Asst Priest St. Anthony’s Church, Gundolli.
Continue readingRev. Fr. Agnel Dias
Suvartha Mathe Chapel, Banavasi
Rev. Fr. Simon Fernandes
Asst. Priest of Holy Rosary Church, Yellapur Studies – B. ED
Continue readingLittle Flower of Jesus Church Berolli-Nagre
Little Flower of Jesus ChurchBerolli Nagre
The Little Flower of Jesus Church, situated in the Diocese of Karwar within the scenic landscape of Honnavar Taluk, holds a rich history and significance within the local community. Originally established as a substation of the St. Francis Assisi Church of Hadinbal, this quaint chapel has blossomed into an independent spiritual haven for its devoted congregation.
Formerly under the leadership of Fr. Cyril Miranda, the priest in charge of Berolli parish, underwent a significant transformation to become an independent chapel.
At present, the under the spiritual guidance of the present parish priest, Fr. Mark Serravo, the Little Flower of Jesus Church continues to thrive as a beacon of faith, offering solace and spiritual nourishment to the faithful. Fr. Mark Serravo, known for his dedication and pastoral care, plays a crucial role in nurturing the spiritual well-being of the parish community, fostering a sense of belonging and devotion.
- Little Flower of Jesus Church Berolli-Nagre
- Mass Timings
St. Sebastian Church Gerusoppa
St. Sebastian Church Gerusoppa
Gerusoppa is a paradise for nature lovers and heritage enthusiasts alike. It’s a village situated on the banks of the river Sharavathi in Honnavar Taluk, Uttara Kannada District in the Indian state of Karnataka. By the early 1550s, Chennabhairadevi, who belonged to the Saluva dynasty, became the queen, who ruled for 54 years. The Gerusoppa region was very rich in pepper which was in great demand in the west. Since Gerusoppa was the capital of the kingdom, it became a flourishing trade centre and pilgrimage destination. They mainly traded in spices like pepper, nutmeg and betel nut. The Portuguese laid the foundation for Christianity in Gerusoppa, who had come for the business purposes. They built a small structure to carry on their devotion and practice their faith in God.
Around 1920, when India was still under British rule, the pastoral needs of our church were provided by San Salvador Parish, Honavar. We can find in the documents that, over time, it was transferred to Gundibala parish, then to Kodani parish and then also to Samsi parish.
We had a small hut for to pray and to celebrate the liturgy. As time passed, the number of faithful increased in our village. Since it was a small hut, people took the initiative to replace it with a new church, built using mud. At that time, it was Fr. Walter who used to come from Samsi to celebrate mass for the faithful every Sunday. Even today, people here remember his work and praise the service that he rendered to our church. People reminisce that he had come every Sunday afternoon without fail to celebrate Mass and also conducted catechism classes for the children in the school building, which is just opposite to our church.
We would also like to mention in the report the contribution of Fr. Ben Britto, who worked a lot to establish the faith of the people. He was filled with the holy desire to improve the spiritual lives of the people. Thanks to his efforts and the generous help of many donors, he built the previous church for us. There are many other priests who gave their precious service to our church, namely, Fr. Gregory, Fr. Jerome D’souza, Fr. Lawrence Perreira, Fr. Simon Tellis, Fr. Lawrence Fernandes, Fr. Salvador Gonsalves, Fr. Marshall Crasta and Fr. John Fernandes.
New Church: During the time of Fr. Peter, the administration of our church was transferred again to Allanki Parish. It was a first step towards the construction of the new church. Discussions on building a new church began under the guidance of Fr. Abel and the late Bishop of Karwar, William D’Mello, who also carries the distinction of having been the first Bishop of Karwar. Bishop Derek Fernandes, who succeeded him, laid the foundation stone, and the work of the new building was stated when Fr. Antony (senior) was the parish priest of Allanki. Finally, the new church came into existence during Fr. David’s time, and the inauguration and dedication of the new church was done by Bishop Derek Fernandes.
Today, we have a beautiful church because of the collaboration and contribution of many persons, especially the late Bishop William D’Mello, Bishop Derek Fernandes and Mr. Sam Alphons for his generous support.
