St. Sebastian’s Church, Upper Kasarkod

St. Sebastian's ChurchUpper Kasarkod

A Brief History of the Church

The Chapel of St. Sebastian built in 1937 was a sub station of St. Joseph’s Church, Lower Kasarkod for some time. It was Fr. Kurian Therady, after his term as Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Lower Kasarkod, who thought of residing at the Chapel of St. Sebastian, Upper Kasarkod to devote more time and energy for their spiritual welfare. It was erected as a separate Parish 1977. Since then Upper Kasarkod has not looked back and the Priests assigned to this Church have strained their might and mane in the service of the people. The growing vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life are a sign of the spiritual growth and maturity of the Parish. The Old Church was demolished and a new one built and inaugurated on 20.01.1986 when Fr. C. Almeida was the Parish Priest. Fr. Joseph D Souza, Fr. Bonaventure Rodrigues, Fr. Benedict Rodrigues, Fr. Natividade Rodrigues, Fr. Mark Tauro, Fr. Faustine Furtado, Fr. Alwyn Cardoza, Fr. Peter D Souza, have served the Parish. Presently Fr. Michael Pinto (Sr) is the parish Priest.
The Upper Kasarkod Parish is also getting to be known more and more because of the Apostolate of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (F.M.A.). Invited by the Bishop in 1987, the Mazzarello Kendra was inaugurated on 13.4.1987. The Sisters utilized their expertise and resources to start technical courses for girls in Tailoring, Embroidery, Typing, Shorthand, Computer, Accountancy etc. Scores of girls who otherwise would have discontinued their studies or whiled away their time at home, have found themselves gainfully employed after having completed the courses. The Sisters have recently started an English Medium Primary School. All in all, the Mazarello Complex is now an important educational spot on the scenario of Honavar, situated on the Karwar-Mangalore highway.]

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1954 – 1967
Fr. Raymond Miranda
02
1967 – 1981
Fr. Kurian Therady
03
1981 – 1986
Fr. C. Almeida
04
1986 – 1991
Fr. Bonaventure Rodrigues
05
1991 – 1992
Fr. Benedict Rodrigues
06
1992 – 1996
Fr. Alwyn Cardoza
07
1992 – 2001
Fr. Natvidad Rodrigues
08
2001 – 2002
Fr. Mark Tauro
09
2002 – 2008
Fr. Faustine Furtado
10
2008 – 2015
Fr. Peter D’souza
11
2015 – 2019
Fr. Richard Rodrigues
12
2019 onwards
Fr. Michael Pinto (Sr)
13
2025 onwards
Fr. David Pinto
  • St. Sebastian Church Kelaginur P.O. UPPER KASARKOD - 581 342
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St. Francis Xavier Church, Bailur

St. Francis Xavier ChurchBailur

A Brief History of the Church

Situated on the Arabian sea coast, Bailur Church is almost a beach Church. The monsoon season is a frightful season with the waters gushing almost to the Church compound. Though the original structure of the St. Francis Xavier Church, Bailur has been in existence since 1856, then another structure is said to have been built in 1922. The people have always lived in peace and harmony, with the guidance and care of the Priests from Goa and the Franciscan Congregation. Though it alternated as a sub-station of Murdeshwar or Manki for lack of Priests, the Bishop thought it appropriate to assign a separate Priest for Bailur, judging from the response of the people. Fr. Faustine Furtado, Fr. Navil Rodrigues, Fr. Lawrence D Silva, Fr  ……………Presently Fr. William D Souza is serving the people of the area in their spiritual need.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1918 to 1923
Rev. Fr. Miguel Gregorio D’souza
02
1924
Fr. Domingos Caetano Braz d’Azevedo
03
1924
Fr. Luis Filippe d’Athaide
04
1925
Fr. Mateus Francisco C. Bareto
05
1926
Fr. Domingos Caetano Braz d’Azevedo
06
1932
Fr. Thomas Mascarenhas
07
1932
Fr. Antonio V.C.C. Fernandes
08
1934
Fr. Pedro Nicolan Pereira
09
1938
Fr. Thomas Mascarenhas
10
1938
Fr. Pedro Nicolan Pereira
11
1938
Fr. Thomas Mascarenha
12
1940
Fr. Natividad Souza
13
1942 – 1960
Fr. Filipe Agostinho Carvalho
14
1972
Fr. C.Masearenhas
15
1973
Fr. Claude Castello
  • Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady Kajubag, Karwar 581301
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Holy Rosary Church, Yellapur

