Sacred Heart Church, Ambikanagar

Sacred Heart ChurchAmbikanagar

A Brief History of the Church

Modern day Ambikanagar is a new town born of two forest villages, Amba and Jamga. Known for its world famous Hydro power project, Ambikanagar came into existence when the power project was being built and commissioned. As the first technicians of the power project settled in the colonies with their families, a request was made from among the Catholic families for religious services. While in 1975 Fr. J.Koimma obliged them with English Masses celebrated once a month or so, soon it was obvious that the 60 families or so would look after an independent Priest if spared by the Diocese. Thus already at the beginning of the Diocese Fr. Santosh Menezes OFM Cap. started residing at Ambikanagar in one of the colony houses, made available to him for his stay and religious services by an enthusiastic parishioner, the future Fr. Reginald Pinto, who was an Accountant in K.P.C. but resigned his job and joined the Priesthood for the Diocese of Karwar! 
Through the kind generosity of the Karnataka Power Project Corporation, a piece of land on Bhagwathi road was leased out for the new Church construction at Ambikanagar. The people were active, zealous and very keen to finish the building. Ambikanagar takes the credit of being the first Church in the Diocese, foundation of which was laid by our Bishop at the inception of the new Diocese. With the support of the KPC, work on the Church and Presbytery proceeded at a fast pace with Fr. Henry D’Mello in the lead and the Church was inaugurated and blessed by our Bishop on 4th April 1981. The parish has Kegdal village occupied by Siddi people are catered from Ambikanagar parish. Successive Priests, Fr. Patrick D’Mello, Fr. J.B.D’Silva, Fr. Denis Alvares, Fr. Theophilus Pereira, Fr. Bruno Fernandes, Fr. Lawrence Pereira, Fr. Edwin D Souza,, Fr. K Balajojji, Fr. Denis mascarenhas, Fr. Lawrence Fernandes have served the parish. Presently Fr. James Lopes is looking after the spiritual needs of the people..

Our Former Priests

St. Anthony’s Church, Sirsi

St. Anthony's ChurchSirsi

A Brief History of the Church

About the Sirsi Catholics, it may be said, a few migrant Christians from the coastal belt who settled in the up ghat sections of Sirsi could have organised themselves into a community towards the later half of the 18th century. Till 1860 the Christians in Sirsi were looked after by the Priests from the Ankola Parish and from 1861, Sirsi was a sub-station of the Kumta Parish. The first Chapel was built and inaugurated on 18.10.1865. Thereafter the Church was constructed in 1875. This Church, as it was found to be too small and in a dilapidated condition was reconstructed with the help of the Portuguese Government and subscriptions from the public.
t was inaugurated on 18.11.1936 when Fr. Albert Mascarenhas was the Vicar. Being a commercial centre in the District, Sirsi has a higher percentage of Christians. Besides the Christians of the town area (Hubli Road and Agasebagil). the Priests residing at Sirsi also served at the sub-stations Siddapur and Sampkand, where groups of Christians formed small communities. The Hubli Road as also Agsebagil areas were bifurcated into independent Parishes. Hulekal. Gadgeri and Banavasi are the main sub-stations of St. Anthony’s Parish, Sirsi. Fr. Peter Machado took charge of this Parish from Fr. Fernando Menezes on 3rd June 1996. The construction of the new Church, the foundation stone of which was blessed by our Bishop on 11 Nov. 1998. The Neo Catechumenate is opened in this Parish since 1987. The Lay Associations like Catholic Association, Catholic Women’s League, St. Vincent de Paul, Youth Association are active in the Parish. Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Denis Mascarenha, Fr. John Fernandes have served the Parish. Presently Fr. Cyril D Souza is the Parish Priest.
The Parish School, called as St. Anthony’s Primary School which was started around the year 1967 and managed by a group of Parishioners was handed over to the Diocese around the year 1970. Fr. Michael Kattakayam who was appointed Head Master of the School put up a new building for the Primary School in 1974. The High School section was started in the Hubli Road area where a new building was put up in 1982 The management of the High School as also the care of the Catholics residing in the Hubli Road area were handed over to the Fathers of the Salesian Congregation in May 1995.

