Mangaluru: St John the Baptist Church in Permude will celebrate its diamond jubilee on October 15, marking 60 years since the establishment of the parish. The celebrations will coincide with the blessing and inauguration of the renovated church building.
The programme will begin at 3 pm, parish priest Fr Ronald Pinto announced at a press conference held at the Press Club in Mangaluru on October 9.
The parish was established on October 15, 1965. The original church building was constructed around 65 years ago with generous support from the family of Juliana Nazareth. After years of use, the old structure deteriorated and has now undergone renovation ahead of the jubilee celebrations.
Renovated church to be inaugurated
The inauguration of the renovated church will be performed by Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Mangaluru, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza.
The blessing ceremony and solemn Eucharistic Mass will be presided over by the Bishop of Mangaluru, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha. Bishop of Mysuru Dr Francis Serrao will deliver the homily.
The religious ceremonies will form the central part of the diamond jubilee programme, bringing together church leaders, clergy, invited dignitaries and members of the parish community.
The renovation marks an important milestone for the parish, which has served the local Catholic community for six decades. The celebrations will also provide an opportunity for parishioners to reflect on the church’s history and the contributions of those who helped establish and sustain the institution.
Bishops and dignitaries to attend
The diamond jubilee public meeting will be held following the inauguration and religious ceremonies. Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha will preside over the meeting.
Bishop Emeritus Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Dr Francis Serrao, Msgr Maxim L Noronha, Fr Ravi Rudolph D’Souza, Venugopal Pejathaya and Mohammed Kunhi are among those expected to participate.
The programme will also see the participation of public representatives, including Member of Parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta, Minister U T Khader, MLA Umanath Kotian and MLC Ivan D’Souza, who will attend as chief guests.
Their participation is expected to add prominence to the occasion, which brings together religious leaders, public representatives and members of the wider community.
Hore kanike procession on October 11
As part of the celebrations, a hore kanike procession carrying offerings will be held on October 11.
The procession will begin at Permude market at 4 pm and proceed towards the church. The traditional offering procession is among the activities planned in the days leading up to the main jubilee event.
The programme is expected to bring parishioners and local residents together in preparation for the October 15 celebrations.
Such community gatherings are an important part of parish life, combining religious observance with opportunities for people to participate collectively in significant occasions.
Tulu comedy play and community feast
The celebrations will also include cultural entertainment. Following the jubilee public meeting on October 15, Devadas Kapikad’s troupe will stage the Tulu comedy play Sunnada Bottu.
A community feast will also be organised for the public as part of the programme.
The inclusion of a Tulu stage performance reflects the cultural traditions of the coastal Karnataka region, where Tulu theatre and comedy remain popular forms of entertainment.
The cultural programme and feast are intended to bring together people from the parish and surrounding areas, making the diamond jubilee a community celebration alongside its religious significance.
Parish marks six decades of history
The establishment of St John the Baptist Church, Permude, in 1965 marked the beginning of the parish’s institutional history. The original church building, constructed with support from Juliana Nazareth’s family, served the community for decades before deterioration prompted renovation.
The diamond jubilee celebrations will recognise the parish’s history and the efforts of those who contributed to its development over the years.
The programme combines the inauguration of the renovated church with religious ceremonies, a public meeting, a traditional procession, cultural entertainment and a community feast.
With the main event scheduled for October 15, the parish is preparing to mark the milestone with the participation of church leaders, public representatives and local residents.