Parish Priests

popularly loved as 'POKI' Padryab

Rev. Fr F. X. D’Souza visited the Church on every Sunday and celebrated Mass and attended to the spiritual needs of the parishioners. It was under his leadership the Church was built. The presbytery with three bedrooms, a dining room and a kitchen were also built by him. Rev. Fr  Henry Machado was appointed as the First Parish Priest of Corpus Christi Church, Moodbidri.  He took care of the rest of the material that was necessary for the presbytery. He also arranged for things required for the Church. Coconut saplings were planted in the Church compound. He also united all the families that were chosen to form the Corpus Christi parish from the parishes of Hospet, Alangar and Taccode. He united all the youngsters and formed AICUF (All India Catholic Univesity Federation). Rev. Fr Henry Machado became a popular figure even among non-Christian communities. He was the president of Rotary Club too. With the help of Mr. B. A. Saldanha he bought a plot of land in Masthikatte and turned it into cemetery for the parish. He also furnished the Church with benches.

Rev. Fr Maurice Paula took over as the Parish Priest in 1976. He built the compound wall of the Church. He painted and beautified the Church. He installed pictures of the Stations of the Cross. He also erected the Sanctuary and beautified the floor of the Church with mosaics. He erected the Arch at the Entrance gate. He started the sodality for men and women and also formed the Society of Third Order of St. Francis. He really worked hard to give solid spiritual formation to the parishioners through his homilies. It was during his tenure as the Parish Priest that the parishioners imbibed devotion and discipline.

Rev. Fr Charles Saldanha took over as the third Parish Priest in 1984. He became very popular among the parishioners for his simplicity, humility and affectionate nature. He extended the roof of the Church with metal sheet all around to prevent the doors and windows from getting wet during the rainy season. He regularly visited the families of the Parish and was ever ready to extend a helping hand to all those in need. Unfortunately he expired within four years of his service in the Parish.  His death sent shock waves among the Parishioners. His last rites were performed with great honour with brass band. All the parishioners were literally in tears. Witnessing the love and affection shown by the parishioners to Rev. Fr. Charles Saldanha at his funeral Rev. Fr. Joseph Mathias exclaimed ‘may the Lord grant me a similar end’. Exactly after three years when he died, he too was given a similar loving farewell.

Before Rev. Fr. Joseph Mathias took over as the parish priest, Rev. Fr Andrew Rodrigues served the parish for six months. He arranged for the water supply to the Church. His service with a smile is very much remembered by the parishioners with gratitude even today.

In 1991 the parish had a new young Vicar of 78 years. This vicar was none other than Rev. Fr L. S. Pais,  popularly known as ‘bhangrallya rongacho vigar’ (vicar of golden colour). Though Rev. Fr Pais served for only a year in the parish he has greatly contributed to the development of the Church.  He built the belfry. He also celebrated the golden jubilee of his priesthood and he brought tremendous unity among the parishioners.

The year 1992 saw a new vicar in the person of Rev. Fr Mark Valder. Fr Valder collected funds by organizing ‘Mandd Sobhann’, a musical nite and installed a sound system in the Church with the proceeds from it. He also organized ‘Charismatic Retreat’ for five days at Varado level in Moodbidri. He also organized ‘Melwyn Peris Nite’ and the proceeds went to the construction of three houses for poor families and to fund the activities of the youth of the parish.

He also added the first floor to the presbytery and built a new office with help of ‘Church of Need’ in Germany. From the funds raised from the parishioners and well wishers a hall was also built. By organizing meetings of the families in every ward, Rev. Fr Mark Valder promoted love, understanding and helping nature among the parishioners. Among the other things that were done by Rev. Fr. Mark Walder was the building of a hall to conduct meeting and catechism classes.

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