Our History

Our Lady of Fatima Church is about 3 Miles away from Shirva-Manchakal and it is placed in the Hills of Pernal – Sooda Cross Road surrounded by beautiful scenery’s such as forest, paddy fields, coconut trees, areca-nut trees, Banana Plants and Sooda River. It is a parish of around 302 Catholic Families with almost 1200 Parishioners.  It is a part of  Shirva Varado and serving under the Diocese of Udupi.

Very Rev.Fr. H. Gonsalves Parish Priest of Shirva conceived the idea of opening an elementary school and church at Pernal, about three miles away from Shriva and eventually establishing an official parish church in that same locality. On 20^th June 1949 Rt. Rev. Dr. V. R. Fernandes Bishop of Mangalore purchased a plot of land about 2.20 acres in extent, from Venkataraja Udpa, for the purchase of constructing a church. On the 27^th June 1950, Messer’s Salvador Mendonca and six others generously donated a plot measuring about 2.65 acres quite adjacent to the one purchased previously. Very Rev. Fr. H. Gonsalves with his, indomitable courage left no stone unturned till the sanction for the opening of an elementary was obtained on 1^st September 1951 and immediately the school was opened with 60 children on the rolls distributed in standard 1 to 4 and two members of the teaching staff. The school at its very inception was deeply indebted to Mr. Salvador Babi Mendonca of Pernal.

On 8^th September 1951, the feast of Nativity of our Lady the foundation stone for the new church was laid by very Rev. Fr. H. Gonsalves.  With the kind and generous help of Parishioners, friends and well-wishers abroad, the new church was roofed by the end of May 1952. The school so far conducted in the pandal was now shifted to the new building on 1^stJune 1952, on which memorable day it become a full pledged elementary school with the introduction of Standard 5^th. 15^th September 1952 was marked by the laying of the foundation stone for the presbytery which was roofed by the end of May 1953.

         While granting permanent recognition for the elementary School with effect from 1^stJune 1953, the Educational authorities granted permission to raise the school to the status of higher elementary school and accordingly standard 6^th was opened on 4^th June 1953 with 33 pupils.

         A small plot measuring 0.53 acres quite adjustment to ours was purchased from Mr. Baptist Mendonca of Pangala on 22^nd November 1954. With the down of the Marian year permission was granted to celebrate Holy mass on Sundays from 1^st June 1954. The new parish of our lady of Fatima was officially erected on 20^th March 1955 when very Rev.Fr. H. Gonsalves installed Rev.Fr. G.B. D’Souza as the first parish priest of this newly erected Filial Parish church of Fatima.

                  On 21^st October 1955 the foundation stone was laid for the new school building along the road side. By the end of May 1956 the magnificent building was completed. On 15^th September 1956 the foundation stone laid for an additional block to the school and it was completed by the end of May 1957 thus enabling the management to house all the eight standards of the higher elementary school in a separate and spacious school building. On 15^th September 1958 the foundation stone was laid for an additional of three rooms for the school. On 24-07-1957 a plot measuring 0.39 acres and again on 17-1-1958 another plot 1.37 acres quite adjacent to ours was given to us on Kumuki rights by the government. The D.C. of South Kanara in his proceedings handed over 2.19 acres land for playground and once again Asst. Commissioner of Kundapur allotted 2.79 land as playground for the school.

         Constructing the Alter in white and colored mosaic and flooring the sanctuary  with mosaic etc. and other part of the work was completed by Simon & Company Mangalore. The Church was blessed on 10-11-1959 and the first Parish Feast was celebrated on the following day by Rt. Rev. Dr. R.D’Mello Bishop of Mangalore.

 Now the school building was sufficient to accommodate all the classes. In the 1950 when Education Department was unwilling to give permission to open the Elementary school on the Pernal Hill where the school now stands as it was too near to the Sooda Board school, but willing to open two more furlongs away, a plot donating S.No.104/1 of the Pilar Village was brought in the name of very Rev. Fr. H. Gonsalves vicar of Shirva from Sri Lawrence Andrade of Sooda who surrendered it willingly in favour of the church to be started for a nominal price of Rs.25/=.