Holy Rosary ChurchYellapur

A Brief History of the Church

Already at the inception of the Diocese, the Parish of the Holy Rosary Yellapur, characterised as the Queen Mother Parish, with so many sub-stations being attended to by the Priests stationed in the Parish. What makes Yellapur along with Mundgod and Haliyal area unique in the Diocese is the presence of the Siddi-Christians (of negro origin who have the history of being imported by the Portuguese as slaves in Goa about 400 years ago, but then not being able to bear the hardships, escaped these areas and settled here, maintaining at the same time the purity of their race, culture and customs).
Though historical documents are scant, it is strongly believed that the Church of Yellapur was founded around the year 1880. It was a sub-station of Ankola Parish. The Church was re-built and solemnly inaugurated on 20-11-1891 and Rev.Fr. Manuel D’Souza of Marmagoa was appointed the first Parish Priest (1891-1896). The Parish Registers are maintained from the year 1891. This old Church was renovated in 1978 but constant repairs compelled Fr. Jerome D’Souza to undertake building of a new Church, which was inaugurated on 6th March 2000. Till 1978, the Parish of Mundgod and of Sunksal, the sub- station of Ankola, were part of Yellapur Parish. The three sub-stations of this Parish, Manchikeri, Kirwatti and Kodse, are now independent units with residential Priests-in-charge. Fr. Thomas Tavora, Fr. Constancio Almeida, Fr. Manuel D Souza, Fr. Mathew Lewis S. J. Fr. Ambrose Fernandes, Fr. Britto D Silva, Fr. Jerome D Souza, Fr. Balajoji K. Fr. David Pinto, Fr. Stany Crasta have served the parish. Presently Fr. Peter Carneiro is the Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests
  • Asha Kiran Farm, Tallikere Yellapur - 581 359
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St. Anne’s Church, Yedoga

St. Anne’s churchYedoga

A Brief History of the Church

The devotion to St. Anne and St. Joaquim is one of the popular devotions in our Diocese. So much so, it is not uncommon in many families in the Diocese to celebrate 24th July as a Family Day, with the sons and daughters given in marriage returning to the ancestral house to seek the blessings of elders. Special hymns and rosaries in honour of these beloved Saints are recited on this day. In this background it is not difficult to guess why the people of Yedoga in Haliyal area preferred to name their Chapel in honour of St. Anne. The inhabitants of Yedoga are said to be the Goans migrated from Bardez area and naturally are found among them the customs and traditions of Goans.
The Chapel at Yedoga was built in 1971 and was served for long by the Priests from Haliyal, till the inception of our Diocese, when the Bishop assigned a Priest to offer services in Mangalwad and Yedoga. The Priest was stationed in Mangalwad and stayed 3 days in a week at Yedoga. Responding to the request from the people for independent services and a separate Priest, Fr. Lawrence D’Souza was appointed the first Priest-in-charge of Yedoga unit on 27th May 1995. As the Presbytery was in a dilapidated condition, Fr. Alwyn Cardoza, who succeeded Fr. Lawrence supervised the construction of the new Presbytery, which was inaugurated by our Bishop on 22.7.1999. The expansion witnessed in the Mission unit of Yedoga is borne by the fact that in Ramapur, one of the sub-stations of Yedoga, a Chapel dedicated to St. Theresa of Child Jesus was inaugurated by our Bishop on 11.3.2001. Fr. Victor Crasta, Fr. Lazarus Miranda, Fr. Reginald Pitno, have served the parish. Presently Fr. Baptist Gomes is the parish Preist.

