Udupi Diocese News

Location :

Our Lady of Fatima Church is about 3 Miles away from Shirva-Manchakal and it is placed in the Hills of Pernal – Sooda Cross Road surrounded by beautiful scenery such as forest, paddy fields, coconut trees, areca-nut trees, banana plants and Sooda River. It is a part of  Shirva Varado and serves under the Diocese of Udupi.

The beginning :

Very Rev.Fr. Hilary Gonsalves, Parish Priest of Shirva conceived the idea of opening an elementary school and church at Pernal, about three miles away from Shriva and eventually establishing an official parish church in that same locality. On 20th June 1949 Rt. Rev. Dr. Victor R. Fernandes, Bishop of Mangalore purchased a plot of land about 2.20 acres in extent, from Venkataraja Udpa, for the purchase of constructing a church. On the 27th June 1950, Messer’s Salvador Mendonca and six others generously donated a plot measuring about 2.65 acres quite adjacent to the one purchased previously. Very Rev. Fr. Hilary Gonsalves with his indomitable courage left no stone unturned till the sanction for the opening of an elementary was obtained on 1st September 1951 and immediately the school was opened with 60 children on the rolls distributed in standard 1 to 4 and two members of the teaching staff. The school at its very inception was deeply indebted to Mr. Salvador Babi Mendonca of Pernal.

On 8th September 1951, the feast of Nativity of Our Lady, the foundation stone for the new church was laid by Very Rev. Fr. Hilary Gonsalves.  With the kind and generous help of Parishioners, friends and well-wishers abroad, the new church was roofed by the end of May 1952. The school so far conducted in the pandal was now shifted to the new building on 1st June 1952, on which memorable day it became a full pledged elementary school with the introduction of Standard 5th. 15th September 1952 was marked by the laying of the foundation stone for the presbytery which was roofed by the end of May 1953.

While granting permanent recognition for the elementary School with effect from 1st June 1953, the Educational authorities granted permission to raise the school to the status of higher elementary school and accordingly standard 6th was opened on 4th June 1953 with 33 pupils.

A small plot measuring 0.53 acres, quite adjacent to the premises, was purchased from Mr. Baptist Mendonca of Pangala on 22nd November 1954. With the dawn of the Marian year, permission was granted to celebrate Holy mass on Sundays from 1st June 1954. The new parish of Our Lady of Fatima was officially erected on 20th March 1955 when Very Rev.Fr. Hilary Gonsalves installed Rev. Fr. Gabriel D’Souza as the first parish priest of this newly erected Filial Parish church of Fatima.

On 21st October 1955 the foundation stone was laid for the new school building along the road side. By the end of May 1956, the magnificent building was completed. On 15th September 1956, the foundation stone was laid for an additional block to the school and it was completed by the end of May 1957 thus enabling the management to house all the eight standards of the higher elementary school in a separate and spacious school building. On 15th September 1958, the foundation stone was laid for an additional three rooms for the school. On 24-07-1957 a plot measuring 0.39 acres and again on 17-1-1958 another plot 1.37 acres quite adjacent to the premises , was given on Kumki rights by the government. The D.C. of South Kanara in his proceedings handed over 2.19 acres land for playground and once again Asst. Commissioner of Kundapur allotted 2.79 land as playground for the school.

The renovated Church was blessed on 10-11-1959 and the first Parish Feast was celebrated on the following day by Rt. Rev. Dr. Raymond D’Mello, Bishop of Mangalore.

Now the school building was sufficient to accommodate all the classes. In the 1950 when Education Department was unwilling to give permission to open the Elementary school on the Pernal Hill where the school now stands as it was too near to the Sooda Board school, but willing to open two more furlongs away, a plot donating S.No.104/1 of the Pilar Village was brought in the name of Very Rev. Fr. Hilary Gonsalves, Vicar of Shirva from Sri Lawrence Andrade of Sooda who surrendered it willingly in favour of the church to be started for a nominal price of Rs. 25/-.

The Asst. Commissioner of Kundapur in his N.D is 5173/60 dated 7-6-1963 has transferred to pernal burial ground S.No. 110/2C measuring One Acre in extent in response to as application made by the secretary Parish Union of Mangalore Diocese for granting the land for the burial ground for Our Lady of Fatima Church.