No | Year | Name of the Priests |
|---|---|---|
01 | 2018-2023 | Rev. Fr. Steven Dsouza (Snr) |
02 | 2023 – 2025 | Rev. Fr. Inthru Pinto |
03 | 2025 | Rev. Fr. Edwin D’Souza |
- St. Sebastian Church Gerusoppa
- Mass Timings
St. Paul Mission Bukkinkoppa
St. Paul MissionBukkinkoppa
Bukinkoppa is a sub station of St Antony’s Church Gundolli. Since it has many substations for the spiritual good of the people it was separated and made an independent Siddi mission unit. Fr Romeo Fernandes and Fr Felix Lopes served the people afterwards Fr Joachim Monteiro and Fr Noel Prakash served the people presently Fr Dominic Quadras is looking after the spiritual needs of the people.
- St. Paul's Mission, Bukinkoppa, Sambrani, Karnataka 581329
- Mass Timings
St. Michael’s Chapel, Kodse
St. Michael's Chapel,Minguel Palya - Kodse
St. Michael’s Mission, Kodse, 13 Kms. from Yellapur was part of the Yellapur Parish till 2000. There are 43 tribal Siddi families here. What was originally a thatched hut used for prayer on a piece of land of the Forest Department, was converted into a full-fledged Chapel under the stewardship of Fr.Jerome D’Souza, in his capacity as the Parish Priest of Yellapur.
The Tallikere Farm of the Diocese is also ably looked after and managed by a Priest appointed by the diocese. For his pastoral life he is given extra charge of Kodse mission. Fr. Jerome D Souza, Fr. Stany D Souza, Fr. Michael Pinto, Fr. Antony Rodrigues, served in the farm and looked after the spiritual needs of Kodse mission. Presently Fr. Antony D Souza is in charge of the mission.
- St Anthony's Church, Minguel Palya, Kodse
- Mass Timings
Preparation for Jubilee 2025 Initiated
The inauguration of the year of preparations for the ordinary Jubilee 2025 was held in the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral karwar on Christ the king Feast Day, viz: November 26, 2023
Continue readingTeresian Association India Turns To Gold
The Teresian Association that set foot on Indian soil in the year 1973, marks its golden jubilee in India this year,2023. As invitations went out across the globe for the grand celebration in Honavar the theme specially coined for the golden jubilee ‘WITH ONE MINDAND ONE HEART: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS WITH RENEWED HOPE AND COMMITMENT’ filled the air and vibrated in the hearts of members near and far.
The grand celebration began at the gate of the St Pedro Poveda church, Shantinagar, Honavar with a solemn procession. Bishop, priests, and members: both of the primary Association and ACIT Associations from different parts of India, parishioners and guests accompanied by the customary band playing joyful notes. The solemn Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Bishop Derek Fernandes, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Karwar and concelebrated by 20 priests. The introduction by Jennifer Fernandes remembered with fond gratitude the faithfulness of God who has walked with the T.A in India since its setting foot on Indian soil in 1973. Also very fondly were remembered the first members who brought the charism to our land and also all those from abroad and natives who tirelessly gave their lives for the rooting of the charism and in the service of the mission.
In his homily, the Bishop remembered St Pedro Poveda as a great martyr who sacrificed himself totally and was faithful to his vocation as ‘a priest of Christ’ to the very end and so he is an inspiration to us of self-giving, sacrifice and faithfulness to the mission God has entrusted to each one of us. Further congratulating the Teresian Association on its golden jubilee, the Bishop lauded the mission of the Teresian Association of being the salt of the earth to build the kingdom of God through her various projects, pastoral work and other endeavors not just in Honnavar but also in the entire diocese of Karwar and the other parts of the country. The bishop mentioned with gratitude the work being carried for women, the differently abled, youth and children through education and culture. The incumbent Parish Priest of St Pedro Poveda Church, Fr Alwyn Cardoza, while congratulating T.A India, welcomed all the T.A members and thanked the members for their valuable support and service to the Parish community.
Gratitude and joy were truly evident in the vote of thanks proposed by Nancy Fernandes. After the Eucharist everyone moved to the SARPI Center hall for the days program. The special dignitaries were ushered up on stage and felicitated, after which Bishop Derek Fernandes was very specially felicitated with flowers and a shawl by Goretti Gonsalves. Everyone was happy to hear from the T.A General President, Gregoria Ruiz as Nancy Fernandes read the congratulatory message.
