St. Joseph’s Church, Lower Kasarkod

St. Joseph's ChurchLower Kasarkod

A Brief History of the Church

Rev. Fr. Alfred Roche, the Capuchin Priest who built the Church at Lower Kasarkod while he was the Parish Priest resembled very much the saintly Padre Pio, is the ‘Servant of God’ and whose beatification process is on. Fr. Roche had also in him the saintly disposition. He has touched the lives of many in Kasarkod and surroundings with his prudent insistence, gentle push and spiritual counseling. Many a person was reformed on coming into contact with him.
The Capuchins arrived in Lower Kasarkod in 1975. Though a Church existed in this place for many years, its tiny structure and dilapidated condition prompted Fr. Roche to undertake the building of the new Church, foundation for which was laid on 1st May 1977. The Church dedicated to St. Joseph was the first one to be inaugurated after the inception of the new Diocese. It was inaugurated by our Bishop and blessed by Rt. Rev. Ignatius Lobo, Bishop of Belgaum on 30th April 1979. On 1st May every year the feast of St. Joseph attracts large crowds from all over North Kanara.
After Fr. Alfred Roche, other Capuchin stalwarts like Fr. Gregory Vaz, Fr. Walter Saldanha, Fr. Eugene Rebello and Fr. Peter Mendonca have served in this Church. Fr. Alfred Roche returned once again in 1987, this time to be the Superior of the Friary which was started at Lower Kasarkod and remained upto 1993. Fr. Mark Saldanha, the Parish Priest and Fr. John Harry D’Souza and Fr. Paul D’Souza are the other two Friars who render service to the people of Lower Kasarkod in the great tradition of the Capuchin Order. After Fr. Mark Saldanha, Fr. Valerian D’Silva, Fr. Paul D’Souza, Fr. Arthur Menezes, Fr. Denis Saldanha, Fr. Santan Gonsalves have served the parish in their own capacity. Presently Fr. Albert D’Silva, is the parish priest and Fr. Salvadore Fernandes, the assistant, are rendering their pastoral service at Lower Kasarkod.

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
  • St. Joseph’s Church Lower KASARKOD - 581 342
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Sacred Heart Church, Karikal (Bhatkal)

Sacred Heart ChurchMavinkurve - Karikal

A Brief History of the Church

“One good deed generates another”, so they say. The philanthropic gesture of Mr. A. J. Rebello in donating 31 acres of land for the Diocese in 1977, was appreciated by our Bishop Most Rev. Dr. William L. D Mello and he was waiting for an opportunity to make good use of it. When unprecedented floods in Honavar area inundated many houses, mostly of the poor, the Bishop struck upon a plan to build houses for the poor in Karikal, and 40 houses were built.
While this area was earlier taken care of by the Priests of Mundalli Church, Fr. Theophilus Pereira OFM Cap. was given independent charge of the place to attend to the spiritual needs of the poor on 16.8.1993. By then a Community Hall was built, which was also used as a Chapel. Fr. Theophilus supervised the construction of the Presbytery. The bishop planned to make further use of the land for humanitarian projects like the TB sanatorium, Orphanage etc. But he encountered opposition, since some Hindus claimed a portion of the land for the use of the locals. After much litigation and peace committee meetings, Bishop finally conceded about four acres of the land for the purpose of a playground for the locals. After Fr. Theophilus, Fr. Gnana Prakash Rao, Fr. Antony Lopes, Fr. Stany D Cunha, Fr. Mark Tauro have given their yeomen service. Presently Fr. Lawrence Fernandes is the Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1994 to 2000
Fr Theophilus Cap
02
2000 to 2006
Fr.Gnyan Prakash Rao
03
2012 to 2018
Fr Stany Dcunha
04
2018 to 2021
Fr Mark Serrao
05
2021 to Present
Fr Lawrence Fernandes
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Church KARIKAL, Mavinkurve 581 432
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Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Bhatkal (Mundalli)

Our Lady of Lourdes ChurchMundalli - Bhatkal

A Brief History of the Church

As the oral tradition goes, there was a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes on the very spot of the present Church of Mundalli (foundation of the mission unit) since 1907. Manki being the parish church, Murdeshwar and Bhatkal were its sub-stations. Gradually two more substations, Ternamakki and Shirali, were added to the Manki Mission unit. In the course of time Murdeshwar got the status of being the parish church, with Shirali, Ternamakki, and Bhatkal as its sub-stations. These places were looked after for many years by Fr. Vincent Pereira (1957-1974), the Diocesan Priest of the Diocese of Belgaum, who was the Parish Priest of Murdeshwar and of the whole of Bhatkal Taluk.

