Fr John Fernandes Celebrates 75th B'day With Parishioners, Clergy
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Mar 7: The 75th birthday celebration of Fr John Fernandes, professor and head, Chair in Christianity, was celebrated here at Shanti Kiran, Bajjodi, Nantur.
Priests, nuns, parishioners from the different parishes where Fr Fernandes had served, friends and well-wishers from different parts of the country and even from Germany, gathered to share the joy with Fr Fernandes, who is revered as a priest of action.
Fr Joachim Fernandes, Fr Denis D'Souza, Fr Peter Noronha, and Fr Vincent Monteiro, along with Fr John Fernandes, celebrated the mass which had an Indian touch different from the traditional one.
A documentary-play on the life of Fr Fernandes was shown for 45 minutes. The play was directed by Ivan D’Silva, and Eric Ozario gave live commentary to the visuals.
Later, a short stage programme was held, presided over by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangalore diocese. Dr Vinay Hegde, Chancellor, Nitte University, was the chief guest.
Having known Fr Fernandes for the past 35 years, Dr Hegde praised him for being a priest with a difference. He said that Fr Fernandes is a man of action rather than a preacher. "Fr Fernandes always worked among the downtrodden, the poorest of the poor, and aimed for communal harmony," said Dr Hegde.
Bishop D’Souza, in his presidential speech, said that Fr Fernandes is a true disciple of Jesus Christ and always stood for truth and peace. He blessed him and requested him to accept whatever comes in his way in the future for the glory of God.
Fr Fernandes, in his thanksgiving address, remembered some of the memorable incidents when serving at different places in the diocese. He said he believes in the philosophy of reflection and action.
Earlier, 12 representatives from various places presented a bouquet to Fr Fernandes.
Fr Fernandes, who was in born in Pangala on March 7, 1936, did his doctoral thesis in Germany and has served in Bejai, Rosario, Urwa, Katpadi, Hosabettu, and Belman parishes besides teaching theology at Jeppu Seminary before being given the responsibility of Mangalore diocesan chair in Christianity.
He is instrumental in initiating inter-religious dialogues amongst different communities and religions in coastal Karnataka especially during times of communal turmoil.