Until 1961 for all religious needs, Shirva church was the main source for the locals of Yermal and Kaup areas. In the year 1939 Fr Hilary Gonsalaves, in the house of Gurkar Vivian Dsouza, started to offer masses thrice a year. After him Fr James Andrade and Fr Jacob Crasta carried forward this practice.
In the year 1959 – 60, with the help of the seven families in the area, a small chapel was constructed in 3.62 acres of land under the leadership of Fr Hilary Gonsalaves, who was the parish priest of Shirva church, with the help of Vivian Dsouza and the locals. The chapel was inaugurated on April 25, 1961 by Fr Hilary Gonsalves. The chapel was served from Shirva parish by its assistants. After Vivian, his son Lawrence Dsouza was looking after this chapel.
When Kalathur attained the status of a parish on June 7, 1971, Yermal came under its jurisdiction and was served from Kalathur. Fr Charles Saldanha of Kalathur built the parochial house in 1974, a well was dug and coconut, cashew and other fruit trees were planted. This was followed up by subsequent parish priests Fr Thomas Dsouza, Fr J B Crasta, Fr Alfred Pinto in later years, by offering their services to develop the church and the area.
In the year 1990 – 93 Fr Alfred Pinto submitted a request to the Bishop of Mangalore to start a church in this area. Due to these efforts, Yermal became an independent parish on May 25, 1993 and Fr Peter Nazareth became the first parish priest. Fr Henry Castelino and Fr Vishal Lobo also served the community as Parish Priests and guided the parishioners.
Since November 2009 Fr Lawrence Rodrigues was fully involved in the Parish activities and continued the ministry of guiding the Community.
The back end of the church building was withering and accommodating the huge congregation during Sunday Mass was a problem and hence, a new building was planned by the parish council. The parish priest Fr Lawrence Rodrigues took up this project and reached completion through the selfless service by the parishioners, donors and well wishers.
Inauguration of the newly built church :
The newly built Sacred Heart Church was inaugurated on May 14, 2015. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi inaugurated the church and also celebrated the Holy Eucharist and blessed the Church. This was followed by a felicitation function in the presence of various dignitaries.
Along with the Bishop of Udupi, Dr Salvador Lobo , Bishop of Baruipur, Kolkata; Dr Antony Fernandes , Emeritus Bishop Bareilly Diocese; Msgr Baptist Menezes , Vicar General of the diocese; Rev Fredrick Mascarenhas , Dean Udupi Deanery; Vinay Kumar Sorake, Dist minister in charge; Lalaji R Mendon, Ex-MLA Kaup; Yermal parish priest Fr Lawrence Rodrigues and others graced the occasion.
Fr Lawrence Rodrigues, priests who served the church in the past, special achiever priests in the village, donors, and contractors were felicitated on the occasion.
Silver Jubilee celebrations of the church:
The silver jubilee celebrations of Sacred Heart Church were held on May 25, 2018. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese, was the main celebrant in Eucharistic Mass.
The jubilee celebration programme was a stage for religious harmony. Representatives from all three religions - John Wesley Kunder, pastor, CSI Bethel Church, Muloor; Vedamurthy K V Raghavendra, Archaka of Sri Mahalaxmi temple Uchila and Dr Sheikh Mohammad Irfan, Ayush medical officer were present on the dais and gave their message.
Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the function. Fr Valerian Mendonca, chancellor of Udupi diocese ; Msgr Baptist Menezes, vicar general of Udupi diocese; Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO, Udupi diocese and others were present. Priests from all over the diocese and parishioners took part in the celebrations.
Patrons of the function, former vice-presidents of pastoral committee, priests who served in the church in the previous years, priests and nuns of the church who are serving in other places and present parish priest Fr Lawrence Rodrigues, were felicitated on the occasion.
Parish Priests who served the Parish since its inception :
- Fr Peter Nazareth (from May 25, 1993 - ...)
- Fr Henry Castelino (... upto 2008)
- Fr Vishal Lobo (2008 - 2009)
- Fr Lawrence Rodrigues (2009 - 2020)
- Fr Ronald Miranda (Parochial Adm. 2020 - 2021)
- Fr Joswey Fernandes (from 2021 onwards)
(Complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff
Last updated in Dec 2021.
Related links :
- 26-05-2018 - Udupi: Sacred Heart Church Yermal holds grand silver jubilee celebrations
- 24-05-2018 - Udupi: Sacred Heart Church, Yermal set for silver jubilee celebrations on May 25
- 15-05-2015 - Udupi: Bishop Dr Gerald inaugurates renovated Sacred Heart Church at Yermal
- 09-05-2015 - Newly Built Sacred Heart Church Yermal to be Inaugurated on May 14
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