Infant Jesus Church, Prabhatnagar

Infant Jesus ChurchPrabhatnagar - Honnavar

A Brief History of the Church

The Infant Jesus Church of Prabhatnagar was carved out from the erstwhile parish of San Salvador Church, Honavar. The area it covered was one of the wado of the parish called by the name, Infant Jesus Wado. This area was sparsely populated once upon a time. In recent years it has seen a surge of people migrating from nearby villages surrounding the Honnavar town. One of the reasons for this is the frequent flooding during monsoon experienced by these villages. Sensing the need for a church nearby for these people, the parish of Infant Jesus Church was established by Bishop Derek Fernandes in 2009 and Rev. Fr. Lancy Rodrigues was appointed as its first parish priest. A statue of Infant Jesus brought from Prague was also blessed and installed on the same day.
In a short span of few years the parish has grown to its full stature and is beaming with activities. Being the only church dedicated to Infant Jesus in the coastal region of the Karwar Diocese, the devotion to Infant Jesus of Prague is spreading far and wide. Novena service conducted every Thursday in honour of Infant Jesus is attended by people coming from surrounding parishes. Reports of healing and favours received encourage people to visit the church for a quiet moment of prayer and petition. Rev. Fr. Gabriel Lopes serves as the parish priest since 1st July 2018 and Rev. Fr. Justine D’Souza is residing priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
2009-2018
Rev. Fr. Lancy Rodrigues
02
2018 – 2025
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Lopes
03
–
Asst. Rev. Fr. Wilson Pinto
04
–
Asst. Rev. Fr. Reagan Fernandes
05
–
Rev. Fr. intru Pinto.
06
2025
Rev. Fr. Anthony Lopez
  • Infant Jesus Church PRABHATNAGAR Honavar – 581 334
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St. Sebastian’s Church, Mugwa

St. Sebastian ChurchMugwa

A Brief History of the Church

Mugwa as a village was under the jurisdiction of Honavar Parish. In 1919 the people of Mugwa had built a small School building in view of children’s education. But later on, it was handed over to the Syrian Missionaries, and is still under their management. In the year 1966 a small Chapel dedicated to St. Sebastian was built. At this time Msgr. M.C. Menezes was Parish Priest of Honavar, and Masses were celebrated. occasionally and on the Feast day of the village, that is, 6th of January. With Msgr.Simon Tellis as the Parish Priest in Honavar in 1983 the Masses began to be celebrated on alternate Sundays at Mugwa.
In 1985, the people expressed their desire to have a new Chapel, as the attendance at Mass had also increased. In 1989 the new Presbytery was put up. Though the foundation of the new Church was laid in May 1990, the work was held up due to varied reasons. It was finally inaugurated on 20th of January 1994. On the 5th of June 1994, Fr. Marcel Crasta was appointed as the first Priest-in-charge of the Mugwa Mission, He was succeeded by Fr. Valerian D’Souza who took charge on 29th May 1998. For some time, Fr. Antony D’Souza has also looked after this Mission. Fr. William D’Souza, Fr. Nirmal Kumar Miranda, Fr. Gabriel Lopez, Fr. Pascal Rodrigues have served in the parish. Presently Fr. Sebastian Fernandes is the Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1994-1998
Fr. Marcel Crasta
02
1998-2001
Fr. Valerian D’souza
03
2001 6 mnths
Fr. Antony D’souza
04
2002-2008
Fr. William Dsouza
05
2008-2010
Fr. Antony Balgundkar
06
2010-2016
Fr. Nirmal Miranda
07
2016-2018
Fr. Gabriel Lopes
08
2018-2021
Fr. Paschal Rodrigues
09
2021 onwards
Fr. Sebastain Fernandes
  • St. Sebastian Church Arolli - MUGWA
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St. Anthony’s Church, Mudkani