Our Former Priests

Year Name Of Asst Parish Priest
25-04-1965 to 17-03-1967 Victor Crasta
01-06-1974 to 30-05-1985 Michael Kattakayam (In The School)
25-05-1980 to 29-06-1983 Fr. Joe D’Souza
30-06-1983 to 31-05-1984 Lawrence Pereira
01-06-1984 to 30-05-1985 Johny Fernandes
31-05-1985 to 29-05-1995 John Fernandes (In The School)
30-05-1986 to 05-06-1987 Lawrence D’Souza
06-06-1987 to 12-06-1988 Gregory Almeida
13-06-1988 to 30-05-1989 Reginald Pinto
01-06-1989 to 14-04-1990 William D’souza
04-06-1989 to 18-05-1991 Henry D’Mello (In The Farm)
15-01-1990 to 15-05-1995 Peter D’souza (In The Farm)
18-05-1991 to 08-02-1993 Augustine Lobo
09-02-1993 to 02-06-1996 Natvidad Rodrigues
18-11-1993 to 30-05-1994 Robin Das
03-06-1996 to 27-05-1998 Wilson Fernandes
01-09-1996 to 31-05-1997 Bosco Ribeiro
01-02-1998 to 02-06-1999 Joe Pinto
28-05-1998 to 24-04-2001 Gabriel Lopes
25-04-2001 to 19-06-2004 Cyril D’souza
19-06-2004 to 11-06-2006 Holenston D’souza
22-12-2004 to 31-05-2005 Ignatius D’Souza
13-06-2005 to 19-06-2006 Lazarus Miranda
10-06-2006 to 14-06-2008 Edwin Paul D’souza
07-12-2006 to 31-03-2009 Viliet Fernandes
15-06-2008 to 30-05-2010 Rohan Fernandes
02-06-2010 to 02-05-2012 Cyril Miranda
25-02-2008 to 31-05-2011 Joachim Monteiro
01-06-2011 to 25-05-2013 Joachim Fernandes
02-05-2012 to 01-06-2014 Gregory D’souza
26-05-2013 to 06-05-2016 Naveen Tauro
01-06-2014 to 21-05-2017 Ronald D’souza
06-05-2016 to 15-07-2021 Stephen D’souza
21-05-2017 to 13-05-2023 Alwyn Patrick D’sa
26-06-2021 Silvan Rodrigues
Year Name of Parish Priest
08-01-1866 to 29-04-1877 Antonio Carto De Souza
30-04-1877 to 27-04-1878 Pedro Salvador De Souza
28-04-1878 to 05-12-1883 Miguel Jose Das Remedios Dias
06-12-1883 to 01-08-1893 Eilias Piadade Dias
02-08-1893 to 17-01-1897 Joao Gabriel Das Mascarenhas
18-01-1897 to 15-04-1902 Francisco Xavier Vaz
16-04-1902 to 31-01-1907 Deodato Piadade Da Costa
01-02-1907 to 15-04-1912 Mario Jose Levy Gonsalves
16-04-1912 to 15-04-1922 Floriano Jose Joaquim Joao Fernandes
16-04-1922 to 24-05-1923 Dumingo Gartano Soares
25-05-1923 to 29-11-1931 Jose Maria Carmelitada Padade Miranda
30-11-1931 to 15-04-1934 Paulo Francisco Saldhana
16-04-1934 to 28-04-1937 Alberto Antonio Mascarenhas
29-04-1937 to 12-02-1939 Natividade De Souza
13-02-1939 to 30-11-1939 Antonio Joao De Brito Mesquita
01-12-1939 to 15-02-1942 Sebastiao De Souza
16-02-1942 to 05-06-1950 L. A. Figueiredo
06-06-1950 to 05-10-1959 Luis Mathias Lobo
06-10-1959 to 17-03-1967 Caitano Vishent Borges
18-03-1967 to 30-06-1983 Rudolf Miranda
01-07-1983 to 31-05-1984 Stany D’Cunha
01-06-1984 to 03-05-1986 Vincent Pereira
31-05-1986 to 04-06-1996 Fernando Menezes
05-06-1996 to 14-06-2004 Peter Machado
15-06-2004 to 25-06-2011 Paul Sequeira
26-06-2011 to 21-05-2017 Denis Mascarenhas
22-05-2017 to 13-05-2023 John Fernandes
14-05-2023  Cyril D’Souza

