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A Joyous Welcome to Rev. Fr Rohan Edward Muscarenhas at Mount Rosary Church

With hearts full of joy and gratitude, the faithful of Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte-Kallianpur, extended a warm and homely welcome to their newly appointed Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Rohan Edward Muscarenhas, on the serene evening of Monday, 19th May 2025.

Precisely at 4.50 p.m., the main gate of Mount Rosary Church opened to receive a special guest — Fr Rohan, accompanied with his parents and few close relatives, the recently ordained and filled with grace, stepped in with reverence to begin his sacred journey in the house of God dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, the beloved patroness of this vibrant parish.

Fr Rohan was ordained on 2nd May 2025 by the Bishop of Udupi, Rt Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, at the St. Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur-Karkala. The following day, he offered his First Thanksgiving Mass amidst his loved ones in his hometown of Kelmbet, marking a blessed beginning to his priestly ministry.

At the very outset, a tall and charismatic personality, blessed with a crystal-clear voice, Fr Rohan is a bundle of talents, radiating zeal and youthful energy. As we noticed, there is a quiet passion in him, waiting to bloom — and what better place to begin this divine calling than the ever-joyful and spiritually rich community of Mount Rosary.

A Glimpse into His Roots and Formation:
As Rev Fr Pradeep Cardoza, the Assistant Parish in the Milagres Cathedral introduced, - ‘Fr Rohan hails from Kelmbet and is the beloved son of Robert and Evelyn Fernandes. He shares his family with his elder brother Roshan, a professional Chartered Accountant. His early years were spent near the St Don Bosco Church campus, Kelmbet where he first studied at Little Flower School. He completed his high school education at St Joseph’s High School, Belman, followed by his PU studies at Pompei College, Aikala, and a B.Com degree from St Philomena College, Puttur.’
Answering the divine call, Fr Rohan joined St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore, in 2014, where he completed philosophy and underwent early formation. His regency was at Stella Maris Church, Kalmady, and he pursued his final studies in Theology etc at the prestigious St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. Before ordination, he served his diaconate ministry at St John the Evangelist Church, Shankerpura.

A Heartfelt Welcome Ceremony:
Following a brief but meaningful prayer session at the church led by Parish Priest Rev Dr Roque D’Souza warmly introduced Fr Rohan to the congregation. He invoked the tender and protective intercession of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, assuring the young priest of the parish’s love, support, and prayers.

Though the evening had threatening signs of pre monsoon showers, the event witnessed the gracious presence of Parish Pastoral Council members, Superior and sisters of the SRA Convent, Gurkars, and a fairly large gathering of parishioners, all eager to welcome their new shepherd with open arms and smiling faces.  Priya Furtado, Secretary PPC aptly anchored the short programme whereas Vice President Luke DSouza proposed vote of thanks.

What touched the event certainly the brief best wishes by the Vicar of Kelmbet Rev Fr Arvind V Severes, SDB of St Don Bosco Church – ‘our parish is small, have though 60 years history with 125 families but it’s the cradle of vocations with 31 priests and about 15+ nuns…and in my two years of as vicar found three great qualities in Fr Rohan – Simplicity, humbleness, devotion or a man of prayers definitely will make him a true and successful in his ministry…’ he opined and wished Fr Rohan all the very best on behalf of Silesian priests Principal Fr Milton and Lecturer Fr Royan from Kelmbet…

In his first address as Assistant Vicar in Mount Rosary Parish of 675 families, Fr Rohan Muscarenhas assured his best in the service of God and parishioners, under the guidance of Vicar and Patroness Our Lady of Holy Rosary…

With faith, love, and hope, the Mount Rosary parishioners pray that this sacred church and its vibrant community become a nurturing ground for Fr Rohan’s priestly journey, and that his ministry here be marked with grace, wisdom, and abundant blessings, as the short programme was come to a close with ‘somyak dinvasuyan’ and Marian hymn ‘Tu Kallzaya Gondya Mojya…’led by the Choir team.

Welcome, Fr Rohan! May your every step in His vineyard bear fruit in abundance.

Reported by: P. Archibald Furtado
Photographs: Mr Praveen Cutinho.