The Asst. Commissioner of Kundapur in his N.D is 5173/60 dated 7-6-1963 has transferred to pernal burial ground S.No. 110/2C measuring One Acre in extent in response to as application made by the secretary Parish Union of Mangalore Diocese for granting the land for the burial ground for Our Lady of Fatima Church.

Foundation stone for a hospital on S.No.104/1 of Pilar Village by the roadside was laid by the Vicar on 31-10-1961. It has cost as about Rs.55000/= including the will Diocese has donated Rs.5627/= at the Franciscan missionary of Mary sisters contribute Rs.5780/= for constructing etc. It was blessed by the Rev. W, Lewis on 11-2-1965 and named as “Pilar Hospital”. Dispensary was opened by the sisters immediately in one of the rooms. The sisters occupied the rest of the building as their temporary residence. Foundation for another building for the hospital was laid by Fr. N. F. Pereira of Belman on 8-9-1965. A plot measuring 1.51 acres denoting S.No.112 of Pilar Village was brought from Vasudeva Nayak for Rs.650 and was given to Ignatius Mendonca son of Balthazar Mendonca for a yearly rent of Rs.50 with effect from 1-9-1966. The opening ceremony of the other building of the hospital of our Lady of Pilar (Pilar Hospital as its name goes) was held on Sunday the 12^th of May 1960 at 9.30 am by two honored Bishops, the RT. Rev. B. S. D’Souza Bishop of Mangalore and Bishop Mathias of Chic Mangalore arrived with Mgr. W. Lewis, the Vicar general of Mangalore. They were welcomed and garlanded by the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. G.B.D’Souza and escorted to the hospital with Band and a large crowd of  Parishioners. After speeches from Bishops and  Parish history read by Parish Priest they opened the hospital by cutting the ribbon and they blessed the hospital. Fr. G.B. D’Souza and Franciscan Mission Sisters were praised by the Bishops and Dr. Achar of Shirva for good work they are doing in Pernal.

As the founder Priest Fr. G.B.D’Souza was transferred to Bondel Church on 15^th May 1968. New Priest Fr. John Cornelio took charge as 2^nd Priest of our parish on 15^th May 1968. He was transferred from Siddakatte Church after serving the parish nearly 15 years & 10 months. He was welcomed by Fr. G.B. D’Souza, the officials and the Parishioners and after a brief ceremony he took the charge from outgoing priest Rev. Fr. G. B. D’Souza . There was a farewell party for Rev. Fr. G.B.D’Souza on 16^th May 1968, Rev. Fr. John Cornelio presided. An address of thanksgiving and a token of love, a purse was presented over to the outgoing priest Fr. G.B. D’Souza by the Parishioners. The Purse however was handed back by Fr. Gabriel  as a help to the hospital requirement.

Fr. John Cornelio served the Parish from 15^th may 1968 to 29^th January 1972. During his tenure he mixed well the parishioners and specially with the young children and taught them many lessons and build them catholic preaching’s and spirituality in their mind. During his tenure he repaired the church building and build a stage at the school to conduct cultural programs. He was hospitalized at Fr. Muller Hospital Mangalore. Due to heath issues and to reduce the load later he was transferred to mount Rosary church as a chaplain. During his absence church activities were temporally run by Rev. Fr. Richard Saladana, Asst Priest of Belman and Rev. Fr. Alex Arahna.

Rev.Fr. Raymond D’Cunha took charge as 3^rd Parish Priest of our Parish on 29^thJanuary. Before taking charge of Pernal Parish, he was the Chaplain at Fr. Muller’s Hospital, Kankanady Mangalore. He was welcomed by Rev. Fr. Richard Saldana, Asst Priest of Belman and the Parishioners. Since outgoing Priest Fr. John Cornelio was ailing and he was in the hospital farewell to him could not be given.

Rev.Fr. Raymond D’Cunha served the Parish as a 3^rd Parish Priest for a brief time of just two months. During that time, he administrated the day today activities very well.  His health deteriorated and admitted to Fr. Muller’s Hospital Mangalore. He is left heavenly abode after Six month on 19^th August 1972.