Foundation stone for a hospital on S.No.104/1 of Pilar Village by the roadside was laid by the Vicar on 31-10-1961. It cost about Rs. 55000/- including the Will , Diocese donated Rs.5627/- while the Franciscan Missionary of Mary Sisters contributed Rs.5780/- for constructing etc. It was blessed by Rev. W. Lewis on 11-2-1965 and named it as “Pilar Hospital”. Dispensary was opened by the sisters immediately in one of the rooms. The sisters occupied the rest of the building as their temporary residence. Foundation for another building for the hospital was laid by Fr. N. F. Pereira of Belman on 8-9-1965. A plot measuring 1.51 acres denoting S.No.112 of Pilar Village was bought from Vasudeva Nayak for Rs.650 and was given to Ignatius Mendonca son of Balthazar Mendonca for a yearly rent of Rs.50 with effect from 1-9-1966. The opening ceremony of the other building of the hospital of Our Lady of Pilar (Pilar Hospital as its name goes) was held on Sunday the 12th of May 1960 at 9.30 am by two honored Bishops, the Rt. Rev. Basil. S. D'Souza, Bishop of Mangalore and Bishop Mathias of Chikmagalur along with Mgr. W. Lewis, the Vicar general of Mangalore. They were welcomed and garlanded by the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Gabriel D’Souza and escorted to the hospital with a band and a large crowd of Parishioners. After speeches from Bishops and  Parish history read by Parish Priest , they opened the hospital by cutting the ribbon and they blessed the hospital. Fr. Gabriel D’Souza and Franciscan Missionary Sisters were praised by the Bishops and Dr. Achar of Shirva for the good work they are doing in Pernal.

The founder Priest Fr. Gabriel D’Souza was transferred to Bondel Church on 15th May 1968. New Priest Fr. John Cornelio took charge as 2nd Priest of the parish on 15th May 1968. He was transferred from Siddakatte Church after serving the parish for nearly 15 years & 10 months. He was welcomed by Fr. Gabriel D’Souza, the officials and the Parishioners and after a brief ceremony he took the charge from outgoing priest Rev. Fr. Gabriel. There was a farewell party for Rev. Fr. Gabriel on 16th May 1968, Rev. Fr. John Cornelio presided. An address of thanksgiving and a token of love, a purse was presented over to the outgoing priest Fr. Gabriel by the Parishioners. The Purse however was handed back by Fr. Gabriel  as a help to the hospital requirement.

Fr. John Cornelio served the Parish from 15th May 1968 to 29th January 1972. During his tenure he mixed well the parishioners and specially with the young children and taught them many lessons and built them with catholic preaching and spirituality in their mind. During his tenure he repaired the church building and built a stage at the school to conduct cultural programs. He was hospitalized at Fr. Muller Hospital Mangalore. Due to health issues and to reduce the load, later he was transferred to mount Rosary church as a chaplain. During his absence church activities were temporarily run by Rev. Fr. Richard Saladana, Asst Priest of Belman and Rev. Fr. Alex Arahna.

Rev. Fr. Raymond D’Cunha took charge as 3rd Parish Priest of the Parish on 29th January 1972. Before taking charge of Pernal Parish, he was the Chaplain at Fr. Muller’s Hospital, Kankanady, Mangalore. He was welcomed by Rev. Fr. Richard Saldana, Asst Priest of Belman and the Parishioners. Since outgoing Priest Fr. John Cornelio was ailing and he was in the hospital farewell to him could not be given.

Rev.Fr. Raymond D’Cunha served the Parish for a brief time of just two months. During that time, he administered the day-to-day activities very well.  His health deteriorated and admitted to Fr. Muller’s Hospital , Mangalore. He left heavenly abode after six months on 19th August 1972.

Rev. Fr. Raymond D’Cunha's successor, Rev. Fr. Henry Castelino who was attached to St. Philomena College Puttur from 1962 to 1972 arrived here on 2nd May 1972 to take the charge as 4th Parish Priest of the Church. He was received by Rev. Fr. A. Rosario, Parish priest of Shirva and the Parishioners.

As a memorial of the 1973 Pastoral visit , every effort was made to see that a copy of the Four Gospels in Konkani be reached to every Catholic Family of the parish. St. Vincent De Paul’s society was established in July 1973.

On 21st April 1974, the Udupi particular council of the society of St Vincent De Paula celebrated its cannery feast at Pernal. About one hundred delegates from all over the parishes of Mangalore diocese attended the mass offered by the Bishop. Later lunch was hosted for the participants by the members of St. Vincent Paul of Pernal Unit.

The short tenure of Rev. Fr. Castelino came to an end on 5th May 1974. He handed over the charge to the newly arrived parish priest Fr. Norbert D’Souza and returned back to St. Philomena college Puttur to resume his teaching duties.

