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A BISHOP IN THE MAKING – MSGR. MARK GONSALVES
Almighty has sent everyone with a mission on this world equipped with every characteristic, courage, talent and energy to fulfill that in his own plan. Each one of us is lively rivers heading towards the ocean and in the process some had constructed dams, canals…. utilized for multipurpose by the mankind. How far one makes a worthy living is within oneself…. with the blessing and benevolent care of Almighty. Now about 25 years ago, no one dreamt, even on that special evening on 4th February, 1981, in the well decorated Church of St. Peter, Barkur, while Bishop of Bellary Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Ambrose Yadanapally, ordained a simple, lean, tall man with holy oil in the presence of hundreds of faithful, will grow this height of success, in the service of God and man. Today’s Vicar General of Bellary Diocese Very Rev. Fr. Mark Gonsalves, just one step short to be a Bishop. Today it is our proud privilege, to honor a son of our Barkur Soil as Personality of the Month. Family background, early life and education: Halekody is a place in Barkur Parish densely populated with Catholic families and one of Late Mr. Ignatius and Mary Gonsalves was a large, highly respected and devout household. They were blessed with nine children. Mark was the seventh child born on 21st June, 1953. It must need a mention here that when the family was well to do and his elder brothers already made a living, Mark had every encouragement and support to craft a career, generally attractive to youngsters. Having his primary education in the Mary knoll higher Primary School and National Junior College where, not only knowledge but the morals are taught in a peaceful atmosphere, Mark made up his mind to be different - a servant to the society to walk on the footsteps of Jesus Christ. He joined the St. Mary’s Seminary at Mysore and continued in famous St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary at Bangalore to be trained as Priest to serve in Bellary Diocese of North Karnataka. It was a great day of joy to the Gonsalves Family of Halekody when the whole parish was invited to rejoice with them, as a rare gesture the aged Bishop traveled all the way to remote Barkur to lead the holy ceremony, partly in Kannada and in Konkani. A powerful homily by none other than V. Rev. Fr. Aloysius Rosario, then Vicar Vara of Shirva and ex-Parish Priest of Barkur Church, is worthy to re-collect. In the vineyard of Lord as a good Shepard: Youngman full of energy since then climbed step by step to expose his explosive personality. Below is just a brief summary: Started his priestly career as an Assistant Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Cathedral, and then continued as assistant in Fort Parish. Superiors were well impressed with his way of work and organizational capabilities and elevated as the Director of CCFT – Centre. ( Cardinal Cushing Farmers Training Centre) This is the centre governed by the Bellary Diocese, owning about 250 acres of agricultural land, where good numbers of youngsters perusing their Diploma in Agriculture. Being here for 4 years, Fr. Mark was assigned the responsibility of Vicar at newly formed Sirwar Mission Centre. He was here for almost 3 years. It was in the year 1988, Fr. Mark Gonsalves was appointed as Diocesan Financial Administrator, and still continues in this position. In this capacity, he promoted, planned, and executed good number of projects in almost all fields – viz Education, Social and Economic progress of the Diocese as a whole. As editor of Kannada Monthly – Bala Sphoorthi: Fr. Mark was a soft spoken person but his pen was very powerful. Under his guidance in 1994, he started Bala Spoorthi a Kannada Magazine. It is having dual objective to introduce Christ to non Christians on the one hand and to make understand the religion and faith better to Catholics, a vast population is under educated and economically poor, in simple language. A public relation Officer un-parallel: Rev. Fr. Mark Gonsalves is a matured human being, respecting and understanding and mingling with people of all faith at ease. Since 2002, he was designated as the PRO. of the vast Bellary Diocese. His efforts to bring closer and understand and respect many sects and sub sects within Catholics are well appreciated. Today he is a popular face of Catholics in the region not only with his own but all sections of Society. Being nominated to various diocesan and inter-diocesan committees, his contribution is remarkable. Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee in December 2005: This December, Barkur become a witness to yet another landmark in the life of Fr. Gonsalves, on Tuesday he concelebrated the High Mass in the same Church where he was ordained priest some 25 years ago. Now he is Vicar General, just very next to the Bishop, a responsible position in the Church hierarchy – (in the absence of Bishop he has to discharge the responsibilities of Bishop of the Diocese) It is our prayer to Almighty Lord to Bless Monsignor Gonsalves with good health and best wishes to him be elevated as First Barkur born Bishop. On behalf of Barkur-on-line Team and ICYM Barkur Ex Members Association, P. Archibald Furtado, Muscat. Archives Rev.Fr.Sylvester D'Souza Mr.V.L.Roche Mr.Chooda Poojari Mr.Richard Carvalho Mr.B.Seetharam Shetty Mr.B. Shantharam Shetty Mr. Henry Roche Mr.Felix Barnes Dr.Gabriel Fernandes Dr.Derrick D'Souza Dr.Sheshagiri Rao Mr. Kasim Saheb Mr. Staney Pais Dr. B.L.N.Adiga Rev.Fr.Cyprian Henry D'Souza Mr. Peter Furtado Mr.Harry Fernandes Mr. K. Sadashiva Kalkur Mr. Micheal D'Souza Dr.N.C. Kalkur Mr.Wilfred Gonsalves Dr. Sr. Consillia Mr.Baptist D'Souza Rev.Fr.Tony Rtn. Jayarama Shetty Mrs.Eugene Quadras Mr.Charles D'Lima Dr.Niranjan Rao Dr.Barkur Shasthry Mr.Jerome John Fernandes Mr.MVR Acharya Nritya Vidushi Sushma Kamath Fr.Charles Lobo Mr.N.M.Bhat Mr.Barkur Sudhakar Shetty Fr.Remigeous Aranha |
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Barkur, located in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka, India. 576 210 |
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Copyright Kishoo, Barkur 2002. |
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