Rev. Fr. Raymond D’Cunha successor, Rev. Fr. Henry Castelino who was attached to St. Philomena College Puttur from 1962 to 1972 arrived here on 2^nd May 1972 to take the charge as 4^th Parish Priest of our Church. He was received by Rev. Fr. A. Rosario, Parish priest of Shirva and the Parishioners. In preparation for Parish feast, the whole church was white washed and painted at the cost of Rs.1200.00/=. The whole amount was contributed by the kind hearted Parishioners. The un-plastered portion of the priest bury was plastered and white washed at the cost of Rs. 1000/=. A well was built at the side of the cemetery where there was no wall and two pillars and an iron gate were put up at its entrance.

The preparation for the pastoral visit of 1973 the priest bury was white washed and painted at the cost of Rs.1000 and also the Parish school at the cost of Rs.1400. The pillars of the main entrance completed, plastered and whitewashed and the gate itself was in a bad shape was repaired and painted. A tank and a sink were constructed in the kitchen. As a memorial of the 1973 Pastoral visit every effort was made to see that a copy of the Four Gospels in Konkani to be reached to every Catholic Family of our parish. St. Vincent De Paul’s society was established in July 1973.

On 21^st April 1974, the Udupi particular council of the society of St Vincent De Paula celebrated its cannery feast at Pernal. About a one hundred delegates from all over the parishes of Mangalore diocese attended the mass offered by the Bishop. Later lunch was hosted for the participants by the members of St. Vincent Paul of Pernal Unit.

The short tenure of Rev. Fr. Castelino came to an end on 5^th May 1974. He handed over the charge to the newly arrived parish priest Fr. Norbert D’Souza and returned back to St. Philomena college Puttur to resume his teaching duties.

Rev.Fr. Norbert D’Souza took the charge as 5^th Parish Priest on 5^th May 1974. He is well received by the Parishioners. Under his leadership he understood that present church is not enough to accommodate all the devotees particularly during Sunday and other festival Masses. He took a decision to build a new and a bigger church to reduce the density and immediately he got approval from the Parish Council meeting. They have planned a five-year project and made every effort to open the new church building on Church Silver Jubilee day. He travelled to Gulf counties to collect the money and especially from the Parishioners who are working to support their families. He is well received by our parishioners and also the well-wishers of Pernal and returned back with a good collection. Also each and every families of the parish contributed for this mega project. As soon as he came back from Gulf he is celebrated his priestly silver jubilee with the Parishioners. As planned November 18 new church building was inaugurated and blessed the new building, Silver Jubilee of the Parish and the Parish feast was celebrated as three in one with three Bishops and friendly and Varado priests. It was a grand function celebrated for four days 16,17,18 and 19^thNovember. On this occasion a remembrance of a Silver Jubilee memorial book released and distributed among parishioners and guests.

In the year 1981 we have built a Carillon Church bell and cleaned the surrounding areas and planted new plants. Build a new high rise tank with Electric pump for water supply to feed the water for the plants. Under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Fr. Norbert our Parish seen an all-round development.  As his terms come to an end on 24^th May 1982 and he transferred to St. Joseph Church, Pezar, Mangalore.

Rev. Fr. Aloysius Serao took charge of our Parish as 6^th Parish Priest on 24^th May 1982. He is a qualified Priest with M.A. in Journalism and he dedicated his time for the growth of education, economic and spirituality of our Parish and He is just served for one year. Due to his old age he is transferred to Kumbla Parish on 21^st May 1983.

Rev. Fr. V. G. F. Rego  from St. Anna Parish Thottam transferred to our Parish. He took the charge as 7^th Parish Priest on 21^st May 1983. He was well received by our Parishioners. He was well known Head Master so he has given his maximum effort to improve the education system of our Parish school. As Government reduced the number of teachers so by the help of Parishioners he created a special fund and he installed a new private teacher and paid the salary from this fund. Also he created a new scholarship fund and handed over to St. Vincent De Paula Society. They are helping the students who passed SSLC and going for higher education PUC.  He took the helping hand from CODP institution and helped poor people to build their houses. Those families are economically backward, he took a survey through SVDP and helped those families the funds which he received from Canada. Our Convent was run by FMM sisters and after their exit to Shirva Convent, he has spoken to Holy Family Sisters and they came and taken control the convent on August 1, 1989 and until now they are rendering their all-around help to the parish and the parishioners. Pernal parish institution at Mumbai closed so he brought the funds from them and installed a new Church Bell. He is completed his term and transferred to Kemmanu Church on 28-05-1990.

