Udupi Diocese News

Location :

This church is situated at a distance of 48 kms north of Mangalore on Padubidri-Kudremukh State Highway and is surrounded by Mukamar, Parapady, Pernal, Mundkur, Kelmbet, Mudarangady and Palimar parishes.

The Background:

The word Belmannu came from 'bili mannu' in Kannada meaning white soil. Belman was once a part of Shirva parish. Bishop Nicholas M. Pagani, S.J. erected Belman parish by a decree dated September 10, 1894.

Belman is a village in coastal Karnataka in Udupi District, between Padubidri and Karkala. It has its natural scenic beauty with paddy fields, coconut gardens, hills and valleys.

Christianity set its foot in our District in the 16th century and grew to considerable strength in the 17th and 18th centuries, until they were taken into captivity by Tippu Sultan. Those who survived this crisis, began to settle down again and established themselves as parishes.

One such parish was Shirva. Following the situation of those days, there were two churches at Shirva - one belonging to the Padroado regime having its Bishop in Goa, and the other belonging to the Propaganda congregation of Rome. The former was called N.S. De Saude and the latter, St. Francis Xaviers'. The families residing in the area in and around Belman mostly belonged to the latter church.

Formation of Belman Parish:

Considering the welfare and spiritual needs of Christians in this area, Episcopal sanction was granted for the erection of chapel in Belman by a decree dated 29th November 1886 of the Bishop of Mangalore, Rt. Rev. N.M. Pagani, S.J.

Once the decree was issued, all attention was focused on the construction of St. Joseph's chapel. After considering many other locations, a place belonging to a Brahmin family, "Madkamane", was selected and the construction of the chapel began in 1887. This place is adjacent to the present church. Construction work was financed by the Mathias family. After seven years, the work of the chapel was completed.

Permission to bless the chapel was granted by the same Bishop, Rt. Rev. N.M. Pagani, S.J. by a decree dated 10th September 1894. The same decree also effected the erection of Belman into a separate parish, marked boundaries of it, and appointed Rev.Fr. Nicholas Carneiro, the then parish priest of St. Francis Xaviers' Church, Shirva, to be the parish priest of Belman parish/church, also. This chapel was blessed by Rev. Fr. N. Carneiro on 10th September 1894. He was ministering to the needs of Belman parishioners from Shirva parish for some years.

The chapel was built of mud walls and had a hay thatched roof. There was no house for the priest nor a belfry.

Sunday mass was at 7:00 a.m. The church dues and grave fees were to be paid to the chapel treasury. The parish priest was paid Rs.2/- as traveling expenses. The chapel was administered from Shirva.

Seeing the convenience and utility of having the church close by, some families of N.S. De Saude, Shirva and also N.S. Remedies, Kirem asked to be transferred to the new parish of Belman. Accordingly, a good number of families were added to the Belman parish at various times by Episcopal decree, and on 12th December 1900, the territorial boundary between Kirem and Belman was settled.

The Christian community consisted of people from all walks of life. A prominent family at that time was the Mathias family. They had their houses in Kudpal, Kopla, Arkal, Indar and Dosahitlu. The other important families were the D'Mellos at Bibinal, Mudartha's at Balegundi, Aranha's at Bola and Cardoza's in and around Indar. The Mathias family traces back its origin before the captivity in 1784. They were taken captives by Tippu's soldiers. After their release in 1789, they returned to Belman and settled around Naniltar. In the course of time, the Mathias family became the largest and richest in Belman and was also instrumental in starting the Belman parish.

A 23 December 1914 decree defined the boundaries of the Belman, Kirem, Kinnigoli and the future Bolkunje parishes. Since the chapel's roof had weakened, the foundation stone for a church was laid on 24 December 1922. The new church was consecrated on 2 May 1933 by Bishop Victor R. Fernandes. Only the sanctuary and main altar were plastered; the rest of the church was not yet built.

The Kelmbet parish was formed from Belman, and a chapel was built there by a decree dated 11 April 1964. St. Joseph High School was founded in November 1981. A 21 November 1982 decree formed the Mukamar parish from Belman. St. Joseph English Medium School was founded on 1 June 2012.

