JAMSHEDPUR DIOCESE

                                                 

 

O Master ! I am the tuneless one: Lay Thy hand on me,

Transform me now, put a song in my heart. Of melody, Lord, to Thee.

{ Myra Brooks Welch}

 

 

 

 

Felix was born on October 24, 1947 at Karthi Bail House, Havanje village, Kolalgiri, Udipi, Karnataka. His Parents were Rosario D’Souza and Florine D’Souza. He was baptized by Fr. A Roderigues on  January 11, 1948 and Confirmed by Bishop B.S. Peres on  October 09, 1957 at Sacred Heart Church, Giri, Kolalgiri. Passed SSLC from Milagres Higher Secondary School, Kallianpur and PUC from St. Philomena’s College, Mysore while at St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Banni Mantap, Mysore.

                                                                                           

Bishop L.T. Picachy got Felix admitted to St. Albert’s College, Ranchi for Philosophy along with Frs. Edwin Coelho and Cyprian Lobo in 1969.After the study of Philosophy Felix was appointed for Regency at St. Xavier’s Church, Chaibasa. He returned to St. Albert’s College , Ranchi in 1974 for the study of Theology.

Rector, Fr.W. Missiaen recommended Felix to Bishop Joe Rodericks for minor Orders with this remark“ Bro. Felix is a very good mixer. Has many friends. Devoted. Deals very well with ordinary people. Good organizer. Has common sense”. Fr.W. Missiaen has the following commend while nominating him to be a deacon “Felix is by far the most popular student of his year and may be of the whole theologate. Open. Good mixer. Many good qualities, very interested in social work. Very adibasi with the adibasis. Pious. However poor in studies. May be too much involved in all possible outside activities. Will make a good Priest”.

 

Bishop Basil D’Souza ordained Felix a Priest on May 11, 1978 at Milagres Church, Mangalore. Fr. C.R. Prabhu  represented Jamshedpur Diocese at the solemn Ordination . Fr. Felix D’Souza served the diocese in various capacity. He was an Associate Pastor at Sacred Heart Church, Adra, Christ the King Church, Chakradharpur, Our Ldy of Nativity Church, Sini, St. Anthony’s Church, Dhanbad, St. Theresa’s Church, Sindri. He was  Parish Priest at St. Robert’s Church, Parsudih, Our Lady of Nativity Chjurch, Sini, St. Paul’s Church, Maluka, Jisu Marsal, Chandil, and St. Theresa’s Church, Sindri . He was Minister at Pratiksha, Minor Seminary and finally at the Bishops’ House waiting for appointment when the Bishop returns. He went to St. Mary’s Parish , Omra to help in the pastoral ministry . He was having fever for a few days and Fr. Paulus and the Nurse wanted to bring him to the hospital but he preferred the village atmosphere. On July 23, he was brought to Mercy hospital in a serious condition. He was admitted to the ICU and was feeling better according to his own words. On Saturday, 24 early morning his condition got worsened and went for his eternal reward while receiving the Sacrament of the sick. He was talking to the sisters even at 4.00 a.m. The medical report states that he died of cardio respiratory arrest due to Diabetic Ketoacidocis , falciparum malaria & multi organ failure. The doctors felt that he was suffering from jaundice and had high blood pressure.

The funeral Service was held at the Cathedral on July 29, at 3.00 p.m. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J. presided at the solemn concelebrated Eucharist and assisted by Bishop Joe Rodericks , S.J. and 90 plus Priests . Fr. Joseph Surin, S.J. had the liturgy beautifully planned. Mr. Richard Sarky gave a brief life history of Felix and then Bishop Joe Rodericks blessed the body . The choir was beautiful and they indeed had taken much trouble to come for the practices for 3 days. Fr. Fr. C.R. Prabhu , who invited Felix to be a missionary in Jamshedpur Diocese mesmerized the gathering with his beautiful and thoughtful words. After the communion, Bishop Felix Toppo said the valedictory prayers and the clergy recited Psalm 51. Soon after the community paid individual respect to Fr. Felix in the church, the body was taken to the beautifully decorated ambulance for the final journey towards Beldih cemetery. The traffic police and the volunteers guided the numerous vehicles to pass on smoothly. The parking arrangements were well done by the volunteers beside the Sacred Heart Convent School. The clergy carried the body from the forecourt of the cemetery to the beautiful tent at the grave. Bishop Felix Toppo blessed the grave and the body was lowered. All prayed together and sang praises to the Almighty for the gift of Felix for Jamshedpur Diocese.

