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The parishes of Gurpur and Neerude and some families now under the parishes of Kuppepadavu and Sampige were formerly under Ferar Parish. Ferar was part of Pezar parish.
In 1882 Rev.Fr.B.Baretto parish priest of Pezar built a chapel at Ferar and started offering Sunday mass. On 31.3.1912, Ferar was detached from Pezar and was constituted into a new parish dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. The Assistant Parish Priest of Pezar Rev.Fr.Reginald Pinto was made the first parish priest of Ferar. He started the parish elementary school. On 7.10.1915 foundation stone was laid for Gurpur church.
In 1917, Rev.Fr.J.M.Menezes from Agrar came as the second parish priest. Rev.Fr.Reginald pinto went to Fr. Muller’s Hospital Kankanady. Rev.Fr. J.M.Menezes built the Gurpur church and it was blessed on 29.2.1918 by Bishop Paul Perini. In 1919, Fr.James Sequeira from Urethral came as the third parish priest. Fr.J.M.Menezes went to Manjeshwar. Rev.Fr.A.A.E.Colaco was made the first parish priest of Gurpur on 8.5.1921. Till then the spiritual needs of Gurpur were met from Ferar.
In 1923, Bishop Paul Perini laid the foundation stone for Ferar church. After 5 years, in 1928 the foundation work was completed. On 28.12.1932, Bishop Victor Fernandes blessed and inaugurated the present artistic church. The cemetery and its chapel were also built by Fr.James Sequeira. He also had a team of 12 trained local brothers to assist priest in his pastoral work. In 1933, Fr.James Sequeira was transferred to Shirva. Fr.D.L.Mathias from Gurpur came as the fourth Vicar. In July 1934, the parish elementary school was upgraded into Higher Elementary School. The compound wall and the parish house were also built by Fr.D.L.Mathias. In 1938, on the occasion of the Solemn Pontifical mass of Bishop James Mendonca, Bishop of Tiruchinapally (who was born in Ferar) the new parochial house was blessed.
From 18.5.1942 to 1.2.1943 Fr.Leo Cutinho and from 8.12.1942 to 7.1.1943 Rev. Fr.J.S.T. Rodrigues served in the school. For sometime Fr. William Sequeira also worked in the school.
Fr.D.L.Mathias retired in 1944. Fr.William Sequeira who was teaching in the school was made the fifth parish priest. Fr.Felix Concessao worked for some time as assistant. During this period 6 wards of Ferar parish- Nelthir, Kopla, Muchur, Neerude, Mochar and Pintawado were detached from Ferar and the new parish of Neerude dedicated to St.Rocky was erected.
In 1945, Fr.W.Sequeira went on sick leave and Fr Gracian D’Souza from Siddakatte came as the sixth parish priest. Plastering and flooring of the church was done during this period. From 23.9.1948 to 8.12.1952 Fr.Raphael D’Souza worked in the school as headmaster. On 22nd April 1957 Fr.Gracian D’Souza went to Miyar handing over the charge to Fr.Lawrence Fernandes, parish priest of Neerude.
On 24.4.1957 Fr.Jerome Pinto came as the eighth parish priest and took charge from Fr.Lawrence Fernandes. In 1961, Fr. Jerome Pinto went to Mulki , Fr.Raphael D’Souza from Padukone came as the ninth Parish priest. Plastering of the Facade, ceiling over the Sanctuary, Belfry, New Altar, electrification of the church and parochial house, extension of the school building and formation of the parish council - these were the achievements during the time of Fr. Raphael D’Souza. In 1964 some families of Vodoor ward were ceded to Kuppepadavu parish. In 1972, Fr.J.N.Lobo from Manjeshwar came as the tenth parish priest. Fr. Raphael D’Souza went to Kemmannu. Extensions of the school building, benches to the church, mike set, pump set - these were the works done during Fr.J.N.Lobo’s time. In 1980, Fr.J.N.Lobo went to Barkur.
Fr.Joe.M.Shenoy from Basrur came as the eleventh parish priest. During his time the lower roofs of the church were repaired and a separate new building was put up for the school. Convent of the Missionary Sisters of Mary was started and the housing programme was introduced under CODP revolving fund. In April 1984, Fr.Pietas D’Souza from Neerude came as the twelfth parish priest and Fr.Joe.M.Shenoy went to Fr. Muller’s Hospital Kankanady. In 1984, some families of this parish belonging to Mijar ward went to the newly erected parish of Sampige, filial of Paladka. On 1.5.1986, Fr.Benjamine D’Souza from Bidar came as the thirteenth parish priest. Fr. Pietas D’Souza retired due to ill health and went to the Presbytery, Kankanady. Faith Formation of the people of Ferar was the special task committed to Fr. Benjamine due to the fact that the Blood of Christ Mission and the Johowa Witnesses had caused a lot of harm to the Catholic faith of the people of Ferar.
Efforts were made for Faith Formation with programmes like Family visits, Training camps on Bible, Revitalization of the Parish Council, Neighborhood Prayer Meetings, Regular Meetings of the Gurkars and with Training on conducting meaningful liturgy.
Preparation for 75 years jubilee :
The Planning Committee prepared a plan for the celebration of the 75 years Jubilee. This plan was approved by the Parish Council, Parish Assembly and the Bishop. With the voluntary contribution received from the people, a portion of the compound wall was built with laterite stones, the upper roof of the church was renewed, mike set was repaired and the Jubilee was inaugurated on 29th March 1987 by Msgr. A.F.D’Souza, the Vicar general of Mangalore Diocese.
Centenary Celebration
The Bishop of Mangalore, Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza launched the centenary year on the occasion of the feast of St. Francis Xavier on Dec 3, 2011.
The parish organized a wide range of cultural, social, and religious programs throughout the centenary years. Some of the projects taken up were the renovation of houses of poor parishioners, building toilets, providing financial assistance for animal husbandry, medical camps, construction of new bus stands and others.
Centenary celebrations were held from November 25 to December 3, 2012. Confraternity Sunday, a harmony vehicle rally and inter-religious meet was held on November 25. While Adoration day was celebrated on November 27, remembrance of the departed souls was observed on November 30. Religious day, procession and Konkani cultural programme was held on December 1. Centenary thanksgiving mass felicitation was held on December 2 while Parish Feast and Centenary grand finale was held on December 3.
The grand finale began in the presence of eminent guests such as Dr. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore; Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore; Dr. Henry D’Souza, Bishop of Bellary; Dr. Mohan Alva, Chairman of Alva’s Institutions and others.
Parish priests who have served in the parish :
- Fr. Reginald Pinto (1912 - 1917, first parish priest)
- Fr. J.M. Menezes (1917 - 1919)
- Fr. James Sequeira (1919 - 1933)
- Fr. D.L. Mathias (1933 - 1944)
- Fr. William Sequeira (1944 - 1945)
- Fr Gracian D’Souza (1945 - 1957)
- Fr. Jerome Pinto (1957 - 1961)
- Fr. Raphael D’Souza (1961 - 1972)
- Fr. J.N. Lobo (1972 - 1980)
- Fr. Joe.M.Shenoy (1980 - 1984)
- Fr. Pietas D’Souza (1984 - 1986)
- Fr. Benjamine D’Souza (1986 - 1994)
- Fr Rosario Fernandes (1994 - 2001)
- Fr Lawrence Maxim Noronha (2001 - 2008)
- Fr Stany C. Fernandes (2008 - 2011)
- Fr. Pius Fedelis Pinto ( .... - 2018)
- Fr. Antony V. Lewis (from 2018 onwards)
(Complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from feraronline.com
Last updated in Dec 2018.
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