Also known as Nathanael bar Tolomai

Memorial :24 August (Roman); 11 June (Orthodox)

Profile : One of the Twelves Apostles. Probably a close friend of Saint Philip; his name is always mentioned in the Gospels in connection with him, and it was Philip brought Bartholomew to Jesus. May have written a gospel, now lost; it is mentioned in other writings of the time. May have preached in Asia Minor, Ethiopia, India and Armenia; some one did, leaving early writings behind, and local tradition says it was him. Martyr.

Died: Flayed alive at Albanopolis, Armenia; relics at St Bartholomew-on-the-Tiber Church, Rome, and in the cathedral in Canterbury, England

Patronage:

Armenia: bookbinders, butchers, cobblers, Forentine cheese merchants,

Forentine : salt merchants, leather workers, nervous diseases, neurological diseases, plasterers, shoemakers, tanners, trappers, twitching, whiteners.

Representation :tanner's knife; cross; elderly man holding a tanner's knife and a human skin; skinless man holding his own skin.

Barkur.com takes pride in presenting a humble lady, a teacher from Barkur, and her family:

Benedicta was born in Kemmannu on November 26, 1935. Since, both of her parents died when she was very young, she was adopted by her bachelor uncle and spinster aunt, who lived in Balkudru, (near Mabhukal bridge,) belonging to Sastan Parish. Her adopted mother Margaret (Maggie) Saldanha, being popular teacher in St. Anthony’s Primary School in Sastan, it was easy for Benedicta to follow in her footsteps to embrace the teaching career. She served as a teacher in St. Anthony’s Primary School and later on in Moodahadu Primary School which was under the management of St. Anthony's parish, Sastan. She taught Sunday School (Catechism/Dothorn), for quite a while, and was active in various church activities in Sastan. She used cut mangoes and distribute to school children if they attended mass in the month of May! She retired from her active profession of teaching in 1994 after serving for 40 years in parochial schools. Forty years of teaching employment without stepping out of Barkur, is a noteworthy achievement indeed, especially for those born during British raj.

She is a tall lady. The school children could see her from far (much above the swaying rice plants), and the whole class would go silent immediately. In monsoon days, her umbrella used to get twisted inside out, and yet her class children never laughed at her umbrella even in her absence! Such was the respect she commanded. She was the time-keeper for the farm workers, because if she was seen walking to school, it must be 8:00 Am, or 5:00 Pm to go home from fields.

Benedicta was married to Xavier Andrade of St. Peter's church of Barkur. They had 6 children, 3 girls and 3 boys. At present all the children are well settled. Eldest son Jerald is married to Janet who has 2 children, and they are settled down in Bangalore. Janet is the 2nd child in line who is married to Fredrick Lasrado of Kota parish and they have 3 daughters. Then there are the famous two sons, the twins, the identical twins. They are: Anthony Ronald and Joseph Anthony. Rony is a Laboratory Technician. He worked for 10 years at Almana General hospital in Saudi Arabia and his wife Sharmila also worked in the same hospital. Now they have returned home to care and raise their family and to educate their children. At present Rony is running a Hematology/Biochemistry laboratory in Sastan, named ‘Allina Clinical Lab.’ Recently he opened an Allina Gift shop in the same building, which shows that he is prospering.

Tony is the other twin. He is a Roman Catholic Priest, presently working in the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minneapolis, USA. Benny teacher gets the credit for bearing, raising, training, molding, scolding, feeding, and for making a priest out of Tony! She is the one who instilled the qualities needed to become a Roman Catholic Priest. She must be a proud mother! Tony is a parish Priest of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, in St. Paul Minnesota. USA. [USA is in constant need of priests.] He was ordained to the Holy Order of Priesthood on the 19th of December 1992, who just completed his 10 years of priestly ministry, last year. He is loved and respected by his parishioners. It is not easy for a priest to be popular in USA, specially where the nuns and ladies belonging to various groups such as Altar and Rosary Society, and lay men too, run and control various church activities by bossing around! He helps our fellow Barkurians, however, he does not want to reveal his details. After all, his own left hand does not know how generous his right hand is! Thanks to Benny teacher for raising such a man to carry on the works of mercy.

Jacintha is 5th in line and married to George Fernandes of Puttur (Our Lady of Rosary Parish, Kallianapura.) who have 3 children. Youngest in the family of Benedicta is Freeda married to Wilson Pinto of Bangalore and they are settled there with their daughter.

Benedicta spends most of her retirement time in her own home in Nagarmatta (Barkur). She is busy with lots of spiritual readings and visiting her family members and neighbors and consoling the sick. She is very devoted to Blessed Mother Mary. She is quite happy and content with the blessings God has bestowed upon her. There is great joy in ‘being content’ with what we have. She is thanking God (gives credit to God), for His abundant grace and blessings, even though she worked hard to obtain such blessings. We wish her health and happiness in her retirement. Her students too are in high positions today. It’s not necessarily the great achievements, such as, building a three lane highway from Sastan to Saibarakatte, makes a person great, but greatness can be achieved in doing little chores to ones’ fullest ability utilizing the available means.

Dear John & Joyce,

Wish you a very Happy Wedding Anniversary!! May Almighty Bless both of you and Children, in abundence!!!

Hope to have a Party once you people are back from Holidays, have a nice day at Barkur!!!!

Best wishes from,