Daijiworld News Network – Kundapur (VM)

Kundapur, May 22: The renovated St Antony's Church Padukone be inaugurated on May 23 at 7 pm. Bishop of Mangalore Fr Aloysius Paul D'Souza will bless the renovated church.

The renovation of the church was taken up in October 2005 and has reached the final stage. Under the leadership of church priest Fr Philip Neri Aranha, church governing council vice-president Philip D'Silva, parish council secretary Steven D'Souza, Chikkalli Robert D'Souza, Maxim D'Silva, Alex Antony D'Souza, Gratian Crasta, Kennedy Pereira, Philomena and Ivy Fernandes, the construction work of the church has been successfully completed.

The history of Roman Catholic society all over Mangalore diocese underwent a sea change during the days succeeding the First World War. The cluster of villages dedicated to St Antony Church, Padukone, was functioning under Gangolly Church. After Fr Victor Rosario Fernandes was appointed the bishop of Mangalore diocese which till then was administered by European bishops, the hope of Padukone residents getting an independent church was kindled.

A small chapel was founded in Padukone in 1927. On May 31, 1936, construction of a church was completed, as a result of which, a long-cherished dream of the people was fulfilled.

Padukone came into existence as an independent church and villages like Nada Padukone on the east of Trasi Marvanthe, Hadavu, Senapur, Badakere, Harkur, Alur, Haklady, Navunda, Marvanthe, Hosad and some parts of Trasi village came under its administration.

On Feb 8, 1961, Fr Cashmere Mathias was appointed as priest. During his tenure, the church celebrated the silver jubilee. Fr Joseph Rosario Rodrigues succeeded him. The subsequent priests Esidore Noronha, Fr Richard Saldanha and Fr Antony D'Souza contributed immensely for the development of the church. During Fr Antony D'Souza's tenure, an invaluable huge bell was brought from France and installed at the church. Fr William Menezes came to the church in the year 1989.

During his tenure the diamond jubilee was celebrated. Fr Gilbert D’Souza, who came here in 1996, involved himself in deepening the devotion in the area and community development. Fr Philip Neri Aranha who came on transfer to the church, is a young, enthusiastic priest. He longed to develop the church and took up the task of the renovation and reconstruction of the church. Due to his courage and conviction, a new church building stands at Padukone.

The church will also celebrate its annual feast on May 22 and May 23.