[Front L To R] Fr Dezil Fernandes, Fr Joel Rodrigues, Fr Boris Dias, Fr Warren Britto Pereira, Fr Venancio Fernandes, Fr Anthony Melvyn Gomes. [Back L To R] Fr Reuel Clyde Fernandes, Fr Clive Agnelo Dias, Fr Peter Tyson Gonsalves, Fr João Gonsalves, Fr Clifford Fernandes and Fr Rayan D’Souza.
PANAJI
Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão ordained 12 deacons of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman as priests at the Se Cathedral, Old Goa on April 29 and 30.
Most of them joined the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne, for their initial formation. They completed their Philosophical and Theological studies at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol and ordained as deacons on April 21, 2023 by Cardinal Ferrão.
These new priests have now been transferred to different Parishes as Assistants to the Parish Priests: Fr Reuel Clyde Fernandes (St Andrew's Church, Goa-Velha), Fr Rayan D’Souza (St Teresa of Jesus Church, Canacona), Fr Peter Tyson Gonsalves (St Stephen Church, Santo Estevam), Fr Dezil Fernandes (Saviour of the World Church, Loutolim), Fr Clifford Fernandes (Holy Trinity Church, Benaulim), Fr Warren Britto Pereira (St Francis Xavier's Church, Velim), Fr Boris Dias (Holy Family Church, Alto Porvorim), Fr Venancio Fernandes (Jesus, Mary and Joseph Church, Nuvem), Fr Anthony Melvin Gomes (Holy Spirit Church Margao), Fr Clive Agnelo Dias (Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim), Fr Joao Gonsalves (Our Lady of Pilar, Seraulim), and Fr Joel Rodrigues (St Agnes Church, Sant Inez).
Let's now turn our attention to each of the 12 newly ordained priests.
FR REUEL CLYDE FERNANDES
Fr Reuel, who hails from Orel Assolna, is the elder of the two sons of Romaldo Fernandes and Maria D’Souza. After completing his VII std at Perpetual Convent High School, Navelim, he joined the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne. Has BA in English from IGNOU. His regency took place in the Parish of Nuvem and at St Xavier’s Academy, Old Goa. As a deacon at Holy Trinity Church, Nagoa (Bardez), he gained pastoral experience.
FR RAYAN D’SOUZA
Fr Rayan is the eldest child of Ligorio and Clarina D’souza from Pale Velsão. He has a sister. After completing his Std 8 in St Thomas High School, Cansaulim, joined the Seminary of Our Lady Saligão and completed his studies. He did his regency in Nuvem in Goa and Chisda, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Served the St Alex Church, Calangute as deacon.
FR PETER TYSON GONSALVES
Hailing from Escrivao Vaddo, Candolim, Fr Peter, is an eldest child of Custodio and Lilia Gonsalves. He has a sister. He passed SSC from People’s High School, Panaji and HSSC from St Theresa’s Higher Secondary School, Candolim. After Graduation from St Xavier’s College Mapusa he joined the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão- Pilerne. Had Pastoral experience at Ambaulim and Nuvem parishes. Did his dioconate ministry at St Theresa’s church, Canacona.
FR DEZIL FERNANDES
Fr Dezil is the youngest child of Mateus and Paulina Fernandes from Betiabhatt, Ambaulim. He has a sister. Completed his SSC from Pope John XXIII High School, Quepem, before joining the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne. Engaging in regency in the Parishes of Nuvem and Caranzalem, he served as a deacon in the Parish of St Anthony, Panchwadi.
FR CLIFFORD FERNANDES
Fr Clifford is the youngest in the family, born to Niquela Carvalho and Custodio Fernandes from Betiabhatt, Ambaulim. He has two sisters. He completed his SSC at Pope John XXIII High School, Quepem, and joined the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão- Pilerne. Had pastoral experiences in the Parishes of Nuvem and Caranzalem. Did his diaconate ministry at St Francis Xavier’s Church, Corgão.
FR WARREN BRITTO PEREIRA
Fr Warren, hailing from Gonsua-Betalbatim, is the eldest child of Minguel and Wanyk Pereira. Has a brother and a sister. Educated at St Jude’s High School and R.M.S Higher Secondary Margao, he pursued his BCA at Damodar College Margao. After graduation, he joined Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne. Had pastoral experience at Ambaulim and Batim parishes. As a deacon, he served at Our Lady of Hope, Candolim.
FR BORIS DIAS
Fr Boris, the eldest of two sons of Beatriz Severino and Benny Mount Dias from Panzorconim Cuncolim, pursued his education in Bandra and Thane. He graduated from St Andrew’s College Bandra and joined the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão- Pilerne. He earned an MCom from Rosary College Navelim during his formation and served in parishes like Ambaulim and Arambol. As a deacon, he contributed to St Michael’s Parish, Taleigão.
FR VENANCIO FERNANDES
Fr Venancio is the younger of two sons of Adelino ani Milagrina Fernandes from Socoilo Vaddo, Arambol. Joined the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne after passing Std VII from Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School, Arambol. Has pastoral experience at Mandur and Ambaulim. He served the Parish of Our Lady of Gloria, Varca as a deacon.
FR ANTHONY MELVYN GOMES
Fr Anthony Melvyn, the second child of Antonio Paixão and Maria Ivone Gomes from Dandeavaddo, Chinchinnim, completed his schooling at Loyola High School, Margao, and Shree Damodar Higher Secondary School, Margao. Has a brother and a sister. He pursued Engineering at Padre Conçessão College of Engineering, Verna, and earned an MBA from IGNOU. Following four years of professional work, he entered the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne. He gained pastoral experience in Candolim and Ambaulim before serving his diaconate ministry at Guardian Angel’s Church, Sanvordem.
FR CLIVE AGNELO DIAS
Fr Clive hails from Dandeavaddo-Chinchinnim and is eldest of three sons of Carlos Agapito and Olivia Dias. Did his schooling at Sarzora and Pilar and HSSC from Emirates English School, Dubai. Graduated from Fr Agnelo College Pilar. Heeding to God’s call, he joined the Society of Pilar and after his initial formation, completed his philosophy from Pilar Institute of Philosphy, Nagpur. Joined the Patriachal Seminary of Rachol. Had pastoral experience from the Parishes of Candolim and Benaulim (Holy Trinity). Did his diaconate ministry at Santo Estevam.
FR JOÃO GONSALVES
Born in Mascarenhas Vaddo, Goa Velha, Fr João is the youngest child of Constancio and Piedade Gonsalves. Has a brother and two sisters. He completed his schooling at Fr Agnel High Hr. Sec. School, Pilar, and pursued his graduation in Engineering at Padre Conçessão College of Engineering, Verna, followed by post-graduation at Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi. Additionally, he holds a post-graduate Diploma in Educational Technology. He joined the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne after post-graduation. He gained pastoral experience in Nuvem parish and Caritas before serving as a deacon at St Anthony, Galgibaga.
FR JOEL RODRIGUES
Fr Joel is the youngest son of Guilherme Rodrigues and Rita Maria Fernandes from Zamcotto, Dramapur. Has two brothers. He passed SSC from Perpetual Succour Convent High School, Navelim and HSSC from Rosary Higher Secondary School, Navelim. After completing a Post-Graduation in Commerce from Rosary Colege Navelim, he joined the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligão-Pilerne. He gained Pastoral experience in the parishes of Nuvem, Ambaulim, Chisda and also in Caritas. He served as a deacon in the Parish of Pomburpa.
