Report: Fr Paul Melwyn D'Souza, Capuchin

Karwar, May 19: Fr Praveen Fernandes, OFM Cap, was ordained on May 17 by Dr Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Belgaum Diocese, at St Joseph’s Church, Lower Kasarkod, Honnavar, Karwar. Fr Praveen Fernandes, belongs to the capuchin order of Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka. Along with him, Fr David Fernandes, SAC also received the sacrament of the Holy Order from Bishop Derek Fernandes, who also serves as an apostolic administrator of Karwar Diocese.

Both the new priests belong to the same parish of Lower Kasarkod. While Fr Praveen is the eighth Capuchin priest, Fr David is the first ever Pallottine priest from the parish. Fr John Alwyn Dias, OFM Cap, the provincial minister of Karnataka, Fr Roque Gonsalves, the provincial of ABVM Province of the Society of Catholic Apostolate (SAC) in India, over 100 priests, family members and loved ones of the new priests and a large gathering of parishioners witnessed the holy ceremony of the ordination.

The entire parish and parishioners celebrated the ceremony of ordination of two men chosen from among them with great enthusiasm and joy. It was well organized by Fr Albert D’Silva, the parish priest of St Joseph’s Church, Lower Kasarkod. After the Mass, a felicitation programme was held in the parish hall to wish the two new priests.