Holy Rosary Church, Siddapur

Holy Rosary ChurchSiddapur

A Brief History of the Church

The name of Fr. Camillo Fernandes is held in high reverence in this small town Parish of Holy Rosary. Not only was he the first Parish Priest of the Church, bifurcated from Sirsi Parish in 1954, he was also the pioneer who rebuilt the Chapel that existed from about 100 years. Fr. Camillo had also the foresight to arrange for a plot of land in Ravindranagar area where the new Church was built and inaugurated on 29th April 1988 by our Bishop William D Mello,

when Fr. Peter Machado was the Parish Priest. Eventually the old Church was demolished to make place for the Maria Complex, the construction of which was supervised by Fr. Felix Lobo. The Parish is also fortunate to have a 4 acre farm at Ballatte, 3 kms from the Church, which God willing in due time may aid in making the Parish self – sufficient. Fr. William Rasquinha, Fr. Faustine Furtado, Fr. Anacletus D Mello served the parish with zeal. The paris has Mavingundi, Adukatta, Manamane, Aigod Vandane and Tyagli are the main substations attached to this Parish. Presently Fr. David Pinto is serving the Parish.

Our Former Priests

St. Francis Xavier Church, Sampkhand

St. Francis Xavier Church Sampkhand

A Brief History of the Church

The church was inaugurated by Bp. Derek Fernandes on 29/1/2013.
It was built during the time of Rev Fr. valerian D’souza. But the chapel was built around 2002 to 2003 under the supervision of Rev Fr. Peter Machado (at that time he was parish priest of St. Anthony church Sirsi.) Later on, Rev Fr. Reginald Pinto was appointed as parish priest in 2003. Rev. Fr. Edwin D’souza is present parish priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
2003 to 2008
Fr. Reginald Pinto
02
2008 to 2015
Fr. Valrian Dsouza
03
2015 to 2021
Fr. Mark Taurro
04
2021 to 2025
Fr. Edwin Dsouza
05
2025 onwards
Fr. James Lopes

St. Rita’s Church, Mundgod

St. Rita's ChurchMundgod - Jesuit Mission House (SJ)

A Brief History of the Church

The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) of Karnataka Province took a bold decision in 1981 to extend its mission from coastal Karnataka into North Karnataka where the Christian presence then was practically small. They identified Mundgod, one of most the most backward talukas of Karwar district, as their future mission.

The Christians in Mundgod proper are a negligible minority. Most of them are settlers (job based). Only a few are locals. Siddis are a majority. The main parish of St Rita’s in the town (36 families), has three sub-stations at Ugginakere (40 families), Mainahalli (57 families) and Malagi (12 families).The fallowing parish priests have rendered their services in St. Rita’s church, Mundgod Fr. Mathew Lewis, Fr Peadeep sequeira, Fr.VT Paulose ,Fr.Lawrence Pinto, Fr.Ambrose D’mello, Fr.Francis Guntipally, Fr.Tom D’sousa, Fr Stany Miranda, Fr Freddie D’silva, Fr. Anand Prabhu Fr. Celestine Sera, Fr. Francis Menezes and Fr. Gilbert Saldhanha. Along with the Jesuits, two women religious congregations, namely, Sisters of Charity of Bartholomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa (Estd. Oct 2, 1980) and Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross (Estd. June 1, 1996) are working as a team by carrying out pastoral, educational, social and healthcare ministries. Hostels are also run for Catholic students and other backward classes. Focus is “service of faith and promotion of justice through dialogue with the religious and culture.” Faith formation of the people is given due importance through regular family visits, family prayers, liturgical animation, catechesis etc. School, Parish and Social work all aim towards this dimension.

