Mangalore Diocese News

St Sebastian Parish Church, Permannur was originally a part of Ullal (later called as Panir) church. In 1913, Fr Joseph Menezes of Ullal succeeded in obtaining 15 acres of land, where Fr Lawrence Fernandes built a chapel in Babbukatte. On being detached from Ullal into a separate chapel, 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 the church was not easily accessible, permission was granted by late Rev Dr Paul Perini, the then Bishop of Mangalore to Chaplain Fr Piadade S D'Souza to relocate Babbukatte chapel to Thokkottu, the present site. The parishioners donated three acres of land at the centre area of the parish, and late U Krishna Bhat, a lawyer, donated another two 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 Rev Dr Victor R Fernandes, the then Bishop of Mangalore.

The chaplaincy was raised to the rank of a parish on July 16, 1932 with Fr Piad S D'Souza (1926-1937) as the first parish priest. Adam Kudru Island, which was so far a part 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 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.

Educational Institutions

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) started a pre-university college, English medium school and a degree college. Fr John Baptist Saldanha (2013 - 2020) started the degree college in 2013.

The parish celebrated its centenary in January 2018 during the tenure of Fr J B Saldanha.

Significance of celebration

During the year 2017-2018, St Sebastian Parish Permannur organized several activities to animate people and to revitalize the spiritual fervour of the community. In January 2017, an animation programme was conducted for the leaders of the parish community. In March 2017, senior citizens were honoured. In April 2017, a special programme was organized for women. In May 2017, various programmes were organized catering 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 January 2018, the climax of year long celebrations.

On January 7, 2018, 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 1,000 youth and children participated in the event. This was followed by nine days of Novena prayers starting from January 10.

Centenary celebrations : 

The parish held its centenary celebrations on January 19, 20 and 21, 2018.

The Institution Day was celebrated on January 19, 2018. Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga diocese inaugurated the event. Fr Gerald D'Souza, secretary, Catholic board of education; Y Shivaramaiah, deputy director of public instruction; M P Jnanesh, block education officer, parish priest Dr J B Saldanha and others participated in the programme.

This was followed by an inter-religious meet ‘Souhardha Sangama’ on January 20, 2018.

The concluding ceremony of the year-long festive and community building events of the church was held with a thanksgiving mass and grand programme at the church ground on Sunday, January, 21, 2018.

Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore diocese was the main celebrant of the thanksgiving mass. Dr Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga diocese and Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Bishop of Belthangady diocese were the co-celebrants. Hundreds of priests and thousands of devotees participated in the holy mass.

Oscar Fernandes, former union minister; U T Khader, minister for food and civil supplies; J R Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru South; Ivan D’Souza, MLC and chief whip, Legislative Council and Daijiworld founder Walter Nandalike graced the concluding programme which was held after the mass. Bishop Dr Robert Miranda and Bishop Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy were the chief guests. Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza presided over the programme. On behalf of the parishioners, parish priest Fr J B Saldhana was felicitated by the bishops and dignitaries.

As part of the centenary celebration, a project of building 10 houses for the homeless was inaugurated.

Blessing of Renovated Sanctuary and foundation laying for Centenary Jubilee Memorial Hall :

Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha Blessed the Renovated Sanctuary and laid foundation stone for the ‘Centenary Jubilee Memorial Hall’ at Permannur Church on his maiden visit to St Sebastian Church on 25th December 2018. Since it was the first visit of the new Bishop, he was welcomed in a grand procession followed by Holy Eucharistic celebration and felicitation. 

After the Eucharistic celebration the Bishop laid the foundation stone for the ‘Centenary Jubilee Memorial Hall’ at Church premises. Shri U.T Khader, Minister for Housing and Urban development was present during the occasion and greeted the bishop with a Christmas message. The programme was well coordinated under the guidance of Parish Priest Fr J B Saldanha.

Fr J B Saldanha was transferred to Bejai parish in 2020 and Fr Cyprian Pinto has been serving the parish from 2020 onwards.

Inauguration of St. Sebastian Auditorium : 

The program of  St. Sebastian Auditorium Inauguration at Sebastian Church Permannur began with a thanksgiving mass presided by Msgr. Maxim Noronha, Vicar General of Mangalore diocese on 1st November 2022. Later the newly constructed high mast light was inaugurated by Msgr. Maxim Noronha.

The newly constructed St Sebastian Auditorium was Inaugurated by the Renowned Physician Dr U.C.S. Bhat in the Premises of St Sebastian Church Permannur. Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha the Bishop of Mangalore blessed the Auditorium and presided over the programme.

Sri U.T Khadar MLA, Mangalore Constituency, Deputy Leader of the Opposition; Sri D. Vedavyas Kumar the Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Mangalore city south, solemnized the program as the Chief Guests. At this occasion, both the MLAs and the family of Dr U.C.S. Bhat were honored with great and due respect by the Bishop.

Rev. Fr Cyprian Pinto the Parish Priest of St Sebastian Church, welcomed the gathering whereas Rev Fr J B Saldanha the Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier Church Bejai and other dignitaries graced the programme with their presence. The Auditorium Souvenir was released to mark this occasion. 

Parish Priests who have served in the parish : 

• Fr Piad S D'Souza (1926-1937)
• Fr Albert D'Sa (1937-1948)
• Fr Basil A D'Souza (1952-1955)
• Fr Jose M Menezes (1957-1970)
• Fr Harold D'Souza (1978-1986)
• Fr Stany B Lobo (1986-1994)
• Fr Peter Serrao (1999-2006)
• Fr. Thomas C D'Souza (2006 - 2013)
• Fr John Baptist Saldanha (2013 - 2020)
• Fr Cyprian Pinto ( from 2020 onwards)

(Complete list will be published soon)

Compiled by Catholic Time Staff
Last updated in Nov 2022.

Related Links : 

• About St. Sebastian Church Permannur
• History of Paneer Parish
• 01-11-2022 - Faith, Love and Unity reflected at St. Sebastian Auditorium Inauguration at Permannur
• 25-12-2018 - Bishop Blesses Renovated Sanctuary and lays foundation for Centenary Jubilee Memorial Hall at Permannur
• 22-01-2018 - Centenary celebrations of Permannur church conclude on grand note
• 20-01-2018 - Bishop Serrao lauds St Sebastian Institutions at Permannur church event
• 18-01-2018 - Happy 100th B-Day! St Sebastian Church-Permannur Centenary Celebrations 19-21 Jan
• 17-01-2018 - St Sebastian Church, Permannur centenary celebrations from Jan 19 to 21
• 12-01-2018 - Conclusion of St Sebastian Church Permannur centenary celebrations begins
• 07-01-2018 - Mangaluru: Marathon for peace and harmony gets massive response at Permannur
• 06-01-2018 - St Sebastian Church, Permannur set for grand centenary celebrations
• 07-12-2017 - Charismatic convention held at Permannur church
• 16-11-2017 - St Sebastian Church Permannur celebrates Children's Day
• 02-11-2017 - St Sebastian Church Permannur marks 'Day of Religious'
• 17-08-2017 - Mega Bible Quiz held at Permannur church
• 27-07-2017 - Day of Businessmen - 2017 celebrated at Permannur Parish