On Feb. 1, 1933 Bishop Thomas was born in a large Catholic family. He was privileged to have a father, zealous for promoting the faith in his family and community. Despite their poverty, his father spurned offers for advancement in salaried employment, and chose to accept the call to be the first Catechist in the Jesuit missions of the Ahmednagar District. From his aged, exemplary, and experienced father, Thomas gained many valuable insights for his future pastoral and episcopal ministry. When he reached sixteen years of age, he was credited with several ‘firsts’. He was among the first pupils of Dnyanamata Jesuit School, Sangamner; he became the first pupil to become its Principal, and as a son of the soil, was the first to serve as Bishop of the newly erected Nashik Diocese. He served his flock as Bishop with love and dedication for twenty memorable years 1987 to 2007. Bishop Bhalerao’s Episcopal Ordination was on 23 August 1987
He entered the Society of Jesus on June 20, 1953, and during his formation he got exposure across the country. He was ordained as a Priest on March 27, 1965 and the year 2015 was a Jubilee year of his Priesthood. Preparation for his Jubilee Celebration was on. His Autobiography will be published soon.
After his priestly ordination, he worked studiously and obtained his Master’s Degree in Marathi and Linguistics from Karnataka University. Besides Hindi, Latin and Greek, he was also conversant with Sanskrit. Loved and respected as a good teacher, his classes in Marathi were always very lively. He is fondly remembered by his students in the Belgaum Juniorate, at the ‘Sadhanalaya’ Novitiate in Nashik, and at Dnyanamata High School, Sangamner. Prior to his appointment as Bishop, he served with dedication in a variety of assignments, as House Minister, Socius to the Novice Master, Teacher and School Principal. During his tenure as Principal, he took a break to complete his M.Ed. at Loyola University, Chicago, in 1984-85.
He was much sought after for preaching, especially in Marathi, for retreats, missions and festive occasions. He was precise and incisive in expounding matters of faith, with a penchant for narrating the lives of Saints, and giving apt illustrations to drive home a vital point. Both children and adults listened to his sermons and speeches with rapt attention. His command over Marathi was extraordinary, both as a speaker and writer. As editor, he raised the literary and religious standard of ‘Niropya’, our Pune Jesuit magazine.
Both as a Priest and Bishop, he commanded respect as a prayerful person, leading a simple and fervent religious life, with generous pastoral concern for people. He built up the Nashik Diocese, grooming his clergy to take responsibility and serve in the pastoral, educational, social ministries. He invited new religious Congregations of men and women to promote integral development of the new Nashik Diocese, to set up and build Diocesan institutions, and to promote the growth of much needed ministries. With zeal and foresight, he established a new Diocesan pastoral centre to encourage youth programmes, promote Small Christian Communities, conduct regular pre-marriage courses in four Districts, and nurture the vernacular singing apostolate.
To foster local vocations for the young Diocese, he set up a Minor Seminary. To ensure the pastoral care of his flock, he opened some new parishes, and to help the youth access to a good education, he started English medium schools in Rahata and Kopergaon. As shepherd of his faithful, he worked tirelessly to build a vibrant community, strong in the faith, well-educated, informed, and trained to serve the Indian Church of the day, and society at large. No doubt, as Bishop, he often had to struggle to guide the new Diocese, and empower his people. But, with single-minded dedication, he went about building up the diocesan and religious clergy, training the catechists, encouraging increased lay participation, and advocating an active role for women in the Church and society. As a faithful steward and able administrator, he raised and set aside funds for the establishment and development of the Diocesan institutions, and the wide array of ministries and activities to stabilize the new Diocese. His love for community life, unfailing cheerfulness, and sense of humour has been his faithful companions throughout his life, even when he was in pain and hospitalized.
Due to health concerns, he retired as Bishop. Living in a Jesuit community of Loyola Sadan in Shrirampur, his health was much improved, but he remained bed-ridden. On Feb 13, 2015, at 2.35pm in St. Luke’s Hospital Shrirampur he breathed his last and surrendered all his sufferings and pains his Heavenly Father. All the good works and deeds that he did to the least of his brothers and sisters will assure him of the Eternal Rest. He will continue remaining present in the hearts of the people whom he lovingly and dedicatedly served and cared for. May his soul rest in peace!
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