Rev. Fr. Norbert D’Souza took charge as 5th Parish Priest on 5th May 1974. Under his leadership , he took a decision to build a new and a bigger church to accommodate more parishioners and got approval from the Parish Council meeting. They planned a five-year project and made every effort to open the new church building on Church Silver Jubilee day. 

Fr. Norbert celebrated his priestly silver jubilee with the Parishioners. As planned , on 18th November 1980, a new church building was inaugurated and blessed, the Silver Jubilee of the Parish and the Parish feast was celebrated with three Bishops and many priests. It was a grand function celebrated for four days on 16,17,18 and 19th November. On this occasion a remembrance of a Silver Jubilee memorial book was released and distributed among the parishioners and guests.

Under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Fr. Norbert , the Parish saw all-round development.  As his term came to an end on 24th May 1982 , he was transferred to St. Joseph Church, Pezar, Mangalore.

Rev. Fr. Aloysius Serrao took charge of the Parish as 6th Parish Priest on 24th May 1982. He was a qualified Priest with M.A. in Journalism and he dedicated his time for the growth of education, economic and spirituality of the Parish and he just served for one year. Due to his old age, he was transferred to Kumbla Parish on 21st May 1983.

Rev. Fr. V. G. F. Rego  from St. Anna Parish Thottam was transferred to the Parish. He took the charge as the 7th Parish Priest on 21st May 1983. He was a well known Headmaster so he gave his maximum effort to improve the education system of the Parish school. As the Government reduced the number of teachers, with the help of Parishioners, he created a special fund and  installed a new private teacher and paid the salary from this fund. Also he created a new scholarship fund to help students and handed it over to St. Vincent De Paul Society. He took the helping hand from CODP institution and helped poor people to build their houses. Those families which were economically backward, he took a survey through SVDP and helped those families with the funds which he received from Canada. The Convent was run by FMM sisters and after their exit to Shirva Convent, he spoke to Holy Family Sisters and they came and took control of the convent on August 1, 1989 and until now they are rendering their all-round help to the parish and the parishioners. He completed his term and was  transferred to Kemmannu parish on 28-05-1990.

Rev. Fr. Alexander Aranha took charge as 8th Parish Priest on 27th May 1990. Before arriving at Pernal, he was the Parish Priest of Shirtadi Carmel Church.  He was transferred just after one year to Kanajar Church as Parish Priest on 27th May 1991.

Rev. Fr. Charles Moras took the charge as 9th Parish Priest of the Parish on 25th May 1991. He created the Teachers' Protector Union and helped the growth of the church-run school. He celebrated his Silver Jubilee of Priesthood in December 1992. After serving for two years, he was transferred on 31st May 1993.

Rev. Fr. Vincent V. Menezes took charge as 10th Parish Priest of the Parish on 30th May 1993. Before arriving at Pernal, he was the Mangalore Diocese Raknno Magazine Editor as well as Director. In his period, the parish saw  growth with so many developments. He was a well-known speaker, discusser, religious hymns singer, writer and orator of the Bible and not afraid to discuss or argue with anybody over religious topics. He worked for the church unity and created ward gatherings on a frequent interval that starts with prayer and other activities that include religious and cultural. He also created some social institutions such as Old student association, Citizens forum, Abounding from Alcoholism. During the renovation of the priest house, he built a hall for social entertainment and other church functions with a capacity of 400 people at a time. He also built a Grotto for Lourdes Mai with the contribution from Marian D’Souza & his family. He celebrated his silver jubilee of priesthood in a grand manner on 24th October 1999. After seven years’ fruitful service to the parish he was transferred to Miyar Church on 17-05-2000.

Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza took charge as 11th parish priest on 16-05-2000. He was transferred from Miyar Church. He was received by Fr. Lawrence Gomes along with outgoing priest Rev. Fr. Vincent V. Menezes. Many developments were seen in the Parish during his seven years’ service. He upgraded the Fatima Mai shrine with the financial help from Anthony D’Souza & family of St. Joseph Ward. With the financial help from David D’Souza of Majalbet Lower ward , he built a Grotto for Vailankani Mai. He also built a “Mahadwara” from a donor from Pangla church in return for the favors he received from Fatima mai.  First Parish Magazine “Fatimaso Talo-2000” was released under the editorial ship of Alwyn Danthy and released on the Feast of Monti Fest. He celebrated the Golden jubilee of the church run Fatima Higher primary school. He installed a memorial statue of the Founder Rev. Fr. Gabriel D’Souza at the top of the priest's house. He created a fund for the purpose of Education.

He celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Church, Parish Day and parish priest Silver Jubilee, a three in one function on 13-05-2004 in a grand way. Several programs were conducted from 7th May to 13th May. In remembrance of the Golden Jubilee, the Church released a memorial book called “Ankar”. As he completed his seven years term, the Bishop transferred him to St. Patrick Parish on 7th June 2007.

Rev. Fr. Gregory Serao took the charge of the Parish as 12th Priest on 7th June 2007. He established on October 11, Women's Organization of the Parish Unit and made Mrs. Irine Mendonca its first President. He inaugurated newly built Cemetery Entrance Arc Dwara financed by Mr. Valerian Rodrigues & Fly, of  Fatima Ward. He formed Catholic Sabha Pernal Unit on October 11, 2009 and Mr. David Correa was elected as its first President.  In January 2nd week of 2011, he started the work to renovate the Church. He also renovated the residence of the parish priest and also installed a new stage in the church hall. Once the renovation work was completed the inauguration was done on 4th May 2012 by SVD Bishop Rev. Dr. Leo Carnelio of Bhopal Diocese. After the inauguration of the church three SVD Deacons were ordained as Priests by the Bishop. Two Deacons are from Pernal Parish, Deacon Evan Gomes and Deacon Rajesh D’Souza along with Neerude Parish Deacon Maxim Pinto. As expected New Diocese named Udupi was created on 16th July 2012 and Shimoga Bishop Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo was installed as the First Bishop of Udupi Diocese. On 2nd February 2013, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated new priest bury and blessed the same. He was transferred to Pompei Mai Church Gurpur of Mangalore Diocese on 2nd June 2013.

Rev.Fr. Arthur Pereira took charge of the Parish on 2nd June 2013 as 13th Priest of the Parish. He was transferred from St. Lawrence Church Attur, Karkala. As soon as he took over the charge his first priority was to complete the leftover work of the renovation job. He did this with the support of Mr. Simon Machado & fly of Infant Jesus Ward.

On July 7, 2013 in order to keep the unity between the Catholic families lively and active, he arranged a ward gathering on the 1st Sunday evening of each month called Small Christian Community. He also started to attend the ward gathering, monitoring and giving his advice. 

Miss. Bibiyana from South Korea visited the church on 26th November 2013.  On 27th November , she visited the Small Christian Community meeting of St. Joseph Ward where she was received well and she expressed lots of appreciation from her end to the St. Joseph Ward members and the parishioners. 

Fr Arthur has trained the parishioners for 20 days on how to take the leadership in Christian community and serve back. Fr Arthur is one of the 10 full-fledged members of the Small Christian Community of Asia. He has visited many other places including foreign trips to the far east, Sri Lanka, Thailand etc to train and serve the community people there.  After serving 7 years in Pernal , he was transferred to Nakre Parish on 30th May 2019.

Fr. Jerome Monteiro took the charge as 14th Priest of the Parish on 31st May 2019.

Parish Priests who have served in the parish :

1. Rev. Fr. Gabriel D’Souza (20th March 1955 to 15th May 1968)
2. Rev. Fr. John Cornelio (15th May 1968 to 29th January 1972)
3. Rev. Fr. Raymond D’Cunha (29th January 1972 to 2nd May 1972)
4. Rev. Fr. Henry Castelino (2nd May 1972 to 5th May 1974)
5. Rev. Fr. Norbert D’Souza (5th May 1974 to 24th May 1982)
6. Rev. Fr. Aloysious Serao (24th May 1982 to 21st May 1983)
7. Rev. Fr. V.J.F.Rego (21st May 1983 to 27 May 1990)
8. Rev. Fr. Alexander Arahna (27 May 1990 to 25 May 1991)
9. Rev. Fr. Charles J. Moras (25 May 1991 to 30 May 1993)
10. Rev. Fr. Vincent V. Menezes (30 May 1993 to 16 May 2000)
11. Rev. Fr. Valerian M. D’Souza (16 May 2000 to 7 June 2007)
12. Rev. Fr. Gregory Serrao (7 June 2007 to 2 June 2013)
13. Rev. Fr. Arthur Pereira (2 June 2013 to 30 May 2019)
14. Rev. Fr. Jerome Montero (from 31 May 2019 onwards)

Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from fatimachurchpernal.in
Last updated in Dec 2019.

Related links : 

• About Our Lady of Fatima Church, Pernal
• The History of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva