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Udupi: A rich tribute was given in the Barkur Church to one of their most loved and adored Vicar of yester years in departed Very Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca, on Thursday, 22nd August, 2024.
The Holy Mass was offered in the artistic and historical St Peters Church at 11.30 am. The main celebrant Rev Fr Cyprian Henry DSouza, SFX Pilar, native priest hailing from Barkur, recalled the divine and distinct qualities of Fr Valerian, in his well knitted crispy sermon, as he was one lived the Gospel in spirit and virtues. Rev Fr Sunil DSilva, Parish Priest of St Anthony Church Sastan con celebrated while the Choir team led by Mrs Irene Pais was at their best to extend soulful singing with most of the chosen hymns composed by Fr Valerian during the Holy Mass.
Immediately after the Church Service the faithful around 200 assembled in the adjacent Sauharda Hall at 12.15 pm, Mrs Reshma the Emcee for the stage programme gave a perfect start with the introduction – A multitalented person Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca was first a human and reached to all and sundries during his Five years as Vicar of Barkur in 2012 – 2017. In his emotionally soaked welcoming address Fr Cyprian Henry expressed his happiness to find spontaneous presence of parishioners as they loved and treated their pastor as one of the family members.
We as family members of late Fr Valerian remain indebted to his Admirers & Beneficiaries of our brother, for this exceptionally good arrangements to pay rich tribute to him with requiem Mass, Nudinamana and specially a voluminous book about Fr Valerian. Sr Rose Agnes, AC younger sister was literally in tears, ‘Probably its first of its kind in the Diocese, as you organised such an honour to our brother. She eloquently touched upon Fr. Mendonca’s childhood and he was born and destined to be in the service of God and His men…’
Mr Alwyn Andrade, ace social and master cultural icon in the locality shared some nostalgic experiences in the company of Fr Valerian as he gave his personal experiences who is one framed his future and career as one photographer and video maker in those testing years by allowing to utilise his hymns and necessary guidance…
While narrating the role of Fr Valerian as Vicar while Mrs Eugene Quadrus as the Vice President of the Parish pastoral Council, she had all prises for his noteworthy involvement and encouragement in each and every activity in the Church. She continued ‘it was a divine blessing to celebrate 150 Post Centenary Golden Jubilee of the Parish in 2013 not only with all pomp and splendour but was a n opportunity to the parish family to come together’.
The Chief Guest of the ceremonies Rev Fr Sunil DSilva focussed on his journey with Fr Valerian from Class X till his mentors passing away on 3rd July 2024. It was a fairy tale expression of Fr Valerian as an English teacher, Principal and in recent years as Dean of Kallianpur varado. ‘A devout life, of nobility, knowledge and concern for the needs of priests was exemplary and one in million’ he told.
Then it was the time to release the Souvenir. Editor in Charge who had the credit of publishing around seven books, Prof P. Archibald Furtado, gave a crispy overview of the book, which will contain 136 pages, 94 in black and white and 42 in colour, no advertisements. More than 40 writers of fame and name especially hailing from Barkur and exceptionally a few selected from outside. It is composed with articles in three languages Konkani, Kannada and English and 4 precious write-ups from his Hindu friends and admirers. The artistic and meaningful cover pages were designed by Kishoo Barkur deserves special mention, Prof Furtado observed.
Book was officially released for public by all the guests on the dais and Rev Fr Cyprian Henry in his concluding remarks thanked each everyone contributed for this monumental work especially the generous donors and philanthropist Mr Walter DAlmeida, a native Barkurian now settled in UAE and all well-wishers come forward without asking exclusively for the reverence and regards they had for Fr Valerian.
Prof Jude Alfred Furtado officially thanked everyone who worked behind this rare event of its own kind in Barkur, a Tribute to a Vicar served in Barkur for five wonderful years. The well decorated Fr Valerian’s portrait was offered petals of flowers as a mark of respect. In the beginning, Mrs Irene Pais and the Choir Team sung prayers and to concluded the well attended programme with thanks giving hymn with soothing music.
Simple but delicious lunch was served to all gathered and the Souvenir Book distributed one per family as a relic of Fr Valerian.
From official sources.
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