This young man seen in this photograph is none other than Bro. Kewin Fernandes from Navelim, Salcette, an encouraging Seminarian from Rachol Seminary who is in Candolim since last six months doing his missionary duties prescribed to the young seminarians before their priestly ordination. During my short conversation with him in Candolim Church on 28.04.19, I found in him a very encouraging Priest To Be, eager to serve God and humanity and face very boldly the onslaught currently under let lose on our community. He looks to me more secular and his approach to the problem faced by our community from the numerically powerful community will be correct one, he looks to me interested in the development of community members, he seems to be aware of the persecution faced by our community and analyzing its ill effects it pains him very much. I am sure from my observation on his thinking, he will do some wonders in the service not only of the community but also of the society irrespective of the caste and creed. I found him very judicious and open minded and also a good disciplinarian.
He is highly qualified in IT having obtained Master Degree (MSc) in this field which is a rarity among our priests and young seminarians and as such he will be a big asset for the Archeodicese of Goa. Still to spend a sort of another internship of 6 months elsewhere, he will re-start his Seminarian’s studies where he probably complete his Philosophy and Teology and receive his priestly ordination in which I offer my wholehearted prayer for him to be a perfect priest which should be like the role model for those young boys wanting to be the priests.
He lamented saying there is not much prayers in our families and there is no family Rosary in our homes. He loved Candolim and its people and enjoyed fully his six month stint in Candolim where he received shower of love from the local parishioners. He asked for the prayers for the Priests and in a special way for him to be a good priest to serve God and humanity. The parents he said must inculcate discipline into their children, stop them from coming home late at night time. The parents must take maximum interest in their children’s needs and be closer to them.
A.Veronica Fernandes.