Twelve years ago, on 12 February 2000, Goa’s then Archbishop-Patriarch Dr. Raul Nicolau Gonsalves blessed another new church in Goa. This time it was in south Goa at Tilamola in Quepem taluka. I was there to witness the three-hour-long ceremony at this new Goa church, which was both solemn and spiritually . . . → Read More: Tilamola and Fr. Erlick de Souza of Saligao]]> by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

Twelve years ago, on 12 February 2000, Goa’s then Archbishop-Patriarch Dr. Raul Nicolau Gonsalves blessed another new church in Goa. This time it was in south Goa at Tilamola in Quepem taluka. I was there to witness the three-hour-long ceremony at this new Goa church, which was both solemn and spiritually very enriching. The huge modern church was filled to its capacity and the faithful took part in the ceremonies with due respect and attention.

Someone quipped at the end: “We did not feel tired because our hearts are rejoicing today, the time factor of three hours did not disturb us. To place our ancestors and us under the protection of Our Lady, the Mother of the Poor, our Patroness, is a very significant event and today we again pledge our faith in the Lord Jesus and Our Lady to guide us now and in the coming years.”

The new Goa church has been built at the same site where the previous, small church once stood. It took some years to get it ready, and, fighting all odds, the people of the area got together to help either with financial contributions or by working for free at the construction site.

I think that a little bit on the history of Tilamola Parish would not be out of place here. The faithful of this hamlet belonged to the parish of Zambaulim (Do you remember Zambaulim and its famous Zatra?). “At the request of the parishioners of the old Goa church of Zambaulim, belonging to the parish of Sanguem, a church was being built at Tilamola in the property donated by Luis Isaac Caridade de Souza, from Aldona on 15 December 1875. This edifice was blessed by Archbishop D. Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos (1875-1879) on 16 February 1879 and elevated to the category of the Parish Church by on 14 December 1880,” says an old Directory of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

From then on, the people of Tilamola had numerous Parish Priests. One of them was Fr. Ernesto Frederico Erlick de Souza (1917-1977) from Arrarim, Saligao. He was the son of Caetano Xavier Basilio de Souza and of Amarina Clotildes de Souza. He was born on 26 August 1917 and ordained priest by Patriarch D Jose da Costa Nunes on 24 April 1948, in the External Chapel at Paco Patriarcal in Panjim, Goa.

Soon after his ordination he was appointed as curate in Calangute, from 1948 to 1955, then became chaplain of Batpale Chapel in Canacona and worked there from 1955 to 1966. In 1966 he was appointed Vicar Oeconomus of Tilamola and stayed there until 1973. It was a vast parish geographically and he had to walk very long distances to attend to the various needs of his parishioners, administer the sacraments, apart from celebrating the Mass and taking care of his flock with pastoral zeal. He renovated the parish church and the parish house during his tenure and the parishioners installed a plaque in the church premises in recognition of his selfless service to the Tilamolians. This plaque now lies in a small museum built to preserve the old material of this parish.

When I attended the inauguration of the new Goa church in Tilamola, I met some older parishioners who still remembered Fr. Ernesto Erlick de Souza as “a saintly, helpful and dedicated priest who did so much for this missionary area.”

Fr. Ernesto Erlick de Souza’s final parish was Colvale in Bardez where he was the Parish Priest from 1973 to 1977 and where he died on 15 April 1977 all of a sudden. It was Easter season and the blessing of the homes was going on. He had finished blessing the last house when he suffered a massive heart attack and immediately rendered his soul to God being still in active service. The next day, 16 April 1977, he was buried at the Saligao Cemetery in the evening.

“I have always placed my life in the hands of God and acknowledged His loving hands in shaping the events of my life.”  This sums up the absolute trust in Divine Providence of the 67-year-old Goan Bishop of Bassein in Burma (now Myanmar) whose life I am briefly describing here.

His . . . → Read More: The Bishop of Bassein in Burma]]> by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

“I have always placed my life in the hands of God and acknowledged His loving hands in shaping the events of my life.”  This sums up the absolute trust in Divine Providence of the 67-year-old Goan Bishop of Bassein in Burma (now Myanmar) whose life I am briefly describing here.

His Lordship Most Rev. Joseph Valerius Sequeira was from Sequeira-vaddo of Arrarim de Saligao, Goa. He was born in Zanzibar on 22^nd February 1917.  His parents were Joaquim Valerian Sequeira and Ismania Francisca Sequeira originally from Saligao.  His parents migrated to Burma from Zanzibar in 1920 taking the infant Valerius along with them to Rangoon. Valerius was the youngest of five children of his parents, four of whom resided in Bombay. He was the brother-in-law of the late Richard Durante, one of the founders and a past president of the Saligao Union, Bombay who rendered yeoman’s service to the Union which has since been renamed as Saligao Association, Mumbai.

The young Valerius had a brilliant academic career.  He completed the two-year Latin course in just six months. Fluent in Burmese, English and French, he translated the Liturgy into Burmese.

He was ordained priest on 21^st December 1939 at the age of 22 years and 8 months and on 20^th October 1984, Joseph Valerius Sequeira was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Bassein, Myanmar, and Titular Bishop of Fissiana at the age of 67 years and 7 months.

