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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.

Rev. Fr. Benedict Rodrigues

Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, Shirali
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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 ( presently)