The Church dedicated to the popular saint of Youth - St. John Bosco is situated at Kelmbet – Bola, in the Diocese of Udupi.
The Church was established on 11 April 1964, under the leadership of Fr. Nicholas. J. Pereira, the then Parish Priest of Belman. It was carved out from Belman, Kirem and Paladka parishes. The First Parish Priest, Fr. Gregory D’Souza who served the parish for 7 years is still remembered by the Parishioners for his pioneering work, indefatigable zeal and sanctity. His keen attention and follow up of youngsters resulted in many vocations to the priesthood and religious life. In the undivided Mangalore Diocese, Kelmbet Parish boasts of a number of vocations coming from a small parish of 130 families. The Little Flower Primary School situated at Abbanadka, Belman since 1930, was attached to Kelmbet Parish in 1964.
In the year 2003, the Parish was entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco of Konkan Province for Pastoral ministry. Fr. Reginald Pinto, contacted the Salesians to help strengthen the Parish, which was slowly beginning to show signs of losing its vibrancy due to the moving out of families for better facilities. The Salesians paid particular attention to youth, education of children by strengthening Little Flower School and establishing a hostel for boys. In the Golden Jubilee year (2014) , they have planned to begin an English medium High School in the parish premises.
Golden Jubilee celebration of Kelmbet Church :
The dual celebrations comprising the 50th anniversary and the inauguration of the newly renovated St. John Bosco Church, Kelmbet, were held on Tuesday May 13, 2014.
Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese, offered mass and blessed the renovated church. Fr Roshan Menezes read the Gospel and gave a sermon on the occasion.
The mass was followed by a stage programme presided over by the bishop. Justice B V Pinto, chief justice of Karnataka high court, Dr Leo Francis Tauro, professor, Father Muller Medical College, and minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, who were present on the occasion, were felicitated by the bishop.
Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake unveiled the golden jubilee souvenir. Minister Sorake and Bishop Gerald addressed the gathering.
Former priests and nuns who had served the parish were also felicitated along with donors. More than 50 youth of the parish have become priests and all of those who were present on the occasion, were felicitated by the bishop as were the sponsors of the programme.
Fr Remend Lopes, parish priest of the Church, Fr Maxim D’Souza, director of Don Bosco Youth Center, Shirva, Fr Reginald Pinto, former parish priest of the Church, and others were present.
On 12 April, Day of Priests and Religious was celebrated. Priests and religious Sisters of the parish now working all over India in different dioceses and congregations were invited and felicitated. Later in the afternoon the people and all the invitees took part in a musical concert.
Also on the occasion the newly erected shrines of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor and St. John Bosco were blessed by Monsignor Rev. Fr. Lius Mascarenhas, vicar of Allahabad Diocese.
Parish Priests who have served at Kelmbet :
- Fr Gregory D’Souza (1964 - 71)
- Fr Francis Xavier Gomes (1982 - 83)
- Fr Joseph Machado (1989 - 96)
- Fr Reginald A.F. Pinto (1996 - 2003)
- Fr Remend Lopes SDB
- Fr Anand Noronha SDB
(complete list will be published soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff.
Last updated in Dec 2019.
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