St.Anthony's ChurchMudkani

A Brief History of the Church

St.Anthony’s Church, Mudkani is 17 kms away from Honavar, nestled in the low-lying area of the bank of the river Sharavati. The simple people of this village, most of them stone cutters, masons and agriculturists over the years kept up their faith practices and frequent Sunday mass due to the pious traditions. They could not frequent Sunday mass due to the long distance. All that they remember is the house blessing that the Parish Priest of Honavar came on annual rounds to do, when he settled their family and a host of other problems.
Due to poverty and lack of education, the practice was to se12/02/1985nd growing and grownup girls as domestics to Bombay and Goa. Various welfare scheme of the Diocese have bailed out the people, lifted their educational and social standard and has given a boost to their personality too. Thanks to the patronage and care shown by our Bishop, the Mission of Mudkani is an independent unit now with the new Church built and inaugurated by our Bishop on 12.2.1985. Fr. Samuel Fernandes was the first Priest-in-charge appointed in 1978 to look after the people of this village. The following Priests succeeded Fr. Samuel as Priests-in-charge of this Mission: Fr. Stany D’Cunha (1980). Fr. Joe D’Souza (1983), Fr. Sebastian Pinto (1985), Fr. Peter Carneiro (1988), Fr. Mark Serrao (1993). Fr. Victor Crasta, Fr. Benedict Rodrigues, Fr. Andrew Pinto, Fr. Bonventure Rodrigues,? have served the parish.

The existing Church is renovated and inaugurated on 05/02/2021 by Bishop Derek Fernandes. Presently Fr. Antony Lopes is pasturing the sheep as parish priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1978 – 1980
Fr. Samuel Fernandes
02
1980 – 1983
Fr. Stny D’cunha
03
1983 – 1985
Fr. Joe. D’Souza
04
1985 – 1988
Fr. Sebastian Pinto
05
1988 – 1993
Jr. Peter Curnero
06
1993 – 1998
Fr. Mark Serrao
07
1998 – 2003
Fr. Victor Crasta
08
2003 – 2004
Fr. John Rodrigues
09
2004 – 2006
Fr. Bonaventure Rodrigues
10
2006 – 2012
FR. Benedict Rodrigues
11
2012 – 2018
Fr. Andrew pinto
12
2018 – 2025
Fr. Anthony Lopes
13
2025 – Onwards
Fr. Benjamin D’Souza
  • St. Anthony’s Church MUDKANI P.O. Via Honavar – 581 39
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Our Lady of Fatima Church, Molkod

Our Lady of Fatima ChurchMolkod

A Brief History of the Church

Fatima Mandir or the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Molkod has an interesting past. Though the origins of how Christians came to live on this idyllic but difficult to approach island are woven round many tales. What is known of its recent past is that it was part of Honavar Parish. The small Chapel, which existed, served the purpose when the Priest from Honavar made his rounds for Mass and other spiritual exercises. The people of Molkod take pride in the fact that the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the Church is a gift from the Patriarch of Goa in 1934 who was on his pastoral visit from Honavar to Samsi in the company of the Honavar Parish Priest, Fr. Remedios Rosario Gomes. The Patriarch was moved to see the people of Molkod village lined up in great crowds on the bank of the river. He insisted on paying a visit to the village and behold he was much impressed to see the simple hearted and humble people. He promised them a Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which he eventually sent on his return to Portugal. The Statue was installed in the Chapel on 13th Jan. 1936, on which day the annual feast of the Church is now being celebrated every year.
The first extension to the Chapel was done by Fr. Elias Fidelis Benjamin D’Souza in 1951. With Fr. Santosh Menezes OFM Cap. as the resident Priest in 1971 was started a new chapter in the Parish at Molkod with some of the Parishes like Samsi, Binaga, Lower Kasarkod in North Kanara being pastorally administered by the Capuchins. Father Santosh set about the task of renovating the Chapel and building the Parochial House. The renovated Church was inaugurated on 2nd Jan. 1974. Father Appolinaris who succeeded Fr. Santosh is remembered as the “Moses” who physically lifted many people struggling in rushing rain waters in 1980, when floods were reported in the area. Father Roshan Menezes OFM Cap., with the support of the people repaired the Chapel again in 1984 changing the roof from tiles to asbestos sheets. Fathers Mark Tauro, Fr. Anthony Rodrigues. Fr. Andrew Pinto, Fr. Peter Carneiro. Fr. Alphie D Silva is also fondly remembered by the people. Fr. Joachim Fernandes is the parish Priest of the Parsih.

