Fr Agnelo is an example of deep relationship with God: UK Bishop

Bishop Pat Lynch, auxiliary bishop emeritus of Southwark archdiocese, along with other priests during the 96th commemoration Mass of the death anniversary of Venerable Fr Agnelo de Souza at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, London, on November 19.




LONDON

Goans from different parts of the UK came together to participate in the 96th commemoration Mass of the death anniversary of Venerable Fr Agnelo de Souza at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, London, on November 19. 

Bishop Pat Lynch, SS. CC., auxiliary bishop emeritus of Southwark archdiocese, was the principal celebrant to lead the congregation to pray for the beatification of Venerable Fr. Agnelo. 

“Fr Agnelo is an example of a deep relationship with God,” Bishop Lynch said in his homily. 

The bishop invited people to have attitudes based on faith and trust in God, not attitudes based on fear. 

Bishop Lynch recalled a saying of Fr Agnelo, “Our willingness to pray and do good works are gifts of God.” Bishop Lynch noted that the emphasis is on the “gifts of God.” 

Bishop Lynch has guided the devotion of Fr Agnelo as a patron of the Association of Friends of Fr Agnelo for the last 15 years. The bishop acknowledged from experience that devotees travel from all over London and Swindon to partake in the Fr Agnelo Day celebration. 

Canon Michael Branch, Dean of St George’s Cathedral, and recently inducted Canon Norbert Fernandes participated in the special Mass. Canon Norbert led the people in prayer for the petitions and novena prayer for the beatification of Venerable Fr Agnelo. 

Nearly 50 Goa-related organisations participated in a special offertory procession to express gratitude for Fr Agnelo’s intersessions. Participants were handed special petition cards to write their prayer intentions.

Friends of Venerable Fr Agnelo (UK) and Pilar Fathers coordinated the event, while The Goan Association (UK) supported the event’s major expenses. St Anselm’s Southall Choir, led by Jose Mendes, sang devotional Konkani hymns to lift everyone in prayer. 

Among the concelebrants, Fr Stephen Dias, the Local Superior of Pilar Fathers in the UK, along with other Pilar priests, Fr Jerry Fernandes, Fr Patrick D’Souza and Fr Feroz Fernandes, were present at the occasion. Fr Tony Fernandes, SDB, serving in Hampshire, Portsmouth diocese, also participated in the celebration.

The Goan Chaplaincy in the UK had organised Novena Masses across London and Swindon. In London, Novena Masses were celebrated at St Boniface Church, Tooting (November 10), St Mary Magdalen Church, Willesden, (November 11), St Lawrence’s Church, Feltham (November 12), St Joseph’s Church, Wembley (November 13), St Mary’s Church, Croydon (November 14), Church of Our Lady and St Christopher, Cranford (November 15), Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hayes (November 16), St John Bosco Church, Leicester (November 17), St Anslem’s Church, Southall (November 18), St Peter and St Paul Church, Mitcham (November 18) and St Martin and St Michael Church, Hounslow (November 19). 

In Swindon, Fr Agnelo Day Masses were celebrated at Holyrood Church on November 20. All Novena Masses were in Konkani except at Tooting, Croydon, Mitcham and Southwark.