Media Release

Kundapur, Feb 1: The long awaited dream of establishing a parish in Koteshwar, near here, was realized on Sunday January 30. Episcopal Vicar Fr Baptist Menezes read the decree from the Bishop of Mangalore and declared St Anthony’s Chapel a parish. St Anthony’s parish in Koteshwar has 72 families, most of who belong to Pius Nagar parish.
 
For the past ten years, the Carmelite priests were offering daily Mass at this chapel, since the parish is entrusted to the care of the Carmelites of Karnataka and Goa province.

Carmelites Karnataka and Goa Provincial Dr Archibald Gonsalves was also present on the occasion.
 
Fr Vincent D’Souza, who had earlier served for 10 years in a church in the State of Bahrain has taken charge as the first parish priest of St Anthony’s parish, Koteshwar.
 
Provincial Dr Archibald acknowledged the services of Fr Maxim Noronha in establishing St Anthony’s Chapel, Fr Walter Mendonca, present parish priest of Pius Nagar for facilitating the process, and Fr Boniface D’Souza for taking leadership.
 
Episcopal Vicar Fr Baptist Menezes conveyed best wishes to Carmelites taking over the administration of Koteshwar parish.
 
Carmelite priests Fr Cyril Menezes, Fr Melvyn D’Cunha, and Fr Deep Fernandes were also present.