Then was the time to give a listening ear to our dignitaries. Maria Goretti Gonsalves, the incumbent Sector Director of sector A-4, who also is the first native member while sharing her own personal vocational story on a personal note expressed her gratitude to God and fondly remembered the sacrifice, fortitude and love of the first members who came to this land like Mary Careaga, Nenita Tenefrancia etc and all the members who subsequently gave many valuable years of their life to the rooting of the charism in the country. Goretti also recalled the support of many persons very specially that of Bishop William D’mello, the previous Bishop of Karwar Diocese who was instrumental in welcoming the T.A to Honnavar. On a joyful note she welcomed all the members and guests from far and near and also made present the memory of those gone before us and those who could not make it for the celebration. Fr Valerian Sequiera, the first Parish Priest of St Pedro Poveda Church while congratulating the members of the Teresian Association expressed his admiration for the vision of St Pedro Poveda and mission of the Teresian Association through which culture and education are evangelized. Fr Valerian further added that his close association with the Teresian Association strengthened his own priestly vocation and also appreciated the zeal for the mission of the local vocations of Honavar. namely: Nancy, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Paskin, Sylvia and especially those from the St Pedro Poveda Parish namely: Flavia and Roopa. On a nostalgic note, Fr Valerian remembered the moments of the construction of the St Pedro Poveda church during which he received a lot of collaboration from the T.A members from far and near even for the fund-raising of the project. In his address at the gathering Bishop Derek stressed on the nature and identity of the Teresian Association as an International lay association of pontifical rite and underlined the vocation of being in the world but not of the world by being called to be the salt of the earth of the Gospel. Mr.Benedict Gonsalves, President of ACIT Honnavar in his address expressed his happiness and gratitude to all. The words of wisdom from the dignitaries on stage was followed by the release of the book of the history of the Teresian Association in India authored by Ana Maria Madrigal a Spanish T.A member who spent many years of her life in India, and co-authored by Verenne Viegas an Indian member. Pilar Ferrer, the Previous Sector Director, along with Verenne Viegas released the book and copies of the same were distributed to the dignitaries. This was followed by the release of a song on the life of St Pedro Poveda in Kannada made by Clinton Miranda, a Parishionor and group on the occasion of the Parish feast and Jubilee celebration . The song was released by Bishop Derek Fernandes. The audience was then treated to a rich cultural programme put up by various groups and projects of theTeresian Association such as dances by: SARPI balwadi students, Anand ACIT group, St Pedro Poveda Special school students, ACIT Honnavar group and also presentation of a song by the Pune group which was specially composed for the occasion: the lyrics written by Goretti Gonsalves and music by Elia Fleta, a Spanish member who had lived for several years in India earlier. A video message of Nenita Tenefrancia one of the first three members to arrive in India in 1973 was screened. The grand celebration came to an end with a family song by all the members together and a sumptuous meal for all. The finale of the programme was the solemn vote of thanks by Roopa Dsouza. All departed with a very deep sense of gratitude and joy. The celebrative mood continued as the T.A family gathered to share their profound feelings and listen together to the messages sent from far and near.
Diaconal Ordination
On 11 November, 2023, Most Rev. Derek Fernandes, the Bishop of Belgaum and the Apostolic Administrator of Karwar, ordained three seminarians of Redemptoris Mater Diocesan Missionary Seminary, Bangalore as deacons – Bro. Agnel Salvador Dias and Bro. Leo Ciasico for the Diocese of Karwar and Bro. Joseph Santhosh Jude for the Diocese of Belgaum. This Diaconal Ordination took place in St. Anne’s Church, Marathahalli, Bangalore and about 30 priests, few religious sisters and about 500 faithful participated.
Bro. Agnel hails from Honnavar and holds a degree in Psychology. His parents passed to the Lord when he was young. Before entering the seminary in 2013, he had the rich experience of working in a hospital, pharmacy, bank and especially as an itinerant, announcing the Gospel for 7 years. He did his pre-diaconate ministry in Our Lady of Piety Church, Halga. The foster family who took care of him and raised him up were present in the event.
Bro. Leo comes from a large family of 4 brothers and 2 sisters. He holds a degree in Industrial Education, and worked as a teacher in a government school for several years before responding to the Lord’s call to enter the seminary. After the formation in the seminary, he worked as an itinerant in the West Coast of India and did his pre-diaconate ministry in Our Lady of Remedies Church, Gundibala.
Bro. Jude is from Chennai and comes from a small family of his parents and one younger brother. He holds a doctorate from IIT Madras, which he completed after he entered the seminary. Before his ordination, he served in a mission station in Ahmedabad, Gujarat and did his time of pre-diaconate ministry in the Bishop’s House in Belgaum.
All three of these seminarians belong to Neocatechumenal communities in their respective parishes of origin, and discovered their vocations to the priesthood as a consequence of living their vocation to be Christians in a community.
