St. Anthony's Parish and Friary

The friars from Asha Kiran reached me to Hossanagar by a Jeep. It was a jolly and joyful ride. Br. Fredrik along with Br. Anil and a Bangalore Diocesan priest reached me safely to Hossanagar where Br. Peter Mendonca, we studied together in Mysore and Bangalore was waiting for us. He had prepared a very good lunch. It was all fish and no meat. Here in India, during the Lent season the Christians avoid meat but fish is eaten. Br Peter warmly greeted and welcomed us. The climate in this place is very pleasant throughout the year. The people here cultivate ginger, paddy and coffee. The place is a small town and there are three communities, Hindus, Muslims and Christians living in peace and harmony…….

I too rest after the lunch. At around 4pm Br. Peter took me around in the town on foot. He doesn't have vehicle and does all his works by using public transport which is not so good but he manages. The town is old and has a beauty of an old kingdom type. We visited the cemetery of the parish and prayed for the departed souls of the parishioners. On our return we passed by a lake where they were catching fish. We bought some fish, fresh and tasty….sweet water fish….

In the evening we had our one hour prayer service and followed by dinner. Br. Peter had a lot to share of the parish and his experience as a pastor for last 25 years in various parishes that the province has. He recounted his positive and negative, sufferings and joys of a pastor. He loves to be with people and does all that he can for the poor people. He is completing here his term and now after the chapter he is willing to go anywhere as a pastor…..good for him.

St. Anthony’s parish has been given to the Capuchins by the diocese of Shivmoga. The friars have worked hard for the parish to be what it is today. It is small with 100 families but well organised and the friars take good pastoral care of the parishioners. This friary was once as a post noviciate and then it was shifted. An ideal place for formation. 

 Re-union of old friends....we were together in the formation house....

 Friars from Bhadravati reached me to Hossanagar

 Renovated cemetery.....

 A lovely tasty live fish.....

 Kitchen garden...he grows al the vegetables...he waters every day....

 Its about 2 acres of Land....he works....coconuts and Pepper is cultivated...

 A lovely friary....well kept and clean....Br. Peter works and sees that it is clean...

 The Church and a multi purpose Hall....all Catholics, Muslims and Hindus have celebrations in this Hall...of course they pay minimum