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Location :
The Catholic parish of Miyar, dedicated to St Dominic is Situated in a serene and beautiful Karkala district, on the state highway to Kudremukh. It is 7 kilometers from Karkala town.
Historical overview :
The history of Miyar parish dates back to 1937 when faithful of Miyar had to go to St Lawrence Shrine, Attur to cater to their spiritual needs. It was Fr Salvador D’Souza, who foresaw the need of building a separate parish for the faithful of Miyar.
With his initiative, a site was bought on which ‘75X25’ Chapel was built with mud walls. Assistant priests of the Attur church, Fr Aloysius Colaco and Fr John Castelino also served the chapel as well as the parishioners.
Fr Nicholas J Pereira, along with Fr Salvador D’Souza recommended a separate parish to be built for the faithful of Miyar village. Soon after, a decree was passed by the then Bishop of undivided Mangalore diocese, Dr Victor Fernandes, on December 1, 1940 stating a new Parish for Miyar. The celebrations of the newly erected parish took place on December 8, 1940 on the feast of Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary. Miyar, Renjal and Mudar villages were joined to form the new parish.
Fr Nicholas J Pereira was appointed the first parish priest of the parish. He purchased lands from people and worked hard for the development of the church. Because of his selfless service, he became popular, respected and the most loved priest of Miyar.
The foundation stone for the new church was laid on October 17, 1946 by the then Bishop Victor Fernandes. When hardships were faced by the priest and the people in erecting the new church, it was the non Catholics of the place who helped monetarily to build the church.
The small and large works of the church was completed with the help of all people from surroundings. It was completed in 1955 and in the same year, the inauguration of the new church took place on Tuesday, May 3 by the then bishop Dr Basil Peris.
Fr Pereira bid Miyar adieu on April 23, 1957.
Fr Grecian Leo D’Souza succeeded Fr Pereira on the same day. He took up the church activities personally with infrastructural development programmes and also serving the spiritual needs of people. The children, youth and the old experienced a new faith being rekindled in them. Fr Grecian also supported overall development of the cultural activities. Fr Grecian Bid Adieu to Miyar on May 6, 1972.
Fr Robert C Goveis, an elderly priest, took charge as parish priest of Miyar parish on May 6, 1972. He took keen interests in catering to the spiritual needs of the parishioners. It was at his time that many small infrastructural developments took place. Fr Goveis retired from the priesthood on December 15, 1974 and Fr Victor Mendonca succeeded them.
During his service, Fr Victor reaffirmed the faith that was slacked and started sports and cultural activities that had stopped. He also played a significant role in starting stage drama by setting up a stage. New mike and sound sets were installed in the church. The parish day was celebrated for the first time in the parish in 1975. The agricultural activities were also given the prime importance. Later in 1978, Fr Victor’s health deteriorated forcing him to step down from his services. For sometime Fr Grecian of Karkala parish provided his services.
Fr Denis Moras Prabhu was appointed the parish priest of Miyar on October 1, 1978 as a replacement to Fr Victor. In Fr Denis’s tenure, the Jogalbettu Private School at Miyar got shifted. On January 29, 1979, the school got registered under the administration of the Church. The school was renamed then as St Dominic Higher Primary School. This school turned out to be one of the blessings for the people of Miyar. Fr Denis served for seven months at Miyar during which small works took place in the growth of the church.
Fr James H Andrade succeeded Fr Denis on May 6, 1979. He served till May 12, 1986. During his time many development programmes took place. He was succeeded by Fr Ignatius M D’Souza.
It was during Fr Ignatius’ time, the Catholics of Miyar, celebrated the golden jubilee of their church which was founded in 1936. During this time, a need of home for priest was felt. Within two years, a new home for priests was built. Parishioners who were working away from hometown helped magnanimously to build the house for priests. The golden jubilee celebratory functions took place on December 1, 1990.
Fr Ignatius was succeeded by Fr Valerian D’Souza, a friend to the poor on May 24, 1993. The church saw its overall development during his period. The Catholic Sabha and Church choir were eventually started. Many Catholics who used to attend mass in the different churches returned back to Miyar. Many institutions celebrated their golden Jubilee during his period. To commemorate the diamond jubilee of the parish, construction of a hall was started.
