Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala
Karkala, Dec 8: Situated in a serene and beautiful Karkala district, on the state highway to Kudremukh, the Catholic parish of Miyar, dedicated to St Dominic, is all set to celebrate 75 years of its inception from December 8 - 10 with great pomp and joy.
Historical overview
The history of Miyar parish dates back to 1937 when faithful of Miyar had to go to St Lawrence Shrine, Attur to cater to their spiritual needs. It was Fr Salvador D’Souza, who foresaw the need of building a separate parish for the faithful of Miyar.
With his initiative, a site was bought on which ‘75X25’ Chapel was built with mud walls. Assistant priests of the Attur church, Fr Aloysius Colaco and Fr John Castelino also served the chapel as well as the parishioners.
Fr Nicholas J Pereira, along with Fr Salvador D’Souza recommended a separate parish to be built for the faithful of Miyar village. Soon after, a decree was passed by the then bishop of undivided Mangalore diocese, Dr Victor Fernandes, on December 1, 1940 stating a new Parish for Miyar. The celebrations of the newly erected parish took place on December 8, 1940 on the feast of Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary. Miyar, Renjal and Mudar villages were joined to form the new parish.
Fr Pereira was appointed the first parish priest of the parish. He purchased lands from people and work hard for the development of the church. Because of his selfless service, he became popular, respected and the most loved priest of Miyar.
The foundation stone for the new church was laid on October 17, 1946 by the then bishop Dr Victor Fernandes. When hardships were faced by the priest and the people in erecting the new church, it was the non Catholics of the place who helped monetarily to build the church.
The small and large works of the church was completed with the help of all people from surroundings. It was completed in 1955 and in the same year, the inauguration of the new church took place on Tuesday, May 3 by the then bishop Dr Basil Peris.
Fr Pereira bid Miyar adieu on April 23, 1957.
Fr Grecian Leo D’Souza succeeded Fr Pereira on the same day. He took up the church activities personally with infrastructural development programmes and also serving the spiritual needs of people. The children, youth and the old experienced a new faith being rekindled in them. Fr Grecian also supported overall development of the cultural activities. Fr Grecian Bid Adieu to Miyar on May 6, 1972.
Fr Robert C Goveis, an elderly priest, took charge as parish priest of Miyar parish on May 6, 1972. He took keen interests in catering to the spiritual needs of the parishioners. It was at his time that many small infrastructural developments took place. Fr Goveis retired from the priesthood on December 15, 1974 and Fr Victor Mendonca succeeded them.
During his service, Fr Victor reaffirmed the faith that was slacked and started sports and cultural activities that had stopped. He also played a significant role in starting stage drama by setting up a stage. New mike and sound sets were installed in the church. The parish day was celebrated for the first time in the parish in 1975. The agricultural activities were also given the prime importance. Later in 1978, Fr Victor’s health deteriorated forcing him to step down from his services. For sometime Fr Grecian of Karkala parish provided his services.
Fr Denis Moras Prabhu was appointed the parish priest of Miyar on October 1, 1978 as a replacement to Fr Victor. In Fr Denis’s tenure, the Jogalbettu Private School at Miyar got shifted. On January 29, 1979, the school got registered under the administration of the Church. The school was renamed then as St Dominic Higher Primary School. This school turned out to be one of the blessings for the people of Miyar. Fr Denis served for seven months at Miyar during which small works took place in the growth of the church.
Fr James H Andrade succeeded Fr Denis on May 6, 1979. He served till May 12, 1986. During his time many development programmes took place. He was succeeded by Fr Ignatius M D’Souza.
It was during Fr Ignatius’ time, the Catholics of Miyar, celebrated the golden jubilee of their church which was founded in 1936. During this time, a need of home for priest was felt. Within two years, a new home for priests was built. Parishioners who were working away from hometown helped magnanimously to build the house for priests. The golden jubilee celebratory functions took place on December 1, 1990.
Fr Ignatius was succeeded by Fr Valerian D’Souza, a friend to the poor on May 24, 1993. The church saw its overall development during his period. The Catholic Sabha and Church choir were eventually started. Many Catholics who used to attend mass in the different churches returned back to Miyar. Many institutions celebrated their golden Jubilee during his period. To commemorate the diamond jubilee of the parish, construction of a hall was started.
Fr Vincent Victor Menezes took up the charge as the parish priest on May 16, 2000. He continued the proposed plans taken up during Fr Valerian. The construction of the parish hall was completed at his period. Renovations of the Church also took place.
