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REV FR GERMAIN FERREIRA OF CALANGUTE
Wed Jul 07 11:48:39
Rev Fr Germain Ferreira of Calangute, Goa, was laid to rest on Saturday, 3 July 2010, at St Alex Church, Calangute. He was the brother of the late Patrick Ferreira (of Mombasa, Nairobi and London) and Gerry Ferreira (of Nairobi and London). He leaves behind his youngest brother, Johnny Ferreira, and sister in law, Gloria, of Nairobi and London, as well as his nephews, Olavo, Clive, Patrick, Keith and Jude Ferreira and their families.
The funeral Mass was concelebrated by some eleven priests from around Goa, including his cousin, Fr Prudence Ferreira, as well as Fr Loiola Pereira, representative of the Archbishop of Goa, and Fr Oscar Quadros, representative of the Bishop of Allahabad. The body proceeded from St John’s Chapel, Umtavaddo, Calangute, where Fr Germain served for more than 20 years (following his retirement), to St Alex’s Church.
Germano Damasceno Ferreira, was known as Fr Germain. He was born in Kenya on 11 October 1916, to Graciosa Lobo e Ferreira and John Ferreira. He took is name from his maternal grandfather, Joao Francisco Damasceno Lobo, a fact in which he took great pride, as his grandfather had commenced and completed his studies at Rachol Seminary, with a view to becoming a priest. However as Damasceno Lobo had not reached canonical age, he was not able to proceed to Ordination and in the interim, he met his wife to be, Joaquina, and gave up the idea of becoming a priest! The rest as they say is history but Germain learnt from it!
Following the untimely death of his father, John Ferreira, in 1920, in Nairobi, Germain, then aged nearly five, together with his mother, Graciosa, and three brothers, Patrick, Gerry and Johnny, set sail for Goa. Although they endured difficult times, Germain recalls that his childhood was happy and was ever thankful for the loving support that he and his brothers received from their mother, grandmother, and uncle, AP Ferreira of Mapuca. The impressions that he gained in childhood were to leave a lasting impression: he never forgot the joy of his schooling days at Mater Dei, Saligao, the kindness of families in the vaddo, the fragrance of the sea, the preciousness of fellowship and friendship, the nurturing spirit of family, particularly that of his brothers and wider family in Mapuca, and his love of Goa.
From a young age, Germain felt a calling to serve God and following his matriculation from Bombay University he strongly felt the need to serve God as a missionary. Although entreated by his mother to enter a seminary in Goa, Germain felt that his calling was to serve God in India. At the age of 18 years therefore, he left for Northern India to join St Joseph’s Seminary, Allahabad; one can only imagine the momentousness nature of that decision. Germain recalls that he must have cut an amusing figure when he arrived in Allahabad from Goa to see the then Bishop, Bishop Poli, dressed as he was in a pair of shorts and long socks!
Germain commenced his studies in philosophy and theology, whilst at the same time pursuing a BA degree from Calcutta University. Thereafter he pursued a post-graduate teacher’s training licentiate (LT), which he obtained from Agra University. The ten years that Germain spent at seminary were difficult, not least because he missed his family … and of course, home food!
Germain was ordained to the priesthood in 1945 in Allahabad and that same year, returned to Goa to celebrate his first Mass too. It was in the midst of the war years and times were lean. His proud mother had some gold bangles melted down to make a chalice for him, whilst his youngest brother, Johnny, cycled around Bardez, seeking scarce provisions, such as sugar, so that the occasion could be properly celebrated! Senior members of Umtavaddo can still remember the military canons that were fired in celebration of the Ordination of one of their own that day!
Fr Germain Ferreira then began his priestly duties, commencing initially as visiting priest at Dum Dum airport, Calcutta, and then at Baba Nagar, Bengal. He was appointed assistant priest, and subsequently parish priest of St Joseph’s Cathedral, Allahabad, and appointed to the 19th century school, St Joseph’s Collegiate, as senior master, where he served for ten years. The school excelled in terms of its academic reputation and Germain thrived, both in terms of teaching and priestly duties. It is said that it is there he developed his thunderous voice!
Fr Germain then served as parish priest of St Patrick’s Church, Kanpur, for some 19 years. He was subsequently appointed headmaster and principal of St Aloysius missionary school, where he was to eventually raise the school from KG to ISC level, expanding the numbers of students accommodated to 1500. Fr Germain brought a modern, progressive approach to education, endeavouring to produce well-rounded individuals in terms of spiritual values, education, social skills, sport and music, as many of his past students will testify. The school’s reputation for excellence, which was earned during Fr Germain’s tenure, continues to be maintained today.
Fr Germain also subsequently served at St Mary’s Church, Faizabad, near Lucknow, for a number of years, where he also headed one of its oldest schools, St Mary’s, as well as undertaking the responsibility for tending to the spiritual needs of the government school and military cantonment situated there.
Following a further period at St Patrick’s, Kanpur, Fr Germain retired to his ancestral homeland of Goa in the 1980s. Until health problems began to affect him, when he was well into his late eighties, Fr Germain continued to say daily Mass at St John’s Chapel, Calangute. So too he continued to ride his Vesper motorbike, displaying characteristic energy and determination until his 90th year!
Fr Germain has lived a long life: this year he was to celebrate his 94th birthday and the 65th anniversary of his Ordination. It was a full life for which he never failed to give thanks. From humble beginnings and in circumstances, which were tough by any standards, particularly for his mother, as a widow with four young children, he marvelled at God’s work and His hand in showering him and the family with love and protection. Whilst he endeavoured to serve God, community and family, he often felt inadequate to the task, for God’s love and grace had been so overwhelming. And he tried to serve with love. People who knew him, knew that beyond his image of focussed determination, lay a man of gentleness and compassion, of sensitivity and perception. He was always generous in his giving, despite the fact at times he had very little to give and if he has left behind a legacy, it is this: with faith in Christ and love of God, the most insurmountable obstacles can be overcome. We give thanks for his long and rich life, for the enthusiasm and love that he brought to it, and for his dedication and service.
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On July 9, 2010, Betty D'Souza (ex Jinja Uganda ) beloved wife of the late Selwyn D.Souza passed away surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her daughter (the first Sandra) and son Ivan. She will be sadly missed by her children Sandra (Evarist), Freida (Vince) and her daughter-in-law Myra , her 9 grandchildren and her 4 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Cresmount Funeral Home in Hamilton , Ont. , Canada , on Sunday July 11 from 6:00- 9:00 pm and on Monday July 12 from 7:30- 9:00 pm. Prayers will be held at 8:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Margret Mary Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 10 am. Internment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery . Condolences: sandracorrea@quickclic.net 