About Parish Priest
Little about our New Vicar of Barkur.
Since June 2017, we were planning to write few words of introduction, about our New Vicar of Barkur, Rev. Fr. Philip Neri Aranha, in our website. By now most of the parishioners are familiar to him, since he personally visited most of the households…..Moreover he paid visit to Bangalore too to be the Guest during the patron St. Peter’s feast held in July 2017.
My acquaintance with Rev Father goes back to seven years or so, while he was serving as Parish Priest of Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte – Kallianpur. All credit goes to him, as he conceived, constructed, much needed, the present new Church in 2015. It’s a solid and very spacious church structure, with modern facilities, first one of its rare kind, in the new Udupi Diocese. Also it must be one of the largest at the moment, in the Diocese. This is modern, an architectural masterpiece, centre of attraction, now-a-days full of life…..and activities……….! One just cannot imagine, not long ago, difficulties with a very small church building vis-a-vis the importance of this location…….. and today for the comfort and convenience, preferred location for many Diocesan, District level, varado level seminars, conferences, get together and rallies are held over here…..Thanks to Rev Fr. Philip Neri Aranha…….
Once it was confirmed that, next assignment for such an active, talented builder and young priest is our Barkur, few like us astonished at the appointment…….Almighty’s plans may be different…..! Mostly, he has been selected to materialise the impossible, in our Barkur…….A holy place, having more than two centuries old Catholic habitation at this historical Barkur, demand, rather it’s a request of less privileged lot, to have an English Medium School, visualise and promote a Co-operative Housing Society, and most importantly renovate, repair and maintain the Century old Church Building…..!
Rev. Fr. Philip Neri was our Vicar at Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte - Kallianpur for last seven years. All credit goes to him, as he constructed, much needed, the present new Church in 2015, very spacious church structure, with modern facilities, first one of its rare kind, in the new Udupi Diocese. Also it must be one of the largest at the moment, in the Diocese.
Brief background:
He was the 3rd child of Late George and Theresa Aranha from Pangala, Shankarapura, who were blessed with 3 daughters and a son. Born on the Feast of St Philip Neri, on 26th May, 1967, had his early education in native, St John the Evangelist School, Shankerapura and PUC from SVS College, Katpady. He has done his graduation from St. Mary’s First Grade College Shirva. Joined St Joseph’s Seminary Mangalore in June, 1990 and ordained Priest on 20th April, 1998, at the age of 31.
For the last 19 years Fr. Philip Neri Aranha, served the following Parishes:
1998 – 2000 – Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar as Asst. Parish Priest
2000 -2001 – Milagres Church, Kallianpur as Asst. Parish Priest
2001 – 2003 – St Sebastian Church, Permannur Asst. Parish Priest
2003 – 2010 – Parish Priest – St. Anthony Church, Padukone.
2010 – 2017 – Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte - Kallianpur.
Youngest Parish priest of Barkur:
Rev. Fr. Philip Neri is one of the youngest Priests to be appointed as Parish Priest of Barkur in recent times, as he just celebrated his 51st Birthday, on 26th May, 2018....... Way back in 1950, Rev.Fr. Charles P. Nazareth was the youthful priest at his 45, and not to forget, Fr Alban D’Souza was at Barkur for just one year, in 2011, was just 44, and Asst. Vicar, then in 1980, late Rev. Fr. Patrick Rodrigues, at just, 29, was interim Parish Priest for a short period.
It was said; wherever Fr. Philip Neri goes he builds a New Church, as he has done it in his earlier tenures both at Padukone and Mount Rosary. We feel, Barkur hardly need a new Church at the moment, as the present Gothic style structure strong enough to be there for another 50 years. It’s spacious enough, to accommodate......Of course some maintenance / refurbishing may be looked into, and the opportune time just now than ever before, and he took the initiative and the work is progressing………………..............Whenever I get a chance to talk to him really startled to see his confidence level and faith in the benevolence of Patron St. Peter in particular and the Barkurians in general……! Yes father, Barkurians will never disappoint you….!
With regards,
P. Archibald Furtado.
