Media Release
Bahrain, Sep 9: Sacred Heart Catholic Church held a thanksgiving programme for Fr Darel Fernandes. A video presentation showing parish highlights during Fr Darel’s tenure at Sacred Heart Church on various groups and programmes for which he was spiritual director or a guide was shown to the audience.
His ministry work in the parish, the cultural programmes he organized with innovative ideas and his parish life was aptly shown and brought in many colorful memories of his stay in Bahrain. Fr Darel’s path in the past nearly 8 years of service at the Sacred Heart Church was a clear depiction of his love and dedication to his ministry in service and for the parishioners irrespective of cast, creed or Nationality, who accompanied him in the journey.
This kept alive religious traditions and divinity among the parishioners with great manifestation. A beautiful video presentation indeed that summarized in a nutshell the vivid activities in the church premises for which he not only encouraged parishioners but also imparted a chaste religious touch. A keen musician himself, he encouraged even little children to partake in the Mass service choir as well as play the keyboards and other musical instruments imparting in them a sense of music where singing together in the choir will bring in the thought of twice the joy of a normal prayer.
Fr Darel Fernandes was honored on stage with a tiara or crown and a shawl in the presence of the Konkani core committee members, brother-priests, Reverend Sisters and revered guests, on behalf of all the parishioners who were in the audience much to their applause.
The MC Adeline asked the chief coordinator Nelson Menezes to read the Sanman Pathr (Letter of Citation) given to him in his honour. Fr Darel much deserved this honor in gratitude and we pray that he continues his dedication to the ministry in service wherever he goes taking with him the memories of love and affection bestowed on him by the parishioners in Bahrain. It was a befitting humble tribute which brought Fr Darel Fernandes down to tears many-a-times during this felicitation, overwhelmed with such love and affection. Surely the sad thought of leaving the island added to his melancholy during the programme even though he would leave with pleasant memories of his stay in Bahrain.
A spiritual bouquet was handed over by Gladys Lobo after the “Sanman Pathr” was read and handed over by Nelson Menezes to the applause of the audience. Parish priest of SHCC, Fr Francis Joseph, had the privilege of honoring him with a shawl around his shoulder. Fr Francis Joseph spoke few words thanking him for his service to the church and parishioners and wished him well in Kuwait where he would be taking charge as the newly appointed parish priest of Ahmadi Church, minor-Basilica in Kuwait. The Catholic Community of the Sacred Heart Church congratulates Fr Darel on his elevation as a parish priest of Ahmadi Church, in Kuwait. Fr Darel spoke few words with a lot of emotion thanking all for their kindness and generosity all the years he had been in Bahrain in acquaintance with them.
With the stage felicitation done, MC Adeline brought in a troupe of young dancers to entertain the audience with a scintillating filmy colorful dance session beautifully choreographed by Eunice D’Souza and it was indeed a dance number with unique moves specially choreographed as a tribute for Fr Darel.
Various groups within the community came together to present the floral bouquets as a token of their respect and acknowledgement for his invaluable contribution. The ushers, altar servers, nursing ministry, ward cells, Eucharistic ministry, choir group and POSA all came together with a bouquet each, thus highlighting the strong bond between the father and the congregation. The flowers not only enhance the visual presentation but was also a reminder of the love and support shared within the community.
What came next was a musical interlude by the Goan community led by Mark, who sang endlessly with punchy lyrics in tribute to Fr Darel’s tenure on the island. This musical interlude kept the entire audience in the OLAA glued to their chair with awe being entertained to the core with melodious Konkani music fiesta.
Fr Darel then addressed the audience with his farewell message and final blessing to the Catholic community. The programme concluded with the prayer before meals led by Fr Darel before the Monthi Fest fellowship meal.