RIP - Late Fr. Peter Fernandes

Rev. Fr. Peter Fernandes
( 29/06/1943 - 12/12/2014)
DATE OF ORDINATION: 09/12/1968

Dear Rev. Fathers/Brothers/Sisters,

This is to inform you that Rev. Fr. Peter Fernandes passed away on 12th December, 2014. He had a massive heart attack.

Fr. Peter Fernandes was a man of vision. He worked to empower laity and went out of his way to share responsibilities upon their shoulders. He was a man of prayer who loved the poor.

He is from Honavar, Karnataka State. After his priestly ordination he started his ministry in Gomtipur parish, Ahmeadbad. From there he was sent to Umreth parish where he served for almost 18 years. There he worked hand in hand with laity for faith formation and introduced various cooperative societies for the upliftment of the poor. He succeeded through his interventions with the government in starting government supported boardings in Umreth, Thasra and Limdapura. A great achievement! From Umreth he was transferred to Nadiad as parish priest where he served for five years. He was sent to Jesusnagar-Jitodia parish and from there to Limdapura parish.

He did well in all these parishes where he planned programmes very systematically keeping in mind the collaboration with the laity and the religious. Late Bishop Charles Gomes SJ had sent him to Rome for studies. He had the experience of serving parishes in the USA too.

After late Bishop Charles Gomes SJ took over the Diocese, he worked hard for good vocations. Rev. Fr. Peter Fernandes being a senior priest, he became instrumental in bringing a number of vocations who are today senior priests of the diocese. During the bifurcation of Ahmedabad Diocese, he preferred to serve

Gandhinagar Archdiocese. Later on he asked for incardination in Belgaum Diocese which was granted to him.

At present he was serving as Spiritual Director to the minor seminarians in St. Michael’s Seminary, Machhe, Belgaum. It is here that God called him to heaven.

His funeral Mass will be in Honavar on Thursday, 18th December, 2014 at 4.00 p.m. We pray that God may give him eternal rest. May his family members be consoled.

-Bishop Thomas Macwan