Fr Ronald Miranda was appointed as the parish priest of Miyar on May 25, 2007. The Home for Priest was renovated. The new bell tower was erected. He was an expertise in evangelizing. He was also well versed in the farming practices. Thus, he brought in more income through estate work for the parish.
Fr Jerome Monteiro was appointed at Miyar on May 26, 2013 by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi.
The faithful of Miyar are grateful for their patron St Dominic for guiding and blessing all the priests as well as faithful right from its very beginning.
In order to have a meaningful celebration of platinum jubilee, Patron’s statute has been taken all over the parish at everyone’s home and a rosary prayer has been conducted. This step has certainly helped in renewing the faith and unit all the faithful.
About Present Parish Priest
Fr Jerome Alexander Monteiro is the son of Alphonse Monteiro and Eprogine D'Almeida couple. He completed his education in various places. He did his elementary studies at St Anne's School, Bolje Udyavar, higher elementary studies in St Francis Xavier’s Udyavar, high school and pre university studies at Sri Venkataramanna Junior College at Katapady. Soft natured, dynamic and magnetic personality, Jerome joined the seminary in 1976 at St Joseph's Inter diocesan Seminary Jeppu for the diocese of Mangalore. He completed his one year orientation course and then joined St Peter's Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore. There, he simultaneously completed his graduation and obtained bachelors degree in philosophy at university of Bangalore. He once again came to St Joseph's Jeppu and studied theology. He was ordained as priest on April 16, 1985. Initially, he began his priestly service as assistant parish priest in Mondankap and later in Urwa. He served as parish priest in Pamboor and Thottam and Kolagiri for seven and eight year respectively. Later, he was transferred to St Anthony's church at Kuntalnagar in 2010 where he served for three years and later he came to Miyar in 2013. Father Jerome Monteiro was privileged to celebrate the silver jubilee in Pamboor church, platinum jubilee in Kolalgiri and decennial celebration in Kuntalnagar. He has built silver jubilee memorial hall at Pamboor parochial house in Thottam and new church in Kolagiri.
He is appreciated for his various establishments. Fr Monteiro is well known for his socio pastoral developmental work. He started the shrine of St Antony, conducted stations of the way of the cross and constructed the first floor of presbytery. Presently, he has completed the renovation of the church hall and built a vast dining hall at Miyar. He is not only a dedicated person to God but also a well read and a multitalented person. He is a good pastor, musician and above all a very humble priest. He is well known in Shirva Kallianpur and Udupi deanery to all laity especially among youths.
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
On December 8 a procession of ‘Horrekannike’ will take place in the afternoon followed by the celebratory mass of the Vespers on the occasion of the annual feast. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu will offer the special Vespers and Fr Victor menezes will bless the offerings from the devotees. Various types of Tableaus, Nasik band and Chandevandana will add meaning to the Horekanike procession.
On December 9, commencement of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations will take place. The festive mass will be concelebrated by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi. Followed by the formal stage function, where Dr Gerald Issac Lobo will preside over the function, while Fr Josew Fernandes, Vinay Kumar Sorake, district-in-charge minister and rural development minister, Government of Karnataka, V Sunil Kumar, MLA, Karkala, Ivan Dsouza, MLC, Gopal Bhandary, ex MLA, Karkala, Nirmala, president, Miyar Gram Panchayat will be present as chief guest. On this occasion, new hall will be blessed and inaugurated to mark the jubilee celebrations.
On December 10, cultural programme, along with the valedictory of platinum celebrations will take place. It will be followed by prize distributions, culture events by children, and various members of the associations of the church. ‘Pirag Bannga’ Tulu social comedy drama will be stage by the members of parish council and the Yashavi members. Msgr Dr Baptist menezes, will preside over the function, while Fr Grogre Dsouza, parish priest, St Lawrence Shrine, Karkala, J R Lobo, MLA, Haridas Bhat, of Shree Mahaligeashwara Temple, Miyar, Mohmmod Junainuraine, priest Jamiya Masjid, Miyar, Uday Kotian, zilla panchayat member, Miyar, Naggappa Mer, member, taluk panchayath, Miyar, Leo Pereira and Fedrick Rodrigues, main sponsors of the jubilee celebrations will be present as guests.
Daijiworld.com will bring live web streaming of jubilee celebrations mass, blessing and inauguration of the hall to its worldwide viewers from 9 am onwards on Wednesday December 9.