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
  • Our Lady of Fatima Church Fatima Mandir, MOLKOD P.O. Via Hosad – 581 335
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Perpetual Succour Church, Hosad

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church,Hosad

A Brief History of the Church

The devotion to Our Lady of the Perpetual Succour being one of the most popular devotions in the Diocese, it was considered as fitting, when Most Rev. Bishop William L. D mello, decided to dedicate the new Church at Hosad under the Patronege of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. Hosad was established as an independent Mission in June 1985 with Fr. Thomas Misquith as the first Priest in-charge. The Church, thanks to the painstaking efforts of Fr. Thomas, was inaugurated on 3.5.1989. Earlier, the Chapel that existed in the village served as a meeting point and a spiritual centre for the people of the area.
Hosad, like the other sub-stations of the Honavar Parish had been since time immemorial, a faithful “daughter” of the Parish and the distance to the main Parish, crossing of the Sharavati river even in the monsoons, vicissitudes of nature did not deter the people from frequenting San Salvador Church at Honavar, for all their spiritual needs. The modern day Hosad and also the neighbouring villages on the bank of Sharavati river have benefited immensely from the social and developmental programmes and projects of Maria Nilaya Social Service Centre, St. Ignatius Convent Social Service Centre and also the Bala Pragathi Kendra, Honavar. Fr. Sebastian Pinto, Fr. Bonaventure Rodrigues, Fr. Ambrose Fernandes, Fr. Anacletus D Mello, Fr. Faustine Furtado have served the Parish. Presently Fr. Pascal Rodrigues is the parish priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1985 – 1990
Fr. Thomas Misquith
02
1990 – 1997
Fr. Sebastian Pinto
03
1997 – 2004
Fr. Bonaventure Rodrigues
04
2004 – 2010
Fr. Ambrose Fernandes
05
2010 – 2015
Fr. Anacletus Dmello
06
2015 – 2021
Fr. Faustine Furtado
07
2021
Fr. Paschal Rodrigues
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church HOSAD – 581 335
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San Salvador Church, Honavar

San Salvador ChurchHonavar

A Brief History of the Church

If in the battle of supremacy Honavar lost out to Karwar its position as headquarters of the district in 1862, one can still say the heart of the Diocese is still retained at Honavar! San Salvador Church has been the Mother Church to so many Parishes all round the coast and interior in the Sharavati river belt. No wonder one can count almost 20 Priests ordained for the Diocese of Karwar from the undivided Parish of Honavar, not to count the innumerable vocations to the Religious life. Honavar is still the crucible and cradle of the Catholic culture and tradition in Karwar Diocese.

The first Church in Honavar is supposed to have been built in 1592 by the Portuguese. Being an important commercial place and port town, the elite of the Portuguese outside of Goa made Honavar their headquarters. Not surprisingly, the Portuguese Ambassador to the Bednore Court, Fr. Spinola S.J. resided at Honavar. Catholicity flourished in those days. Pietro della Valle during his expedition in the district in 1623-1624 mentions that at that time there were two Churches in Honavar – one dedicated to St. Catherine and the other to St. Anthony of Egypt. As in the other places of the district, Honavar bore the brunt of the persecution during the Tipu Sultan era when the Churches were also destroyed.

 

The present San Salvador Church of Honavar was built in 1852. It has seen many renovations and alterations, the last one being the addition of the portico, which was done and inaugurated on 7.7.1962 when the V. Rev. Msgr. Miguel C. Menezes of happy memories was the Parish Priest. Like the other old Goan Clergy, he spent 34 years of his life as the Parish Priest of the Church. He died in Honavar on 19.7.1990 and lies buried in the Cemetery Chapel.

