Barkur parish is the oldest in the Varado, next only to Milagres Cathedral Kallianapur, and was served by the Priests from here from 1854 – 1861 it is said, every week and Rev. Fr. Caetao Joao Fernandes, used to offer Holy Mass in the thatched prayer house, built on the same location, where stands the present Church.
We Barkur-online Team call back the contributions and services of each and every one of them, for the past 150 odd years, to make the Barkur a better place to live, pray and prosper together. Many of them are in heavenly abode and few of them are at the evening of their lives and most of them are still serving in different parts of the world in various capacities……
It is our intention and sincere efforts as well to give more details, in the event of our visitors wish to have them, in phases in coming days…..Please send in your feedback to us to include missing details wherever it rightly deserved……..
Barkur parish is the oldest in the Varado, next only to Milagres Cathedral Kallianapur, and was served by the Priests from here from 1854 – 1861 it is said, every week and Rev. Fr. Caetao Joao Fernandes, used to offer Holy Mass in the thatched prayer house, built on the same location, where stands the present Church.
We Barkur-online Team call back the contributions and services of each and every one of them, for the past 150 odd years, to make the Barkur a better place to live, pray and prosper together. Many of them are in heavenly abode and few of them are at the evening of their lives and most of them are still serving in different parts of the world in various capacities……
It is our intention and sincere efforts as well to give more details, in the event of our visitors wish to have them, in phases in coming days…..Please send in your feedback to us to include missing details wherever it rightly deserved……..
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Early Years of formation - under Goan Priests – 1861 – 1908 – 47 Years,
Effective 29/04/1861 till 19/04/1870 Rev. Fr. Cosmos Rebello was the First Vicar of Barkur Church and the resident priest.
Rev. Fr. Basil Baretto – 20-04-1870 to 19-06-1872.
Rev. Fr. Benedict Rosario Pereira was the Vicar of Barkur for 12 long years. – 20-06-1872 to 23-12-1884.
Rev. Fr. Louis Cutinho was our Vicar – 24-12-1884 to 18-01-1888.
Rev. Fr. Julius Torrado served as Parish Priest from 19-01-1888 to 07-11-1908 being the last Goan priest was also a famed medical practitioner here at Barkur for 20 long years and he was the longest ever to be the Vicar of Barkur.
The Church in the hands of Mangalorean Priests – 1908 – 1947
As mentioned above, it was served by Goan Priests till 07/11/1908 and Rev Fr. Francis D’Souza – 08-11-1908 – 04-03-1911 was the first Mangalorean Parish priest to serve as Vicar of Barkur.
Rev. Fr. Vincent Rebello took the as Parish Priest on 05-03-1911 to 10-09-1915.
The present Church was built under the Very Rev. Msgr. Denis Jerome D’Souza, 11-09-1915 to 26-04-1929 inaugurated and consecrated on 28/05/1923 by the then Bishop H.E. Paul Perini and the present parochial house / presbytery` also constructed by him.
Rev. Fr. Julian D’Souza was here for a short period – 27-04-1829 – to 29-10-1929, as he has to take over as the Vicar Vara of Milagres Church, Kallianpur, later as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore.
Rev. Fr. David Coelho – 30-11-1929 to 12-09-1931. Founder of various sodalities in the parish.
Rev. Fr. Francis Aranha – 13-09-1931 to 29-12-1935. Most of the systematic arrangements of records / registers in the parish introduced during his time, still followed.
Rev. Fr. Marian Castelino – 08-09-1936 to 27-05-1944 started Mary knoll Hr. Primary School, Hosala Barkur, in 1940. It was his brain child to start St. Peter’s Club Barkur, 16-05-1937, which was very much active till 1975. Mosaic tiles were laid in the main body of the Church sponsored by Barkurian St. Peter’s Association in Bombay, in 1940.
Rev. Fr. John Menezes – 28-05-1944 to 30-12-1947
Rev. Fr. Thomas Lobo – 01-01-1950 to 31-12-1950 – He was also a known doctor for minor ailments. During this right wing of the Church saw its completion and the present shape.
Barkur Church after Independence – 1951 – till the end of millennium
During the Centenary Celebration of the Church Building 1954, Rev. Fr. Charles Nazareth – 01-01-1951 – 23-04-1957 was the Parish Priest, during his time electrification of the Church was completed. New block of Mary knoll School was constructed 29-06-1956.
Rev. Fr. Lawrence Monthiero served Barkur – 24-04-1957 to 06-05-1959.
Attractive Belfry was constructed during the days of Rev. Fr. Aloysius Rosario – 07-05-1959 to 30-01-1972 and he was also instrumental to welcome Sisters of Charity to Barkur and start Mary knoll Girls High School in the year 1966.
Rev Fr. Anthony Joseph D’Souza, 1959 – 1962, Rev. Fr. Bernard D’Souza, 1962 – 65, Rev. Fr. Mark Walder, Rev. Fr. Mark D’Sa were here as Assistant parish priests.
The public stage was erected during the days of Rev. Fr. Joseph D’Souza 31-01-1972 to 16-04-1980 and the CYM Barkur was born in the year 1976.
Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Patrick Rodrigues were the Assistant Priests during this time.
