Fr. Albano Fernandes - Talvez ninguém recorde !

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Talvez ninguém recorde em Pemba... Transcrevo da net:

Fr. Albano passes away. - Konkan, Apr. 6. Fr. Albano, worked as missionary for over 34 years in the province of Guwahati, but his contribution to Goa cannot be forgotten, even though it was just a few years of initial service, and his last days of repose.

In an age when faith is challenged by commitment and dedication, it is rare to find individuals with life time dedications. The rich goan tradition has yet another blessing, in the person of Fr. Albano Fernandes, a Salesian Missionary in the North East. His passing away, at the age of 77, on palm Sunday, 5th April 2009, at 08.25am, at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Fatorda, after a prolonged illness, leaves behind another example of life time service in social and religious sector, in India, especially the North East. The funeral will be held on 7th April 2009, in Don Bosco, Fatorda, at 5 pm.

Born to Mr. Filippo Neri, and Maria Lucia Nune, on 22.06.1931 at Pemba (Porto Amelia, Mozambico), Fr. Albano, grew up in this traditional religious family, and joined the Salesian of Don Bosco in Mozambique. His parents were from Guirim, where his family members still live. He began his novitiate on 14.10.1957, in Manique-Estoril, Mozambique, and due to family decision of returning back to Goa, sort to pursue his formation in the Salesian Society with the Salesian in Goa.

After completing three years of required training, he was then sent to Yercaud (Chennai), for another three years of formation, where he took his perpetual vows in the society of Don Bosco. After his theological studies in Kotagiri, he returned back to Goa, and was ordained in Don Bosco Panjim, on 6th June 1967. For five years after his ordination he worked in Don Bosco Panjim, helping out in the Oratory. For two years (1972-4), he was the administrator of Don Bosco Panjim, and it is here, that sprung his missionary vocation, to go to the remote parts of the country, and dedicate his life, in the service of poor and abandoned youth. The challenging missions of the North East was much spoken of then, and so he was posted in the community of Sojong for two years (1974-6), where he would later come again and be Rector and Parish Priest of the community for 6 years. He was worked for ten years in Umwai (1976-86), where his dedicated services are still remembered by the locals. Besides working at the grass roots, his administration capabilities cannot be undermined.

In 1992, he was nominate the Diocesan Administrator in Diphu for two years. His fine sense of duty and planning, were tested further when in he was called to the center in Don Bosco Guwahati, where he was Parish Priest for 8 years (1995-2003). He was made the Secretary to the Arch-bishop of Guwahati for three years from 2003-6. He was assigned to the community of Don Bosco Fatorda, in June 2008, to recover from his sickness. The Salesians and the many in Goa will remember Fr. Albano, for his human touch. He was also quick at languages and could easily converse in Portughese, English, Italian, Konkani, Karbi, Tiwa (Lalung), Hindi, Garo. He joined the salesians as a late vocation after his BA studies, and as such knew well the importance of keeping personal contacts. It his during his time, that the Don Bosco Oratory began to spring to life. He revitalized the Past-pupils movement keeping close contacts with them and showing them a keen interest in development. It is during his time that many of the stalwarts were nurtured and formed, like Mr. Armando Colaco (Dempo Sports), Timoteo Fernandes, etc. `Fr. Albano was like a father to me, encouraging and motivating me all the time. Sweet memories of Fr. Albano will always remain. It`s a pity that I`m in Bahrain with Dempos and won`t be able to attend his funeral`, said Mr. Armando Colaco, on being informed of the sad demise. Fr. Albano is also the pioneer of the Don Bosco night School, who later appointed Mr. Jertrude S Rebello as the Principal. Today, it is perhaps the only night school of the Goa board of education.

- By Ralin De Souza, DomBosco India Information Service, 07/04/09.

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