Brief History Of Gudumakunta Parish

Udumala George Reddy, a parishioner of St Cecilia’s Parish, Dayanandnagar being a great devotee of Fatima mata and being a developer/builder by profession expressed his desire to build a church in honor of Fatima mata on his property in Kundanpally village in Godumakunta gram panchayat of Keesara Mandal. He was willing to donate about 500 sq yards. But when the Archbishop, foreseeing the eventual development of the place, expressed his desire to have some more land, he agreed to part with 700 sq yards more at the lowest price possible. Hence a piece of land adjacent to the main road, measuring a total of 1233.5 sq yards (1031.2 sq meters) in Survey No. 68/B, Godumakunta Village, Keesara Mandal was registered in the favor of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad Society.

Although a sizable catholic presence does not exist at Kundanpally-Godumakunta, the Archdiocesan concern was to invest in view of the future development of the place. Hence with some advances and contributions by the Archdiocese, St Joseph’s Parish Moula-ali, and family & friends, George Reddy undertook the construction. The compound wall was completed in May 2016 and work on the Church began in August 2016. There were many hurdles for the progress of the church construction. The Church was only partially complete by May 2017. Intending to commemorate the centenary of the Marian apparitions at Fatima, the Church was blessed on Saturday 13.05.2017 by Most Rev Thumma Bala, Archbishop of Hyderabad. The inaugural Mass was well attended by about 500 people.

Due to the churning of a strong anti-sentiment, on Sunday morning i.e. 21.05.2017 at about 9.00 am, a group of about 100 people attacked the Church and vandalized it. There was no service in progress at that time. The mob raised slogans and attacked the watchman. While threatening him they broke open the main gate and entering into the campus broke the glass of the Main Door of the Church. Upon entering the Church, they totally destroyed the Crucifix, the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, the Main Altar, the two reading stands, chairs, all the lights, switch boards, etc. Even a portion of the parapet wall was demolished. Never before in Hyderabad did anything like this ever happen.

Following this desecration a series of activities were suggested by the Archbishop as Reparation for the vandalism perpetrated. On 30.05.2017 the Archbishop presided over the Holy Mass and reparatory service at the Archdiocesan level. On 02.06.2017 every parish in the Archdiocese conducted two-hour Eucharistic adoration as reparation for the desecration. On 03.06.2017 the Holy Rosary was recited in every parish in solidarity. On 09.06.2017 all priests and religious were urged to fast and pray privately. On the same day a ritual cleansing of the place was to be performed by the Vicar General, Msgr Swarna Bernard accompanied by some priests, religious and laity.

For a few months after this no further activity was undertaken. But from January 2018 onwards, Holy Mass was celebrated on every 2nd Saturday of the month. A small community of devotees gathered every month to beseech the Lord through the intercession of Fatima mata.

When Dammaiguda was erected as a parish in 2018, Godumakunta was placed under its pastoral care. Under the guidance of Fr Aloysius, the parish priest of Dammaiguda, the remaining works were undertaken with funds from Dammaiguda parish. Then as newer layouts were being made in the areas around the Church, it was felt best to bifurcate Godumakunta-Kundanpally from Dammaiguda and appoint a priest with independent charge of the Church. The Cardinal with the college of consultors consented to the proposal and appointed Fr Dodda Bala as the Priest-in-charge of the new Quasi-Parish at Godumakunta on 08.05.2023.

The entire land where the Church is situated is donated by Udumala George Reddy, while the Priest's Residence in the ground floor and the Church in the first floor was completed with funds from Dammaiguda parish, the Archdiocese of Hyderabad, Propaganda Fide, Moula-ali parish and several other individual donors.

Under the maternal gaze, protection and guidance of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Fatima, Godumakunta-Kundanpally has a bright future.