Udupi: St Peter's Church, Barkur to celebrate 150 years on Dec 16

P Archibald Furtado

Udupi, Dec 13: The Church dedicated to St Peter the Apostle at Barkur will celebrate its 150 years – or post-centenary golden jubilee - on Monday December 16.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, will preside over the celebration. Dr Henry D’Souza, former assistant Parish Priest of Barkur and the present Bishop of Bellary, will be the chief guest.  Monisgnor Baptist Menezes, the vicar general of Udupi diocese, and  Fr Stany B Lobo, the rector of the Milagres Cathedral, will be the guests of honour.

Eugine Quadros, vice president, Irene Pais secretary of Parish Council,  Dolphy D’Lima, Gerald Gonsalves and Herald D’Souza were present at the press meet.

History

It is a proud moment  for the Barkurians, especially those associated with it. The parish was established and made self sufficient in every respect and bifurcated northern towns / villages of the then Kallianpur Church – to include the present Airody – Sastan, parts of Brahmavar ,etc. way back in 1861 – 63.

About 150 years ago, one had to cross three rivers to go to Kallianpur, there was no Church in between Kallianpur and Kundapur except that of Barkur, till 1921. In other words St Peter Church Barkur served the needs of faithful of this region almost 60 long years, singlehandedly! It’s also a fact, ours is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese and second in the Varado. The growth of the parish was spectacular for almost a century, that phase was continued following two decades though parts of its territories, with the passage of time and needs, were handed over to Sastan in the year1921 and Brahmmavar in 1935.

It is an interesting phenomena to note here, the younger parishes carved out of Barkur have not only grown larger in population, but also, both St Anthony Church Sastan gave birth to Kota parish in 1978 and Holy Family Brahmmavar to Petri in 1968 and a substation / Chapel in Nilavara in recent times.

There were multiple reasons for Barkur not growing in number of inhabitants as well as for not having new affiliated educational Institutions, except two. There was a population of 2150 numbers and 325 plus families way back in 1960 – 1980. A census taken in the year 2002 was alarming and astonishing – with just 944 people with 303 families. The 2013 statistics would be somewhere near to this – that is, 300 families & 1120 Catholics. Let’s have a glance at neighboring parishes:

Parish: Estd - No of Families / Total Catholics

Barkur:  1863 - 300/1120
Brahmmavar:  1935 - 465/1826
Udyavara: 1863 - 475/ 2780
Sastan: 1921 - 307/1208 

Barkur Church, today is a full-fledged parish, equipped with almost best facilities compared to most of the parishes in the Udupi Diocese – solid Gothic style majestic Church structure, one of the most beautiful and artistic altar, well furnished interiors, tall and landmark belfry, a Community hall, open stage, adoration Chapel for private prayers, neat surrounding with compound wall, adjacent good cemetery  and so on.  The parish is full of life - thanks to the Vicars, Nuns, altogether a devout and cohesive parish family. Yes the parish has grown and matured spiritually which is of paramount importance.

The recent distinct and positive developments:

The church is fortunate to have excellent priests as vicars during last few years and one can notice a sea change in particular, in these years. From 60’s till 90’s parish used to enjoy the services of two resident priests, now-a-days its only vicar. Occasionally one deacon or retired priest to extend a helping hand. Of course Brahmmavar Capuchins are always extending their co-operation.

Barkur Parish inherits a well organized Choir nourished by the talents of various  priests, nuns and laity. If one would agree, in any measurement it is at par with best in the Diocese. Liturgy is made more meaningful, participatory and attractive.

‘Small Christian Communities’ are visibly active and a healthy competition within the Eight wards encourages them to excel. Some imbalance of size, need to be rectified. The fact that a woman has served as vice-president / Gurkars and inter-ward talent hunt is a feather in the unity cap of Barkurians. Girls below 14 also climbed the altar to serve the Holy Eucharist.

‘Pedruchi Chavi’ the parish bulletin, first published in the year 2000, at the verge of completing 14 years, is now a regular affair twice in a year. The Parish Council is doing a praise worthy job, so also other parish organizations including the ICYM and YCS.

Barkur-online set on roll in 2001 is an attempt to unite Barkurian’s around the globe……People have the habit to applaud the imitation and hiss the original, many parishes started their websites and bulletins in recent times but we the Barkurians are among the pioneers to attempt it first, single handedly wit a future focus in mind, which is still in lime light.

The parish has given almost a hundred religious to serve in the vineyard of Christ. All of them have left their foot prints wherever they served / serving in various parts of the world including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, North Indian Dioceses, Africa and US.

Moreover our one time parishners now opted to settle elsewhere, also brought glory and fame to the native town.

It’s the leadership of ‘St Peters Association’ of the church that kept the social and cultural activities alive during 1938 – 1978. Their glorious 40 years of service was continued by CYM of Barkur since 1976, and marching ahead to celebrate its ruby jubilee in 2016.

