Karwar : Five Deacons Ordained Priests
Report by Fr Thomas Misquith
Photographs sent By Fr Lorens D’Silva

KARWAR, Jan 21: Five Deacons of Karwar diocese, Bro. Johnson Fernandes, Bro. John Worth, Bro. Roshan D'Souza, Bro. Raymond Fernandes  and Bro. Ronald D'Souza, were ordained priests by the Most Rev. Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Karwar, on Monday, Jan 18, 2010.

The ordinations were held at Nirmala Convent School grounds, Kumta during the Eucharistic celebration that began at 10.00 a.m. A large and beautiful shamiana was put up on the ground and the stage was converted into an attractive dais for the Altar and for the Ordination ceremony. About 95 priests concelebrated at the Eucharist. About 3000 faithful, including the parents, brothers, sisters and relatives of the deacons and the parishioners of Manaki (one of the Ordinandi, Bro. Johnson Fernandes hails from Manaki parish in Kumta) and other parishes in the diocese participated in the celebration. Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum (formerly a priest of Karwar diocese) was also present for the Ordination ceremony.

The Ordinandi with their parents, liturgical ministers followed by the concelebrating priests and the Bishops came in a long procession to the Altar as the Manaki Parish Choir sang the melodious and devotion-inspiring entrance hymn.

Bishop in his homily explained the significance and importance of the Ordination ceremony, the role of the priests in the life of the Christian faithful and expressed his happiness and gratitude to God for giving FIVE NEW PRIESTS to the diocese in this Year for the Priests. Quoting the words of Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. William D'Mello at an earlier ordination ceremony some years ago, he said, "Here are five young men, handsome, learned, most suitable; they are going to be wedded, not to the sweethearts of their choice, but to the Church and for the service of the people of God. Today they are making their promises to remain celibate "brahmacharya", to obey their bishop and those who come in his place and totally dedicate themselves to the service of the Church. They will pronounce the words 'This is my Body, this my Blood', will break the Bread for the Faithful, and will have to break themselves like Christ for the people...."

After the Ordination ceremony and the Eucharistic celebration which lasted for about two hours and a half, a short felicitation programme followed. Bishop Derek Fernandes, Msgr. Simon Tellis (Vicar General), Fr. Britto D'Silva (Parish Priest) and Fr. Simon Pinto (representative from St. Peter's Seminary, Bangalore) were escorted to the dais together with the newly ordained priests and their parents. present for the felicitation. Monte Fernandes in his inimitable style compeered the programme and Fr. Britto D'Silva, the Parish Priest, welcomed all and gave a brief C.V. of the newly ordained.

All the dignitaries on the dais were honored with flower bouquets. The newly ordained honored their parents with garlands and shawls.

Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Fernandes, the uncle and aunt of the newly ordained Fr. Johnson Fernandes had sponsored the entire expenses of the celebration. The Bishop spoke a few words again expressing his extreme happiness and announced the good news that he would be leading all the priests of the diocese on a pilgrimage to Holy Land of Israel in two batches. He thanked the benefactors who made this possible. Finally, Fr. Ronald D'Souza, one of the newly ordained priests, spoke on behalf of the newly ordained and thanked everyone for their love and companionship on their journey of faith and helped them to ascend the Altar of God and the felicitation programme ended with the hymn in honour of St. John Marie Vianney, the Patron of the Priests.