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

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.