Fr Vincent Victor Menezes took up the charge as the parish priest on May 16, 2000. He continued the proposed plans taken up during Fr Valerian. The construction of the parish hall was completed at his period. Renovations of the Church also took place.
Fr Ronald Miranda was appointed as the parish priest of Miyar on May 25, 2007. The Home for Priest was renovated. The new bell tower was erected. He was an expertise in evangelizing. He was also well versed in the farming practices. Thus, he brought in more income through estate work for the parish.
Fr Jerome Monteiro was appointed at Miyar on May 26, 2013 by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop, diocese of Udupi. He is not only a dedicated person to God but also a well read and a multitalented person. He is a good pastor, musician and above all a very humble priest.
Fr Jerome completed the renovation of the church hall and built a vast dining hall.
In order to have a meaningful celebration of platinum jubilee of the parish, Patron’s statute was taken all over the parish at everyone’s home and a rosary prayer was conducted. This step certainly helped in renewing the faith and unite all the faithful.
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations :
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of St Dominic Church were held from December 8 - 10, 2015.
On December 8 a procession of ‘Horrekannike’ took place in the afternoon followed by the celebratory mass of the Vespers on the occasion of the annual feast. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu offered the special Vespers and Fr Victor Menezes blessed the offerings from the devotees.
The platinum jubilee celebrations took off with great pomp and joy at the Church premises December 9, 2015. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, presided over the Eucharistic celebrations and also inaugurated and blessed the extended Miyar parish hall. Fr George D'Souza, director, St Lawrence Shrine, Attur delivered the homily. As many as 18 priests partook in the Eucharistic celebration. Fr Jerome Monteiro, parish priest, Miyar, thanked the Bishop and other priests.
This was followed by the formal stage function, where Bishop Gerald Issac Lobo presided over the function, while Fr Joswey Fernandes, vicar forane of Karkala deanery , Vinay Kumar Sorake, district-in-charge minister and urban development minister, Government of Karnataka, Gopal Bhandary, former MLA, Karkala were present as chief guests. Fr Jerome Monteiro, Parish priest , Miyar, Fr Pascal Menezes, parish priest, St Theresa Church, Kera and other dignitaries were present on the dais.
A cheque of Rs 6 lac was handed over to Fr Jerome, under the new fund ‘Vidyasiri’, collected by the parishioners for the purpose of meeting the educational requirements of needy and poor children. A house built by the supervision and funding of the parishioners was handed over to Baptist D'Souza, by Vinay Kumar Sorake.
All the priests and religious of Miyar Church, benefactors and all those who have contributed in the running of the church were felicitated. Bishop Dr Gerald and Fr Jerome Monteiro were also felicitated on this occasion. 'Mayamog', a magazine was released commemorating the special occasion.
The closing ceremony of the platinum jubilee celebrations was held on Thursday December 10 along with cultural programme.
Fr Jerome bid Adieu to Miyar on May 29, 2019 and Fr Paul Rego succeeded him as parish priest.
Catholic Sabha of Miyar unit celebrated its Silver Jubilee on 07th December, 2019. Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo celebrated the holy Eucharist at St Dominic Church along with Rev. Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, parish priest Rev. Fr Paul Rego & other priests. Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves preached the homily. After the mass stage programme was held at church premises.
Parish Priests who have served in the Parish :
- Fr Nicholas J Pereira (1.1.1941 - 23.04.1957)
- Fr Grecian Leo D’Souza (23.04.1957 - 8.5.1972)
- Fr Robert C Goveis (8.5.1972 - 15-12.1974)
- Fr Victor Mendonca (15.12.1974 - 1.10.1978)
- Fr Denis Moras Prabhu (1.10.1978 - 6.5.1979)
- Fr James H Andrade (6.5.1979 - 12.5.1986)
- Fr Ignatius M D’Souza (12.5.1986 - 26.5.1993)
- Fr Valerian M. D’Souza (26.5.1993 - 15.5.2000)
- Fr Vincent Victor Menezes (15.5.2000 - 25.5.2007)
- Fr Ronald Miranda (25.5.2007 - 26.5.2013)
- Fr Jerome A. Monteiro (26.5.2013 - 29.5.2019)
- Fr Paul Rego (from 29.5.2019 onwards )
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff.
Last updated in Dec 2019.
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