About the Organization

North Karnataka Jesuit Educational & Charitable Society (NKJE & CS) was organized to work among and with the marginalized communities of Uttara Kannada. Predominately place is filled with the various tribes of Karnataka, Jesuits work in two districts; Uttara Kannada and Haveri Districts. They have put sustained efforts to work for the integral development of these people, fight for justice, build pride in them, restore human dignity, create awareness, promote health and hygiene conditions, release them from the fetters of money lenders and eradicate poverty from the lives of these people in about 78 villages through health care, village hostels, Self Help Groups, adult education Centres, small saving schemes,

Mundgod is also known to be one of the oldest Tibetan settlement Centres; it has spread over a large part of the Mundgod area.
Jesuits besides taking care of the spiritual needs of the people are also work in empowerment works, with the formal and non-formal education, village conscientization, health and social empowerment works.
Jesuits work in Mundgod at three levels;

1 pastoral, and spiritual care of the catholic community of Mundgod.
2. Education field through the both formal and non-formal education
3. Social empowerment of the our target groups through our Social awareness work through the Loyola Vikasa Kendra (LVK)

Our Former Priests

No
Name of the Priests
01
Fr. Guilbert Saldhana, Parish Priest
02
Fr. Melvin Lobo (Community Member)
03
Fr. Jeevan Gomes (Community Member)
04
Fr. Leo Florence(Community Member)
05
Fr. Vijay Raju(Community Member)
06
Fr. Anil D’sousa (Community Member)
07
Fr. Gerald D’sousa (Community Member)
08
Bro. Noel Prabhu (Community Member)
09
Bro. Harish (Community Member)

St.Sebastian’s Church, Manchikeri

St. Sebastian's ChurchManchikeri

A Brief History of the Church

Across the Bedthi river on the Yellapur-Sirsi road lies Manchikeri village which was part of Yellapur Parish. It was separated from the main Yellapur Parish in the year 1994. It has about 280 Parishioners.

The new Church building and the Priest’s residence was constructed under the supervision of Rev.Fr.Benedict Rodrigues, who  was also the first Priest-in-charge of this new Mission Station. Our Bishop inaugurated the new building of the Church on 22nd Oct. 1994. The Mission Station has a sub-station dedicated to St. Anne at Bilki, which is about 10 kms away from Manchikeri.

Fr. Benedict Rodrigues, Fr. Lawrence D’Souza, Fr Lawrence Pereira, Fr. Joachim Furtado, Fr. Raymond Fernandes, have served the parish. Presently Fr. Royston Gonsalves is the parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

St. John Bosco Church, Hubli Road, Sirsi

Don Bosco ChurchHubli Road, Sirsi.

A Brief History of the Church

In 1982 Rev. Fr. Michael Kattakayam, started a High School which actually began as a Primary School in St. Anthony’s Church Compound. Some unpleasant circumstances coerced Fr. Michael Kattakayam to shift the High School on Hubli road, Sirsi. Therefore, Fr. Kattakayam bought a plot of land and set up a residence for himself calling it “Deva Krapa” which is now the presbytery of the St. John Bosco Church. Simultaneously, St. Anthony’s Eng. Medium School building was also constructed and for over thirteen years the School was well run and developed.at Hubli road Sirsi. 

In 1995 the late Bishop William De Mello of Karwar Diocese invited the Salesians to take over
the establishment at Deva Krapa along with the above-mentioned School, with a request to construct and establish a new Parish.

The Salesian Provincial accepted the offer from the Bishop and proposed St. John Bosco to
be the Patron of the Parish. The Bishop approved the suggestion and accordingly, on the evening of May 16, 1995, amidst a gathering of parishioners, the diocesan clergy and the Salesians, the School was handed over to the Salesians.

The handing over ceremony took place in the School hall above the residence of Deva Krapa.
Fr Lawrence D’Souza was appointed Parish Priest with Fr. Felix Fernandes as his Assistant.
There were more or less 80 families belonging to the main Parish of St. Anthony at Sirsi,
to be the parishioners of the St. John Bosco Parish. Initially, the ministry of liturgical and religious services was held in the School Hall above the residence from May 1995 till 1999,
The Mass Center at Ekkambi comprising of nearly 50 families which is 16 kms also had to be taken care of pastorally.