He was ordained Bishop on 17^th January, 1985 aged 67 years and 9 months as Titular Bishop of Fissiana, the Principal Consecrator being Bishop Sebastian U. Shwe Yank and Principal Co-Consecrators being Bishop Abraham Than and Archbishop Mathias U. Shwe at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Bassein.  He was appointed Bishop of Bassein, Myanmar, on 24^th January 1986 aged 68 years and 9 months.  He retired as Bishop of Pathein, Myanmar (Burma) on 22^nd February 1992 aged 75 and died at the age of 80 years and seven months on 24^th October 1997 as Bishop Emeritus of Pathein, Myanmar.  He was Bishop for 12 years and 8 months.

The Latin name of the Diocese was: Basseinensis (Bassein) and it was erected on 1^st January 1955, Metropolitan being Archdiocese of Rangoon. The name of the Diocese of Bassein was changed into Diocese of Pathein (Diocese of Patheinensis) on 8^th October 1991, Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Yangon and Country is known as Myanmar.  The Catholics of Pathein Diocese belong to the Latin (Roman) Rite.

During the governance of Most Rev. Joseph Valerius Sequeira the total population of Bassein was 3,574,401.  The Catholics numbered 57,752.

While away in Burma Bishop Sequeira evinced keen interest in Saligao.  As a young priest during the Second World War when Rangoon was bombed and the Goans in Burma suffered there, his famous saying was, “Every person is a member of struggling humanity and so merits understanding and compassion.”  It is a pity that Bishop Sequeira never reached Saligao.  He attempted to come in July 1985 to Bombay and Saligao but it was not to be.  He is the fifth Goan priest from Saligao to be raised to the Episcopate.

When I was a newly ordained priest, I was riding in a car driven by another who was many years my senior. In our conversation, I told him a story I had read about St. John of the Cross. It seems that John had been seriously misunderstood by others and had . . . → Read More: Fr. Albert Saldanha: A remarkable priest]]> by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

When I was a newly ordained priest, I was riding in a car driven by another who was many years my senior. In our conversation, I told him a story I had read about St. John of the Cross. It seems that John had been seriously misunderstood by others and had endured much suffering as a result. In the end, our Lord appeared to him, and thanked John for his spirit of faith. Then he promised to grant any one wish that John might ask. The little saint asked our Lord: “To be further humiliated and despised for your sake.”

My elderly priest friend, Fr. Albert Saldanha, moaned loudly: “What a terrible wish. Why would John ever ask for that?”

So I asked him: “If you were promised any one wish, what would you ask for?”

His reply has stayed with me all these years. And I must say that it makes more sense to me than the request of St. John of the Cross. Fr. Albert said simply: “I would ask that Jesus might be known and loved by everyone.” I promised him that if I ever told or wrote the story of St. John of the Cross, I would tell Albert’s story, adding some more examples of his own priestly life.

His full name is Alberto Germano Saldanha, son of Vitorino Francisco Saldanha (one of the leading businessmen of East Africa in his time) and of Maria Vitória Conceição da Cruz, from Arrarim in Saligao. He was born on 11^th October 1915 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Having concluded his theological course in March 1942 at the Rachol Seminary in Goa, Albert was ordained priest at Rachol Seminary Church on 3^rd October 1942 by Patriarch D. José da Costa Nunes. Fr. Albert celebrated his first Mass at Mae de Deus Church in Saligao on 1^st November 1942. He was then appointed Curate at Assagao (1943-1946); at Immaculate Conception Church, Pune (1949-1952); and, finally, as Parish Priest at St. Lawrence Church, Sinquerim (1952-1991). He brought out a commemorative souvenir on St. Lawrence Parish, Sinquerim (1688-1988), which is one of the best. Consequently he retired to his home at DeMelovaddo in Saligao after 39 years of service at Sinquerim.

Fr. Albert was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Saligao Church Centenary Celebrations (1873-1973) and a Souvenir of Mae de Deus, Saligao was brought out on that occasion.

Fr Albert Saldanha died on 10^th November 1999. At the funeral Mass his two nephews Fr. Desmond D’Souza, CSsR, and Fr. Julian Saldanha, SJ, spoke. In the funeral oration, Fr. Desmond said: “Fr. Albert visited the prisoners at Aguada Jail and when a notorious criminal was released he came to see Fr. Albert in Saligao. While returning home the criminal was smiling, obviously helped with money by Fr. Albert. He was generous always, without asking for anything in return. He showed mercy and generosity towards others.”

Fr. Julian said at the beginning of the Mass: “He helped quite some people in the Seminary and gave to the parish donations for the prayer room at Saligao Church. His contribution to the Sinquerim Church was notorious — he made the church into a tourist spot!!”

He donated his house to the Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception (FHIC) and was instrumental in seeing the two homes for the aged in Cotula, Saligao, handed over to the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King.  May the memory of Fr. Albert Saldanha never die.

One of the most startling lines I have ever read in any book was in The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. Anne wrote the book while she was being hunted down by the Nazis. While she was literally running for her life, Anne Frank wrote this in . . . → Read More: Spreading cheer]]> by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

One of the most startling lines I have ever read in any book was in The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. Anne wrote the book while she was being hunted down by the Nazis. While she was literally running for her life, Anne Frank wrote this in her diary, “I do believe that deep within his heart, every person is good.” When I read that line and considered the circumstances under which it was written, I kept asking: Do you really believe that, Anne Frank, do you?  With all the malice that you are experiencing, in the midst of all hatred directed towards you because you have Jewish blood in your veins, while you are in hiding and frightened by every noise, can you really believe that ? Is it true that every person, deep within his heart, is good?