It was Rev. Fr. Joseph N. Lobo – 17-05-1980 to 20-05-1987 who was young and energetic opted to look after the parish single handed. Rev. Fr. Apolinaris Crasto was his last Assistant to serve in 1983 – 84.
Rev. Fr. Mark D’Sa – 21-05-1987 to 30-05-1994, has a rare credit of serving the parish both as Parish Priest and Assistant parish priest. Since he was not keeping a good health, Rev. Fr. James D’Souza was at Barkur as Assistant in the year 1989 – 91, followed by Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto – 1991 – 92.
Renovation of the Church Building during its 75 year was done by Rev. Fr. Benjamin D’Souza, 31-05-1994 to 04-06-2001 - who was also fondly remembered for two more pioneering works – Pedruchi Chavi the parish Bulletin & Small Christian Communities.
For a year Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza was at Barkur as Assistant Priest.
Our Church in Modern times New Millennium
Compound wall was completed during Rev. Fr. Sylvester D’Souza – 05-06-2001 to 22-05-2004. The Silver Jubilee of CYM was celebrated in the year 2002. Rev. Fr. Wilfred D’Souza, s.v.d. was at Barkur as Assistant to him.
It was under the stewardship of Rev. Fr. Remigious Aranha – 23-05-2004 to 31-05-2011, the New Sauharda Community Hall was built in the year 2006 and the new Welcome arch to the Church.
Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza - 30-05-2011 to 03-06-2012 - short term of one year as Parish priest marked by the erection of a shrine for private prayers and interlock to the Church Ground.
Former Principal of Milagres College, Kallianpur, Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca took over the responsibility as Parish Priest on 03-06-2012. It’s truly a divine providence that the parish is celebrating post Centenary Golden Jubilee of its establishment as an independent Church, under his directions.
Rev. Fr. Francis Fernandes, S.J. both served as Deacon in 2012 and Assistant Parish Priest till 31-03-2013.
With various other programmed, the parochial House, (which saw some additions in the year 1970) now will be reconstructed, as a memorial to the 150th Jubilee, it is planned to renovate, this 90 years old structure, completely.
As many as 28 dedicated Vicars served as Parish Priests and the parish is fortunate to have the services of over a dozen talented priests as Assistants and few more as In-charge Vicars, temporary assignments, some deacons, as well as retired priests.
Given below are some interesting facts and incidents to speak about their respective tenures at Barkur and thereafter…………
- The priests served at Barkur when transferred were elevated to be Vicar Vara’s –. Very Rev. Fr. Julian D’Souza, (1929) Milagres, Kallianpur, Very Rev. Fr. Denis J. D’Souza, Milagres Church, Mangalore, Very Rev. Fr. Aloysius Rosario – Shirva, (1972) Very Rev. Fr. Remigious Aranah – to Pezar (2011)
- Many Assistants served at Barkur also served as Vicar Vara’s in later years – Rev. Fr. Bernard D’Souza, Kinnigoli, Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro – earlier in Kinnigoli and now at Shirva etc. Rev. Fr. Patrick Rodrigues – Kinnigoli
- Rev. Fr. Mark Walder was the one Assistant served at Barkur since 1966, appointed as Editor of Raknno, Diocesan Konkani Weekly, to continue in this post over a decade – 1972 – ‘85
- Barkur had a distinction of being served by former Vicar Vara’s – Denis J. D’Souza – Milagres – Kallianpur, Rev. Fr. Sylvester D’Souza – Karkal & Shirva.
- Barkur had the privilege to celebrate the Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee of two great priests – Rev. Fr. Joseph N. Lobo in the year 1980 and Rev. Fr. Mark D’Sa in the year 1992.
- There is a close link to Assistant Priests served at Barkur and Fr. Muller’s Charitable Institutions Kankanady – Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, former Director, Rev. Fr. Patrick Rodrigues – present Director, Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto served / serving over here.
- Rev. Fr. Mark D’Sa has a rare credit of serving the parish both as Parish Priest 1987 – 94 and Assistant parish priest – 1969 – 1972.
- Only two priests were retired from Barkur being their last service station – Rev. Fr. Joseph D’Souza & Rev. Fr. Sylvester D’Souza.
- Our parish also being served by Principal of prestigious colleges in Rev. Fr. Valerian Mendonca and training the to be Principal Rev. Fr. Bernard D’Souza – Pompei College Kirem.
- Rt. Rev. Dr. Henry D’Souza – Assistant Priest 1976 – 1978 and the Founder Director of CYM Barkur (10-09-1976) served in our parish – rose to be the Bishop of Bellary.
- Most of the Priests served in our parish, after Goan regime till 1908, are Secular priests ( now called Diocesan) Rev. Fr. Wilfred D’Souza, s.v.d. (Assistant during Fr. Sylvester D’Souza) arrived on 20-06-2002 and Rev. Fr. Francis Fernandes s.j. who served 27-12-2012 to 31-03-2013 are exceptions as they belong to SVD and Society of Jesus, denominations, respectively.
For and on behalf of Barkur-online Team & ICYM Barkur Ex-Members Association,
With Greetings of Blessed and Happy Easter.
P. Archibald Furtado, 31st March, 2013.
furtadoarchibald@hotmail.com, archibaldfurtado@yahoo.com