Parish Priests who have served the parish : 

Rev Fr Nicholas Carneiro (1894–1903) : Founded an elementary school in 1896 (which became St. Joseph's Higher Primary School), and had the present Shirva-Belman road built.

Rev Fr Rosario P. B. Lewis (1903–1906) : Initially served the parish from Shirva and had a small, thatched-roof rectory with no facilities built near the chapel. After Lewis convened a 15 March 1904 meeting with representatives from Kallianpur, Karkala, N. S. De Saude and St. Francis Xavier in Shirva, Emmanuel Vas was appointed the resident parish priest. Between 1903 and 1914, a small cemetery was developed next to the chapel.

Rev Fr Emmanuel Vas (1906–1910) : Began construction of an improved rectory, established a post office there (the region's first), and implemented construction of the present-day Belman-Mundkur road.

Rev Fr Peter R. D'Souza (1910–1913) : Stabilized the parish's economic situation, completing the rectory (with a kitchen) and creating a reserve fund with paddy and rice collected from parishioners. The money obtained was loaned at low interest, with jewels as collateral.

Rev Fr Antony A. E. Colaco (1913–1914) : Came to Belman from Coondapur, where D'Souza was transferred on a temporary assignment. Due to ill health, Colaco was transferred in eleven months.

Rev Fr Denis R. Lewis (1914–1934) : Collected the remaining cost of the church from outside the parish and diocese after the Rs.16,000 contributed by parishioners. Lewis elevated the elementary school to a higher elementary school and appointed his nephew, Joseph Vas, headmaster. He established Little Flower (another elementary school) at Abbanadka, formed a choir, and expanded and walled the cemetery. Apoline Mathias succeeded Lewis as acting vicar of Belman for about a month.

Rev Fr P. L. Bothelho (1934–1957) : Took charge of the parish on 27 May 1934, an orator and musician who wrote Kavyam Zelho (a collection of Konkani poems). Bothelho was aided by a series of assistant priests, who worked in the schools (which were transferred to the Catholic Board of Education on 30 July 1934). He had a Lourdes-type grotto built and expanded and improved the church and rectory (including a bridge between the rectory and the church sanctuary). Bothelho's assistant priests were:

Jerome D'Souza - Headmaster (from 10 August 1942 to 10 April 1943)
Ambrose C. Aranha - School administrator (from 23 March 1944 to 8 September 1944)
Raymond D'Cunha - Headmaster (from 9 September 1944 to 5 May 1949)
Thomas D'Sa - Headmaster (from 8 May 1949 to 11 May 1954)
Norbert D'Souza - Administrator (from 16 May 1954 to 20 April 1957)

Rev Fr Nicholas J. Pereira (1957–1973) : Arriving from Miyar on 24 April 1957, Pereira repaired and expanded the church and schools, built and consecrated chapels at Kelmbet and Mukamar, electrified the church and rectory in 1967, and began a youth sodality and a milk co-operative society. His assistants were:

Gregory D'Souza (from March 1958 to March 1964)
J. M. Pereira (from 15 August 1965 to 20 January 1966 (till his death))
R. Moras (from 16 April 1966 to 15 October 1968)
Thomas D'Sa (from 31 April 1969 to 24 April 1971)
Charles Moras (from 22 April 1971 to 6 December 1974)

Rev Fr Aloysius Rodrigues (1973–1978) : Serving from 26 May 1973 until his death on 20 May 1978, Rodrigues began construction of a school hall which became the Fr. A. Rodrigues Memorial Hall. He also began a youth club and a food-for-work programme. After Rodrigues' death his assistant, Andrew Lewis, served as parish priest and completed construction work on the hall.

