Renovated St Peter’s Church Barkur all set for Inauguration on December 15
Udupi: St Peter’s Church Barkur under the Udupi Diocese is all decked up with a new look after undergoing renovation work. The inauguration of the renovated church will be held on Sunday, December 15 said Fr Philip Neri Aranha parish priest of the Church.
Speaking at the press meet held at the Press Club on December 12 Fr Philip said that, Barkur Parish was separated from the parent Milagres Kallianpur parish in the year 1863. From 1854 to 1861 it was a filial chapel of Milagres Church Kallianpur. From 1861 to 1870 it was served by Fr Cosmas Damian Rebello, who was the First Parish Priest. It was erected into an independent parish in August 1863.
Barkur, the former capital of Tulu Nadu, has 365 temples, 3 Mosques and 1 Church. This historically important hamlet is an exemplar of communal harmony and concern for each other. The Church of St Peter in Barkur has rendered spiritual service to the community for the past 150 years.
The parish has given great importance to the education of children and youth of this place. The Maryknoll Higher Primary School was started in 1940 and Maryknoll High School in 1966. They are catering to the needs of all sections of the people without distinction of caste, creed or religion. The past students of this school have been holding positions of importance in society.
The parish pays much attention to the upliftment of the poor, the needy and the marginalized, helping them out in every possible way. Various Associations like the Catholic Sabha, S.V.P., ICYM, YCS, Sree Sanghatan, S. F. O. and Sodality of Christian Mothers do their best to develop the economic and social conditions of the people.
The renovation work of St Peter Church commenced with the sanction of the initial grant of Rs 50 lakhs from the Government of Karnataka. Initially, the plan was to repair the roof, change the entire flooring, electrical works etc. But as the parishioners and wishers donated generously for the cause, the scope of work was tremendously increased. The renovation work was executed strictly keeping in mind the Church’s heritage structure and its distinct Gothic style. After completing the project, the Church has a sparkling new granite floor, Italian Marble floor in the sanctuary, stained glass doors, windows depicting scenes from the life of St Peter and other attractive features.
The Inauguration of the renovated Church will commence at 3:30 pm on Sunday, December 15 by a solemn thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi Diocese. Felicitation program will follow the Eucharistic Celebration. Rev Baptist Menezes Vicar General of Udupi Diocese, Rev Stany B Lobo Chancellor, Diocese of Udupi, Fr Lawrence D’Souza Rector/Dean Kallianpur Deanery, Sr Matilda Monteiro, Provincial Superior, Sisters of Charity, Shobha Karandlaje MP Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, Oscar Fernandes, MP Rajyasabaha, Haladi Srinivas Shetty MLA Kundapur, K J George MLA and Ex-Minister, Ivan D’Souza MLC, J R Lobo Ex-MLA, Shaila D’Souza president Barkur Grama Panchayat, B Shantharam Shetty Karnataka State Rajyotsava Awardee and dignitaries will be present. The formal program will conclude with a fellowship meal.
Jerald M Gonsalves Vice president, Vivet Lewis Secretary, Dolphy D’Souza Co-ordinator of Commissions, Stany Lewis, Finance Committee member, Dolphy D’Lima media co-ordinator, Vinrold Lewis president ICYM and others were present.
