by Clarence Pinto
Daijiworld Media Network - Oman
Muscat, Feb 9: As per the official announcement made at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman, Fr. Albert D’ Silva, Capuchin priest hailing from Sakhleshpur – Chikmagalur Diocese, will be the new Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church, Ghala, Sultanate of Oman from 27th February 2010.
Presently Fr. Albert is serving as the assistant parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi. He was appointed to the Ruwi Parish on 22nd August 2002 under, then Parish Priest Fr. Varghese Chempoly. Prior to his appointment at Ruwi Parish, he served as the Secretary to the Provincial at Bangalore. During his tenure at Ruwi Parish, Fr. Albert was the spiritual advisor to the Konkani Catholic Community of the Parish and specifically to the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP). Recently, he had initiated the nine days Novena during the Nativity feast which was hugely appreciated by the faithful. Fr. Albert also visits Holy Spirit Church – Ghala, St. Anthony Church – Sohar and St. Francis Xavier Church – Salalah to serve the needs of the Konkani community and offer mass in Konkani language. Apart from having the usual responsibilities, he is also in charge of the Tamil and Urdu communities of the parish, Legion of Mary – Tamil Presidium and the Saturday Presidium. He is also takes care of the Youth ministry, Altar Servers, MIPC – English Prayer Group of the parish.
The summer camps from 2002 to 2006 for the children of the parish conducted under the leadership of Fr. Albert were successful and greatly appreciated by the participants. During his service at Ruwi Parish, he had the additional responsibilities to discharge as a counselor for the capuchins in the Gulf under the Vice Province of Arabia.
“With confidence I began my priestly ministry in Ruwi Parish and with your prayers, support and cooperation I feel that I have now won in my mission. So, my heart swells with gratitude. I am extremely grateful to each one of you for being such wonderful people in my life. I will always cherish the good memories of Ruwi parish.” Fr. Albert wrote in the Parish Bugle of the February month.
Donald Pinto, one of the active member of the Parish and ex-president of Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP) wrote an article under the title – “ Fr. Albert : ‘Ambassador of our faith’ and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Albert highlighting the tremendous contribution rendered by this charismatic priest towards the development of the parish. Excerpts of the article are – “ Fr. Albert earned the love and respect of the parishioners with his ebullient and optimistic approach to work and life. In the process, he engaged parents, children, educators and elders from all walks of life and brought in the experience and touch to make a world of a difference. He was received by everyone with warmth and much acclaim as the ambassador of faith. He contributed significantly to the growth and the welfare of our Parish.”