Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 3: The blessing and inauguration of newly-built Our Lady of Mercy Church, Fajir will be held on Monday December 15 at 9 am.

Mangaluru bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza will bless and celebrate the solemn Eucharist at the newly-built church. The bishop will also bless the newly-built presbytery, belfry and Church hall on this occasion.

Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul will also preside over the stage programme after the Eucharistic celebration at 11:30 am.

Mangaluru diocese vicar general Msgr Denis M Prabhu, Ursuline Franciscan superior general Sr Doreen D’Souza, Mangaluru south deanery vicar Fr Gregory D’Souza, Karnataka state forest and DK district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, state health minister U T Khadar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D’Souza, ZP member Santhosh Kumar Boliyar, Bantwal taluk panchayat member Padmavati Sesappa Poojary, Fajir gram panchayat president Florin D’Souza will be the guests of honour.

'Eer Undara…?', a Tulu drama by Ln Devdas Kapikad will be staged at 6:30 pm as part of the entertainment programme.

The procession of head-load offerings (‘Vojem Purshavo’) will be held from old Church to the newly-built Church on Sunday December 7 at 3 pm.

A brief history of Fajir Church

Fajir, a place amongst the greenery is situated near Mangalore University, Konaje, 22 km from Mangalore city. The Church dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy here has a long history of 175 years. Before it became an independent parish in 1841, it was a part of Panir Church. During the course of history three Churches have emerged from this parish and thus this parish has become a mother Church for Ammembal, Mudipu and Elliarpadav Parishes. In 1991 this parish had celebrated its 150 years Jubliee.

The parish has St Jospeh’s Higher Primary School, it had created a history by becoming the first school in Fajir and has celebrated its centenary jubilee. Throughout the course of history many priests have served this parish and have worked and served the over here and nourished their faith. Now at present this parish has 470 families spread across 16 wards and each of the faithful stand here as a true witness to the values of the Gospels through their service and faith. This parish also has a chapel in Pavur – uliya having 40 families and their spiritual needs are looked after by Caphucin father from farangipet.

Because of some difficulties when a need for a new parish building arose, the people together with the present parish priest Fr Stany Pereira took up this project and have reached the completion. This whole work was possible through the selfless service by each and every parishioner of this parish,, donors and well wishers. The whole parish remains grateful to God and each and every person who have been the part of this project in their own way.