A few years back SPA Mumbai gave a serious thought to venture a novel plan of New Barkur around Saiberakatte, developing into a township, an attempt thwarted by some self interested lot. The Barkur Railway station, to connect Mumbai, more frequent net work of Buses, the facility of higher education up to Masters degrees, in the local Govt. College,  in all the streams such as arts, commerce, science, social work and management are some attractions to look for new families to find their permanent dwelling in Barkur. Future may generate a vision for a medical and at least an engineering college as the present lot is looking ahead with the charisma of global achievement. There is already one ITI near the railway station and many technocrats and drop outs do already benefit from it.

"Let us be happy and rejoice with all the blessings of Almighty, of course we can not be first in everything. Let us be cautious, our outside show may not become a poor substitute for inner worth. It was my observation, that during my childhood days, it was the upper class determined the welfare of the parish in general and we are sure it’s the middle class activism contributing to the present and future of its progress."

As mentioned above, one can list out many reasons for its diminishing importance vis-à-vis its glorious past and jubilee time is an opportunity to retrospect and have an honest evaluation:

i. No addition of Educational Institutions: With an exception of some 75 years old Mary knoll Higher Primary School established in 1940 and Mary knoll High School started in 1968, there was absolutely no great progress, while comparing with contemporary Institutions of this age, most of them have grown to be not less than Junior Colleges. An English Medium School in 80’s or even in 90’s, would have been prompted many to settle down at Barkur. It’s a matter of satisfaction that both of the above Institutions have power to give society than to receive from it.

ii. Absence of well knitted communications system and transport: Way back in 1987, an open call was given to pressurize the concerned to lay the ring road to connect Kachhur fields. It took two decades to realize this project. Once the state highway started from Kalchapra, the down market lost its prominence, so in the case of Friday Market and the location of the church too seen as cornered. Awakening and acting to the needs of today keeping an eye on tomorrow is missing in our plans.

iii. Opening of National Highway NH 17 in 1962: In fact the NH 17 proved to be the boon to neighboring parishes to attract new families with proximity to Bus stops and public transport. Younger generation look for better amenities, accessibility to roads, market, School etc. Fortunately, up-gradation of Udupi – Shimogga – Bangalore as State Highway, via Barkur has been a blessing to us as the frequency of public transport improved a lot.

iv. Scarcity of residential Plots to construct new Houses in the town: There are perennial complaints – one wish to settle down in the town, but no convenient plots. Days of living in kudru’s / islands gone. We the male members dare the rainy seasons but are outside struggling to earn our daily bread and in general back home people prefer towns. There are no vacant plots in the vicinity of walk-able distance of 1 or 2 kms except distant Dharmasale, Sankady or Heradi.  Settling down at these places invite added cost of living.

v. Absence of visionaries: It may be a controversial statement for some, but I firmly believe its also a factor to reckon with. We need trust worthy leaders who can dream of the needs of next generation and plan.

vi. No employment opportunities: Except few working as teachers and some in Banks, a dozen of self employed, rest all are retired lot, agriculture lost its sheen and coconut plantations were succumbed  to some deceases, the trend is to convert the land as commercial plots and dispose them out at throw away prices!

vii. Diminishing Catholic population, small families and abandoned houses: Two children norm set by the Govt. in 70’s precariously effected the Catholic  population over the years. No doubt its youth and children keep the parish vibrant. Migration and settling of Barkurians to neighboring towns, metro cities and other countries is a ongoing process, in a way brain – drain or caused talent scarcity to a certain extent.

Conclusion

Compared to many churches of the Diocese, in our Barkur parish, laity leadership is impressive. Organizations like St Peter’s Association Barkur – Mumbai, which celebrated its Silver Jubilee in October, 2013 and others…. are always extending a helping hand for the betterment of the Church. The Sisters of IHM Convent are in a big way responsible for keeping the interiors of the Church premises clean, serene and beautiful.

There is always room for improvement and involvement in the all round progress of the parish family. Let the local leadership address some issues we raised here. Finally, let the Jubilee spirit rekindle passion for the development of the church in days to come, and at this juncture the church wishes to acknowledge and thank everyone for their endeavors and always remember and cherish the noble sacrifices of the forefathers who left their great legacies.

150 years celebrations

St Peter Church, Barkur, has just completed 150 years of its independent existence in August/September 2013, having been separated from the parent parish of Milagres, Kallianpur, in the year 1863. From 1854 to 1861 it was a filial chapel of Milagres Church, Kallianpur. From 1861 to 1870 it was served by Fr Cosmas Damian Rebello, who was to be the first parish priest. 

Barkur was erected into an independent parish in August or September 1863. 

The parish of Barkur has decided to celebrate the Post Centenary Golden Jubilee of the parish in a fitting manner with a Thanksgiving Jubilee Mass and a Reception on Monday December 16,  2013, at 5 pm.

Barkur, the former capital of Tulu Nadu, has 365 temples, 3 mosques and 1 church. This historically important hamlet is an exemplar of communal harmony and concern for each other. The Church of St Peter in Barkur has rendered excellent spiritual service to the community for the past 150 years.   

Till now 27 parish priests, 20 assistant parish priests and 5 Deacons have served the parish. At present Fr Valerian Mendonca is the parish priest, Eugine Quadros, Vice President and Irene Pais is the secretary of the parish council.