Our Former Priests
  • St. Anne’s Church YEDOGA P.O. Via Haliyal – 581 329
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St. Sebastian’s Church, Mangalwad

St. Sebastian’s ChurchMangalwad

A Brief History of the Church

Fr.Salvador Gonsalves, the Priest-in-charge of St. Sebastian’s Church. Mangalwad calls his village essentially a pro life village! There seem H to be more children in this village than the elders and the small ones frolicking and skipping with joy in the Church compound is awelcome sight! May the situation never change! St.Sebastian’s Chapel. Mangalwad is supposed to have been built and inaugurated by Rt. Rev.Ignatius Lobo in 1969. There is a sea of change in the last 25 years in these villages of Haliyal ever since the Bishop decided to improve their lot by assigning young Priests for the challenging tasks. When Fr. Antony Rodrigues was asked to pitch his tent” in Mangalwad village soon after his ordination 25 years ago, he could have compared his situation to that of Care de Ars! Muddy and slushy roads, the leaking one-room Presbytery-cum-sacristy. children packed off to distant destinations for labour-this was common sight. But with the patience and endurance of young priests like Fr. Antony Rodrigues, Fr. Sebastian Pinto. Fr. Joe D’Souza, Fr.Balajoji. Fr. Philip Lopes, Fr. William D’Souza and Fr. Francis Miranda, today Mangalwad gives witness to the religious presence and activity all these years.
Fr. Salvador Gonsalves is the Priest-in-charge since 2nd June 1998. Though in the beginning Priests were appointed to Mangalwad, they were also expected to stay in Yedoga 3 days in a week. Since the last few years, Mangalwad is made an independent unit, with Muttulmari and Omnolli as sub-stations of Mangalwad. The Navachetan Charitable Hospital which is the last resort for the people in distress in these areas renders yeomen service to the poor as also the YARD Complex, a branch of the Bala Pragathi Kendra, which conducts formal and non-formal education and training programmes, in the territorial units of Mangalwad Mission Station.

Our Former Priests
  • St. Sebastian’s Church, Mangalwad
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St. Joseph’s Church, Kirwatti

St. Joseph's ChurchKirwatti

A Brief History of the Church

The Kirwatti Mission was separated from Yellapur Parish and made an independent Mission unit in 1997. It is situated about 20 kms. from Yellapur on the Hubli Road. There are around 70 Catholic families.
Fr. Alwyn Cardoza was the first administrator followed by Fr. Mark Serrao and Fr. Sebastian Fernandes. Since 23rd March 2002, Fr. Raymond Fernandes, is appointed the Priest-in-Charge of this Mission, besides his responsibilities as the headmaster of the Holy Rosary School, Yellapur. Fr. Andrew Pinto, Fr. Benedict Rodrigues, Fr. Stany Crasta, have served the parish with enthusiasm. Presently Fr. Michael Pinto (Jr) is the parish priest. The presence of the Daughters of the Cross Sisters in the Mission unit goes a long way in the socio-economic development of the village. The people are eagerly awaiting the construction of a new Church.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1996-97
Fr. Alwyn Cardoza
02
1997
Fr. Mark serrao
03
1997-2002
Fr. Sebastian Fernandes
04
2002-2005
Fr. Reymond Fernandes
05
2005-2007
Fr Jerome Baretto
06
2007-2012
Fr. Andrew Pinto
07
2012-2018
Fr. Benedict Rodrigues
08
2018-2023
Fr. Stany Crasta.
09
2023
Fr. Michael Pinto (Jr)
  • St. Joseph’s Church Kirwatti- 581 412
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St. Francis Xavier Church, Hunshettikoppa

St. Francis Xavier ChurchHunshettikoppa

A Brief History of the Church

In the year 2005 seeing the spiritual need Bishop William D Mello separated the St Francis Xavier Siddi Mission unit from Holy Rosary Church Yellapur and appointed Rev. Fr. Raymond Fernandes as Mission in charge with his teaching ministry at Holy Rosary High School Yellapur. In the year 2006 Bishop appointed Rev. Fr. Joachim Furtado as priest in charge of the mission. In 2007 Rev. Fr Raymond was appointed as priest in charge of the mission till May 2015 and from 2015 – 2021 Rev. Fr. Wilson Noronha looked after the spiritual needs of the people. From 2021 till date Rev. Fr Philip Roque D Souza is looking after the spiritual needs of the people.
The parish has 75 Siddi families spread in five villages – Sonarjaddi, Belkop, Domgera, Tavarkatta and Hunshettikoppa village.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
2006-2007
Fr. Joachim Furtado
02
2007-2015
Fr Raymond
03
2015-2021
Fr. Wilson Noronha
04
2021- Present
Fr Philip Roque D Souza
  • St. Francis Xavier Church, Hunshettikoppa
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Holy Family Church, Joida