For most of the official work, fixing of marriage, etc., people from Bhatkal always had to go to Murdeshwar, and this was inconvenient for the people. Therefore, from the year 1957, the chapel had its own registration of all the sacraments.

The Franciscans (O.F.M.) were searching for a mission in North Kanara. It was in 1974 that the Bhatkal mission was offered to the Franciscans. The Franciscan Friars (Fr. Paul Fernandes OFM was the first Franciscan Friar to arrive in Bhatkal as Priest in-Charge of Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel) arrived in Bhatkal in the month of September 1974. Fr. Nicholas D’Souza OFM joined him in October 1974. The late Bishop Ignatius Lobo, the then Bishop of Belgaum, who was a classmate of Fr. Paul Fernandes was responsible for inviting the Franciscans to Bhatkal. The Franciscan Friars and the Parishioners of Bhatkal are indebted to him for his invitation. On 24 January 1976 Pope Paul VI, in his Decree Christi Missum, separated Karwar from the Diocese of Belgaum and erected it as an independent Diocese. On the 11th of February 1979, Bhatkal was erected as a full-fledged parish by the late Bishop William D’Mello, the Bishop of Karwar. It was during Franciscan Pastoral Ministry; the church was built in 1983. From `1986 to 1989 the bishop took the parish back and appointed Fr. Lawrence Pereira the diocesan priest. On 23rd March 1989, once again Bhatkal was given back to the Franciscans by the Bishop of Karwar “in perpetuum,” and since then Bhatkal Parish has been under the care of the Franciscan Order of St. Thomas Province in India.

Since there was a lack of space in the church, the parish church was again renovated in the year 2019 by the then parish priest, Fr. Nicholas D’Souza, OFM. From May 2021 onwards, Fr. Prem D’Souza has been serving as the parish priest of the parish, and Dr. Dharma has been serving as the assisting priest. The parish has around 197 families and around 660 Catholic parishioners. The church has its own cemetery behind the church building on the hill slope, which also has a history of over 90 years.

St. Joseph Chapel:

Our Lady of Lourdes Mundalli, Bhatkal, has a sub-station, which is called St. Joseph Chapel Puravarga. When Fr. Paul Fernandes arrived in Bhatkal in 1974, there was no chapel to pray for the people of Puravarga. The Friars used to have the Sunday Mass in parishioners’ houses. Even during the time of Fr. Vincent Pereira (1957-1974), Mass was celebrated in the houses. Sr. Bebiana Noronha, an Ursuline Franciscan Sister, used to teach catechism to the children and prepare them for the Mass.

It was the intention of Fr. Paul Fernandes, OFM, to build a chapel in Puravarga itself so that the people could pray and celebrate the Eucharist. Fr. Agnel D’Mello OFM, who arrived in Bhatkal in January 1976, initiated this process and made a project for the construction of a chapel in the cemetery that was granted by the Government of Karnataka. Later on, the Franciscan Friars who were working in Bhatkal Taluk dropped the idea of building a chapel in the cemetery due to the distance. Therefore, they began to search for a new place for the construction of a chapel. Fr. Nicholas, who became the Parish Priest of Bhatkal in June 1983, played a very major role in buying 10 guntas of land from the Government of Karnataka beside the main road Puravarga (Bhatkal). On 16th December 1985, the foundation was laid for the construction of the Chapel by Bishop William D’Mello in the presence of R. N. Naik, MLA, and the faithful of Puravarga. Fr. Lawrence Pereira of the Diocese of Karwar took charge of Bhatkal Parish in June 1986 and completed the construction work of the Chapel in Puravarga. The Chapel was inaugurated and blessed on 19th March 1987 by the late Bishop William D’Mello in the presence of priests, religious, and the faithful of Bhatkal. After the inauguration, the Catholics of Puravarga gathered in the chapel every day in the evenings to pray. Though it bears the name St. Joseph’s Church,” it is only a sub-station (chapel) of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Mundalli. It is situated about 4 km to the south from the Bhatkal bus stop on the Bhatkal-Mangalore road.

