St. Peter the Apostle Church, Sanamotto

St. Peter the Apostle Church, Sanamotto

A Brief History of the Church

A brief history of St. Peter the Apostle Church Sanamotto.

St. Peter’s Church Sanamotto was erected during the time of Late Bishop William D’mello, in the year 2002. Earlier, this chapel was very small and it could not accommodate the entire catholic fold for religious worship. In the past, this chapel also was known as pre-primary kannada medium government school in this village. Many of our elders of this village studied in this same chapel. Eealier this chapel was known as St. Rock’s Chapel. Later Bishop D’mello changed into St. Peter’s Church. Because, in the Bible Rock is known as Peter the Apostle of Jesus. Hence, this Church was named as St. Peter Church. Since then this Church was known as St. Peter Apostle Church.

Sanamotto village is an island having around 1500 population. Among them 72 families are Catholics, (i.e aprox 216 Catholics). Since it is an island, people have to travel through the boat to go to the city even for any Church activity. Their occupation was fishing and taking sand from the river and coir. Though our people are very poor as daily workers and are not much educated, their faith was very strong and they are regular for all the church activities. Our people are ready for any work in the parish and have much concern for the church activities. For all spiritual activity and smooth running of parish we have five parish wado zone. Each wado consists of 12 to 15 families.

Our beloved Bishop seeing our people’s faith, love for the Church and their enthusiasm took initiative and asked Rev. Fr. Chrisostom Rodrigues then Parish Priest of San Salvador Church, Honavar to make a separate Parish. At that time this was the substation of San Salvador Church Honavar.  Under his guidance in year 2000 laid foundation and in 2002 it was inaugurated by Late Bishop William D’melo.

CURRICULUM OF THE PARISH;

Our Annual Parish Feast of our Patron Saint is celebrated every year solemnly on 22 of January. Parish Community prepares for the whole celebration. For the preparation of the feast there will be thridum. On the feast day Parishner’s would prepare a cultural program like Konkani drama. Our Church has some associations like ;

  1. Jeju Kaljacho Men’s group
  2. Legion of Mary Women’s Group
  3. Youth Group
  4. Children’s Club
  5. Altar boys
  6. Neo-catechumenal way
Regular Spiritual activities:
  1. Every Monday evening 6:30 pm Novena mass for the Patron Saint St. Peter.
  2. Daily in the morning at 6:45 am holy mass is celebrated.
  3. Sunday solemn mass is celebrated at 7: 30 am.
  4. Sacrament of confession is available before the mass.
  5. Every Sunday catechism for youth and Children is conducted.
  6. Every month we have all the association meetings.
  7. Every Wednesday evening word of God celebration and Saturday evening Eucharist for the Neo-catecumenal way is celebrated.
  8. Since there is no land for burial, the Funeral is celebrated over here but burial will take place in San Salvador Church Honavar.

Our Former Priests
  • St. Peter the Apostle Church SANAMOTTO, Mavinkurve P.O. Via Hosad – 581 335
  • 08382-226451
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Our Lady of Happy Death Church, Samsi

Our Lady of Happy Death ChurchSamsi

A Brief History of the Church

What could be more blessed than approaching death with the invocation to Mary! The Church of Samsi has given our Diocese, perhaps India, an attribute to Mary, “Bomodth Saibinn” (Nossa Senhora de Boa Morte) – Our Lady of Happy Death. Perhaps the inspiration may have come from the Portuguese ancestors. All that is known from hearsay is that the original Statue of Our Lady was found in the backwaters of Samsi at Saralgi, (3 kms from present day Samsi) where a Chapel was constructed in 1891, and the Statue deposited there. There is also a belief that the original settlers of Samsi are the Mirandas from the Gangolli area. It is not known when and how the Church at Saralgi was destroyed but all that can be said of the present Church in Samsi is that the land and the surrounding are generous gifts of philanthropic Hindus like Mangesh Rao, Jogaya Naik and the Hanumant Temple priest of Durgakeri of Honavar.
The Church built in 1911, had under its jurisdiction the Chapels of Kodani, Allanki, Gersoppa and was administered by the Priest of the Gundibala Parish. When Fr. J. B. D’ Silva of the Belgaum Diocese was appointed to the Samsi Mission, he preferred to stay in Kodani. The original wooden statue of Our Lady of Happy Death mysteriously disappeared. The Capuchins were handed over the administration of Samsi in 1968 till 1983. The Capuchins not only endeared themselves to the people, they strengthened their faith and reformed their social life. A new Church was built and inaugurated on 14.4.1991 when Fr. Lawrence Fernandes was the Parish Priest. He also laboured to renovate the Presbytery. Fr. Jerome D Souza, Fr. Lawrence Pereira, Fr. Lawrence Fernandes, Fr. Marcel Crasta, Fr. Salvadore Gonsalves, Fr. Gabriel Monis, Fr. Andrew Pinto, Presently Fr. Alwyn D Sa is the Parish Priest. For some time from 1982 – 1992 the Sisters of the Society of the Handmaids of the Poor served in this Parish by helping in pastoral, catechetical and developmental activities.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1971 – 1972
Fr. Walter Saldhana
02
1972 – 1978
Fr. Gregory Vaz
03
1978 – 1980
Fr. Benn Britto Prabhu
04
1980 – 1981
Fr. Herald Dsouza
05
1981 – 1983
Fr. Simon Tellis
06
1983 – 1984
Fr. Jerome D’Souza
07
1984 – 1986
Fr. Lawrence Pereira
08
1986 – 1991
Fr. Lawrence Fernandes
09
1991 – 1998
Fr. Salvador Gonsalves
10
1998 – 2000
Fr. Marcel Crasta
11
2000 – 2006
Fr. John Fernandes
12
2006 – 2012
Fr. Gabriel Monis
13
2012 – 2018
Fr. Peter Carnehro
14
2018 – 2023
Fr. Andrew Pinto
15
2023 – Onwards
Fr. Alwyn Patrick D’Sa
  • Our Lady of Happy Death Church SAMSI P.O. Via Honavar – 581 395
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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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