The Diocese is grateful to all the people who cared for Felix while in ministry, in sickness and at the final journey to Beldih.

There were 17 persons from the family of Felix come from Mangalore, Mumbai, Jhansi etc. A special Mass in Konkani was celebrated at the graveside on 30 morning by Fr. Leo and other 14 Priests together with the family members .

 

We pray the Almighty to shower abundant blessings on each one of us through the intercession of our Friend and Brother, Fr. Felix D’Souza.

 

 

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri : Dean, Fr. Jerome Pereira took a wise decision and left for St. John’s Medical College, Hospital, Bangalore on June 29. He got discharged from the hospital on 08 July and took rest in the company of his uncle, Fr. Hilary  Pereira, S.J. at St. Joseph’s College. Then he moved to Mangalore to his sister’s home for easy access to Fr. Muller’s Hospital for dressing the wound as well as monitored medical care.

Frs. Cyril and Leo D’Souza were kept busy with the Parish ministry and Welfare Centre activities all through. The  ‘Blood Donation’ camp held at the Welfare center Hall on 10 July had over 100 candidates though only 67 could donate blood to save the lives of others. The Welfare Centre has added more computers to support the existing lab facilities for the students.

 

St. Mary’s , N.Road : Frs. Edwin Coelho and Elvius Dungdung were surprised to learn in the 1^st week of July that they are suffering from positive Typhoid. Immediately action was taken to clean the overhead water tanks of the presbytery. They were on prescribed diet and home rest for two weeks at the strict orders of the doctors. Both are back in action but on slower speed. Fr. Puthunai Raj has joined the community to attend the B.Ed classes at Loyola College of Education. Pastor Edwin had many meetings with the Tamil Saqbha and CAJ{M} to plan the forthcoming feast of the Birthday of Mother Mary and General Body Meetings of  Parish Organizations.

 

Little Flower Convent, Telco : The feast of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey, the foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny was celebrated on 15 July. Bishop Emeritus J.R. Rodericks, S.J. was the Chief Celebrant of the Eucharist at 11.00 a.m at the School Hall. The choir was superb and gave melodious praise to God for the gift of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey. Immediately after the Mass all assembled at the Telco club to wish the Sisters God’s blessings and share the family meal.

 

Carmel Convent, Sonari : The Apostolic Carmel Sisters of Sonari had the feast of Mount Carmel celebrated on 11 July during a special meal for the clergy and religious of the town at 12.30 p.m. It was an occasion for everybody to congratulate the Sisters for the mission in Sonari area and wish them God’s special blessings. The new Basketball Court is getting ready for inauguration .The School had many programs to commemorate the Carmel feast.

 

St. Robert’s Parish, Parsudih: Frs. Gualbert and Sahay Thason are trying their best to solve the drinking water problem in the campus. They have plans to install a submersible pump in one of the tube wells so as the supply of water to all the water tanks will be steady. Plans are set to inaugurate the “Fr. Marcus Topno” memorial football match on August 02 at the school grounds.

 

Bishops’ House, Golmuri : Dileep Marandi finally received the visa on 29 June noon and on 30 morning  left for Delhi by Purushottam Express and on 2 July took the flight to Rome and reached safe at Urabano. With the departure of the last batch of seminarians  0n July 02, the House became lifeless . Bishop Joe Rodericks returned home on 09 July by the Jana Shatabdi and the community had a ‘Happy Hour’ in the evening in his honorand others joy. Frs. Gerry D’Souza and Cyprian Lobo returned as per schedule on July 15 . Fr. Joseph Surin, S.J. the newly appointed PRO of the diocese was given a warm welcome by the community on July 14. Msgr. John Bodra was waiting with flower bouquets and sweets to welcome Joseph Surin to his new office. Fr. Mike Thanaraj and Bro. Pascal not only reached him to the Bishop’s House but made sure that they get a share of the welcome celebrations as of our tradition. Bishop Felix Toppo reached home on 16 p.m. as per schedule.

