Location :
St. John the Baptist Church is situated in the locality of Permude, Mangaluru taluk. Permude is five kilometers away from Bajpe on Kateel road.
Agriculture and Dairy farming were the occupations of the people here during the early years. As the production of milk was plentiful, Permude was nicknamed as 'Perda Mudde', in Tulu.
The Beginning :
The Catholic community in Permude was a part of Bajpe and Pezar parishes before the establishment of Permude parish. The people were walking several miles for their spiritual needs to Bajpe and Pezar churches in the absence of transport facilities. The community then realized the need for a Church in Permude. Meanwhile Seraphine Nazareth had made a vow for the construction of a Church for the health of her husband, Coffee planter in Chikmagalur, Permude resident John Baptist Balthazar Nazareth. She came forward for the construction in order to fulfill the vow. Her daughter Juliana Nazreth took up the responsibility of the construction. Her son in law Albert Ambudias Rodrigues extended his cooperation. It was decided that three fourth of the cost would be shared by the founders and a quarter of the cost would be borne by the parishioners by donating material and labour. The then Bishop late Rev Dr Raymond D' Mello laid the foundation for the church on November 25, 1959. Bajpe church Parish priest Fr Leo Carvalho extended his cooperation.The Church was consecrated on May 16, 1963.
The Church built in memory of late John Baptist Nazareth was devoted to St John Baptist who is known for truth and justice. Assistant parish priest of Bajpe, Fr Peter Noronha took up construction of residence with the help of the clergy in Bajpe.
As per the official notification of the then Bishop on October 24,1965, the parish was formed after separating from Bajpe and Pezar parishes. Late Fr Jacob Crasta was the first priest of Permude church. Later when Kateel parish was formed in 1971, the families from Kateel to Ekkaru joined Kateel parish.
Golden jubilee celebration of Permude Church :
The golden jubilee of St John Baptist Church, Permude was celebrated on January 13, 2016.
Bishop of Mangalore diocese, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza was the main celebrant of the festive mass, with Vicar Vara of Pezar deanery Fr Remezeus Aranha, parish priest Fr Edwin Vincent Correa and 30 other priests as concelebrants.
Minister for fisheries and youth welfare, Abhaychandra Jain was the chief guest for the stage programme which took place soon after the festive mass. Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza presided over the programme.
Minister Abhaychandra launched the medical fund and symbolically handed over a replica of the house to a poor family on the occasion. The dignitaries including MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC Ivan D’Souza also unveiled the souvenir of the golden jubilee on the occasion.
Fr Richard Lasrado, Fr Valerian Rodrigues and Fr Peter Noronha who had served as Parish Priests at the Church were honoured on the occasion.
Parish Priests who have served the parish since its inception :
- Fr Jacob S Crasta (1965)
- Fr Edwin Pinto
- Fr Hilary Sanctis
- Fr Henry Fernandes
- Fr Vernon Vas (1993 - 94)
- Fr Denis Moras Prabhu (1994 - 96)
- Fr Victor George Dsouza
- Fr Peter Theodore Dsouza
- Fr Richard Lasrado (1997 - 2005)
- Fr Oswald Lasrado (2005 - 2012)
- Fr Valerian Rodrigues (2012 - 2015)
- Fr Edwin Vincent Correa (2015 - 2021)
- Fr Gregory Serrao (from 2021 onwards)
(Complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff.
Last updated in Dec 2021.
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