Media Release
Daijiworld Media Network Udupi – (JD/KR)
Udupi, Oct 22: Fr Valerian Mendonca is appointed as new rector for Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur by Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi recently. Currently he is serving as the parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi.
He will be taking charge from Fr Lawrence D’Souza who is currently under medical leave.
Due to the health illness the current rector of Cathedral Fr Lawrence D'souza has been relieved from his duty. As an immediate need to fill the position for administrative and spiritual needs Fr Valerian Mendonca will take charge as the rector from October 28, 2020.
Fr Valerian Mendonca, Fr Charles Menezes
Fr Valerian Mendonca is a well-known musician, an administrator and an academician. He has served in various educational institutions of twin diocese. He has served as the principal of Milagres Pre University College, Mangalore, Milagres College, Kallianpur, Pompei College, Aikala, and as director of Sandesha College of Fine Arts, Mangalore.
He has also served as a member of the Academic Council, Senate and Syndicate of Mangalore University. He has served Omzoor, Kallianpur, Tallur and Barkur parishes, St Antony’s Poor Homes and Canara Communications Centre. As a poet, composer and director of music, he has brought out, along with Fr Clement Mascarenhas, 43 audio albums of devotional music.
Fr Charles Menezes will be the parochial administrator of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi. Fr Charles was serving as international director for IYCS – JECI (International Young Catholic Students) for the year 2015 – 2019. Fr Charles hails from Moodubelle parish of Udupi diocese.
Fr Charles has worked as the assistant parish priest in Agrar, Cordel (Kulshekar), and Vittal. He has served as assistant director for YCS/YSM in Mangaluru diocese. In 2005, Fr Charles was transferred to Nirmarga parish as the parish priest where he served for five years. He also worked as national director for YCS/YSM.