Rev. Fr. Alexander Aranha took the charge as 8^th Parish Priest on 27^th May 1990. Before arriving our Parish, he was the Parish Priest of Shirtadi Carmel Church.  He is transferred just after one year to Kanajar Church as Parish Priest on 27^th May 1991.

Rev. Fr. Charles Moras took the charge as 9^th Parish Priest of our Parish on 25^th May 1991. He is created Teachers Protector Union and helped the growth of the church run school. He is celebrated his Silver Jubilee Priesthood on December 1992. After serving two years he is transferred on 31^st May 1993.

Rev. Fr. Vincent V. Menezes took the charge as 10^th Parish Priest of our Parish on 30^thMay 1993. Before arriving Pernal he was the Mangalore Diocese Rakno Magazine Editor as well as Director. In his period there we have seen growth with so many developments. He is a well-known speaker, discusser, religious hymns singer, writer and orator of Bible and not afraid to discuss or argue with anybody over religious topic. He worked for the church unity and created ward gatherings on a frequent interval that starts with prayer and other activities that includes religious and cultural, He is tried to correct the existing land records, dig a well with water pump to sort out the water shortage, purchased a permanent diesel generator for the need of church during power cuts, these are the small list of the parish development during his time. He is also created some social institutions such as Old student association, Citizens forum, Abounding from Alcoholism. Also build a huge wall for the new cemetery with the help of Parishioners and particularly from the contributions of Ezak Mathias of Infant Jesus ward. During the renovation priest house, he builds a hall for social entertainment and other church functions with a capacity of 400 people at a time and also purchased 400 wooden chairs for that same purpose. Also build a Grotto for Lourdes Mai with the contribution from Marian D’Souza & his family. He Celebrated his silver jubilee of priesthood in a grand manner on 24^th October 1999. After seven years’ fruitful service to the parish he is transferred to Miyar Church on 17-05-2000. 

Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza took charge as 11^th parish priest on 16-05-2000. He was transferred from Miyar Church. He was received by Fr. Lawrence Gomes along with outgoing priest Rev. Fr. Vincent V. Menezes. Many developments seen in the Parish during his seven years’ service. He started charismatic prayer and blessings of Holy spirit on every Friday evening. He is upgraded the Fatima Mai shrine with the financial help from Anthony D’Souza & family of St. Joseph Ward. With the financial help from David D’Souza of Majalbet Lower ward he built a Grotto for Vailankani Mai. Also build a “Mahadwara” from a donor of Pangla church in return the favors he received from Fatima mai.  First Parish Magazine “Fatimaso Talo-2000” was released under the editorial ship of Alwyn Danthy and released on the Feast of Monti Fest. He encouraged parishioners who works at Mumbai and other Gulf countries to support their families to form our lady of Fatima associations over there. Celebrated Golden jubilee of church run Fatima Higher primary school. Installed a memorial statue of our Founder Rev. Fr. Gabriel D’Souza at top of the priest house. Created a fund for the purpose of Education. Brought higher capacity Diesel Generator for the church and changed the existing lighting with more powerful but less power consumption lights and changed the Fans of the church. Improved the sound system by installing new amplifier and speakers. Celebrated Golden Jubilee of the Church, Parish Day and parish priest silver Jubilee a three in one function on 13-05-2004 in a grand way. There are several programs conducted from 7^th May to 13^th May. In remembrance of Golden Jubilee of the Church released a memorial book called “Ankar”. He was well mixed with all the generations of the people and received all round support from the parishioners. As he completed his seven years term the Bishop transferred him to St. Patrick Parish on 7^th June 2007.

