Location :
Gantalkatte Parish is situated Near Moodbidri Town about 5 kilometers away on Moodbidri - Venoor Road in Kallabettu Village, Mangalore Tq. Houses of Parishioners are spread out in four Villages namely Kallabettu, Karinje, Maroor and Hosangadi.
The beginning :
Gantalkatte Church Building was built under the able leadership of Rev. Fr. Stany B. Lobo in 1983. It was inaugurated and blessed by then Bishop of Mangalore Rt. Rev. Basil S. D’souza on 2nd May 1983 as a Chapel to fulfill the Sunday religious obligations and spiritual needs of people living in the villages of Kallabettu, Karinje and Maroor-Hosangadi. Land needed for this religious centre was donated by five prominent families of Niral, Kallabettu Village. They are: Mr. John Menezes, Mr. Peter Isidore Menezes, Mr. B.S. Menezes , Mrs. Dorothy Pinto and Mr. Leo Menezes. Total 2.54 Acres land was available for the parish.
People of Gantalkatte, young and old not only contributed their mite generously for the Church Building and other developments in and around the Church, but also came to the spot in big numbers every day for a long period of time to contribute their manual labour to raise the Church construction, to dig a well for drinking water, to level the ground around the Church, to construct a compound wall etc.
The youth of the locality who had gone abroad to Gulf Arabian countries for work, a few working in England, Bangalore etc, contributed a good amount of money towards the church building and presbytery. Mr. Jacob Menezes of Niral donated a big amount and was considered as Founder of the church. Initially the Gantalkatte chapel was served by the Parish Priests of Taccode Parish, the Mother Church.
Rev. Fr. Stany B. Lobo the Founder of the Church, used to come to Gantalkatte every Sunday to celebrate Holy Mass and administer other sacraments. Sunday catechism classes were also started in 1983 with the help of Bethany sisters of Taccode, and Catholic Youth Organisation which was inaugurated and started on the very day of the blessing of the Chapel on 2nd may 1983. The first President of Catholic Youth Organisation was Mr. Egbert Menezes of Niral- Kallabettu. Along with him more than a dozen youth of the locality worked very hard to complete the developmental projects of the Parish and to organize Parish activities and apostolic social service to one and all, around the Chapel and later parish of Gantalkatte. The youth of the area were really hands and feet of Rev. Fr. Stany B. Lobo and they contributed enormously to establish and develop this place as a full pledged independent Parish in 1987.
After the transfer of Rev. Fr. Stany B. Lobo from Taccode to St. Sebastian Church, Permannur, Mangalore on 18th May 1986, Rev. Fr. Henry Sequeira took charge as a new Parish Priest of Taccode. He also took charge as Chaplain of the Gantalkatte Chapel. During his time, Novena Prayers on Saturdays were started and he planted the coconut seedlings behind the Church building. A committee was formed by the Bishop under the leadership of V. Rev. Fr. L.V.M. Fernandes, Vicar Vara of Moodbidri, in order to study the feasibility of establishing the Gantalkatte Church as an independent Parish. Rev. Fr. Henry Sequeira was also a member of the committee. With the co-operation and contribution of Gantalkatte Parishioners, a stability Fund for the new Parish was started. People donated Rs. 30,000 and Taccode Parish contributed Rs.5,000 to this fund.
Parish Formation :
On June 1st 1988, Rev. Fr. Henry Sequeira was transferred to Canara Communication Centre Mangalore. Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’souza became the Parish Priest of Taccode and Gantalkatte. During his time on 2nd May 1988, Bishop Basil S. D’souza signed the decree and declared Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Chapel as an independent Parish. Thus the long felt need and great dream of the people of Gantalkatte became a reality and Gantalkatte parish was born.
Rev. Fr. Xavier Gomes who was working as a lecturer at St. Philomena’s College Puttur, was appointed first Parish Priest of the new Gantalkatte Parish. He took the charge on July 2nd 1988. In the same year he started Altar Servers’ sodality for Boys and Legion of Mary for girls. On July 17th 1988 , first Parish Pastoral Council was established. Mr. Joachim Gonsalves of Niral ward, was elected as the first Vice President and Mr. Urban Menezes of Karinje B ward, was chosen as secretary.