When the Friars arrived in Bhatkal, there were about 25 families in Puravarga, and now it has grown in number as well as in spirituality. The substation, St. Joseph Chapel, has 95 families and around 300 faithful. The priest resides in the parish and reaches out to the spiritual, moral, and economic needs of the faithful. Also serves for the social well-being of the people without discrimination. 

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1974 – 1974
Fr. Paul Fernandes
02
1974
Fr. Nicholas D’Souza
03
1976 – 1979
Fr. Angel D’mello
04
1979 – 1980
Fr. Paul Fernandes
05
1980 – 1983
Fr. Simon Pinto
06
1983 – 1986
Fr. Nicholas D’Souza
07
1986 – 1989
Fr. Lawrence Pereira
08
1989 – 1992
Fr. Valentine Crasta
09
1992 – 1998
Fr. Dharma L. Bernard
10
1998 – 2004
Fr. Valerian Quadros
11
2004 – 2007
Fr. Cajetan Laurenco
12
2007 – 2010
Fr. Alphonse Moras
13
2010 – 2014
Fr. Balthazar Pinto
14
2014 – 2016
Fr. Alwyn D’Souza
15
2016
Fr. Prashanth Fernandes
16
2016 – 2020
Fr. Nicholas D’Souza
17
2020 – 2021
Fr. Cajetan Laurenco
18
2021- Onwards
Fr. Prem Kumar D’Souza
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Church MUNDALLI P.O. Bhatkal 581 320
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St. Pedro Poveda Church, Shantinagar

Blessed Pedro Poveda ChurchShantinagar, Honavar

A Brief History of the Church

Shantinagar, the town of peace, certainly needed an abode of peace! The yearnings of the people of Royalkeri, Bandehalla and Belkond were realised in the form of a new Church, which was inaugurated on 25.4.2002. Since time immemorial these vaddos had been an integral part of the Honavar Parish.
The Teresian Association in Bandehalla had a role to play in the birth of the new Parish. Invited by the Bishop in 1977, the Teresian Association established the Society for the Advancement of Rural People of India (SARPI) on a piece of land donated by Mr. F. X. D’Souza of Bandehalla. Being a Lay Association, the members of the Association in their lay outfits endeared themselves to the people with development-oriented activities like non-formal education, Balwadies etc. For many years the SARPI hall was also used as a Prayer Hall for religious purposes. The Teresian Association also extended their services by making themselves available for running the Institute for the mentally retarded children of the District, at Bhatkal Cross in Honavar, which today has become a Model Institute for the whole district of Karwar.

It was natural that when Fr. Pedro Poveda who founded the Teresian Association was declared Blessed by the Holy Father in Rome on 10.10.1993, it was both a matter of joy for the Association members as well as the Christians in Bandehalla. Naturally, the fervour of the Association and the devotion of the people was kindled on finding a Patron for their Church. Karwar Diocese takes credit for the first Church in the world to be named after Blessed Pedro Poveda.

Bandehalla area was bifurcated from the Honavar Parish and culled into a new and independent unit with Fr. Valerian Sequeira as the first Priest-in-charge on May 31, 1998. Fr. Valerian left no stone unturned in his untiring efforts to build the new Church and Presbytery with the support of the people. After Fr. Valerian Sequeira, Fr. Navil D’ Souza, Fr. Navil Rodrigues, Fr. Francis Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira. Fr. Alwyn Cardoza is presently the Parish Priest of the Church.

Our Former Priests
  • St. Pedro Poveda Church SHANTINAGAR Honavar – 581 39
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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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