Events
Foundation Stone Laid for Home For The Aged

BALLARI, AUG 06: The Foundation stone was blessed and laid by Bishop for St. Joseph Old Age Home at Cantonment, Bellary on August 6.

When completed, it will be the first of its kind in the Diocese of Ballari.

The Home would initially accommodate about 70 elderly from economically poor background from the backward region of Hyderabad Karnataka.

The Home will have chapel, shared living rooms, dining hall and kitchen among other necessary facilities. St. Mary's Hospital and the VIMS Medical College Hospital are nearby to the proposed Home for the Aged.

Bishop Henry D'Souza requested individuals, institutions and people of good will to pray for the success of the project and donate their mite.

Navodhaya Catholic Center Inaugurated and Blessed

BALLARI, AUG 6: A two storey Catholic Community Center named Navodaya, was blessed and inaugurated by Bishop on 6th August, 2015.

Bishop lauded the hard work put in by the Diocesan Estate Committee under the leadership of Fr. Fr. Yagappa in erecting the elegant structure. Former DFO FR. Anthony Raj, present DFO Fr. Sam Nalan, DEM Fr. Yagappa, architect Mr. Balaswamy, contractor Mr. Arogyasamy, Mr. Balraju and Mr. Guru Mathe were honoured on the occasion for making the project happen for the diocese.

Bishop stated: "We dedicate Navodaya for the welfare of the people and for the support of the diocese" and wished success to all entrepreneurs.

Foundation stone laid for Fr.Joachim school at Jawelegera, Sindhanur Taluk, Raichur District

Jawelegera, 16 August15: Large number of Parishners, School children, Priests and Religious joined Bishop Henry D'Souza to lay and bless the foundation stone for Fr. Joachim school building in Jawelegera on August 16th.

Fr. Joachim Tinnaney, ofm an exemplary Franciscan Missionary from Great Britain, Served the Diocese of Bellary for 53 years with much dedication. With his death on 22nd November2009, marks an end of a mission started by the Franciscans of English Province in 1925.

Bishop John Hogan ofm the first Bishop of Bellary Diocese in 1949 was also of Franciscan English Province.

During his 53 years of Missionary service Fr. Joachim went to England only twice for a brief period of holidays.

It is a fitting tribute to Fr. Joachim and all the Franciscan Missionaries of Franciscan English Province, Forest Gate, England to have the school at Jawelegera in his memory, the place he served for more than 30 years

Bishop Henry D'Souza, Bishop of Bellary at the occasion said "the Diocese of Bellary is committed to the upliftment of the disadvantaged and marginalized sections of the society, more so the Dalit Community.

At the completion of the building the school may serve a larger community of Jawelegera and the surrounding villages. Medium of instruction will be in English as more people want to educate their children in the global language also more opportunity for the higher education.

Fr. Prakash Of St.Peters Church Pannur Killed in Accident

Manvi, Raichur Aug.09.:Fr. Jnanaprakash (Montfort Priest) (34),Asst. Parish Priest of St. Peter's Church, Jagir Pannur,Manvi, Raichur here succumbed to injuries sustained in an accident that occurred around 2-2.30p.m on Sunday ,the 9th August,2015.

The tragedy took place near IB Cross ,Manvi where Fr. Prakash was riding his motorcycle while a cyclist came on his way. Simultaneously a speeding truck on the way hit Fr. Prakash as well as the Cyclist. The accident resulted in the bleeding in Fr. Prakash's internal organs while cyclist escaped with minor injuries.

Fr.Prakash was immediately rushed to the Government hospital, Manvi, thereafter proceeded to Raichur Basava Hospital where he was declared brought dead. Br Jeevan's (regent), right hand, the pillion rider in Fr. Prakash motor cycle was badly damaged.

The Jesuit community at Manvi had organized a farewell meal for him on Sunday at 1 pm. The Tarbes Sisters of St. Joseph, Pannur and Fr Paul Moras, Parish priest, Manvi were also invited. All were waiting for his arrival. Suddenly they heard the news of the accident and rushed to the Govt. hospital,Manvi.

A native of Naganahalli, Mysore diocese, Fr Prakash came to serve Pannur- Manvi Mission in 2013. Church sources said that preparations were on at Pannur to bid Farewell to Fr. Prakash on the very same day, as he had a new assignment.

Thousands bid tearful farewell both at Jagir Pannur, Manvi and Naganahalli.

Besides the pastoral care in Pannur, Hulugunchi and Yaddaladoddi, he was in charge of the boarding in Pannur where 70 children are there at present. They miss him a lot.

He also involved himself in social ministry going to villages, starting self help groups and other conscientizing works among the most backward and neglected communities of this Hydrabad -Karnataka area.

His last project was to lay a cement concrete road from the gate to the school entrance of Loyola Kapepaladi school and also a concrete road in the village The beautiful cement concrete road is a parting gift of Fr Prakash to the people of Pannur.

He enthused the members of self help groups in Pannur and organized around 50 women from three groups to offer two days of shramadaan and completed the work just a week ago.

Fr. Prakash's mortal remains were taken to Pannur where on the same day funeral Mass was celebrated. It was a moving scene ,the people of Pannur waiting for hours without food to have the glimpse of the mortal remains of Fr. Prakash.

Thereafter the body was taken to Guru Mandir, the candidate house of Montfortians in Mysore. Holy Mass was celebrated at 10am (11th Aug) presided over by Bishop Thomas Vazhapazhi , Bishop of Mysore. Immediately the body was taken to Naganahalli, the home parish of Fr Prakash. At 3.30 pm , funeral Mass was held in Naganahalli presided over by Bishop Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga. His mortal remains were interred in the Parish cemetery at Naganahalli.

Frs. Paulraj( VG), Jeyaraj( Dean, Raichur), Paul Mark Moras, Anand Kumar, Anand Prasad,Sunderraj, Paul. A and others represented the Diocese of Bellary and participated in the funeral services to express their deep grief and pray for the repose of Fr. Prakash's soul.

The Bishop ,Priests, religious and entire Diocese condole the sudden demise of Fr. Prakash. His death is a real loss for Montforterians and particularly the Pannur Mission.

May the Lord reward him with beatific vision and his soul finds in the company of angels and saints.

+ Bishop Henry D'Souza Bishop of Bellary