I also recall encountering a very healthy view of others at the Sada Jail, Mormugao. I was visiting a prisoner there. While being admitted with the other visitors, I found myself walking next to Sister Mary Jane, SFN ( née Rita Pinto), from Cotula in Saligao, who was exuding love and greeting everyone around her. Sr. Mary Jane was doing her best to make the dismal atmosphere of the prison seem cheerful. I finally said to her, “I think that you must spread a great amount of cheer in this world. You really like people, don’t you? She replied, “Oh, thank you. You know there are no strangers in my world. There are just brothers and sisters, some of whom I haven’t met.”  I kept on looking at her. She really meant that. In her deepest self she really meant that. No wonder she was happy and loving.

On 31^st May, 2011, Sr. Mary Jane celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a religious belonging to Holy Family of Nazareth, Sancoale. Among the number of important posts she held in her religious life all these 50 years of dedicated service to her congregation and to society, what comes to my mind at this moment is her wholehearted dedication to the Prison Ministry in the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman. Twice she has held the post of Superior General of her congregation. May her life and service be emulated by many young girls who will also decide to dedicate themselves to the service of the Lord and humanity. This is a short tribute to Sr. Mary Jane on this great occasion in her life.

The Goan daily newspapers of 19th March 2002 reported the death of Rev. Canon Jose Roberto Vaz, ex-Parish Priest of Saligao. He had passed away a day earlier in the village of Raia, Salcete, Goa, the village from where he hailed.

Nine years ago the news of his death filled me . . . → Read More: The Good Pastor Of Saligao]]> by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

The Goan daily newspapers of 19th March 2002 reported the death of Rev. Canon Jose Roberto Vaz, ex-Parish Priest of Saligao. He had passed away a day earlier in the village of Raia, Salcete, Goa, the village from where he hailed.

Nine years ago the news of his death filled me with remorse, but I remembered with fondness the days of my association with this noble priest of God during my youth. Whilst in that mood, I prayed for the repose of Fr. Jose’s soul and remembered his spirituality, which was based on the conviction: “We must be ready for what the Lord wants of us.” He remained true to this belief, even during the illness before his death.

Fr. Roberto came to the Saligao Church as a young assistant to the Parish Priest Monsenhor Antonio Francisco Domingos das Merces Melo (1947-1954), from Verna, Salcete, in 1947. After the transfer of Mons. Antonio das Merces Melo, he became Vicar Oeconomus of the Parish of Saligao from 4th July 1954 to 1957.

With the arrival of Fr. Roberto in 1947, the sleepy village of Saligao suddenly began to burst into activity. Mounted on his Raleigh cycle, Fr. Roberto rode around the whole village despite a rainy August and began gathering young and old for the novenas of Our Lady of Vitoria in August-September, 1947. His enchanting ways drew many to the temple of the Lord. The children, with flowers in their baskets, walked daily in procession and deposited them at the foot of our Lady during her novenas. He taught us to sing “Devache Mate”, Monti Solegini, Bodduveanchi Tum Ge Ranni” and “Argam Ditam tuka Saibinni” with the Saligao Choir in attendance under the choir-master Eustaquinho de Souza, from Pequeno Morod.

Fr Roberto was tall, thinly built, fair in complexion and full of enthusiasm. With his characteristic charm, he began to gather the children for catechism, and though each class had its own teacher, he got us all around him and gave us a solid grounding in the tenets of the Catholic faith. He knew all of us by our names. If he noticed that a particular boy or a girl had not come for Sunday classes, he was there at the home inquiring about the whereabouts. He was strict, but at the same time kind and considerate.

He saw to it that the youth of Saligao got involved in church matters. He was on constant vigil to keep them from going astray, and came down hard on the mischievous boys who were keen to pluck the coconuts from trees on the property between the church and the cemetery – Fr. Roberto would spot the rascals from the belfry of the church and one shrill whistle from him was enough to send them running helter-skelter.

Fr. Roberto was blessed with keen eyesight and sported a beard which remained with him until his death. He denounced loose morals from the pulpit and discouraged the youth from frequenting places that could spoil their character. To keep them meaningfully occupied, he staged plays in the village and selected young people to star in these teatros. These plays invariably had a moral, and Fr Roberto used them as a means to inculcate doctrine and sound morals into the youth of the village.

He used the church compound for football training, and organised day-long sports galas for children and adults during the Yuletide season. But Fr. Roberto is remembered most for his Dekhivont Tiatrs that he held every year in January and May. All the singers and actors for these dramas were from Saligao. He was present for every practice in the parochial school, and he instilled discipline in us. Periodically he held retreats for the youth at Fr. Herminio Pinto’s house behind the church. He had able Assistants in Fr. Antonio Felipe Pais and Fr. Nuno da Cruz.

To promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life from the village of Saligao, Fr. Roberto invited young seminarians from Rachol to give talks to the youngsters. Consequently, quite a few young lads and lasses showed signs of wanting to join the seminary and convent. I was one of them.

He encouraged good singing during the liturgy of that time, and also explained in detail the proceedings that were then conducted in Latin. None can forget his teaching of catechism to the elders? He used a unique method to impart sound doctrinal knowledge of faith, morals and character building to people of all ages, conducting special sessions for children around the “cadeira de estaçao” in the nave of the church. The baptismal index dating from 1900, which we nowhave in the Saligao Church, was initiated and maintained by a team under the guidance of Fr Roberto.

