CYM Barkur – Where a 50-Year Journey Began..
A tribute to Founders of CYM Barkur 1976.
Some moments fade with time. Some memories refuse to, and some beginnings, though seemingly ordinary on the day they happened, go on to shape history.
Sunday evening of 12th September 1976 was one such moment in Barkur.
A small flashback of the time..:
Looking back after five decades, the memories of those days remain remarkably fresh. Just a few months earlier, in May 1976, Barkur had witnessed an emotional farewell to the assistant priest Fr Stany Tauro, who had completed a colourful and memorable three-year tenure in the parish. It was a tearful adieu—and for the first time, I noticed a few drops of tears in the eyes of the then octogenarian Vicar, Rev. Fr Joseph D’Souza.
That sight itself spoke volumes about the affection and bond Fr Tauro had built during his early years in Barkur.
Fr Tauro had truly made a difference. During those three years, he had moved beyond being merely the parish priest; he had become an integral part of the life and spirit of the Barkur parish community, especially youth and children...
Earlier, when Fr Mark D’Sa was transferred in May 1973, to Pakshikere, our own Aab Padyab had categorically stated that he could manage the parish single-handedly. But Fr Tauro made a big difference. His energy, vision and involvement touched people in a special way and endeared him to the entire parish community and right hand of Vicar....
A fitting replacement in Fr Henry D’Souza.
Ordained a priest in 1976, this young priest was specially chosen by Bishop and sent to Barkur. Little did anyone realise then that his arrival would mark the beginning of another remarkable chapter in the history of the parish.
The Seeds Were Sown
The months of June, July and August 1976 became a period of orientation, interaction and exchange of ideas between Fr Henry and the youngsters of Barkur.
Bishop's pastoral visit was held on 2nd to 4th August and Fr Henry realised how difficult to manage without youth...!
During these three months, he spent considerable time meeting and interacting with young people, listening to them, understanding their aspirations and exchanging ideas.
Those interactions gradually convinced Fr Henry that the youngsters needed a platform of their own—a place where they could come together, share their ideas and talents, develop their leadership qualities and contribute meaningfully to the parish and society.
And then came the day that changed the course of our lives.
Immediately after the Feast of the Nativity, on a Sunday 12th September at 4.00 p.m., Fr Henry called the first official meeting. Students of Class X and above were invited to attend. The meeting took place on the left-side lawns of the Church.
Three persons led that historic first gathering—Fr Henry D’Souza, Augustine Dias and Jerry Buthello.
We went there simply as youngsters responding to a call. We had absolutely no idea that we were about to become witnesses to a great beginning—the laying of the foundation and the first steps of a journey that would continue for 50 long years.
There were no grand plans, no elaborate arrangements and certainly no thought that the little gathering on the church lawns would one day become part of Barkur’s history.
But history often begins quietly.
Looking back today, the faces of those early days come alive in my memory.
A few names I can vividly recall are:
Joseph D’Souza
Lawrence A. Sequeira
Peter Fernandes
Ronald D’Almeida
Alwyn D’Souza
Patrick Furtado
Sylvan D’Almeida
Peter Crasta
Michael Sequeira
Hensul Furtado
Louis D’Costa
James Gonsalves
John Gonsalves
Mark Gonsalves
Alfred Fernandes
Jerry D’Almeida
A few more names I can't recollect exactly....
And then there were my classmates in Class X who were part of those memorable beginnings:
Ivan M. Rebello
Alwyn Picardo
Romeo Fernandes
Archibald Furtado
Joseph Fernandes
Richard Barnes
Peter D'Souza.
We were young. We were enthusiastic. We were full of ideas and dreams, but completely unaware of what the future held.
Fifty years later, we now know.
That modest gathering on the church lawns was not merely another youth meeting. It was the first page of a remarkable story—a story of friendship, faith, service, leadership, fellowship and countless cherished memories.
Parallel to young men, similar gatherings were taking place in the Maryknoll Girl's High School grounds for PU and College going women in the parish under the guidance of Sr Lucretia.What initially begun as a cohesive Choir team, developed into a 'CYM Ladies wing' under Shanthi Sequeira's leadership, with couple of dozen enthusiastic youngsters. (Though the activities and programmes organised together, in 1978, once Fr Patrick Rodrigues took charge as Director both units were combined as CYM Barkur)
What began with a handful of youngsters in September 1976, in the magical hands of Fr Henry DSouza, went on to touch the lives of hundreds of young men and women across generations.
Today, as we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of CYM Barkur – 1976–2026, we look back with immense gratitude and emotion.
We did not know that we were making history.
We were simply young people answering a call.
But Providence had already written a much bigger story for us.
And what a journey it has been!
From a few young hearts on the church lawns of Barkur to a golden legacy of five decades—this is the story of CYM Barkur.