Events
Bala Yesu School Building Blessed At Vidyanagar, Raichur

RAICHUR, JULY 17, 2015 (Fr. Jeyaraj Putti): A new building for Bala Yesu School (CBSE) was blessed and opened today at Vidyanagar, Raichur.

Bishop of Bellary Henry D'Souza blessed the building at a well attended function and laid the foundation stone for the lunch hall.

While appreciating the new school building which is a land mark in the area, Shri BV Naik, Member of Parliament of Raichur constituency lauded quality of education and the harmony inculcated in the young minds in order to foster all round development.

Shri Laxmikanth Reddy (IAS), alumni of the Infant Jesus School who was honoured on the occasion, highly appreciated the quality education imparted by the Christian institutions very specially Infant Jesus School. He declared, "The strong foundation laid at the school in my life transformed and empowered me to go for Indian Administrative Service and secure 21st rank".

In his message "Education is an environment given in order to transform individuals into empowered persons in the society. In a multi cultural and multi religious context of our country, education should enable them to respect rich diversity of our country and foster cooperation" said Bishop.

Bishop also appreciated the hard work put in by the school management Fr. Jeyaraj Putti, former Managers and the school staff members, donors for this memorable gift for the people of Raichur.

School manager Fr. Jeyaraj Putti honoured and thanked all the special invitees, the architect, the contractor and others.

Nonagenarian Fr Kuttiyani Passes Away

JUNE 07, 2015 (Sagaya): Zealous and dedicated missionary of Bellary diocese, Fr. Antony Kuttiyani, aged 92, passed away at St. Mary's Hospital, Bellary, at 5.30 am local time on Sunday, 07 June 2015.

He was one of the pioneer priests ordained for Bellary diocese in 1952 by Bishop John Forest Hogan, the first Bishop of Bellary.

The diocese of Bellary places on record the commendable service of Fr. Kuttiyani who served as Vicar General for 16 years under two Bishops and Administrator of the diocese for two years.

He was the parish priest of Fort parish, correspondent and manager of St. John's educational institutions for 17 years. During his time St. John's High School was raised to Junior College.

His total commitment to the pastoral work was exemplary and his life borne much spiritual fruit in the parishes and institutions he served.

Fr. Anthony kuttiyani was born in Perumkavu, Kudiyathur Parish, Kottayam District, Kerala, to late Mathew kuttianikal and Anna. He was the eldest of the two brothers .

He is survived by his only younger brother Mr. Joseph Kuttianikal.

He was the first priest from his parish.

After his primary & secondary school at Bharaninganam (St. Alphonsa's native place). At the age of 18 he joined the Alwaye St Joseph Pontifical Seminary in Kerala for his ecclesiastical studies .

In 1945 when Bishop Hogan, the first Bishop of Bellary approached him, stating the need of priests in Bellary mission, he readily accepted to be a priest in the then Bellary Mission.

He was one of first priest ordained for the diocese of Bellary in 1952. His other companions were Frs. Augustine Kandathil, Anthony Puthenkalam and Sebastian Kulathinal .

He was ordained at Alweye in St. Joseph's Papal Seminary on 17th March 1952. Right after he served in Adoni, Ramadrug and Yemmiganur of the then Andhra Pradesh, then part of Bellary Diocese, and Kavithal, Jawelegera, Manvi, Cathedral, Fort, Cantonment and Lakshminagar parishes.

Fr. Kuttiyani took suddenly ill on 6th June. He was immediately administered the Sacrament of Anointing. Thereafter, he was rushed to the neibouring St. Mary's Hospital.

He breathed his last peacefully at about 5.30a.m on 7th June, on the feast day of Corpus Christi.

His mortal remains are kept at Bethany, the Senior priest's house for people to pay their last respects.

The funeral rites would be held at 4.00 pm. on Monday, June 8th at St.Anthony's Cathedral and mortal remains would be interred thereafter at Cowl Bazaar Cemetery.

"Fr. Kuttiyani was a simple and unassuming priest with minimum needs. He lived an exemplary life and endeared himself to all sections of people", stated Bishop Henry D'Souza.

"Fr. Anthony Kuttiyani was a simple deeply spiritual and zealous priest. He lived totally for the poor," affirmed one of his colleagues in the senior priest's house.