Rev Fr Lawrence Gomes (1978–1986) : Serving from 1 July 1978, Gomes oversaw the 30 August 1978 dedication of the Fr. Rodrigues Memorial Hall by Bishop Basil Salvadore D'Souza and founded St. Joseph's High School in Belman. He acquired a hearse, made a number of improvements to the church and began a mother-and-child health programme. Gomes' assistant priests were:

Rosario Fernandes (from 22 May 1980 to 27 June 1983)
Walter D'Mello (from 9 May 1984 to 25 May 1987)

Rev Fr John Fernandes (1986–1994) : Appointed on 18 May 1986, Fernandes completed construction of the high school, revitalized the parish council, and modernized the liturgy. During his tenure the parish celebrated its 100th anniversary, improvements were made to the church, schools and rectory, and a centre for mentally-challenged children was founded. Fernandes' assistants were:

Gerald D'Souza (from 26 May 1987 to 23 May 1988)
Victor George D'Souza (from 24 May 1988 to 11 June 1990)
Peter D'Souza (from 7 June 1992 to 24 May 1993)
Sylvester D'Costa (from 14 June 1993 to 19 May 1995)

Rev Fr Thomas D'Souza (1994–2001) : Appointed on 28 June 1994, D'Souza's health was poor; on 7 May 2001, Lawrence Mascarenhas arrived as assistant priest and ran the parish as an assistant until on 31 December 2001 he died. Mascarenhas was then appointed parish priest by the bishop. Manavika, the school for mentally-challenged children, was certified by the government on 26 October 1995. D'Souza's assistant priests were:

Michael Santhumayor (from 21 May 1995 to May 1997)
Dolphy Monteiro (from May 1997 to 1998)
Jerome D'Souza (from 1998 to 2001)
Lawrence Mascarenhas (from 7 May 2001 to 26 May 2002)

Rev Fr Lawrence Rodrigues (2002–2009) : After Mascarenhas was transferred and Rodrigues became parish priest, Pascal Menezes arrived as assistant priest. Rodrigues had three months to go until his 31 August 2002 retirement from Pompei Junior College in Kirem, and shuttled between Belman and Kirem until then. He focused on parish organizations and activities, renovating and repairing the church (including the installation of toilets) and the Fr. Thomas D'Souza Memorial Mini Hall. A new rectory and chapel were built. Rodrigues was transferred to the Yermal parish in 2009. His assistant priests here were:

Pascal Menezes (from 27 May 2002 to 22 May 2003)
Praveen Amrith Martis (from 17 May 2003 to 17 May 2005)
Vijay Lobo (from 16 May 2005 to 27 May 2007)
Rocky Ravi Fernandes (from 10 May 2007 to 30 May 2009)

Rev Fr Lawrence B. D'Souza (2009–2016) : Appointed on 1 June 2009 when Rodrigues was transferred to the smaller Yermal parish due to failing health.

Fr Lawrence started St Joseph English medium school on 1st June 2012 having classes from 6th to 8th. Later in 2015 the classes were extended till 10th.

Inauguration of  St Joseph’s school new building

Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated St Joseph’s English Medium School new building on June 1, 2016. He also presided over the function after the Holy Eucharistic. Bishop honoured Fr Lawrence B D’Souza the parish priest as well the correspondent of the school who was instrumental in the concept and execution of the new building of the institution with a history of 120 years. Former MLA H Gopala Bhandary, CBE secretary Fr Jerald D’Souza, Fr Lawrence D’Souza from Udupi CESU and others participated in the programme and wished all the best. Donors were honoured during the programme.

Rev Fr Sunil Veigas (2016-2017) : Fr Sunil took charge in 2016. Under his guidance in 2016, St Joseph English medium school was granted the permission to begin classes from 1st to 5th. He was transferred to Alangar parish of Mangalore Diocese on 3 June 2017.

Rev Fr Edwin D'souza (2017 - 2022)

Installation of St Antony's relic at Pakala shrine

The relic of St Antony was brought to St Antony’s Shrine, Pakala on Sunday, June 10, 2018 in a splendid procession from St Joseph Church. It was installed during the feast of St Anthony celebrated at St Anthony's Shrine, Pakala on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese was the chief celebrant for the Eucharistic celebrations.

Fr Baptist Menezes read out the official document of St Anthony's relic sent from Padua, Italy in Latin. Fr Denis D'sa, parish priest of Shirva church read out the same in Konkani. Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo thanked Fr John Walton, provincial of Padua St Antony province  for providing the relic.

