My visit to Most Rev. Bp. Robert
Miranda (Bishop of Gulbarga):
Bishop
welcomed me cordially though he was busy with the clergy recollection on
the 26th. The bishop during the discussion suggested me to send more
friars and establish more mission stations in his diocese. The Gulbarga
diocese is comprised of 4 civil states: Gulbarga, Bijapur, Bidar and
Yadgir. But the presence of Capuchins is only in one district and that
is Bidar. We had a presence in Jevargi in Gulbarga district some years
ago, but we had to terminated it due to several reasons. But now Jevargi
is already being ministered. Hence the bishop has suggested 2 stations
in Gulbarga district and eventually we could move on to Bijapur and
Yadgir too. The proposed two places are:- 1) Afzalpur which is 56.6 km.
from Gulbarga city) 2) The second place is Kalgi - 40 km. from Gulbarga
city In both these places there is ample scope for missionary activities
and also for social work. When I suggested the bishop about our Vimukthi
Social Action Cell, he showed much interest and encouraged me to begin
the mission at the earliest and establish a social centre too. In both
these places there is water-shed management programme is already begun
and we could co-operate with it. The bishop suggested that we could send
deacons immediately to do their diaconal ministry. In Bidar district
there is lots of scope for baptizing the catechumens, adult catechesis
and every day visit to the villages, etc. In our parish at Halbarga
itself there are more than 200 catechumens who are ready for receiving
baptism and the bishop has suggested to baptize them in a group of 25 –
30. So, the deacons have lots of missionary work in these areas. The
Bidar district itself has 17 parishes (In Bidar parishes are known as
mission centres) and each parish has its own substations and some
parishes have more than a dozen substations. Each parish has a church, a
convent, a social work centre, a school (either formal or non-formal)
and several acres agricultural – cultivated land. In most of the places
in Bidar there is good source of water. As we see sugar cane is the main
crop on the way to Gulbarga from Bidar. Sugar cane needs more water. To
my surprise I saw greenery and cultivation everywhere. The climate
seemed to me is far better than the costal climate of Mangalore where we
sweat due to humidity. The roads are very wide and the city roads are
very very comfortable to travel. Only the village roads are yet to be
developed. However, to all our substations we have the road facility and
need not walk, 4 wheelers and 2 wheelers can comfortably reach to all
our substations.
Considering all the above factors, I invite more and more friars to opt
for Bidar mission of our province and in the province. The bishop is
very very cordial and welcoming us in every way. Soon we will try to
send one or two deacons for the diaconal ministry as suggested by the
bishop. Sending deacons is being followed by other religious such as OCD,
MSFS and SVD. They send deacons for diaconal ministry and later some of
them remain there and continue their work. Our post novices could go
there to be with the catholic people and experience their hardships.
Those who would like to love, live and do something for the poor, Bidar
mission provides ample opportunities.
Anugraha - Bidar
History Halbarga (civil)
Halbarga is a Village in Bhalki Taluk in Bidar District of Karnataka
State, India. It belongs to Gulbarga Division. It is located 26 KM
towards west from District head quarters Bidar. 16 KM from Bhalki. 654
KM from State capital Bangalore.
The pastoral activities began in the year 2000. And 15 friars have
worked so far:- List below.
|
No |
Name |
From
|
To
|
Designation |
|
01 |
Fr. Blaize
Rodrigues |
15.01.2001 |
21.06.2005 |
Superior/Parish Priest |
|
02 |
Bro.
Antony Monteiro |
10.08.2003 |
16.08.2004 |
Member |
|
03 |
Bro.
Cletus Anand Santmajor |
16.08.2004 |
15.12.2005 |
Member |
|
04 |
Fr.
Dominic Savio Viegas |
21.06.2005 |
03.08.2008 |
Superior/Parish Priest |
|
05 |
Fr. Gerald
Viegas |
15.06.2005 |
18.04.2006 |
Member |
|
06 |
Fr. Maxim
Nazareth |
21.06.2007 |
01.06.2008 |
Member |
|
07 |
Fr.
Francis Xavier Fernandes |
21.06.2006 |
till date |
Parish
Priest |
|
08 |
Fr.
Manohar D’Souza |
03.08.2008 |
01.08.2009 |
Superior/Director |
|
09 |
Fr. Arun
Kumar |
01.05.2008 |
01.05.2009 |
Asst.
Director |
|
10 |
Fr. Archie
Lewis |
03.07.2008 |
01.08.2009 |
Spiritual
Director |
|
11 |
Bro.
Vijesh Lyod Menezes |
24.06.2009 |
08.08.2009 |
Regent |
|
12 |
Bro.
Prashanth Noronha |
20.06.2009 |
06.08.2009 |
Regent
|
|
13 |
Fr. George
Monis |
21.05.2010 |
26.05.2013 |
Superior/
Principal |
|
14 |
Fr.
Lourdswamy |
18.04.2011 |
till date |
Member
|
|
15 |
Bro.
Victor Crasta |
26.05.2013 |
till date |
Superior/Principal |
As I was visiting for the first time to
Anugraha Ashram and School, at Habarga Bidar, I was accorded a warm
welcome. There are 3 friars (Bros. Victor, Francis and Lourdswamy) 3
sisters (Anitta, Mahaitha & Salda) working hand in hand for the
development of the school, parish, social work, etc. There are 6
teachers for six classes (Nursery, LKG, UKG, Std. I, II & III), 2
helpers (ayas), one smart class co-ordinator and two drivers for 2
busses. The grand total of students in the list is 248. The school began
in the year 2010.
Fraternally
Br. Joseph Dolphy Pais
Minister Provincial
Holy Trinity Province - Karnataka