New Office Bearers Elected for UCF Ballari

BALLARI, MAY 09: New office bearers for United Christian Forum, Ballari were elected May 09 at Bishop's House, Ballari.

The general body meeting of United Christian Forum was held at Bishop's House, which started with prayer by Rev. Samuel Prasad, Presbytster, John Hands Memorial Church, Ballari.

Bishop Henry D'Souza, Bishop of Bellary and President of UCF greeted all the members present and briefed about the Election norms and regulations according the By Laws of the UCF.

The following members were elected unanimously:

Bishop Henry D'Souza continues to the President of UCF.
Vice President: Rev. Geoffrey Kumar, CSI
Secretary: Pastor S. John Mark
Associate Secretary: Pastor Anand Kumar
Treasurer: Pastor C. Prabhakar Rao
Joint Treasurer: Rev. Naveen Murthy
Spokespersons: Fr. Maxim Dias and Rev. Ravi Joseph
Right after the election the scrutiny of the annual statement of the accounts were done and Rev. Prabhakar Rao, the Treasurer read out the income and expenditure. All the members present approved the statement.

The year long program to be conducted through UCF were listed as follows:

1. Unity Octave
2. Palm Sunday Procession
3. Run for Jesus
4. Christmas Program
5. Pilgrimage to Holy Land
6.Congratulating & honouring the new officials
The meeting came to a close with the thanksgiving prayer by Rev. John Mark, AG Church, Bellary

Ujjeevana Rural Empowerment Program Launched At Lingsugur

LINGSUGUR, RAICHUR DISTRICT, MAY 8: Rural empowerment programme called 'UJJEEVANA' was launched May at at Lingsugu, Raichur Ditrict, Karnataka.

The inauguration was done by lighting the traditional lamp by Bishop Henry D'Souza, Bishop of Ballari along with dignitaries such as Fr. John Moonjely of Caritas India, BDDS Director Fr. Chourappa and many others.

In his presidential address Bishop Henry D'Souza stressed on the need of making all social development programmes successful through commitment, transparency and proper project audit. "Rural farmers should have a dream for their own progress and achieve it through cooperation with each other making best use of the facilities provided", stated Bishop.

In his introductory message, Fr. Paul Moonjely, Asst Executive Director, Caritas India, New Delhi, stated Ujjeevana - a new project initiated by Caritas India with the support of MISEREOR. It is aimed at promoting responsive civil society through animation and empowerment of 55 villages of 12 panchayats of 4 districts in Karnataka. 3364 families would be befitting from the programme.

The project intends to facilitate the livelihood improvement of the marginalized households through sustainable agriculture and other livelihood options.

He stressed on the need of motivating farmers to be eco-friendly, environment-friendly, through sustainable and organic farming.

Fr. Chourappa, Director of BDDS welcomed the dignitaries. Fr. Santhosh Bapu, Director of Sevasangam, Kalaburgi shared the motto of the 'Ujjeevana' project.

BDDS staffs sang a awareness song 'Enu madi enu banthanna', powerfully expressing the difficulties faced by farmers.

'Hakku-Dikku' a Kannada resource book of various Acts/Laws was released by Sri. H.B. Murari, Member of Zilla panchayath, Maski constituency.

Mallesh Gouda, a well known farmer, stated that agriculture is the backbone of the country. He urged all land holders to cultivate their lands and produce food scientifically.

Srimathi Saila Hiremath, a woman farmer from Dharwad district shared on the benefits she availed with the help of Ujjeevana and how this project is helping the people to achieve integrated development of marginalized families.

Sri Shivakumar Gudihal, a local farmer also shared his experiences and explained how he was able to make agriculture profitable.

Then, Srimathi Saraswathi, Deputy Director, Agriculture Dept, Lingsugur Division shared information on various schemes and facilities available with Agriculture department.

Sri. S. N. Upperi, Head of Krishi Vijnana Extension centre, Lingasugur urged farmers to adopt organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices such as use of vermin compost.

Bishop Henry D'Souza lauded the joint initiative of Caritas India, KROSS, BDDS Ballari, BDSSS Belagavi, SMSSS Shivamogga and Seva Sangama Kalburgi.

The programme ended with a meal for all those who attended the function.