Fr Edwin D'Souza, parish priest of Belman church and director of the shrine, thanked all the patrons and who had helped in building the shrine. Fr Prakash Menezes, assistant parish priest of Belman church, Alwyn Agera, vice-president, pastoral committee, Paustine D'Souza, secretary pastoral committee and a large number of devotees and priests from the diocese took part in the Eucharistic celebration.

Fr Edwin D’Souza renovated Fr Thomas Dsouza Memorial hall which was blessed by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo in August 2018.

Blessing of Renovated St Joseph Church
 
The renovated Church of St Joseph at Belman was blessed by the Bishop of Udupi, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo on 26th August, 2018.

The grand ceremony of the inauguration and blessing of the church commenced with the Bishop along with  Fr Edwin D’Souza - Parish Priest ;  Fr Prakash Menezes - Asst Parish Priest ,  other guest priests, religious women,  parishioners and guests. The Bishop Gerald Lobo blessed the renovated Belfry.

The inauguration was followed by the Solemn Mass which was concelebrated by priests. Bishop Gerald Lobo preached the homily on the importance of the church. At the end of the mass , Parish Priest Fr Edwin thanked the sponsors, donors and those who helped to renovate the church.

Fr Edwin D’Souza renovated the cemetery which was blessed by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo on 1st November 2018.

Celebration of Quasquicentennial anniversary of St Joseph Church

The quasquicentennial celebrations of St Joseph Church concluded on a grand note on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop, diocese of Udupi preside over the solemn festive Mass, while Fr Denis D’Sa, dean, Shirva deanery, Fr Stany B Lobo, councillor, diocese of Udupi, Fr Edwin D’souza, parish priest, priests from the deanery, diocese and native priests across the globe were the concelebrants.

Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, presided over the stage programme after the mass. Dr Baptist Menezes, vicar general, diocese of Udupi; Fr Denis D’Sa, dean, Shirva deanery; Sr Matilda Monteiro, provincial superior, Sisters of Charity, Mangalore province; Sunil Kumar, chief whip, opposition, Karnataka State Government and MLA, Karkala; Gopal Bhandary, former MLA, Karkala; Fr Edwin D’Souza, parish priest; Fr Prakash Menezes, assistant parish priest; Alwyn Agera, vice president, Parish Pastoral Council; Faustine D’Souza, secretary, Parish Pastoral Council; Dominic Andrade, 18 commissions coordinator and Gregory Menezes, converner, jubilee committee and others were present on the dais.

Post centenary silver jubilee celebrations souvenir was released by Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo. Former parish priest, assistant parish priest, vice president, secretary, gurkars, and donors were felicitated by the bishop. Fellowship meal was arranged for all the devotees.

Prior to the jubilee, Religious Day was celebrated on April 27, 2019.

Fr Pius James Dsouza, episcopal vicar for religious, Mangalore diocese was the main celebrant of the Holy Mass and the chief guest for the felicitation programme. More than 50 religious men and women of the parish were present on the occasion. Parish priest Fr Edwin Dsouza was mainly involved to make the Religious Day celebration successful.

Rev Fr Frederick Mascarenhas has been serving the parish from 2022 onwards. 

Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from stjosephchurchbelman.com
Last updated in Dec 2022.

Related links : 

• About St. Joseph Church, Belman
• History of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva
• History of St. Anthony's Shrine, Pakala, Manjarapalke, Belman
• Quasquicentennial Souvenir (2019)
• 12-06-2019 - Post Centenary Silver Jubilee celebration of St Joseph Church, Belman
• 27-04-2019 - Religious Day celebration held at St Joseph’s Church, Belman
• 31-08-2018 - Bishop blesses Renovated St Joseph Church
• 27-08-2018 - Fr Thomas Dsouza Memorial hall of St Joseph Church inaugurated
• 05-07-2018 - Installation of the Relic of St. Antony at Pakala Shrine
• 06-06-2016 - Bishop Gerald inaugurates St Joseph’s school new building at Belman