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Rev. Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves Takes charge as Parish Priest and Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur

Udupi/Kallianpur: Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Udupi Diocese gave a warm welcome to its new parish priest, new Rector and Dean of Kallianpur deanery Rev. Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

At 3.30pm Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves arrived along with, Very Rev Fr. Charles Menezes, Parish Priest, Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi and Rev Fr. Vijay D’Souza, Asst parish priest. The pastoral council members of the Cathedral and the priests were all set to accord a warm welcome to its new Vicar and Rector Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves who also serves as Vicar General of the diocese of Udupi.

At 3.30pm Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves arrived along with the priests from Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi, Very Rev Fr. Charles Menezes, Parish Priest and Rev Fr. Vijay D’Souza, Asst parish priest. The pastoral council members of the Cathedral and the priests were all set to accord a warm welcome to its new Vicar and Rector Rt. Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves also serves as Vicar General of the diocese of Udupi.

Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Asst. parish priest of the Cathedral formally welcomed the VG/PP at the entrance of the Cathedral Portico with fresh Jasmine flower garland, followed by Very Rev Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Chancellor of Udupi Diocese, Parish Pastoral Council Vice President Melwyn Sequiera, Secretary Eugene Rebello and parish pastoral commissions’ Coordinator Prema Lewis welcomed with bouquets. Meanwhile, the new Vicar and Rector were warmly welcomed by Rev Fr. Steevan Fernandes, Director of Youth Commission, Rev Fr. Ronson D’Souza, Director of Holy Cross Home, Katpady, Rev Fr. Rock D’Souza, Parish Priest of Mount Rosary Church, Rev Fr. Oliver Nazareth, Asst. parish priest of Mount Rosary, Fr. D’Lima of Milagres Senior Priests’ Home, Rev Fr. Vincent Crasta of CESU, Nuns of Rose Convent and Presidents’ of parish associations.

After the warm welcome to the new Rector, a procession followed into the Cathedral. The Bishop’s Representative Fr. Roshan D’Souza handed over the Stole and the Holy Gospel to the new Vicar Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves.

The profession of faith was done by Rt Rev Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves in the presence of Very Rev Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Chancellor of the diocese. The newly appointed parish priest and Rector then undertook an oath of relentless service towards the parish. Fr. Roshan D’Souza then formally handed over the files to Msgr to Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves. Melwyn Sequiera, Pastoral Council vice President handed over a list of parish families and accounts books to the newly appointed Vicar. Fr Roshan D’Souza handed over the keys of the Tabernacle to the new priest. Followed by parish pastoral council members pledged their allegiance and support to the new Vicar by lighting the candles from new Vicar and Rector Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves.

A short introductory programme was organized. Eugene Rebello, secretary of parish pastoral council gave a brief history of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur. Earlier, Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves served as Principal of Milagres PU College, Kallianpur when Very Rev Fr. Stany Lobo was the Rector and Vicar of the Cathedral.

Very Rev Fr. Roshan D’Souza briefed on the difference between the Rector and the parish priest under the Cannon Law and gave the importance of Diocesan Cathedral. Fr. Roshan also said that the newly appointed priest is also serving as Vicar General of the Diocese, Spiritual Director of Laity Commission, Director of SCC, Dean of Kallianpur Deanery, and Correspondent of Milagres Educational Institutions as well. The post of Vicar General of the diocese is next to the diocese bishop in his responsibilities. Msgr Ferdinand also Trustee of diocesan Trusts and other institutions. So, the newly appointed Rector has been given large responsibilities in the diocese and Fr Roshan requested the parishioners to give all support to the newly appointed Vicar and Rector.

Due to the sudden demise of former Rector Fr. Valerian Mendonca, the Vicar and Rector post was vacated for the Cathedral which was filled up by the Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves who responded positively to the Bishop.

Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Asst. parish priest earlier welcomed the gathering and compared the ceremony of take- over of the new priest. Prema Lewis, Coordinator of parish pastoral commissions delivered a vote of thanks. The large number of priests, nuns and parishioners’ witnessed the take-over ceremony of the new Rector of the Cathedral.

About Fr. Ferdinand:

Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves was appointed Vicar General by Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi, on April 1, 2023.

Born on September 29, 1955, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves is the son of John Gonsalves and Angeline Rebello of Kundapur. He was ordained as a priest in 1985. He holds a Bachelor of Theology, a Bachelor of Science, an MA in English, and a BEd. He has served as an assistant priest at Kulshekar and as assistant director at St Antony Ashram, Jeppu.

As a parish priest, he has served in Kokkada, Byndoor, Ujire, Kemmannu, and Pangala parishes. Additionally, he has served as principal of colleges in Puttur, Ujire, Lourdes Central School Bejai, Milagres PU College Kallianpur, and in Bidar. He is also the spiritual director of Catholic Sabha and the diocesan director of the Laity Commission of the Udupi Diocese.