Bishop Basil S. D’souza conducted the first Pastoral Visit on October 1st and 2nd 1988. On that day 17 children received First Holy Communion and 13 boys and girls were confirmed. The first public solemn Eucharistic procession, sermon, blessing of Eucharist was organised at Urpel Pade, Kallabettu village, in view of the first Parish Feast, which was celebrated on 30th November 1988 on a grand scale.
At the start of the parish, there were four wards: namely Niral, Karinje A, Karinje B and Maroor. On December 18th 1988 a unit of St. Vincent De Paul Society was started. Mr. Philip Nery Pereira was elected as the first president of this association.
On the occasion of Youth day on January 29th 1989, the present Bus Stand in front of Church gate, was built by our Catholic Youth Association and was inaugurated on the anniversary day of Parish on 2nd July 1989. A Parish bulletin ‘Gantalkattechem Nekethr’, was also published on that day.
In 1990 the Parish bought 6.94 acres of agricultural land from one M. Robert Menezes. They extracted laterite stones from this land and used the same for the Church Compound Wall.
On June 11th 1990, Rev. Fr. Antony V. Luwis was appointed as Parish priest of Gantalkatte. Prior to his transfer back to St. Philomena’s College, Fr. Xavier Gomes had laid the foundation stone for a Belfry to our Church. The new Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Antony V. Luwis completed the project and it was inaugurated on May 2nd in 1992. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Antony V. Luwis, Parishioners undertook to remodel and extend the Church Building. New Portico was added to the Church and new windows were fitted. Roof of the Church was renovated and floor work was done. About Rs.15,00,000 was spent on this project. Bishop Basil S. D’souza of Mangalore Diocese, inaugurated and blessed the renovated Church Building on 1st May in 1996. It was a grand celebration. All the Varado Priests and former Parish Priests and friends, guests of Parishioners took part in the event. About 800 guests were served a good meal on the happy occasion.
On 6th October 1996, a unit of Catholic Sabha, the Diocesan lay organisation, was started in the Parish. Mr. Jossy Menezes of Niral was elected as the first President of Catholic Sabha.
Rev. Fr. Antony V. Luwis was very much interested in planting seedlings and plants in the church compound. By his efforts and parishioners' active cooperation, Church Compound was full of greenery and many coconut plants came up. He also encouraged parishioners to start Small Christian communities in the wards. He also encouraged Parishioners to erect a grotto in honour of Mother Mary under her title Nithyadhar Matha Mary. The Shrine is named as Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. It was inaugurated on 18th May 1997.
After serving the Parish for 7 years, Rev. Fr. Antony V. Luwis was transferred to Infant Mary Church Katipalla and a Carmelite-OCD religious priest Rev. Fr. Egidius Monteiro took charge of our parish as Parish priest.
During his time, he laid great importance to teach catechism to children. He requested the Superior and founder of Sisters of Mount Rosary Sevikas from Mount Rosary Convent Alangar, to come and teach Catechism here every Sunday. He also encouraged the youth to learn to play Brass Band and other musical instruments. Mr. David Nazareth taught some of the youth to play Brass Band and musical instruments. They continue to do so even to this day.
On 30th May 1998, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Martis took charge of the Parish as new parish Priest. He started a unit of YCS (Young Christian Students) for PUC students Boys and Girls in 1998. There were 20 members in the Association. Mr. Jossy Menezes was appointed first animator of YCS.
The great developmental work undertaken by the people of Gantalkatte parish during the time of Rev. Fr. Lawrence Martis was levelling the Church ground in three tiers and building a compound wall in front of the church and eastern and western sides of the compound. This work started in 1999 and completed in 2000A.D.
On 30th May 2000, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Martis was transferred and Rev. Fr. Michael Santhmayor took charge of the Parish as Parish Priest. Soon after his arrival the darkast land 6.94 acres was registered in the name of Rev. Fr. Michael Santhmayor the parish priest. Mr. Robert Menezes sold the land to the church.
On 13th August 2000 Women’s Association was started in the parish with the intention of empowering women of the parish. Mrs. Precilla Sequeira was chosen as the first president. In order to improve their financial situation women started Self-help units in the Parish.
