Udupi: Shirva Church on threshold of centenary celebration


Udupi: Shirva Church on threshold of centenary celebration
 
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
With Inputs from Media Release

Udupi, Jan 30: Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, which has an iconic history, is on the verge of completing 100 years. The milestone will be celebrated in a meaningful manner by holding many programmes.

The inaugural will be held under the leadership of Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi and Vinay Kumar Sorake, urban development minister on Sunday February 2. Bible service will be held on Tuesday February 4. The parish feast will be celebrated on Wednesday February 5.

Shirva Church is spiritual centre renowned not only for its religious matters but also for education, community welfare and social well-being.

 

History of Shirva Church

Shirva was known for its lush green fields in the past and paddy being the major crop. Later commercial compulsions necessitated cultivation of betel leaves and it became the popular crop. This may have been the reason for Shirva having many ‘hithlus’ (compounds) within its bounds. But at present, these ‘hitlus’ appear only in name. Betel leaf crop has eaten dust; people show interest in jasmine cultivation and a major chunk of the population is non-resident, earn in riyals and dollars and lead a contented life.

Records indicate Christianity set its foot in Shirva surroundings during 1534-1600 period. Venkatappa Nayaka of Bidanoor held his sway over this region. It was during this period that Christianity got spread across the region. There were two churches-Upper Church and Lower Church-as religious centers. But the laity wanted to unite these Churches. Accordingly, they started to work for the cause with the blessings of the Bishop on October 2, 1910. The foundation stone for the unified Church building was laid on November 9, 1911. The work got completed in four years. On February 9, 1915, Mangalore bishop Paul Perini blessed the new building.

Mathias D’ Silva of Katapady headed the masonry work. It was due to the hard work contributed by the local people that the Gothic style Church building was completed in a matter of three-and-a-half years. Though the Church building appears little old, even toady its beauty is matchless, the Church has been serving the spiritual needs of the population since a century. When the Church was built, the people around were poor. But over the period, they have worked hard, to set up a beautiful ‘house of God.’

Thousands of people have offered prayers in the Church. They have been blessed by God. Our Lady of Health has blessed not only Christians but also non-Christians. This is evident by other community people visiting the Church to offer prayers in their own way. Church feast celebration by non-Catholics bears testimony to this.

Shirva Church is a renowned spiritual centre that runs many educational institutions. Lacs of youngsters have secured education from these portals of learning. They have contributed a lot to the welfare of this region. So far 11 parish priests and 55 Assistant parish priests have served the community by the blessings of Mother Mary. Fr Gregory D’Souza, Fr Monthu Menezes, Fr Reginald Pinto, Fr James Sequeira, Fr Hilary Gonsalves, Fr Aloysius Rosario, Fr Sylvester D’Souza, Fr Lawrence Gomes, Fr Valerian Pinto, Fr Richard Coelho and Fr Stany Tauro (incumbent).

In the past Shirva parish covered a wider area. But today, it is surrounded by parishes at Belle, Belman, Shankarpura, Kanajar, Mudarnagady, Pernal, Pamboor, Kalathur and Yermal. These spiritual centers provide succor to the people when they are in distress.

Of all these, Shirva is the largest parish. There are 1072 Christian houses in the parish grouped under 38 ‘vales’. Shirva is one of the oldest Churches under Mangalore and Udupi dioceses.

Devotees are invited to take part in the holy event and to seek the blessings of Mother Mary.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Evans Christopher Sumitra, Udupi/Dubai/New York,USA.

    Mon, Feb 03 2014

    May God bless each and everyone on this great centenary celebration of Shirva Church. We all are thankful to Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi and Vinay Kumar Sorake, Minister for Urban development. May God help and support in this days to come as all are looking forward to grace this occasion. God bless.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • CONRAD JOHN TAURO, SHIRVA/UDUPI/DUBAI

    Sat, Feb 01 2014

    Congratulations.Our Lady OF Health pray for us, protect us, save us guide us.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Fri, Jan 31 2014

    Glad to know that Shirva Church is on the threshold of celebrating the centenary celebration shortly.All the best.Thanq.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • FR FELIX MONTEIRO, BADYAR, MANGALORE

    Fri, Jan 31 2014

    Dear Fr Stany Tauro, Assistant P.P. Mr Wilson D'Souza-Vice President and entire Shirva Parish community, all the best for the centenary celebration. I love Shirva and I received lots of love, care and support from Shirva Parishoners, when I was an assistant in 1998. God bless all of you. May our Lady of health guide you to celebrate and to fulfill all your programs.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • William, Bantwal

    Fri, Jan 31 2014

    Our lady of health, bless us and pray for us all. Many priests, nuns & brothers/lay ministers are serving all over India and doing sacrifice & social work for all humanity. May God bless them all.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bhaskar Acharya, Shirva

    Fri, Jan 31 2014

    A few days back some Daijiworld reader has said that Shiva is a dirty place to live. Since he does not know the importance of the place Shirva, their comment was silly. We the people belong to Shirva are proud citizens of this Holy Place.

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aston, mangalore

    Fri, Jan 31 2014

    Our Lady of health, pray for us.

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Clippi Shirva, Mumbai/Qatar

    Thu, Jan 30 2014

    Thank u Daiji team giving us a beautiful article of Shirva Parish

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Avil, Doha - Qatar

    Thu, Jan 30 2014

    Congratulations to all the Shirvaites on the occasion of centenary celebration, I am proud to say that I have spent my school days in this parish and I miss this place very much.

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Udupi: Shirva Church on threshold of centenary celebration



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