After being ordained priest on 26th October 1944, Fr Jose Roberto Vaz served the Church in Goa with great zeal and enthusiasm, in various capacities. He was prefect of one of the boarding houses (comensalidade) at Rachol, from June 1944 to March 1946. Later on he was assistant in Cuncolim (July1946 to January1947) and then in Saligao (January 1947 to June1954). He became the Parish Priest of Saligao (1954-1957). He was also Parish Priest of Parra (1959-1974) and of Navelim (1974-1991). He was the Spiritual Director of the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligao-Pilerne, from 1957 to1969.

After over 15 years of pastoral ministry in the populous and vast Navelim Parish, Fr. Roberto left behind a flourishing educational institution with its own buildings and all the necessary foundation for future progress. Then he retired and went to live in his native village of Raia. The Ecclesiastical authorities thanked him with deep gratitude for the services he had rendered with zeal and dedication to the Archdiocese. On 29th October1992 he was appointed Canon of the Cathedral Chapter (Cabido de Se), Old Goa.

Fr Jose Roberto Vaz passed away on 18th March 2002 at Raia. The funeral rite at his home was performed by his relative Canon Santana Faleiro, from Raia, followed by the concelebrated mass presided over by Most Rev. Raul N Gonsalves, Archbishop Patriarch, at the Raia Church. The homily at the funeral Mass was preached by Fr. Antonio Filipe Pais, his former assistant at Saligao Church. He was laid to rest at Raia Cemetery on the evening of 19th March 2002, the feast day of St. Joseph, his patron saint.

A few days ago I wrote about Fr John Cajetan Felix D’Silva, who celebrated his Silver Jubilee as a priest. Let me now tell pay tribute to our three Golden Jubilarians – Fr. Almir de Sousa, Fr. Thomas de Sousa and Fr. Casimiro D’Mello – who were ordained priests in December . . . → Read More: Fifty Years Of Dedicated Service]]> by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

A few days ago I wrote about Fr John Cajetan Felix D’Silva, who celebrated his Silver Jubilee as a priest. Let me now tell pay tribute to our three Golden Jubilarians – Fr. Almir de Sousa, Fr. Thomas de Sousa and Fr. Casimiro D’Mello – who were ordained priests in December 1960, and celebrated their 50 golden years of service to God and His people in December 2010.

Rev. Fr. José Isidoro Almir Mérulo de Sousa from Grande Morod, Saligao is the son of Ripon Caetano de Sousa and Maria Conceição Albertina Vás. He was born in Saligao on 17th January 1934 and baptised in the church of Mae de Deus on 2nd February in the same year.

He concluded his theological course through Rachol Seminary in 1960 and was ordained priest by Patriarch  D. José Vieira Alvernaz on 18th December 1960 in the chapel of the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligao-Pilerne. He celebrated his first mass in Saligao Church on 28th December 1960.

Fr. Almir’s Appointments:

• 1960-61: Prefect of Discipline at Saligao-Pilerne Seminary.
• In 1963 he was sent to Rome for further studies where he got his Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology. He also attended the Catechetical-Pastoral Course at Lumen Vitae in Belgium, and in 1979 he did a refresher course in Biblical Theology.
• Through Portaria No. 27-69 of 7th March 1969, he was appointed member Secretary of the newly formed Diocesan Centre, Old Goa.
• He headed the Liturgical Committee in the centenary year of the Mae de Deus Church (1873-1973), in 1972-1973.
• 1974-80: Professor of Pastoral Institute, St. Pius X, Old Goa and Secretary of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre.
• 1980-89: Parish Priest of Santo Estevam, where he put into practice many new ideas such as the new method of Catechesis, Small Christian Communities, Parish Pastoral Council,etc, and started the Parish bulletin named Santo Estevamchi Zap.
• In 1984 he represented the Diocesan Clergy in the Pastoral Council and was also representative of Panjim and Piedade Deaneries for the Vocation Commission for Diocesan Clergy of the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman.
• November 1985: In-charge of the coordinating committee of the organisation of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Goa from February 5-7.
• Member of the Priests’ Senate and Representative of Parish Priests in the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
• 1989-93: Transferred as Vicar of Verna Church and also appointed Dean of Verna Deanery for a period of three years. Started Basic Christian Communities, Parish bulletin, Parish Council, etc.
• 1993-94: Professor of Pastoral Institute, St. Pius X Institute, Old Goa, and Secretary of the Diocesan Commission for Liturgy as well as President of the Diocesan Commission for Biblical Apostolate.
• 1994-2001: Director of the Pastoral Institute St. Pius X, and also ex-officio Member of the Priestly Council. He was appointed Coordinator of the Committee in charge of the preparation and organisation of the Episcopal ordination of the new Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrão.
• He is the President of the Diocesan Commission for Liturgy.
• 2001-10: Appointed Parish Priest of St. Elizabeth’s Parish, Ucassaim.
• 2010- : He is authorized to reside at the priests’ residence of Holy Cross Church/Shrine and to assist the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Bethlehem Parish, Bambolim.

Fr Almir celebrated 50 years of Ordination with Holy Eucharist on 28th December 2010. The Mass  was followed by a get-together at Lourdes Convent High School Hall. The toast on this occasion was raised by Dr. Rufino  Monteiro from Santo Estevam.

