History of Halbarga Mission Centre

The word “Anugraha” meaning divine blessing was adopted by the Capuchins of Karnataka Province when the Halbarga Mission area was handed over to them by the bishop of Mangalore Diocese Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloyisus Paul D’Souza in the year 2000.

Capuchin Presence in Bidar:- The Capuchins were the first men religious to step into Bidar Mission which was a part of Mangalore Diocese and wholly administered by the diocesan clergy and some women religious hailing from Mangalore. The main purpose of inviting the Capuchins to Bidar mission was to take care of the spiritual needs of the Diocesan clergy and also the women religious. Fr. Balize Rodrigues, the newly ordained Capuchin priest ventured into this mission and made his abode at Bhalki Centre in the year 2000. The three sub-stations (Siddeshwara, Huppala and Hunji) were bifurcated from Bhalki Mission and handed over to the Capuchins on 15.01.2001. A piece of land measuring 4 acres was purchased by the Capuchins on the mid-way of Bidar-Bhalki road in order to establish their presence permanently. A small shed gave shelter to the Capuchins for more than 5 years. A modest house known as “Anugraha Ashram” with only ground floor and a small chapel was blessed and inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Michael Miranda, the bishop of Gulbarga Diocese on 30th May, 2007.

Formation House:- Later the provincial definitory decided to construct the first floor and establish the formation stage of orientation in the Friary. In 2008, the first batch of orientation students arrived here and completed the academic year with much difficulty and hardship. The second batch of orientation students had to migrate to Hosanagar within 2 months of their stay here due to lack of water, hard climate and many other unbearable problems. Hence the ever first formation house in the diocese of Gulbarga was found a great set back.

School Ministry:- In 2010, the bishop of Gulbarga, seeing the huge edifice vacant, due to the migration of Orientation Students to Hosanagar, said : “Use it or I will do something”. It was this compulsion which made us think of using it for a school. As the big house with several classrooms and halls went vacant the idea of starting a school crept in. Fr. George Monis took the challenge of starting a school in the existing building with just handful of students. Due to the dedicated efforts of the staff and management in collaboration with the DSS sisters the school received a wider publicity. To date, in the year 2013, the school has reached to Std. III and has strength of 248 students in six classes (Nursery, LKG, UKG, Std. I, II & III). The arrival of the new principal Bro. Victor Crasta with his vast 15 years experience in the school ministry has given rise to new and creative ideas and the school is in the proper foothold.

Pastoral Ministry:- The three catholic substations, viz., Siddeshwara, Huppala and Hunaji are given top priority in our apostolate. In each we have a modest chapel and the Catholics are regularly taken care spiritually and many are helped for their educational needs. The DSS sisters who assist the Capuchins give a strong hand in the growth and development of this mission area. The new stations that are ministered are Kon-Melkunda, Halipparaga, Kosam, Jyanthi, Dhanura, Tegampura, Nelgi, Thanda and Khanapura will soon join our catholic fold. In all these areas there is a strong presence of other Christian denominations and their children frequent our school for their educational needs. By and large many of these have expressed their desire to become Catholics as they do not receive sufficient spiritual and other care from their pastors. A modest chapel has to be erected in all these stations in order to cater to their spiritual needs if they have to be converted into our faith. The faith formation team is doing regular spiritual ministry in these new stations. The people too actively take part in all the spiritual activities and time and again they join in the main centre at Halbarga during the feast of their patron saint on October 4th and during the Christmas and Easter Celebrations. The long 7 years dedicated services of Fr. Francis Fernandes, the present director cum parish priest of this area has borne fruits and has welcomed several faithful to our fold.

Deena Sevanasabha:- The sisters belonging to the Nirmala Province of Deena Sevanasabha were invited by the bishop of Gulbarga Diocese to render spiritual assistance together with the parish priest to the people of God in Halbarga centre. A piece of land measuring 2 acres was purchased by the bishop of Gulbarga just adjacent to our Ashram. A simple convent building was financed and furnished by the bishop himself and was inaugurated by Sr. Jamuna, the Assistant Superior General and blessed by his Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Michael Miranda on 15th December 2009. Presently three sisters reside in this convent under the leadership of Sr. Anitta and render their yeomen services to our centre, such as:- 1) ministry in our school, 2) faith formation, 2) social work.

- By Bro. Victor Crasta, OFM Cap.
 

The Friars who rendered service at Anugraha Ashram

No	Name	From	To	Designation
01	Fr. Blaize Rodrigues	15.01.2001	21.06.2005	Superior/Parish Priest
02	Bro. Antony Monteiro	10.08.2003	16.08.2004	Member
03	Bro. Cletus Anand Santmajor	16.08.2004	15.12.2005	Member
04	Fr. Dominic Savio Viegas	21.06.2005	03.08.2008	Superior/Parish Priest
05	Fr. Gerald Viegas	15.06.2005	18.04.2006	Member
06	Fr. Maxim Nazareth	21.06.2007	01.06.2008	Member
07	Fr. Francis Xavier Fernandes	21.06.2006	25.05.2014	Parish Priest
08	Fr. Manohar D’Souza	03.08.2008	01.08.2009	Superior/Director
09	Fr. Arun Kumar	01.05.2008	01.05.2009	Asst. Director
10	Fr. Archie Lewis	03.07.2008	01.08.2009	Spiritual Director
11	Bro. Vijesh Lyod Menezes	24.06.2009	08.08.2009	Regent
12	Bro. Prashanth Noronha	20.06.2009	06.08.2009	Regent
13	Fr. George Monis	21.05.2010	26.05.2013	Superior/ Principal
14	Fr. Lourdswamy	18.04.2011	till date	Member
15	Bro. Victor Crasta	26.05.2013	till date	Superior/Principal
16	Fr. Joslie Francis D’Silva	25.05.2014	till date	Parish Priest