When the parish was established, Mr. Leo Menezes of Niral had donated several Kneelers and benches to the Church. But they were getting worn out and there was a need to replace them and add a few new ones. Hence Rev. Fr. Michael Santhmayor requested the parishioners to donate new pews, each costing about Rs.3,500. Church needed 60 pews. This project was completed on 28th November 2001. They were inaugurated on that day. That day the Parish feast was celebrated. In all Rs.2,12,000 were spent on this project.
On 2nd February 2003 Catholic Sabha of the Parish organised Moodbidri zone level Sammelan of Catholic Sabha. Catholic Sabha units of all parishes of Moodbidri zone and few guests from other units, in all about a thousand participated. Mr. David Simmion the honourable speaker of Karnataka Assembly was Chief Guest. The parish brought out a souvenir ‘Gantalkattechi Ghant’ by name.
Dean of the Varado Rev. Fr Lawrence Martis donated Rs. 79,000 for the housing project and along with parish money, three new houses were built to the poor people, and those houses were blessed on 15th April 2002.
When Rev. Fr. Michael Santhmayor was absent from the Parish, Rev. Fr L. S. Pais and Rev. Fr John Baptist Saldanha rendered their service for a short period.
During the tenure of Rev. Fr. Michael Santhmayor, Gantalkatte Parishioners decided to build Nithyadhar Sabhabhavan. It was a major project undertaken by the Parish. All the Parishioners worked enthusiastically to erect this massive building by donating a big amount of money and contributing labour.
Recent physical developments of the Parish took place during the time of Fr. Michael Santhmayor. Under his able leadership , Nithyadhar Sabha Bhavan the Parish hall was built and blessed in 2003. People of the Parish donated generously towards the construction of Sabha Bhavan building. Government of Karnataka under Shaadi Mahal Scheme contributed Rs.5 lakhs.
Nithyadhar Sabha Bhavan the Parish Hall was inaugurated on 25th May 2003. Along with it, five rooms for shops to let out were also inaugurated. It was a milestone in the history of development of the Parish. Due to Parish Hall, the revenue of the Parish income increased and material needs of the Parish Church and other day today expenses could be met adequately.
Rev. Fr. Michael Santhmayor was transferred in June 2003 to Rosario PU College as a Lecturer. During his time, Parish progressed very well in all aspects: spiritually, culturally and physically. Parish Associations were very active and cooperative with Parish leaders.
During the time of the next Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Anil D’souza who took charge of the Parish on 8th June 2003, physical and spiritual aspects of the Parish structures and life were further developed. Under his able leadership, a grand Presbytery - Residence for Parish Priest and guests was constructed by demolishing the old one.
The youth and leaders of the Parish under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Anil D’souza were very enthusiastic about the construction of the Presbytery. They contributed a lot of money as well as manual labour. The new Presbytery was blessed and inaugurated by Bishop Aloysius Paul D’souza on 2nd May 2007. There was a big crowd of Parishioners and a large number of Priests from Varado and former Parish Priests of Gantalkatte attended the function.
On 8th June 2007, Fr. Anil D’souza who was appointed Diocesan Youth Director, handed over the charge of the parish to Rev. Fr. Mark Walder.
2008 was the year of silver jubilee of the Church Building. It was decided by the Parish Pastoral Council to celebrate the same by implementing the following projects:
1. Building toilets for Parish catholic families, who do not have one until now.
2. Develop and extend 20 cents of Church land on the southern side of the existing cemetery by levelling and building edges into a new cemetery.
3. Repaint Church building as well as Nithyadhar Sabha Bhavan building.
First the cemetery extension work was started in November 2007. Two sides of the new cemetery portion were built up by using laterite stones and then a compound wall of the cemetery was built.
During the early months of 2008 , six families of parishioners were helped to construct Toilets. Church building and Parish Hall were repainted.