Fr. Almir is also a good preacher and prolific writer. He wrote in Aitarachem Vachop, Don Bosco, Panjim from 1953, and in Renovação, Vauradeancho Ixtt, Rotti, Anuário do Seminário Patriarchal de Rachol, Rays, Porzol, etc. He has also written various catechetical books widely used in the archdiocese of Goa & Daman, contributed homilies in Amcho Sevadhorm, and published a booklet on the Rosary at the time of the death anniversary of his mother.

Among the books authored by Fr Almir are:

• Tumchea Bhurgeanchem Povitr Snan (1997)
• Amcheam Somudaiamnim Utor ani Jivit (1997)
• Amcheam Somudaiamnin Utor ani Jivit-1 – Matev (2000)
• Amcheam Somudaiamnim Utor ani Jivit-2 – Marku (2002)
• Sasvot Adharache Maiek Noven ani Nhov Budvar (2002)
• Magnneacho Turo-1 – Ghorabeank Soiro ( 2003)
• Magnneacho Turo-2 – Vattsureank  Sangati (2003)
• Magnneacho Turo-3 – Piddestank Ilaz (2003)
• Magnneacho Turo-4 – Dukhestank Buzvonn (2003)
• Somiachem Jevonn (2003)
• Magnneacho Turo-5 (2004)
• Amcheam Somudaiamnim Utor ani Jivit-3 – Luk ( 2004)
• Amcheam Somudaiamnim Utor ani Jivit-4 – Juanv (2007)
• Magnneacho Turo-6 – Emausache Vatter Utracho Uzvadd (2007)
• Magnneancho Turo-7 – Ie. Povitr Atmea (2007)
• Mis: Bhavarthacho Somorombh ani Jivitacho Maz (2008)
• 50 Magnneacho Turo (2010)

Fr Almir is the recipient of the “Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendra Konkani Dharmik Sahitya” award for 2009, as well as the V. Ixtt award at Pilar.

References:

‘Maiecho Ulo’, Mae de Deus Church Bulletin, Saligao, January 2011; Arquivo Paco Patriarcal; Arquivo Paroquial da Igreja de Saligao; Archive of Pastoral Institute, St. Pius X , Old Goa; Renovacao.

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Rev Fr. Thomas Justus R. J. de Sousa from Demelovaddo in Saligao is the son of (late) Eustace de Sousa and Lucy Maria de Sousa. He was born in Karachi on 21st December 1932.

He joined the Seminary of St. Pius X at Goregaon in Bombay and concluded his theological course in December 1960. He was ordained sub-deacon on 19th December 1960 and Deacon on 20th December 1960 with demissorial from D. José Vieira Alvernaz, Patriarch of Goa & Daman, and ordained priest (with demissorial) by Valerian Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, on 21st December 1960. He celebrated his first Mass in Bombay in December 1960 and then in Saligao in May 1961.

Fr Thomas’s Appointments:

• 1961-62: Curate at Chorao and teacher of  Sao Bartolomeu School, Chorao.
• 1962-64: Curate of Socorro.
• 1964-65: Curate of Bicholim.
• 1965-71: Chaplain of Gauncavaddo (Siolim) and the Religious of Holy Cross Convent, Siolim.
• 1971-72: Executive Administrator of the Cathedral Chapter properties, Quepem (Deão de Quepem)
• 1972: Chaplain of Mitras de Caranzalem.
• Nominated Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Catholic Student of the University (Unit CSU).
• Assistant to the Procurator of the Archdiocese at Paço Patriarcal.
• 1984-86: Parish Priest of Tropa de Siolim (Soddiem).
• 1986-90: Parish Priest of Assonora.
• 1990-97: Parish Priest of Pomburpa. Appointed Dean of Aldona Deanery . Principal of St. Elizabeth High School, Pomburpa.
• 1997-2003: Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Church.
• 2003-06: Parish Priest of Batim. Relieved of the said post at his request for reasons of health.

Fr Thomas now resides at Demelovaddo in Saligao. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Ordination on 31st December 2010, with Mass at Lourdes Convent Chapel followed by a reception in the same convent school.

He has been chosen as Member of the Council of Priests of the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman for four separate terms. He compiled the First Directory of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman in English, in 1971. Fr Thomas is a prolific writer. He has written a number of articles in Renovação (Goa) and The Examiner (Mumbai).As Dean he compiled the maps of the various parishes of his deanery. He was in the service of the Diocesan Society of Education, Panjim, from 1971-77 and was also a member of the National Advisory Council of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India from 1981-84).

References:

Arquivo Paroquial da Igreja de Saligao; Renovcao; Arquivo Paco Patriarchal, Panjim; R. D’Souza, O Heraldo, Saturday 8th January, 2011, pg 4 ; Maicho Ulo, Parish Bulletin,Saligao Church, January, 2011, pg.11)

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Rev. Fr. Casimiro D’Mello from Sonarbhat in Saligao is the son of Silvestre Manuel António D’ Mello and Maria Aurora Athaide. He was born in Saligo on 31st October1932. Having concluded his studies at St. Joseph High School in Arpora, he joined the Bombay Seminary in Parel in 1952 and was ordained in the new Chapel of St. Pius X Seminary at Goregaon on 21st December-12-1960 by Valerian Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay.

