Report: Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (EP)
Pics: Dony Shankarapura

Udupi, May 15: "Jesus strived for the well-being of mankind. Service of mankind was his aim. It is our duty and responsibility, to follow his teachings and walk in his footsteps," said Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese.

The bishop was speaking after inaugurating the rebuilt Sacred Heart Church at Yermal, presiding over the meeting, and honouring the achievers in different fields on Thursday May 14.

Chief guest Vinay Kumar Sorake, district-in-charge minister, Udupi, said that the contribution of Christian missionaries and organizations in the development of the society is immense. "Christian educational institutes have worked hard to quench the hunger for knowledge in the society and drive away the darkness," he said.

Former MLA Lalaji R Mendon, speaking on the occasion, said that the disciplined life of Catholics is an example to all and if that is followed strictly, there can always be peace in the society.

Kolkata Balaipur diocese bishop Dr Salvadore Lobo and Bareily diocese bishop Dr Antony Fernandes were present at the programme.

Udupi diocese vicar general Monsignor Baptist Menezes, Udupi priest Fredrick Mascarenhas, Yermal Sacred Heart Church parish priest Fr Lawrence Rodrigues, Uchila Mahalaxmi Temple priest Vedamoorthi K V Raghavendra Upadhyaya, Uchila Sayyed Arabi mosque’s Abdul Hakim Musliyar, Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha Uchila chief secretary Fr Lawrence Rodrigues, priests who served the church in the past, special achiever priests in the village, donors, and contractors were felicitated on the occasion.

Shalet Furtado, vice-president of the church administrative committee, welcomed.

Secretary Vinay Quadros proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Denis D'Sa compered the programme.

Brief history

History

Till 1961 for all religious needs Shirva church was the main source for the locals of Yermal and Kaup areas. In the year 1939 Fr Hilary Gonsalaves, in the house of Gurkar Vivian Dsouza, started to offer masses thrice a year. After him Fr James Andrade and Fr Jacob Crasta carried forward this practice.

After the chapel stated, assistant parish priest from Shirva used to reach the chapel in Yermal by foot. Later, after Kalathur church started functioning, parish priest from Kalathur church started to serve the needs of these people. During this time Fr Charles Saldanha took the initiative to develop Yermal church, a task which was followed up by Fr Thomas Dsouza, Fr J B Crasta, Fr Alfred Pinto in later years, by offering their services to develop the church and the area.

In the year 1959 – 60, with the help of the seven families in the area a small chapel was constructed in 3.62 acres of land under the leadership of Fr Hilary Gonsalaves, who was the parish priest of Shirva church, with the help of Vivian Dsouza and the locals. After Vivian, his son Lawrence Dsouza was looking after this chapel.

In the year 1990 – 93 Fr Alfred Pinto submitted a request to the Bishop of Mangalore to to start a church in this area. Due to these efforts, Scared Heart of Jesus Church was started in 1993.

Fr Peter Nazareth was the first parish priest of the church. Since then Fr Henry Castelino as well as Fr Vishal Lobo served as the parish priests and presently Fr Lawrence Rodrigues is serving in that capacity.

At present, 250 parishioners from 65 families are served by this church.