Fr Francis Rodrigues
Rev. Fr Joseph M Menezes, mostly known as Fr Jos Menez, a Priest of the Diocese of Mangalore went to the eternal abode on the 1st of May, 2014 because of old age. He was 94 plus. He was born on 25th September, 1919 hailing from Bondel Parish and from a family with many religious vocations. After his priestly formation at St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore he was ordained priest of the Diocese of Mangalore on 7th of April, 1947 and a priest for last 67 years. Till now he was the senior most priest of the undivided diocese of Mangalore.
He was Assistant pastor at Rosario Cathedral and Agrar parishes. Then he served the Diocese of Mangalore as the Parish Priest of Permannur, Kanajar and Attur parishes as well as the director of Mount Rosary Sanatorium Alangar. After his retirement he has rendered spiritual services at Milagres-Mangalore, Urva parishes and Stella Maris Convent. After that he was residing at Vianney Home, Kankanady, the home for the retired priests.
He was a priest with simplicity, in-depth spirituality and approachability. Was very enthusiastic in spiritual ministry, especially the confessional ministry and other sacramental ministry. Always did necessary good things in the places of service and lived peacefully with the people with pastoral devotion and experience.
His Funeral rites would be held together with Mass at 4 p.m. on 2nd of May, 2014, Friday at St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia and his mortal remains will be interred at Valencia Priests Cemetery. Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore and Msgr Denis Prabhu, the Vicar General has expressed sorrow at the demise of senior most priests.