He was Assistant at Rosary Church, Mazagaon and was appointed as Acting Editor of Udentichem Noketr, the Konkani Diocesan weekly. In 1964 Fr Casimiro was transferred as Curate to St. Francis Xavier Church, Dabul, and in 1965 he was sent as Assistant to Our Lady of Dolours Church, Sonapur. He also worked as Assistant Editor of Udntichem Noketr till its extinction. Its Editor was Fr. Marcelino Remedios another Saligaokar.

In 1970 he was transferred to Sacred Heart Church, Santa Cruz (Bombay). Here he worked for 13 years, concentrating on the less privileged members of the parish (and of other faiths) who lived in shanties, and helping them in improving their living conditions.

In 1983 he was nominated as Assistant  to St. Anthony’s Church, Vakola, and remained there for 10 years. Finally he was transferred to Victoria Church, Mahim, again as Assistant, where he stayed on for another 10 years. He retired at the age of 73, after putting in 45 years of dedicated service for the Archdiocese of Bombay. At present he is residing in Saligao at his sister’s place, the late Mrs. Ida Figueiredo of Donvaddo. Fr Casimiro continues to celebrate Mass every day, at St Anne’s Chapel nearby.

Fr. Casimiro has always had great love for the Konkani language and has left no stone unturned to help anyone desirous of publishing books in Konkani. Despite knowing the difficulties involved he sacrified his time and meagre earnings to ensure that Konkani publications saw the light of day.Two such books that Fr. Casimiro published were written by Professor Joaquim António Fernandes – Konkanni Nad Xastr (How to write Konkani in Roman Script) and Goenchem Xettkamot (Farming in Goa). These two books were used in the seminaries of Bombay and Goa to teach reading  and writing in Konkani. He also supported other similar publications financially, and has been a strong voice in the propagation of Konkani literature.

His social concerns and work amongst the downtrodden – Christian or otherwise – in the various parishes that he was based in over the years, remained largely unsung. However, in recognition of his  work, the Maharashtra Government appointed him Special Executive Magistrate(SEM). Any poor person who knocked at his door never returned empty-handed.

Fr. Casimiro D’Mello’s has always been a benefactor of the village of Saligao, the Saligao Church, and and its various causes. The Goan Review”, Mumbai’s only Konkani-English family mazagine, had named Fr Casimiro “Man of the Year” in 2001.

References:

Arquivo Paroquial da Igreja de Saligao; The Examiner, Bombay, 1964; Maecho Ulo, Parish Bulletin of  Mae Deus Church, Saligao, Goa, January 2011, pg. 11; The Goan Review, Vol 22 No. 1, Mumbai, January- February 2011, pg.30.

Recently, three priests from Saligao – Fr. Almir de Sousa, Fr. Thomas de Sousa and Fr. Casimiro D’Mello – celebrated the Golden Jubilee of their Ordination. At the same time, Fr. John Cajetan Felix D’Silva, ordained a priest on 28th December 1985, celebrated his Silver Jubilee. Let me tell you . . . → Read More: The Silver Jubilarian From Saligao]]> by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

Recently, three priests from Saligao – Fr. Almir de Sousa, Fr. Thomas de Sousa and Fr. Casimiro D’Mello – celebrated the Golden Jubilee of their Ordination. At the same time, Fr. John Cajetan Felix D’Silva, ordained a priest on 28th December 1985, celebrated his Silver Jubilee. Let me tell you a little more about Fr John (today also happens to be his 57th birthday).

Fr. John D’Silva is the son of Domingos D’Silva and Sabina D’Cunha, and was born on 8th February 1954 at Shinvaddo-Mudd’davaddi in Saligao. He was baptised at Mae de Deus Church and is the sixth of seven children.

In Saligao John studied at Mae de Deus Parochial School and the Government Primary School (Aula). Later he went to St. Anthony’s High School, Monte de Guirim, and finally to Dyan Prasarak College of Commerce, Mapuça,

He joined the Franciscan Capuchin Order in June 1977 and underwent the Initiation Course at St. Fidelis Ashram in Lucknow. Subsequently he completed his philosophical studies at Calvary Ashram at Trissur in Kerala, before joining the Novitiate at Monte Marino Friary, Paranjipet, Mangalore, followed by Simple Profession in June 1981. He was there for a period of three years.  Then he did theological studies at Deena Seva Ashram, Kengeri, Bangalore, followed by Final Profession at Alverno Friary, Monte de Guirim, in June 1985.

He was ordained deacon by late Dom Jose Colaço, Bishop of Cabo Verde, at Alverno Friary Chapel, Monte de Guirim, in July 1985 and was finally ordained priest by the Most Rev. Raul Nicolau Gonsalves, Archbishop-Patriarch of the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman, at Mae de Deus Church, Saligao, on 28th December 1985.

