Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 17: St Sebastian Church, Permannur established on February 1, 1918 will hold its centenary celebrations on January 19, 20 and 21.
The Institution Day will be celebrated on January 19 followed by an inter-religious meet ‘Souhardha Sangama’ on January 20. The year-long activities to mark the centenary year will be concluded on January 21 with a thanksgiving Mass and cultural bonanza.
Several dignitaries both of religious and political backgrounds are expected to attend the functions.
Fr J B Saldanha and committee members during press meet
100 years of history
St Sebastian Parish Church, Permannur was originally a part of Ullal (later called as Panir) church. In 1913, Fr Joseph Menezes of Ullal succeeded in obtaining 15 acres of land, where Fr Lawrence Fernandes built a chapel in Babbukatte. On being detached from Ullal into a separate chapel, Fr S V Rebello (1918-1926) became the first chaplain on February 1, 1918.
Fr S V Rebello built a small church in Babbukatte which was inaugurated on April 5, 1926. Since the location of the church was not easily accessible, permission was granted by late Fr Dr Paul Perini, the bishop of Mangaluru to Chaplain Fr Piadade S D'Souza to relocate Babbukatte chapel to Thokkottu, the present site. The parishioners donated three acres of land at the centre area of the parish, and late U Krishna Bhat, a lawyer, donated another two acres on which the new church was constructed by Fr Piad S D'Souza and it was solemnly blessed on May 23, 1932 by late Fr Dr Victor R Fernandes, the bishop of Mangaluru.
The chaplaincy was raised to the rank of a parish on July 16, 1932 with Fr Piad S D'Souza (1926-1937) as the first parish priest. Adam Kudru Island, which was so far a part of Rosario Cathedral Church was brought under the jurisdiction of Permannur when it became an independent parish. He constructed the presbytery.
Fr Albert D'Sa (1937-1948) started Permannur Co-operative Society to help people during the Second World War. Fr Basil A D'Souza (1952-1955) built the belfry. Fr Stany B Lobo (1986-1994) built the present new church which was inaugurated on February 16, 1993.
Fr Jose M Menezes (1957-1970) extended the Holy Angels’ School building. A new building for the Holy Angels School and the high school building were constructed in close proximity to the church by Fr Harold D'Souza (1978-1986). Fr Peter Serrao (1999-2006) started a pre-university college, English medium school and a degree college. Fr John Baptist Saldanha, the present parish priest started the degree college in 2013.
St Sebastian Institutions have over 3000 students and the Catholic population of the parish is 4,575 with 1089 families.
Significance of celebration
During the year 2017-2018, St Sebastian Parish Permannur organized several activities to animate people and to revitalize the spiritual fervour of the community. In January 2017, animation programme was conducted for the leaders of the parish community. In March 2017, senior citizens were honoured. In April 2017, special programme was organized for women. In May 2017, various programmes were organized catering the medical and educational needs. In August 2017, a mega Bible quiz was organized.
The months of September and October, focused on rejuvenating family life. November 2017, was the month of spiritual renewal. December gave importance to youth animation and now January 2018, is the climax of year long celebrations.
On January 7, a marathon race was organized to create awareness regarding the need for peace and harmony in the vicinity of Ullal and to unite the people, especially the youth to build solidarity in the local community. Approximately 1,000 youth and children participated in the event. This is now followed by nine days of Novena prayers which started on January 10.