Holy Family ChurchJoida

A Brief History of the Church

A greater portion of the Supa town of olden days lies submerged under water. Joida is the new town in Supa Taluk that has come up recently. Being an important highway from Sadashivgad to Belgaum in the olden days, as also being in the proximity of the great Vaishnavite Shrine at Ulvi, there is every reason to believe that Supa was an important town, through which many people passed by. As regards the Catholic presence, they must have been sufficient in number to warrant the Jesuits to build a college here with 2 residences in the early 18th century. But by the end of the century, Tipu’s persecution must have taken its toll and those that escaped being deported, could have migrated to the Haliyal and Khanapur areas. The few Catholics that were in pockets of Potoli, Joida, Kumbarwada may have found themselves like believers in the wilderness for any spiritual help as Joida lies mid-way between Halga and Haliyal.
It is in this situation that Fr. Ignatius Gonsalves, OCD found the people at the inception of the Diocese. He gathered them together and painstakingly built the Church dedicated to the Holy Family, which was inaugurated by our Bishop on 25.3.1980. He also built the Parochial house. As there is a sizable population of Catholics in the Kumbarwada region, the Bishop thought it wise to build a separate Chapel there, dedicated to the patronage of St. Paul. Fr. Rock Mascarenhas, Fr. Reginal Pinto, Fr. Michael Pinto served the Parish. Over the years the condition of the Presbytery as also the Church at Joida began to deteriorate and Fr. Balajoji K. undertook the renovation of the Presbytery and the Church. The Church not only looks stronger, but is a beauty to behold! Fr. Balajoji started a small boarding and a Kinder Garten to help raise the educational standard of the children. Fr. Joaquim Furtado, Fr. Prakash Rao, Fr. Lawrence D Souza, Fr. Chrysostom Rodrigues served the parish. Fr. Steven D Souza is the present Parish Priest.
The Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima known for their zealous efforts in development skills especially in the rural areas are toiling hard along with the Parish Priest in the spiritual and social upliftment of the people of Joida and surrounding villages. They run a boarding for girls and also conduct tailoring and crafts lessons for the school drop-out girls.

Our Former Priests
  • Holy Family Church Joida – 581 186
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Our Lady of Miracles Church, Haliyal