Over the years Fr John D’Silva has undertaken the following Ministries:

• Deacon ministry at Alverno Friary, Monte de Guirim, Our Lady of Victories, Revora, and St. Francis Xavier’s Church at Pirna (all in Goa), followed by other postings in various places.
• January 1986 to May 1986 at Alverno Friary, Monte de Guirim.
• From June 1986, he was at Padre Pio Friary at Modi, Navelim, as Treasurer, Vocation Promoter and External Apostolic Ministry, for a period of three years.
• From June1989 Fr John was sent to help in the parishes of Our Lady of Victories, Revora, and St. Francis Xavier, Pirna, for a period of three years. Here he brought out a souvenir covering the history of these two parishes.
• Fr John returned to Padre Pio Friary at Navelim as Vicar of the Community, from June 1992 for a period of two years.
• From June 1994 to 1995 Fr John attended Regionalisation of Orientation & Postulancy courses and during this interim period was Superior of the House and Director of the Minor Seminary
• From 1st June 1995 onwards he was appointed as full-fledged Superior & Director of Padre Pio Friary and Minor Seminary, Navelim. However Fr John faced great difficulty in carrying out his responsibilities, and on 29th June 1997 he walked out of the friary as no solution or help was forthcoming. He spent some time at home and also at Bhatpal parish in Goa, with the full knowledge and permission of the concerned Superiors.
• 1998-1999: Fr John was appointed “on the staff” at St. Theresa of Child Jesus, Chaudi, Canacona.
• 1999-2002: Appointed “on the staff” at St. John the Baptist Church, Benaulim.
• On 1st January 2002 he was incardinated as a Diocesan priest, in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. In June 2002 he was appointed Chaplain of Our Lady of Piety, Panzarconi, Cuncolim, for a five-year term.
• In 2007 he was appointed Chaplain of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Telaulim, Navelim, for one year up to May 2008.
• In June 2008 he was appointed Parish Priest of Assumption of Our Lady Church, Velsao, and continues to serve there at present.

Fr John D’Silva is a good writer and has to his credit two books written in Konkani: Sant Anton Milagrincho Bhokt (2006), and Punzail’li Girestkai (2008). He celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination on 28th December 2010 at St. Anne’s Chapel, Saligao, with a celebration of Mass, followed by a get-together.

Reference: Arquivo Paroquial da Igreja de Saligao

[with information supplied by Fr. John D’Silva]

by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

While on visits to the parishioners of the Holy Spirit Church in Margao, I get a chance to visit the nuns of the two convents in the vicinity. One is the Maria Bambina Sisters (SCCG) Convent, at the Hospital do Hospício, not far from the church. Here . . . → Read More: A Nun Of Substance]]>

by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

While on visits to the parishioners of the Holy Spirit Church in Margao, I get a chance to visit the nuns of the two convents in the vicinity. One is the Maria Bambina Sisters (SCCG) Convent, at the Hospital do Hospício, not far from the church. Here Sr. Judith Fernandes, from Mudd’davaddi, Saligao, resides along with her community. Sr. Judith, a qualified nurse, works in the Hospício Hospital and teaches catechism to children at Holy Spirit Church. She has a twin sister who is also a nun – Sr. Jessie Fernandes. Sr. Jessie, also a school teacher, is at Assumpta Convent in Chinchinim and a member of Franciscan Sisters of St. Mary of the Angels (FSMA). At the Presentation Convent (Franciscan Hospitallers of Immaculate Conception – FHIC) I meet Sr. Noel Theresa Furtado. She came to Margao in 2010 and also teaches religion at our Sunday School.  Incidentally, the FHIC has a convent in Saligao, located in Demelovaddo, Arrarim. It’s known as Shanti Niketan and has been founded in the ancestral house of the late Fr. Alberto Saldanha.

It is about Sr. Noel that I am writing. Her mother Rita Maria Ana Lobo was from Tabravaddo in Saligao, married to Paulo Martinho Furtado from Assagao. In a tête-à-tête with Sr. Noel, she said to me, “When I was asked by our Provincial Sr. Mary Augustine to translate from Portuguese into English the Positio – Life, Virtues and Fame of Sanctity of our Founder and Mother Maria Clara do Menino Jesus, I felt a sense of unworthiness, although I am proud to be her daughter. She had been a woman and spiritual mother whose life has always been a source of inspiration and courage to me. It was God’s wish and Mother Clara’s guidance that enabled me to translate this 224-page book. The book was released by our Sr. Superior General, Sr. Maria Conceição Galvão Ribeiro on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Mount Mary Convent, Bandra, Mumbai, on December 08, 2009 in the presence of the Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, Most Rev. Percival Fernandes. While working on this project I discovered Mother Clara’s virtues of love, kindness, patience and suffering, faith, hope and charity in the face of rejection and persecution, and have tried to imbibe them.”

Sr. Noel Theresa Furtado was born in Bombay on 25th December 1937 and was baptised in January 1938 at Gloria Church, Byculla, Bombay. She holds a B.A., M.Ed. degree. She entered Mount Mary Convent, Bandra, Bombay on 4th June 1961 and received the habit on 13th December 1961. She did her first Profession on 3rd June 1964 at Mount Mary Basilica, Bandra, Bombay and final profession in the same Basilica on 3rd June 1970.

She has held the following posts:

1973-1976: Councillor for Missions and Superior at Mount Mary Convent, Bandra, Bombay.

1976-1981: Superior and Principal of Our Lady of Fatima High School, Daman.

1981-1983: Superior and Principal of St. Francis of Assisi Convent, Navsari, Gujarat.

1983-1987: Worked in Brazil in schools at Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia.

1988-1992: Headmistress at Cathedral High School, Lucknow.

1992-1995: Superior and Principal at Mary Immaculate High School, Panjim, Goa.

1995-2001: General Councillor to the Superior General, Sr. Maria Isilda Freitas, at the Generalate, Linda-a-Pastora, Queijas, Portugal.

2001-2004: Assistant Provincial to Sr. Mary Augustine at Clara Sadan Provincialate, Bangalore.