Msgr. Simon Tellis, the Second Vicar General of the Diocese succeeded Msgr. Menezes and led the flock as Parish Priest of Honavar and Dean of the Honavar deanery from 1983 to 1996. He supervised the building of the new Presbytery. For Some time the Presbytery housed the Holy Cross Orientation Centre where candidates to Priesthood for the Diocese are given a chance to discern their vocation as they follow the Neo catechumenal way of formation. Fr. Chrysostom Rodrigues, Fr. John Rodrigues, Fr. Richard Rodrigues, Fr. William D Souza, have served the Parish. Presently Fr. Salvadore Gonsalves is leading the flock.

The sub-stations of Motto, Sanamotto and Mattadkeri are the last segments of the vast territory that the Priests of the Honavar Parish at one time administered to. These sub-stations have their own Chapels where Masses are celebrated on Sundays. The village of Sanamotto was fortunate to have its Chapel dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle, inaugurated just a few days before the Diocese celebrated its Silver Jubilee on 18th April 2002.

Our Former Priests
  • San Salvador Church HONAVAR – 581 334
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St. Francis Assisi Church, Hadinbal

St. Francis Assisi ChurchHadinbal

A Brief History of the Church

Francis of Assisi would have certainly enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the high surrounding of the Church at Hadinbal, a most enviable spot on the Honavar Gersoppa Road. For long, being the zealous Parishioners of Gundibala Parish, the Hadinbal-Kavoor area Christians were initially said to have been averse to the idea of a separate Church for them. But the affable Fr. Ronald Menezes Ofm Cap prevailed upon them after convincing them that it was for their own good and convenience, and a new Chapel dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, at Hadinbal was built, which became the sub station of Gundibala Parish. On 30th April 1977, a day after the glorious erection of the new Diocese of Karwar and the consecration of its first Bishop, the Chapel was blessed by Bp. Ignatius Lobo of Belgaum and inaugurated by Bp. William D’Mello of Karwar.
Fr. Ronald was succeeded by able Capuchins like Fr. Walter Saldanha, Fr. Archie Lewis and Fr. Antony Vaz till June 1983, when it became an independent Parish. Since then, it has been looked after by the diocesan Clergy: Fr. Joe D’Souza, Fr. Sebastian Pinto, Fr. Nevil D’Souza and Fr. John Fernandes who have patiently nurtured the youth and the children, especially in the blossoming of their talents. Numerous vocations also speak of the spirituality of the Parish. The youthful Fr. Menin Lopes lies buried in the Church compound, being the first one to answer the heavenly roll call among the young Priests of the Diocese. A few months after his Ordination, he died of an accident in Kumta while he was on his pastoral rounds of the sick there on 3.4.1992. Fr. Michael Pinto, Fr. William Rasqinha, Fr. Salvadore Gonsalves, Fr. Antony Rodrigues have served the parish with zeal. Fr. Wilson Noronha is the present Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1983 – 1985
Rev. Fr.Joseph D’souza
02
1985 – 1990
Rev. Fr.Sebatstian Pinto
03
1990 – 1995
Rev. Fr.Nevil D’souza
04
1995 – 2000
Rev. Fr. Fr.John Fernandes
05
2000 – 2002
Rev. Fr. Fr.Michael Pinto(Sr)
06
2003 – 2010
Rev. Fr.William Resquinha
07
2010 – 2015
Rev. Fr.Salvador Gonsalves
08
2015 – 2021
Rev. Fr.Anthony Rodrigues(Sr)
09
2021 – onwards
Rev. Fr. Wilson Noronha
  • St. Francis Assisi Church HADINBAL – 581 361
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Our Lady of Remedies Church, Gundibala

