommanahalli, and had a meeting immediately at Darmaram.
After the Meeting Mr. K.P. Chackappan was entrusted to get the permission of Franciscan Brothers Assisi Bhavan, from their Provincial Rev. Bro. Britto CMSF to celebrate Holy Mass on Sundays in their Nursery School in Hongsandra from 4th march 2001 and arrange a prayer meeting in his house with the cooperation of the ward councillor Mr. S. Thomas, and animators, according to the convenience of Rev. Fr. Thomas Kollamparampil CMI, Vicar, to inform announce the commencement of Holy Mass from 4th March on Sundays.
Thus, the prayer meeting was held in the house of Mr. K.P. Chackappan on 18th February, presided by Rev.Fr. Thomas Kollamparampil, the vicar, who announced the date 4th March 2001. The inaugural Holy Mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Poonoly, Rector, Rev. Fr. Thomas CMI, Vicar, and Rev. Fr. Francis Thonipara CMI, who was appointed as Priest-in-Charge at the Nursery School in Assisi Bhavan (present St. Francis School) on4th March 2001. About 130 people from 17 families joined the gathering and had a fellowship lunch. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of the spiritual growth of this community, as Rev. Fr. Thonippara took over as Priest-in-Charge of Hongasandra Ward, ensuring that Holy Mass was offered every Sunday and on special occasions.
In a historic meeting on March 18, the ward was to be named, though several names were proposed, Holy Family [Thirukkudumba] Ward, proposed by Mr. K.P. Chackappan, was unanimously accepted and was officially announced by Rev.Fr. Francis Thonipara CMI. Mr. S. Thomas, P.A. Lukose, and Mrs. Omana Kurian were chosen as Ward Councillors and animators for the next year.
In a pivotal meeting on July 1, 2001, the decision was made to purchase a plot of land and a committee was formed with K.P. Chackappan. Mr Binny Philip, Mr. Mathew LIC , Mr. Denny Kalathil , Mr Siby Mathew. They identified the land measuring 6000 sft ,On August 30, 2001where our church is today, purchased from Mr. Munivenkiada Reddy O.P for Rs. 8,53,000. The sale agreement was made on 8th September 2001 on the feast of the Nativity of our Mother Mary.