Rev. Fr. Sylvester, born on 28th October 1928 at Kottabail, Marnad, Shirthady was the eldest son of Mr Antony and Mrs. Lucy D'Souza. He had his primary education at St. Joseph's Higher Primary School, Taccode and then continued his studies at St. Alloysius College, Mangalore.
During his Seminary term he was inclined towards children and was serving them by giving many seminars during vaccations. He was ordained as Priest on 2nd April 1957 and sent to Kinnigoli Parish as Asst. Parish Priest.Then he was sent to Udupi Parish as Asst. and was in charge of St. Ceceli's Convent as Chapplain and was there about 10 years. During this time he was the advisor for Karnataka State forn All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF). He served the student community of Manipal, MGM, PPC and Law College, Udupi and started YCS for their development and brought them under one unit of AICUF. He also started YCW (young christian workers federation) and through this he brought all the employes working in Colleges, Factories, Banks, LIC etc. under one banner and through this YCW many of the requeirements of the poor people was met. He also initiated work for construction of Manipal Church and approached the Govt. and got 2 acres of land sanctioned for the Church. He started the Church Building construction with only Rs.1,000 on hand but soon was able to mobilise the requeired sum. For
this noble cause all the workers (YCW) donated a part of their salary, students organised a benefit show and helped Fr. Sylvester.
The Church Building was inaugurated by non other than the Cadinal Gratius from Mumbai and the function was attended by about 15000 people. He also built the Don Bosco Club as Youth Centre and Hostel for the students at Manipal.
He served Udupi and Manipal parishes for about 21 years.While in Udupi he was the Asst. P.P., he was the first Parish Priest of Manipal.
After Manipal he was transfered to Pius Nagar (Hanglur) Parish, where he was instrumental in building more than 300 houses for the poor irrespective of cast, with the help of CODP and other organisations. Also he worked for the upliftment of the needy people through various Govt. projects.He also build the Parish Hall.
When his tranfer order came (after 7 years) whole community came together to bid farewell for him and was transfered to Shirva as the Vicar Vara.
During his tenure in Udupi/Manipal and Pius Nagar he visted most of the parts of India and various foreign countries for giving seminars. In Shirva He started weekly Rotary Medical Test Programme and many other community development projects. After Shirva he went to Karkal town Parish and came to Barkur.
In Barkur in his able leadership all the Church organisations are activily serving the society in various powers. The Youth (ICYM) group with about 150 members is preparing to celebrate its Silver Jubillee Celebrations this year (year 2002). The group has chalked variousprojects in this year and is hopeful of completing them as planned.
WE WISH FR. SYLVESTER A VERY SUCCESSFUL TENURE IN BARKUR