2004-2007: Superior at Holy Innocents Convent, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.

2007-2010: Formed part of the Prison Ministry; counselling for students of St. Xavier’s at Bom Jesus Retreat Movement, Old Goa; helping the elderly; and, evangelisation.

From June 2010: Sr. Noel is at Presentation Convent, Margao, involved in Prison Ministry, counselling, Sunday School, Pre- Confirmation and Catechism at the convent.

On 3rd June 1989, Sr. Noel celebrated her Silver Jubilee at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Lucknow. In November 2007 she visited the Holy Land with the pilgrimage group of Fr. Rochy Vaz (from Donvaddo, Saligao). Sr. Noel is well-known for her work in the field of education has also kept in mind always the vision of the world in need of love, help, concern. She is a woman deeply human yet deeply attached to God and wanting to give her utmost to make Him known.

As her mother comes from the same ward as I do, I requested her to provide more details about her mother Rita Maria Ana Lobo born on 17th August 1896 at Tabravaddó, Saligao, and her family. Sr. Noel told me that her mother was the daughter of José Maria Lobo and Isabel Especiosa Souza and paternal granddaughter of Cosme Damião Lobo and Ana Florinda Abreu and maternal granddaughter of Mathias António Souza and Ana Joaquina Sequeira. Her mother was baptised at Mae de Deus Church, Saligao, on 19^th September 1896 and her brothers were Antonio Xavier Lobo, Caetano Joao Lobo and Sr. Teodolinda Lobo Machado.

Sr. Noel added that she is the youngest in the family, with three brothers – Stanny Furtado, Anthony Natividade Furtado, Cyril Santos Furtado – and one sister, Mariette Furtado, married to Joe Fernandes of Siolim.

Sr. Noel says:  “As I gaze on my personal history, unlock the storage of my soul, it reveals the truth of God’s love, tenderness and the power of His presence that enriches me every moment. God is so good to me. God is now leading me from the Desert to my Eternal House”.

This was her parting quip: “The heart is happiest when it beats for others.”

If you walk from Mollembhatt in Saligao to the neighbouring village of Sangolda, you will come across a large mansion located soon after the residence of Bishop William Gomes. In the Barrossovaddo of Sangolda, it is known as Menezesachem or Vhoddlem Ghor, and stands stately on the CHOGM road. In this . . . → Read More: The Friar from Sangolda]]> by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas

If you walk from Mollembhatt in Saligao to the neighbouring village of Sangolda, you will come across a large mansion located soon after the residence of Bishop William Gomes. In the Barrossovaddo of Sangolda, it is known as Menezesachem or Vhoddlem Ghor, and stands stately on the CHOGM road. In this residential house there used to be a life-size, framed photo of Frei Vicente da Santa Catarina. Now that this house has new owners, I doubt if this photo still adorns its walls. Friar Vicente da Santa Catarina was the son of Caetano Rafael de Menezes and of Ana Soares and was born in Sangolda of the Parish of Guirim, Goa, on 24th July 1818.

At his baptism, he received the name of Rozario Rafael de Menezes; when he joined the Franciscan Order in the Convent of St. Francis of Assisi at Old Goa, he was given the name Frei Vicente da Santa Catarina. He was ordained a priest in the Capela de Pangim by the Archbishop D. Jose Maria da Silva Torres of Goa, on 10th November 1844.

By the Ecclesiastical Provision dated 18th October 1847, he was appointed missionary and assistant to the Vicar of St. Joseph’s Church, Father Francisco da Silva Pinto e Maia in Singapore. The Portuguese Mission in Singapore was then under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Goa. In 1887, the Portuguese Missions of Singapore and Malacca were placed under the jurisdiction of the Macau Diocese. Singapore is now an independent diocese.

Frei Vicente arrived in Singapore in April 1848 and was immediately made Vicar of St. Joseph’s Church. It is strange that in the Baptism Register of 15th January 1849, he called himself Vicar of St. Joseph and Superior of the Singapore mission. There was no reason for Frei Vicente – as Monsenhor Manuel Teixeira (author of the book Portuguese Missions in Malacca and Singapore) writes – to be called Superior of the Mission in the forties, while Fr. Maia was still alive and continued as Superior; as Frei Vicente never repeated this designation until after Fr. Maia’s death on 17th February 1850, we suppose that a mistake was made in the baptism register.

Frei Vicente was the first priest to build a church in Singapore. The name of this temple of God is the Church of St. Joseph, built in 1853. Fr. Maia had only built the parochial house and not the church. Frei Vicente repaired the Parish House in 1868 and added two transepts to the church. On 30th September 1854, Frei Vicente founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. This confraternity ceased to exist in 1895 and was reorganised in 1947.

By Ecclesiastical Order of 19th December 1868, Frei Vicente was appointed Vicar General and Superior of the Malacca Mission; he was at the same time Vicar of St. Peter’s Church. Frei Vicente was the first to bear the title of Vicar General. In the beginning of February1869 he fixed his residence in Malacca. On 21st February 1891, he was discharged from his office and on 8th April 1891 he retired to Goa; he was then 76 years old and had spent 43 years (1848-1891) in the service of these missions.

He then resided at Donvaddo in Saligao for a year and a half, probably celebrating mass at St. Anne’s Chapel and the Church of Mae de Deus. Frei Vicente died on 15th November 1892 – exactly 118 years ago today – and was buried in the Cemetery of Guirim.