In 1996, Fr. Michael Mascarenhas took over as the Parish Priest from Fr. Lawrence D’souza. 
A year later in June 1997 Fr. Leandro Gracias came as an assistant Parish Priest and relieved Fr. Felix Fernandes to go for his studies in Pune.

The Almighty God provided the resources. The entire cost of the building was funded by Chandrakanth Meghji Shah of Seychelles through the Propaganda office of Rev. Fr. Aurelius Maschio SDB. The foundation stone for the construction of Parish building was laid on April 20th 1997 and in two years’ time, completed and blessed by Rt. Rev. William D’mello, the Bishop of Karwar Diocese, on 11 December 1999.

Though, the parishioners could not help financially, those who could offer their mite did contribute in the measure they could. The people were poor and the Salesians who pioneered the work felt that it was pastorally fulfilling.

During his tenure of office from 1996-1999, Michael supervised the construction of the church. And the School extension block. A small multipurpose hall was also built at Marathikoppa for Medical and social services of the faithful staying in the locality. 

In 1999 Fr. Michael Mascarenhas was transferred and Fr. Lawrence D’souza was appointed for a second time to take care of the Parish and School at Sirsi.
In 2000 Fr. Lino Lopes came as an assistant Parish Priest and continued till 2006
Fr. Lawrence D’souza, due to poor health condition, he had to discontinue after a year.
In 2001 Fr. Maurice Figueiredo took over from Fr. Lawrence D’souza.
He strove in his own inimitable style to organize the pastoral work in the Parish.
In 2003, Fr. Bernardino Almeida took over as the Parish Priest and worked with interest for six full years enthusiastically.
In 2009 Fr. Felix Serrao was appointed as a Parish Priest along with Fr. Leandro Gracias as an assistant Parish Priest.
Fr. Felix Serrao was succeeded by Fr. Alexinho Rodrigues as a Parish Priest from 2015 to 2021
In 2021 Fr. Lino Lopes took over the charge as the Parish along with Fr. Sandesh Fernandes.
Together as a team Fr. Lino Lopes, Fr. Sandesh Fernandes and Fr. Peter Pinto give their best pastorally.

Every Salesian team that arrived at Sirsi, has progressively developed place and the parishioners with Faith forming and educating in the best way they can. The parish with its mere 28 years history has shown remarkable progress under the stewardship of the Salesians. More and more people have settled in the Parish over the years and the Christian population has also grown rapidly and moved up the economic ladder. At present, there about 200 Christian families with a total population of more than 700. The school too has excelled always as one of the best schools in Sirsi, always setting new standards for academic excellence.


Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1995-1996
Fr. Lawrence D’Souza
02
1996-1999
Fr. Michael Mascarenhas
03
1999-2001
Fr. Lawrence D’Souza
04
2001-2003
Fr. Maurice Figueiredo
05
2003-2009
Fr. Bernardino de Almeida
06
2009-2015
Fr. Felix Serrao
07
2015-2021
Fr Alexinho Rodrigues
08
2021-Present
Fr. Lino Lopes

Infant Jesus Church, Agasebagil

Infant Jesus ChurchAgasebagil, Sirsi

A Brief History of the Church

When Fr. Fernando Menezes, the Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Church, Sirsi approached the Bishop William D Mello, as to under whose patronage the proposed new Church at Agasebagil was to be dedicated, the Bishop had no hesitation in proposing the patronage of the Infant Jesus of Prague, keeping in mind the growing devotion to Infant Jesus in the various Churches of our Diocese. Being a close-knit Community, and known for their zeal and enthusiasm, the Agasebagil-Nilekani area Parishioners of St. Anthony’s Parish, Sirsi since many years had maintained their Chapel and were longing for a Parish of their own. The Chapel itself, according to one account, was built in 1905. It was repaired and re-built in 1969-70.
To Fr. Nevil D’Souza was entrusted the care of the Parishioners in the Agasebagil Nilekani area in 1994 and the people with one heart and mind supported him in his venture of building the Church. The close collaboration of the people with the new Priest in-charge was evident from the beginning at the various stages of building, in the collection of funds etc. So much so, that when there was an accident of the roof caving in at the time of concreting, fortunately with no serious casualties, the people rose to the occasion, cleared the debris, minimised the damage and proceeded with the construction. The Church was inaugurated by Msgr. Simon Tellis, Vicar General on 28.5.1996, as the Bishop was indisposed at this time. Besides this Samphkand and Hegdekatta villages were attached to this parish. Agasebagil. Rev. Fr. Antony Rodrigues, Fr. Bonaventure Rodrigues, Fr. Wilson Fernandes, have served the parish. Fr. Anacletus D Mello the present Parish Priest is also the Dean of the Sirsi Deanery.

