Happy 100th B-Day! St Sebastian Church-Permannur Centenary Celebrations 19-21 Jan
Mangaluru: The Centenary of a Church marks a very important milestone in its history. It is a time for celebration, not only for the Church itself but for the whole parish community. The grand centenary celebrations of St. Sebastian Church-Permannur which came to existence in 1918, will be held from 19 January-21 January 2018 at the parish grounds. While celebrating its 100 years in existence, the Permannur Church is one rare and oldest Church in the area, having rich and sound heritage; precious and vivid meaningful traditions; and unique order of worship and rituals bind together in sacred and staunch faith. It could withstand so far so greatly with the immense grace and guidance of God Almighty.
St Sebastian Church Permannur established on 1st February, 1918 is celebrating its centenary on 19th, 20th, and 21st January 2018. The Institution Day will be celebrated on 19th January 2018. Sauhardha Sangama (Inter-Religious Meet) will be celebrated on 20th January to unite people of all walks of life. The year long activities to mark the centenary year will be concluded on 21st January with a thanksgiving mass and cultural bonanza. Several dignitaries both of religious and political backgrounds are expected to attend the functions.
A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF 100 YEARS HISTORY:
St Sebastian Parish Church, Permannur was originally a part of Ullal (later called as Panir) Church. In 1913, Rev. Fr Joseph Menezes of Ullal succeeded in obtaining 15 acres of land, where Rev. Fr Lawrence Fernandes built a chapel in Babbukatte. On its being detached from Ullal into a separate chapel, Rev. Fr S.V. Rebello (1918-1926) became the first chaplain on February 1, 1918.
Fr S. V. Rebello built a small Church in Babbukatte which was inaugurated on April 5, 1926. Since the location of this Church was not easily accessible, permission was granted by late Most Rev. Dr Paul Perini S.J., the Bishop of Mangaluru to the chaplain Rev. Fr Piadade S. D’Souza to relocate the Babbukatte chapel at Thokkottu, the present site. The parishioners donated 3 acres of land at the centre area of the parish, and the late U. Krishna Bhat, a lawyer, donated another 2 acres on which the new Church was constructed by Fr Piad S. D’Souza and it was solemnly blessed on May 23, 1932 by late Most Rev. Dr Victor R. Fernandes, the Bishop of Mangaluru..
The chaplaincy was raised to the rank of a parish on July 16, 1932 with Rev. FrPiad S. D’Souza (1926-1937) as the first parish priest. Adam Kudru Island, which was so far apart of Rosario Cathedral Church, was brought under the jurisdiction of Permannur when it became an independent parish. He constructed the presbytery.
Fr Albert D’Sa (1937-1948) started Permannur Co-operative Society to help the people during the Second World War. Fr Basil A. D’Souza (1952-1955) built the belfry. Fr Stany B. Lobo (1986-1994) built the present new Church which was inaugurated on February 16, 1993.
Fr Jose M. Menezes (1957-1970) extended the Holy Angels’ School building. A new building for the Holy Angels School and the High School building were constructed in close proximity to the Church by Fr Harold D’Souza (1978-1986). Fr Peter Serrao (1999-2006) has started a Pre-University College, English medium school and a degree college. Fr John Baptist Saldanha, the present parish priest started the Degree College in 2013.
St Sebastian institutions have over 3000 students and the Catholic population of St Sebastian Parish is 4575 with 1089 families.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CELEBRATION :
During the year 2017-2018 St Sebastian Parish Permannur has organized several activities to animate people and to revitalize the spiritual fervor of the community. In January 2017 animation programme was conducted to the leaders of the parish community. In March 2017, Senior citizens were honored. In April 2017, special programme was organized for women. In May 2017, various programmes were organized to cater for the medical and educational needs. In August 2017, a mega Bible quiz was organized. The Months of September and October, focused on rejuvenating family life. November 2017, was the month of spiritual renewal. December gave importance to youth animation and now January 2018, is the climax of year long celebrations.
On 7th January a marathon race was organized to create awareness regarding the need for peace and harmony in the vicinity of Ullal and to unite the people especially the youth to build solidarity in the local community. Approximately 1000 youth and children participated in this event. This is now followed by 9 days of Novena prayers which started on 10th January.
On 19th January, Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, the Bishop of Shimoga will preside over the Institutions Day celebrations. All teachers served in St Sebastian Institutions will be felicitated during the function. The officials of the department of education, several educationists,and the alumni, are expected to attend the function.
On 20th January, an Inter religious meet has been organized to put together, people of all faiths. Ullal being a sensitive area prone to communal disturbances is making an attempt to amend their ways towards establishing peace and harmony.Rajarshri Dr D. Veerandra Heggade, Dharmadhikari, Shree Kshetra Dharmastala, Rt. Rev. Dr J. S. Sadananda Chancellor Serampore University; Bahumanya K. A. Basheer Madani, Al- Khamil, Khatib, Jumma Masjid, Kulur; and Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza- the Bishop of Mangaluru along with many other dignitaries of religious milieu will be attending the function. This event exclusively focuses on building trust and confidence among the people in the vicinity of Ullal. Special efforts will be made towards harmonious living for common good leaving behind personal interests of any nature.
On 21st January will be the concluding ceremony of the year long festive and community building events. A thanksgiving worship service will be followed by formals function. Many of the Bishops of the Karnataka State, Political leaders, Priests, Religious, and lay leaders are expected to attend the function. Beginning from the Marathon Race till the concluding programme 2 lakhs of general public, devotees and faithful are expected to attend the functions.
CENTENARY JUBILEE PROJECTS :
The jubilee celebrations will not merely be an event of celebrations. The parish community has decided to take up concrete developmental projects for the well being of the community and the upliftment of the people. The parish committee proposes to take up the following projects and community building activities.
1. A dozen houses will be constructed to provide shelter to the most needy who do not have their own dwelling.
2. Special attention will be given to repair the dilapidated houses of the needy.
3. A medical fund has been established to support the poor; an educational fund will provide scholarships for the needy students;a housing fund will attend on repairing houses during natural calamities.
4. A group of health workers will provide geriatric care to the terminally ill and to the home bound.
5. A community hall will be built to animate various groups of people such as youth, self help groups, fishermen etc. to provide professional and job oriented skills.
6. Attention will be given to the formation of self-help groups and small savings schemes to the public.
7. A post graduate educational facility to provide quality education to the locals especially those who financially underprivileged.
8. The existing educational institutions will be upgraded with all infrastructural facilities and well qualified staff in achieving educational excellence.
9. We intend to focus on non formal education towards health and hygiene in line with the motto of SwatchBharathAbhiyan.
10. The community will gear itself by way of taking leadership and animating the people of all walks of life towards peace and harmony in an around Ullal.
