Originally, the region that is presently included in Christ the King Parish, Karkala Town was a part of the extensive St. Lawrence Parish, Attur-Karkala. As the people of this region had difficulties to fulfil their religious obligation due to long distance, religious services were conducted in the vacant house of late Chevalier S.L. Mathias since 1928.
Fr. Salvadore D’Souza, Parish Priest of Attur, realising the difficulties of people living in distant regions built chapels to conduct religious services. These included chapels at Naravi (1927), Nellikar (1936), Miyar, Ajekar and Karkala-Town (1940). The chapel at the Karkala Town was dedicated to Christ the King. On 23 December, 1941, this chapel was canonically erected into an independent parish by Bishop Victor Fernandes. Fr. Salvadore D’Souza became the first Parish Priest of Christ the King Church, Karkala Town. He also continued to be the Parish priest of Attur.
Fr. Aloysius J.F. Colaco, Assistant Parish Priest of Attur was appointed as the first resident Parish Priest of Karkala Town Parish from 1943 to 1948. Electrification work and cementing the floor of the church was done during the time of Fr. Joseph A. Noronha (1948-1961).
Fr Joachim Emmanuel D’Souza, affectionately known as ‘Monna Padryab’ (1961-1975) constructed the new church, which was blessed by Bishop Basil S. D’Souza and inaugurated by Archbishop Albert V. D’Souza of Calcutta.
Under successive Parish priests Christ the King Parish has made progress in various fields. The present church that was constructed way back in the 1960s has been renovated. In view of the Platinum Jubilee celebration, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes who took charge as the Parish Priest in 2015 undertook the task of renovating the main altar, building a new office structure, new Grotto and most notably the construction of a new façade to the church which looks aesthetic and elegant.
Silver jubilee celebrations of Christ King Institutions :
The silver jubilee celebrations of Christ King Institutions was celebrated at Gandhi Maidan on Friday April 15, 2016.
Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the stage programme. NRI entrepreneur Ronald Colaco and wife Jean, MP and former chief minister of Karnataka Veerappa Moily, minister for forest and ecology Ramanath Rai, managing trustee of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Harshendra Kumar Heggade, and Richard and Christine Lobo from London were the guests.
Fr Joswey Fernandes, correspondent and parish priest, Christ King Church, Karkala, trustees of Christ King Educational Trust, Prof Narayan Shedikaje, principal, Christ King PU College, Sr Madonna, headmistress, Christ King English Medium School and others were present.
Platinum Jubilee of the Church :
The Platinum Jubilee and the Annual Parish Feast Programmes of Christ the King Parish were held from 20 - 23 November 2016.
Confraternity Sunday was celebrated on 20 November. The new Grotto and the newly erected façade of the church was inaugurated on this day. Remembrance of Departed Souls of the Parishioners was held on Monday, 21 November. The Day of the Religious was celebrated on Tuesday, 22 November.
Platinum Jubilee was celebrated on Wednesday, 23 November. Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese was the Chief Celebrant of the solemn Platinum Jubilee Mass concelebrated at 9.30 am. Following the solemn Jubilee and annual feast mass, the stage programme commenced at 11.30 am. The felicitation programme was presided over by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo. Other dignitaries on the dais included Rev. Dr. Frederick D’Souza - Director of Caritas, New Delhi, Rev. Fr. Peter Cyprian D’Souza (OFM Cap), Advisor to the Capuchin Provincial of Karnataka, Rev. Sr. Cecilia Mendonca (BS), Provincial of Bethany Sisters, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Roshan Cordero (OFM Cap), Assistant Parish Priest and others.
Parish Priests who have served in the Parish :
- Rev. Fr. Salvadore D'souza (27-12-1940 to 05-08-1943)
- Rev. Fr. Luis Joseph Colaco (15-08-1943 to 23-11-1947)
- Rev. Fr. Joseph A. Noronha (19-05-1948 to 07-05-1961)
- Rev. Fr. Joachim E. D'souza (07-05-1961 to 09-03-1975)
- Rev. Fr. Jacob Lobo (09-03-1975 to 19-09-1983)
- Rev. Fr. Elias D'souza (04-05-1984 to 12-01-1986)
- Rev. Fr. F.P.S. Monis (12-01-1986 to 10-06-1994 )
- Rev. Fr. Sylvester D'souza (10-06-1994 to 04-06-2001)
- Rev. Fr. Lawrence Gomes (04-06-2001 to 07-06-2008)
- Rev Fr. John Alfred Barboza (07-06-2008 to 20-05-2015)
- Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes (20-05-2015 to 8-7-2021)
- Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas (From 8-7-2021 onwards )
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff.
Last updated in Dec 2021.
Related links :
.png)
.png)
.png)