The Jubilee Celebration function took place on 2nd May 2008. Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese Rt. Rev. Mgr. Frederick V. Pereira was the main celebrant of Jubilee Solemn Holy Mass. Priests from Moodbidri Varado and former Parish Priests of the Parish and Priests from Gantalkatte and most of the parishioners participated. After the Holy Mass, former Parish Priests Rev. Fr. Stany B. Lobo, Rev. Fr. Antony V. Luwis, Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’souza and Rev. Fr. Anil D’souza were honoured and given Mementos. All participants were served snacks and soft drinks. Priests and invited special guests took part in the Jubilee dinner.
In November 2009 , the ground in front of the Church and the portion at left side of the Church was levelled and interlock bricks were laid in order to give a better look to the Church and keep it clean. Now at least a thousand people can sit there and watch social and cultural programmes using the portico of the Church, as a stage. Interlock bricks were also laid to the front strip of the Parish Hall, in order to beautify and keep this area clean.
Silver Jubilee celebration of the church :
Parish celebrated the Grand Finale of the silver jubilee celebrations of its existence on 2nd May 2013.
In the morning at 9.30, the concelebrated mass was presided over by the bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius P. D'souza. The church was overcrowded with people of Gantalkatte and neighboring parishes. Soon after the programme, a well organized honoring programme was arranged. Former parish priests, founders, land donors, selfless workers during the building of the church, and benefactors were fondly remembered . The services of former vice-presidents, gurkars and prominent people of the parish for the past twenty five years were recognized.
Fr Antony Lewis spoke on behalf of past parish priests. Fr Stany B. Lobo and Fr Austin Peris vicar vara gave away the prizes for the winners in various competitions. Church souvenir "Moriyecha Metanim" was released from the hands of Fr Stany B Lobo, the builder of the Gantalkatte church , when he was the parish priest of Taccode Church. Fr Mark Castelino received the honour on behalf of mother church Taccode. The wishes sent from London by the founder Mr Jacob Menezes was read out by Mr Egbert Menezes. Bishop Aloysius P. D'souza presided over the programme and in his presidential address congratulated the efforts of the parish community. Parish priest Fr Vernon Vas welcomed , vice president Mr Vincent Menezes thanked the gathering.
In the evening as the cultural part " Rupyali Sanz ' was staged with the help of 'Eleir Tacode'. In the stage programme Fr Stany B. Lobo was honored for his challenging work of building the church when he was the PP of Taccode in 1980. In his speech he gave credit to the good will of the parishioners for the success of the project. Msgr Denis Prabhu, vicar general of Mangalore diocese released the book " Kadryacho Kanto" written by Asumpta Pereira of St Anthony ward and in his presidential address, he remembered the services of the Catholics wholly and congratulated the parishioners for keeping up the Christian spirit over the years.
Blessing of the renovated church :
Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius P. D'souza blessed the renovated church on 18.04.2018 during the tenure of parish priest Rev Fr Jesudas D'Costa. Vicar Vara V Rev Fr Paul Sequeira blessed the presbytery.
Silver Jubilee celebration of Catholic Sabha Gantalkatte unit :
The Silver Jubilee celebration of Catholic Sabha Gantalkatte unit was held on 28th November 2021. Msgr Maxim L Noronha was the main celebrant of the thanksgiving mass whereas Spiritual Director of Catholic Sabha Moodbidri Deanery Rev Fr Deepak Noronha , parish priest Rev Fr Ronald Dsouza concelebrated. This was followed by a stage programme in the Nithyadhar Sabha Bhavan.
Parish Priests who have served in the parish :
- Fr. Francis Xavier Gomes (02-07-1988 - 11-06-1990)
- Fr. Antony Vincent Lewis (11-06-1990 - 1997)
- Fr. Egidius Monteiro (1997 - 30-05-1998)
- Fr. Lawrence J.C Martis (30-05-1998 - 30-05-2000)
- Fr. Michael Santhmayor (30-05-2000 - 08-06-2003)
- Fr. Anil D’souza (08-06-2003 - 08-06-2007)
- Fr. Mark Valder (08-06-2007 to 2012 )
- Fr Vernon Vas ( 2012 to 01-06-2014) (Parochial Administrator)
- Fr Jesudas D'Costa (06-06-2014 to 27-07-2020)
- Fr Ronald D'Souza (from 27-07-2020 onwards)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from gantalkattechurch.org.
Last updated in Dec 2020.
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