|
Rev Fr. Henry D’Souza
The very name of Rev Fr. Henry D’Souza inspires thrill to
Barkurians. Why not, historical St. Peter’s Church, Barkur is the
only parish in the whole of Mangalore Diocese fortunate to have
his services as Assistant Parish Priest – May 1976, soon he was
ordained priest – till May 1978. Secondly, it was Fr. Henry
D’Souza who laid the foundation to the ever shining CYM of
Barkur on 10th September 1976. We owe a great to
this holy man as it was Fr. Henry again, who was the spirit behind
the forming of now famous St. Peter’s Association Barkur –
Bombay in 1988. Once again it was Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza who
gave birth to ICYM Barkur Ex-Member’s Association in Dec.
2002.
Today, we all filled with great joy and gratitude’s to Almighty
Lord, as Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza is chosen to be the Bishop of
Bellary Diocese, Karnataka.
We congratulate and wish all the very best to Your Excellency, Rt.
Rev. Henry D’Souza in your new assignment and pray for your good
health and the Diocese and its people enrich with great divine
qualities in you, spiritually and materially in days to come.
It was a divine providence, as vast Barkur parish of those days,
only next to Milagres in size and population, in the varado, was
handed over to Rev. Fr. Joseph D’Souza, in May 1975, being
his last in the series of a dozen different churches like,
Thottam, Kemmannu, Gangolli etc, hitherto serving single
handedly, on his verge of retirement at the age of some 68 years.
Holy and lovable, well disciplined and highly respected for
integrity and devotion, even by non-Catholics was here in Barkur
for almost eight long years.
When he arrived Rev. Fr. Mark’Dsa was there to receive him
as Assistant Priest, and continued for an year, but it was era of
renaissance ushered by three great priests under this aged Vicar
better known Aab Padryab, were Fr. Stany Tauro, Fr.
Henry D’Souza and Fr. Patrick Rodrigues. All these
three made a great impact, among others, still remembered by
Barkurian’s irrespective of age….and even after leaving Barkur,
though their tenure was just to 2 – 3 years, won the hearts of
Barkurian’s and later all earned goodwill, handled huge
responsibilities….not only in the Diocese but became so familiar
faces elsewhere. In short, Fr. Tauro was administrator of
Fr. Muller’s Charitable Institutions, Vicar vara of
Kinnigoli, then Rosario Cathedral etc…. Fr. Patrick at present
Director of Fr. Muller’s, was there at Kinnigoli as
Vicar Vara, also prior to that at famous St. John’s Medical
College, Bangalore. Now it is a great moment of joy and
celebration to Barkur – in Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza, as he surpassed
all the records to become the first among the priests served in
Barkur to be elevated to Bishop’s rank.
Of course since many years rumors and whispers were making rounds
and ripe enough to herald this news as early as in 2002 itself…..
and understood that Fr. Henry himself not anticipating… or it is
more of a divine arrangement… and today, he has been chosen by
Holy Father Pope Benedict XIV, to this coveted post. We are sure,
for Fr. Henry, who always associated with CBCI and for a man seen
various Bishop’s works, in India at close; it will not be
difficult task. Moreover, his thorough knowledge, experience and
friendly nature on the one hand and he being a powerful speaker,
an orator un parallel, organizing capabilities, recognizing the
worth in others and excellent counseling and communication skills
as well, surely come in handy to discharge the duties and
responsibilities.
Diocese of Bellary, comprising four Districts – Bellary, Raichur,
Davanagere and Koppala, dominated by Kannada speaking Catholics,
where Telugu too is common have more proximity to Barkurians, as
two great priests serving here since 2-3 decades viz. Rev. Fr.
Anthony Fernandes from Nagermutt, a senior priest and Monsignor
Mark Gonsalves, hailing from Halekody, as Vicar General,
(incidentally it was Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza, at Barkur in April
1977, as Assistant Priest to Vicar Joseph D’Souza when Fr. Anthony
ordained priest by the Bishop of Mangalore and celebrated First
Mass at Barkur ) will feel at home in their company.
Influence of Fr. Henry on Barkurians is enormous and subjective…
and differs from person to person as each one’s rendezvous is an
experience of life time. His well educative sermons appeal all and
sundries, magnetic hold over the audience, once he get up to speak
in public, with beautiful examples, ensures 100% attention, his
true concern for youth, their well being and his love for children
amazing…..it is also a truth that Fr. Henry’s voice was raised
fearlessly in the face of wrong, injustice and untruth.
Very soon Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza’s ecclesiastical consecration
ceremony as Bishop in the footsteps of Apostles, as their
successour, will be held at Bellary - mostly in May or June 2008,
we call upon all admirers from Barkur to grace this special
occasion in large number.
Now we are among hundreds of Barkurian’s to longing see Fr. Henry
in Bishop’s attire… and expect and cordially invite Bishop Henry
D’Souza to be at Barkur to celebrate the grand High Mass in
December, 2008, commemorating SPA’s 20th Year Jubilee
at Barkur, on Parish Feast Day.
In one sentence, Fr. Henry the man of the moment, now the Diocese
of Bellary chose, will remain ever green in the memory of
Barkurian’s spread every nook and corner of the globe, as long as
memories last.
On behalf of Barkur-on-line team and ICYM Barkur Ex-member’s
Association,
P. Archibald Furtado,
22nd March, 2008 |
