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The Beginning :
Once part of Christ the King parish of Karkala Town, Hirgan was served from Karkala from 1971 to 1991. Fr Joachim Emmanuel D’Souza, better known as Monna Padryab, got 7.69 acres of land and started the construction of a chapel within the parish boundaries of Karkala Town. Fr Jacob Lobo completed it and the chapel was inaugurated and blessed on June 5, 1977 by the then Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Basil Salvadore D’Souza.
Parish Formation :
Fr F.P.S. Moniz of Karkal constructed a new presbytery. Hirgan became an independent parish on September 15, 1991, as per the decree of the Bishop Basil S. D'Souza, comprising one ward from Karkal town and one from Ajekar. Fr Cyprian Pinto assistant at Christ the King church, Karkal became the first parish priest. He named the surrounding place Goretti Nagar and constructed the new church building, belfry and the entrance arch which were inaugurated on December 19, 1994. He also constructed a bus stand in front of the church. He was succeeded by Fr John Joseph Martis in 1998.
Fr Martis was followed by Fr. Michael Lobo who worked for the all round development of the parish. He established a school which gradually progressed into high school, junior college culminating in the degree college. Fr. Thomas Roshan D’Souza who succeeded Fr. Michael Lobo looked after the development of the educational institutions while Fr. Anil Cornelio served as the parish priest.
On the verge of the Silver Jubilee celebration of the church, Fr. Anil Cornelio undertook a number of projects for the overall development of the parish like renovation of the sanctuary, refurbishing of the roof, re-plastering of the church walls and clearing a new playground for the school.
Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Church :
St. Maria Goretti Church, Hirgan celebrated its Silver Jubilee on 21 February, 2017.
The Solemn Eucharistic Celebration at 9.30 am was presided over by the Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Anil Cornelio, Parish Priest of Hirgan; Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Principal; Rev. Fr.Lawrence D’Souza, Secretary, CESU; V.Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Dean of Karkala Deanery; V. Rev. Fr. Fredrick Mascarenhas, Dean of Udupi Deanery; Rev. Fr. Harold Pereira, Director, SCC Commission; Rev. Fr. Vincent Crasta, Director of the Proclamation and Evangelisation Commission and many others.
A felicitation programme was organized after the Mass. Rev. Fr.Anil Cornelio welcomed the gathering. Most. Rev. Dr. Gerald Lobo, Rev. Fr. Anil Cornelio, Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Cyprian Pinto, Former Parish Priest, Sr. Mable FMM, Sr. Nancy Superior Nava Jeevan Convent, Hirgan and others were present on the dais.
Former Parish Priests , Vice presidents, Secretaries , Gurkars and Donors were honoured on the occasion.
Rev. Fr. Cyprian Pinto spoke on behalf of the honoured former Parish Priests. He recalled the happy days he spent in Hirgan parish as its first Parish Priest. He thanked Bishop Basil D’Souza of happy memory for appointing him as the Parish Priest of Hirgan.
The Presidential Address was delivered by Bishop Gerald Lobo. He thanked the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Anil Cornelio for renovating the Church and for facilitating a meaningful celebration of the Silver Jubilee. The Bishop then honoured Fr. Cornelio on behalf of the diocese with a shawl.
All present participated in the fellowship meal that followed.
Cultural programme as part of the Silver Jubilee celebration was held at 5.30 pm which was presided over by Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese. Rev. Fr. Anil Cornelio, Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Sr. Nancy Salins, Mr. Gopal Bhandary, Former MLA of Karkal, Mr. Santosh Shetty, President Grama Panchayat, Hirgan, Ms. Sumana Rao, President Grama Panchayat, Kukkundur and others were present on the dais.
All present enjoyed the drama staged by the 'Poppa' Drama Team.
Parish Priests who have served in the Parish :
- Fr Cyprian Pinto (1991 - 1998)
- Fr John Joseph Martis (1998 to ...)
- Fr. Michael Lobo
- Fr Thomas Roshan D'Souza (2013 - 2015)
- Fr Anil Victor Cornelio (2015 - 2021)
- Fr John Walter Mendonca (from 2021 onwards)
(Complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff.
Last updated in Dec 2021.
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