Our Lady Of Health ChurchGundibala

A Brief History of the Church

The name Gundibala seems to have emerged from the word gulmona, the name of trees in the thick forests, called so by the Portuguese who started their Mission in this place. This Church is one of the oldest Churches in North Kanara, existing from the times of the Bednore Kings in the middle of the seventeenth century. Our Lady of Remedies Church celebrated its bi-centenary in May 1975. The exact establishment is not known, but it seems to have been founded in the year 1759 as per the records available. Fr. Diego Rodrigues from Velha Goa, was in-charge of the Parish. The Church building has moved from the original place to two other places.
The first establishment was at a place called Miria Ben by the Portuguese. This place was famous for pepper collection from the forests. This was exported by them. The history of the establishment and other documents of the Church were either taken away by the Portuguese Government or destroyed by the army of Tipu Sultan in the year 1801. Later on, this Church building was reconstructed at a place called upper Gundibala. Again the ecclesiastical authorities permitted to shift the Church building to a safer place, the present one. This Church building was completed in 1891 and blessed by V. G. Ganganel Rebello on 17.1.1892. The original Altar, which was first established, is one km. away from the present spot. The Parishioners gather here for Eucharist during the annual Parish feast. Samsi, Kodani, Allanki, Gersoppa, Mudkoni and Hadinbal were placed under the Management of the Gundibala Parish. More than 35 Priests have served.
The Capuchin Fathers took over this Parish at the invitation of the Bishop of Belgaum in 1971. Of recent memory is Fr. Ronald Menezes, OFM. Cap., who took charge of this Parish in 1971 and served for nearly 12 years. The existing High School in the Parish campus, which started functioning from 1979, is the fruit of the efforts of his hard labours. The new Church, a beautiful structure, was built during the stewardship of Fr. William Rasquinha. It was inaugurated on 6.2.1989 by Bishop Most Rev. Dr. William L. D Mello. The Parish also enjoys a beautiful Presbytery. Fr. William Rasquinha, Fr. Lawrence Fernandes, Fr Stany D Souza with addition to as Principal of the school served the Parish as Parish priest, succeeded by Fr. Francis Miranda, Fr. Antony Rodrigues, Fr. Edwin D Souza and Presently Fr. Thomas Fernandes is the parish Priest as well as Dean of Honavar Deanery.

Our Former Priests
  • Our Lady of Remedies Church GUNDIBALA, Mutta P.O. Via Handibal - 581 361
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Holy Spirit Church, Allanki

Holy Spirit ChurchAllanki

A Brief History of the Church

The original Chapel of Allanki is said to have been built in 1919. The Allanki Chapel had been for long a sub-station of Kodani Parish. But what enthusiasm and zeal can bring about in the life of the Church is evident in Allanki. With Fr. Peter D’Souza at the helm of affairs at Allanki, they could complete the Church building in a record 14 months. The unskilled labour part rendered by the people like shifting of sand, placing of statues atop the facade, digging, leveling and combined with this the collection of funds with the Parish Priest in the lead are all now stories for posterity.
Bifurcated from the Kodani Parish, Fr. Stany D’Cunha was appointed the first Priest-in charge of Allanki on 14.2.1992. Fr. Peter D Souza, Fr. John Abel D’Souza, Fr. Antony Rodrigues, Fr David Pinto have served the Parish. Presently Fr. Britto D silva is the Parish Priest. The Sisters of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, who since long are working in Honavar have opened a branch of their foundation in Allanki with a house of their own, Prerana Convent’, inaugurated on 18.7.1995. They have been rendering service in this village since a decade. Their ministry essentially consists of visiting the families and helping in the pastoral and development activities.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1992 – 1995
Rev. Fr. Stany D’Cunha
02
1995 – 2001
Rev. Peter D’Souza
03
2001 – 2007
Rev. Fr. John Abel D’Souza
04
2007 – 2013
Rev. Fr. Anthony Rodrigues
05
2013 – 2019
Rev. Fr. David Pinto
06
2019 – 2025
Rev. Fr. Britto D’Silva
07
2025 – Onwards
Rev. Fr. Edwin D’Souza
  • Holy Spirit Church ALLANKI, Herangadi P.O. Via Honavar – 581 395
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