 

Jisu Marsal, Chandil : Fr. Nicholas made sure that Fr. Manu Horo reaches his new destination on July 01 itself to be sworn in as the new PP of Purulia on July 04. The Parishioners, Hostel children and religious community of Chandil gave separate farewells to Fr. Manu before his departure. Fr. Nicho and Bro. Bipin are busy in supervising the wall construction and field preparation for paddy transplanting. At present there are 115 boys in the Parish Hostel and 65 at the Holy Cross Hostel.

 

Catholic Ashram, Purulia :  Dr. Fr. Manu Horo was installed as Parish Priest of Purulia on 04 July by the Dean, Fr. Chonas Xalxo of Adra.  The parishioners were delighted to listen to the Bengali language of their new pastor. Fr. Chonas gave the homily in Hindi-Bengali-English combination as a surprise. Immediately after the Mass the parishioners welcomed the new pastor and thanked Fr. Henry Sequeira with a cultural program. Later Fr. Henry left for unknown destination for rest and relaxation before taking up the new mission apostolate at Balarampur. It took no time for Henry to locate some fertile land for setting up his base at Balarampur proper.  Look ahead to hear more about this mission of Henry.

 

Jisu Marsal Ashram, Hatikunder :  Fr. Junas Bhengra has every reason to rejoice now that his well is fully in use after it had collapsed last year. The classrooms and his own office cum living room are fully protected with aluminum sheets but the finishing work continues. The school has 40 students on the roll but more and more village children are coming forward to take admission slowly. This is because they have to pay a fee for the learning in the school.

 

Sacred Heart Convent, Jsr : The apostolic Carmel sisters  of  Sacred Heart  convent celebrated the Carmel feast on 18 July with a special meal for the Clergy and Religious of the town at noon. The school had its own celebrations earlier.

 

St. Anthony’s Church, Dhanbad : Dean, Fr. Edward Kongari  called a deanery meeting on  July 01 to discuss on the Parish boundaries . It was also an occasion to celebrate the 60^th birthday ‘Shatipurti’ [27 June] of Fr. Edward Kongari .The clergy and religious of the deanery joined for the family meal in honor of their Dean. The Parish Council has meetings every month and elaborate plans for the spiritual and material growth of the Parish. All the parish organizations have regular meetings to achieve their vision.

 

 

 

Pratiksha, Neeldungri : The ceremonial installation  of Fr. A. Alphonse as Minister-Treasurer-Teacher and Fr. Casmir Vas as Spiritual Father was held on 8 July ,Thursday during the concelebrated Mass presided over by Fr. George Manna at 6.00 a.m. at the Chapel. Immediately after the Holy Eucharist the seminarians felicitated both of the Fathers and wished them happy stay at Pratiksha. At present there are 17 Seminarians in formation under the guidance of 4 Priests.

 

St. Mary’s Parish, Omra : Fr. Felix D’Souza’s presence in the Presbytery was of great support to Fr. Paulus Bodra. The mystery ‘sadu’ never appeared to anybody. The school has 140 children at present and the number will surely go up. Mr. Bernanrd Mundu managed to get a message to Charbandia when Fr. Felix took bad . Frs. James Quadros, Augustine managed to reach Omra on the night of July 22 and rushed him to Jamshedpur to be admitted to Mercy on 23. The Omra community was stunned to hear the sad news that Fr. Felix left for his eternal reward on 24 early morning.

 

 

INTERNATIONAl / NATIONAL  ROUND-UPS

 

 

Salerno, Italy :  “ I am very fine here and learning Italian. I was finding it very difficult in the beginning .I am gradually picking up the language. Every Saturday and Sunday we go out visiting parishes”. [ [email protected] ]

 

Aylmer, Canada : “ Here I am fine. Since it is summer, there isn’t any activity that is going on in the Church except the week-end Masses. Most of the people go to their cottages. I am having a quiet time. Kindly convey my love to all ”. [ [email protected]  ]

                                                                    

“ It is very sad to earn that Fr. Felix D’Souza is no more among us. We gratefully remember his generous contribution to our diocese. I assure you my prayers for him”.        [ [email protected]  ]

 

“Indeed , really a shocking news for me. I could not believe it. And it is true that the Lord has  taken him away to Himself. He wants him to be in His Garden in heaven. He was ever ready to help others, and ready to go anywhere. It is sad that we lost such a wonderful person. It is a big loss to our diocese. My condolences to all . Kindly convey my condolences to his family members, loved ones, relatives and all well wishers and especially to Fr. Leo D’Souza”. [[email protected]]

 

 

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