-Prof. P. Archibald Furtado
Rev Fr Ronald Miranda to take over the charge as New Parish Priest of Barkur Church on 6th June, 2023.
In these days priests are assigned to new parishes, once in every 6 years and at times maybe earlier. The incumbent Vicar of Barkur Rev Fr Philip Neri Aranha all set to take the reins of St Theresa of Little Flower Church, Kemmannu on 7th June, 2023, after his fruitful 6 years in historical town Barkur.
In brief, our new Parish Priest hails from St Francis Xavier Ward in Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte – Kallianpur. Born on 18th January, 1969, as son of Late Jacob and Christine Miranda, a devout family of prayers, who had another son Late Ambrose Miranda and Nun Sr. Jacintha Miranda. Ronnie had his early and formal education in Adi Udupi Primary School and Nittur High School, near Ambagilu. Then joined Milagres College for PUC. After joining St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu Mangalore, obtained his BA, BTh, and later MA in Sociology from the prestigious University of Mysore.
As an ordained priest to serve in the vineyard of Christ on 26th April 1996, he was first sent to Bajpe, then in Bendur and Bijai churches as Assistant Priest 1996 to 2000. Soon after in 2000, he was asked to take the responsibility as Parish priest of Vamana Padavu – 7 years, followed by Miyar 2007 to 2013 and Holy Cross Church Byndoor 2013 to 2019 i.e. 6 Years in each parishes. His next station was Yermall for about one year and from 2021 onwards till 5th June, 2023 serving in Mundur in Shirva Deanery, in Our Lady of Fatima, Church as its Vicar.
Young at his 54, Rev Fr Ronald Miranda carries with him rich experience of serving in both vast city bound and semi urban places in undivided Diocese of Mangalore and in Udupi. We Barkurians take this opportunity to cordially welcome Fr Miranda to this 160 years old historical Church dedicated to St Peter the patron and the leader of the Apostles. Of course, though the Church population is gradually declining due to obvious reasons from 335 in 80’s to approximately 275 families now.
There is a Kannada Medium Maryknoll Primary School, established in the year 1940, looking for a messiah to bring it back to its one time glory and reputation. Otherwise, probably Fr Miranda may not be having the pressure of developmental projects, as the church have all required facilities and self supporting…. than concentrating in its religious needs of the faithful. Maryknoll High School is well taken care, exclusively by Sisters of Charity.
The famed ICYM Barkur at the threshold of celebrating its Golden Jubilee in 2026 and the Parish Pastoral Council with its Vice President Mr Joseph Fernandes and all pious organisations are always known to extend best cooperation to all priests.
Once Fr Miranda gets familiarised with home affairs, he will be introduced to few unique platforms such as St Peters Association, Barkur – Mumbai, St Peter’s Association Bangalore, The Emirates Barkurians, The Global Barkurians etc in days to come….as we proudly state that more than the double of Barkurians are scattered and settled in every nook and corner of this planet.
Warm and homely Welcome Father Ronald Miranda to Barkur and your stay and living in this stunningly beautiful pictures cape Barkur always be happy, fruitful and blessed one.
On behalf of Team barkuronline.com
P. Archibald Furtado.