St Vincent De Paul Church (SVP) is located in Katapady of Udupi district. The church is located just a few furlongs away from Katpady town and is situated in the pristine surroundings of a nearby river on the south, Boliye and Pangala hamlets on the north while Kallapu Bridge lies on the west.
The church was set up on the auspicious day of May 23, 1948, with 130 families. Rev Fr Rosario Fernandes offered the Holy Mass in a make-shift church. However, the joy remained only for a few moments after the Bishop issued a decree with-holding the appointment of priests to the newly-formed church.
The present church building was built by Rev Fr John A P Miranda in 1957.
The golden era began with the appointment of Fr Norbert D’Mello CSC, clergy of Holy Cross congregation on May 14, 2001. The church was equipped with a wedding hall, new portico, new altar, ceiling to altar, generator facility. Repairs to the existing building gave a new facelift to the church. Scholarships worth Rs 1 lac to needy students regardless of caste and creed, houses to four deserving poor families have been donated every year since 2003. Church extended financial assistance to a cancer patient by collecting blood and money for the treatment. Parishioner Hilary Pinto, assistant parish priest Fr Aloysius and vice-president of parish council Andrew D’Silva, played significant roles in this regard.
Fr Ronald Fernandes, who took over as parish priest on July 2, 2007 shouldered the responsibility of diamond jubilee celebrations, planned to set up ‘health fund’ and ‘education fund’ from the proceeds after meeting the expenses of organizing the diamond jubilee celebrations.
Diamond Jubilee celebration of St Vincent De Paul Church :
Rt. Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza , Bishop of Mangalore offered the momentum for the diamond jubilee celebrations of St Vincent De Paul Church at Katpady, on the morning of Sunday May 18, 2008 with a Eucharistic celebration.
Later at a stage programme , the Bishop felicitated the past priests who had served in the same parish. Fr John Fernandes, Fr Henry Fernandes, Fr Aloysius Gonsalves, Fr Kristudas, Fr Vincent Soares, Sr Janice Pinto, Sr Alekai Pinto, parish priest Fr Ronald Fernandes, vice president of the parish council Catharine Rodrigues, secretary Theresa Lobo were present on the dais. The Bishop also released 'Vajral Tupem' , a souvenir to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations of the church.
Parish priests who have served in the parish :
- Fr Rosario Fernandes (1948)
- Fr J P Tellis
- Fr A F D'souza
- Fr John A P Miranda
- Fr Frederick Lobo
- Fr Golbert Noranha
- Fr Charles D'souza
- Fr Arthur C A D'souza
- Fr John Fernandes (1984 - 1986)
- Fr Henry Fernandes
- Fr Wilfred Fernandes
- Fr Norbert D'Mello CSC (14-5-2001 to 2-7-2007)
- Fr Ronald Fernades CSC (2-7-2007 - ...)
- Fr Lawrence D'Almedia CSC (... to 2-6-2015)
- Fr Ronson D'Souza CSC (2-6-2015 to 05-07-2021)
- Fr Rajesh Pasanna CSC (from 05-07-2021 onwards)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff.
Last updated in Dec 2021.
Related Links :
.png)
.png)
.png)