Our Lady of Miracles ChurchHaliyal

A Brief History of the Church

Established in 1884, the Church of Our Lady of Miracles was originally a sub-station under the Bidi Parish of Belgaum Diocese. The Priest’s residence is supposed to have been put up by Fr. Thomas D’Souza in 1890. It was raised to the status of a Parish Church on 3-7-1899 with Fr. priest. Alex Francis Nevis as the first Parish.
Now after about 100 years Haliyal Church is Mother Church of many newly established Churches and Mission units around. At one time there were 32 mission stations that belonged to this Parish. In many of these substations there are Siddi people, with their rich culture and customs. But their economic and social condition is very poor and the Diocese has initiated many schemes for their development in the Haliyal villages. There are about 225 Catholic families in the main parish of Our Lady of Miracles. Fr. Vincent Pereira, Fr. Jerome D Souza, Fr. Denis Mascarenha, Fr. Lawrence Fernandes, Fr. Stany Crasta, Fr. Joseph D Souza, Fr. Gnana Prakash Rao, have served the parish. Presently Fr Francis Miranda serves as the Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1889-1892
Fr. Thomas Fransesco de soza
02
–
Fr. Antonio Paulo Polycorp Japries d s jose
03
–
Fr. Felix Feuiorteo Gonsalves, Asst
04
–
Fr. Felix Feuiorteo Gonsalves, Asst
05
–
Fr. Feliceano Vietre do
06
1892-1897
Fr. Joaquem Xavier do Piedade Saldanha
07
1897-1900
Fr. Joao Xavier Matthias
08
–
Delegates: Fr. Joao Baptista Filippe Francisco
09
–
Fr. Jose Rogauxmo
10
1900-1903
Fr. Manoel Salvador desoza
11
1903-1906
Fr. Vincent Sebestiano de mello
12
1906-1911
Fr. Joao Francisco Pinto
13
1912-1918
Fr. Jose do Nascimento Alvares
14
1918
Antonio Xavier S dovico de Braganza
15
1918-1927
Asst. Fr. Jose Fulgureio de Almeide
16
1927-1930
Fr. Jose Maria Andrade + Quadros
17
1913
Fr. Joao Emerciano Coraeo
18
1932 Jan – Nov
Fr. Jose Luciano Magus Pereira
19
1932 Dec – 1939
Fr. Antonio Bernardo Castelino
20
August 1939 – Jan 1940
Fr. Natiendade de souza
21
Feb 1940-Dec-1945
Fr. Paregreio Ludovico de de Liena
22
Jan 1946-1962
Fr. Gregorio Amarinho Gracias
23
–
Asst. Fr. Francis Farca
24
–
Asst. Fr. Apolinaris cap
25
–
Asst. Fr. Blaise cap
26
–
Asst. Fr. Max S. Dsoza
27
Aug 1962-Jan 1975
Fr. Samson Carvalho
28
1975-1976
Asst. Fr. Alex Costa
29
1977-May 1984
Fr. Vincent Pereira
30
–
Asst. Fr. Antony Rodrigues
31
–
Asst. Fr. Michael Pinto
32
–
Fr. Jerome D’souza
33
–
Fr. Anacletus Demello
34
–
Fr. Andrew Pinto
36
–
Fr. Danis Mascarenhas
37
–
Fr. Joquim Furtado
38
–
Fr. Lawrence Fernandes
39
–
Fr. Alfie D’silva
40
–
Fr. Stany Crasta
41
–
Asst. Fr. Christopher
42
–
Asst. Fr. Ireneo Dias
43
–
Asst. Fr. Antony Balgundkar
44
–
Fr. Joseph D’souza
45
–
Asst. Fr. Victor Dias
46
–
Asst. Fr. John Worth
47
–
Fr. Gnana Prakesh Rao
48
–
Asst. Fr. Benson Fernandes
49
–
Asst. Fr. Ronny Rodrigues
50
–
Asst. Fr. Dominic Quadras
51
–
Asst. Fr. Santosh Noronha
52
2021
Fr. Francis Miranda
53
–
Asst. Fr. Wilson Pinto
  • Our Lady of Miracles Church Haliyal – 581 329
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St. Anthony’s Church, Gundolli

St. Anthony's ChurchGundolli

A Brief History of the Church

Four kms, off the main Yellapur Haliyal road is the Gundolli Mission. St. Anthony’s Church veritably at the centre of the village surrounded by Christians and non-Christians. The Church bell is a familiar sound that one hears. No wonder even the non-Christians are so used to the chiming of bells that they find something amiss when they don’t chime.
There is good harmony between Christians and non-Christians The Chapel of St.Anthony at Gundolli was a sub-station of Haliyal parish Church since many years till 1989. After the inception of the Diocese, the Bishop renovated the existing Chapel and Presbytery, which were inaugurated on 25.11.1989. Fr. Joe D’Souza was appointed the first Priest-in-charge at Gundolli. Subsequently Fr. Lancy Rodrigues, Fr. Joachim Furtado, Fr Alphie D Silva, Fr. K. Balajoji, Fr. Antony Rodrigues, Fr Philip Roque D Souza, served the parish. Priests not only catered to the spiritual needs of the people, they even sought out ways and means to aid the people socially and economically. Gundolli Mission has 12 substations like Kalginkoppa, Kumbarkoppa, Gudmurgi, Sambrani, Bukinkoppa, Balshettikoppa, Kanshida, Bhagavathi, Kamtikoppa, Nilvani, Dodkoppa, and Hosur. Presently Fr. Noel Prakash Lobo is the parish priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1989 – 1993
Fr. JOE D’ SOUZA
02
1993 – 1996
FR. LANCY RODRIGUES
03
1996 – 2000
FR. JOACHIM FURTADO
04
Assistant
FR. Pascol Rodrigues
05
2000 – 2006
FR. ALPHY D’ SILVA
06
2006 – 2013
FR. Balajoji
07
Assistant
Fr. Romeo Fernandes
08
2013 – 2015
Fr. Antony Rodrigues (Sr.)
09
2015 – 2021
Fr. Philip Roque D’souza
10
Assistant
Fr. John Worth
11
Assistant
Fr. Joachim Monteiro
12
2021 – Present
Fr. Noel Prakash Lobo
  • St. Anthony’s Church Gundolli P.O. Via Haliyal – 581 329
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