Our Former Priests

St. Anthony’s Church, Ternamakki

St. Anthony's ChurchTernamakki

A Brief History of the Church

Situated on the N.H.17, a few kilometers before Bhatkal, the Church at Ternamakki stands as one of the way-side pilgrimage Churches that dot the coastal belt of North Kanara. The Chapel that existed here since many years was demolished to make place for a new one when Fr. L. Figueiredo was the Priest-in charge. But before the building could be completed, Fr. Figueiredo was transferred and it was the turn of Fr. V. Pereira to complete the building, which was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Ignatius Lobo, Bishop of Belgaum on 18th Nov. 1968.
Dedicated to St. Anthony one of the popular saints of our Diocese, the Church was for  some years looked after by the Franciscan Fathers. Subsequently, Ternamakki was made a sub-station of Shirali Church with no resident Priest at Ternamakki. But, to retain the spiritual presence, the sisters of the Ursuline Congregation agreed to reside in the Presbytery of the Church. The Sisters visited the families in the villages and surrounding. Fr. Lancy Rodrigues, Fr. Antony Rodrigues (Jr), Fr. Richard Rodrigues, Fr. Mark Tauro, Fr. Alwyn Cardoza have served the parish. Presently Fr. Paul Sequeira is the Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

Holy Cross Church, Shirali

Holy Cross ChurchShirali

A Brief History of the Church

With the blessing and the dedication of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption on 29th April 2002, started a new chapter in the historySituated on the bank of the Arabian Sea, the Chapel of Holy Cross at Shirali, which is an independent unit since 1984 has weathered many a storm and is a witness to the faith experience of the people of at least 4 generations. The Chapel at Shirali, according to one tradition existed from the time of Fr. Jose Vaz (1691 1694) but in the later years was represented by only a Cross. A new Chapel was built and blessed on 26-1-1926. This old Chapel was extended and renovated in 1946. The Parochial house was built in 1968 and hence onwards the Franciscan Fathers served in this unit. of this Diocese. Strange but true, the Diocese managed for 25 years with the Kajubag Church as the “Pro-Cathedral” of the Diocese! The history of the Parish dates back to the year 1862 when the capital of the North Kanara district was shifted from Honavar to Karwar. With the said transfer, all the government officials belonging to the Mangalorean Catholic community came to settle in Karwar.
The people even now remember with gratitude Fr. Vincent Pereira of the Diocese who tended the flock for many years and also the Franciscan Fathers (Fr. Nicholas, Fr. Paul Fernandes, Fr. Simon Pinto, Fr. Dharma and Fr. Baltazar). The new Church was built in 1980 and the Parochial house was rebuilt in 1999. A relic of the Holy Cross has been preserved here. we recall also the recent service of Fr. Lancy Rodrigues, Fr. Marcel Crasta, Fr. Lawrence D’Souza, Fr. Walter Pinto, Fr. ………..Fr. Pascal Rodrigues. Fr. Benedict Rodrigues is the parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
Late Fr Vincent Pereira
02
Fr Nicholas ofm
03
Fr Paul Fernandes ofm
04
Fr Simon Pinto ofm
05
Fr Dharma ofm
06
Fr Balthazar Pinto ofm
07
Fr Lancy Rodrigues and Fr Marcel Crasta
08
Fr Lawrence D’ Souza
09
Fr Walter Pinto
10
Fr Paschal Rodrigues
11
Fr Mark Serao
12
Fr Benjamin D’ Souza
13
Fr Benedict J. Rodrigues
12
Fr. Wilson Fernandes