Rev. Fr. Gregory Serao took the charge of the Parish as 12^th Priest on 7^th June 2007. He established on October 11, Woman’s Organization of our Parish Unit and made Mrs. Irine Mendonca of its first President. Inaugurated newly built Cemetery Entrance Arc Dwara financed by Mr. Valerian Rodrigues & Fl, of  Fatima Ward. Released  Fatimaso Talo book on 2009 Moni Fest. Formed Catholic Sabha Pernal Unit on October 11, 2009 and elected Mr. David Correa its first President. Released Fatmaso Ulo, Parish Telephone Directory on 13^thMay 2010 sponsored by Lorna and Lavie DSouza of St. Joseph Ward.  On January 2^nd week 2011 started the work to renovate the Church. New design of Calvary scenery where crucifixion of Jesus done, both the side walls of the Main Alter were fixed with new tiles, Paintings and lightings, Statue of Nityadhar Mai, Statue of Jesus sacred heart, Granite Reading Stands, Ceilings on top of the Alter and complete church painting, renovated the residence of parish priest and also installed a new stage in the church hall and done complete paintings to the church hall are some of the projects were planned and executed. Once the renovation work was completed the inauguration was done on 4^th May 2012 by SVD Bishop Rev. Dr. Leo Carnelio of Bhopal Diocese. After the inauguration of the church three SVD Deacons were ordained as Priests by the Bishop. Two Deacons are from our own Parish, Deacon Evan Gomes and Deacon Rajesh D’Souza along with Nirude Parish Deacon Maxim Pinto. As expected New Diocese named Udupi created on 16^th July 2012 and installed Sivmogga Bishop Dr. Jerald Isac Lobo as the First Bishop of Udupi Diocese. 2^nd February 2013, Bishop Isac Lobo inaugurated new priest bury and blessed the same. As Two Diocese are created from earlier one, all the priests given the option to choose any one of their choice. As our priest born in Mangalore Diocese so he opted to serve on Mangalore. He is transferred to Pompei Mai Church Gurpur on 2^nd June 2013.

Rev.Fr. Arthur Pereira took the charge of our Parish on 2^nd June 2013 as 13^th Priest of our Parish. He was transferred from St. Lawrence Church Attur, Karkala. As soon as he took over the charge his first priority was to complete the left over work of the renovation job. He laid new tiles for the complete church floor. Also he modified all the existing benches with kneel down support facilities for the devotees. The entire project was financed by Mr. Simon Machado & fly of Infant Jesus Ward. He printed out the hymns books for Pernal church in order to fully participate to all the devotees during the mass time.

On July 7, 2013 in order keep the unity between the Catholic families lively and active, he has arranged a ward gathering on 1^st Sunday evening on each month as called small Christian community. He is also started to attend the ward gathering, monitoring and giving his advice. He was distributing the copies of monthly Parish Priest communication copy during the gatherings in order to reach each out to every families of the ward. Miss. Bibiyana from south Korea visited our church on 26^th November 2013.  Under his  leadership there was a one-hour gathering with the above guest at our church premises. She has given her useful input to all the participants. At evening she visited St. Lawrence church Attur with the parish priest. On 27^thNovember she visited a small Christian community gathering at St. Joseph Ward where she received well and lots of appreciation from her end to the St. Joseph Ward members and the parishioners. He has trained the parishioners for 20 days on how the take the leadership in Christian community and serve back to the community. On 5^th January 2015 Deacon Michael DSouza from Koraje Ward is ordained as priest by Bishop Dr. Gerald Issac Lobo. During power off and delay in starting Generator he installed an inverter to provide uninterrupted power supply to the sound system. Our Parish Priest is one of the 10 full-fledged members of Small Christian community of Asia. He is visited many other places including foreign trips to far east, Sri Lanka, Thailand etc with those other members to train and serve the community people. Also he visited Mysore Prabhodini and bring laurels to our parish. He is started a process to wish all the parishioners on their birthdays one day in advance. After serving 7 years in Pernal he was transferred to Nakre Parish on 30^th May 2019.

Fr. Jerome Monteiro who took the charge as 14^th Priest of our Parish as on 31^st May 2019.