In His vineyard for 40 years
Audrey Fernandes
Fr Diogo Manuel Fernandes was born in Paroda village on the banks of Kushawati River on March 1, 1947, to Luis Manuel Fernandes and Aninha Lacerda. He was their third child. They had five children two sons and three daughters. Luis was a sailor and Aninha a housewife who was a devout Catholic.
It was her wish to see one of her sons serving the Lord and one day when her son came and told her that he was in love with God, her heart was filled with gratitude as God had answered her prayers. Living behind his parents and siblings at the age of 14 he joined the Seminary at Saligao and started with his priestly studies. In March 1976 he completed his SSC through Pune University. On April 30, 1976, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Raul Gonsalves. He was the first priest from the village of Paroda.
He first served as the assistant parish priest of St Alex Church, Calangute from 1977 to 1982, during which time he completed his Bachelor of Arts through Bombay University.
He was then sent to serve in the parish of Holy Cross Church Santa Cruz from 1982 to 1989, and while there completed his Masters in Sociology through the Goa University.
He was made a Chaplain to Saude Chapel Anjuna and also worked as manager of the school from 1989 to 1995, where he completed the first floor of the school of Sacred Heart, Anjuna. During this time he lost his mother. While at Anjuna, he taught at St Xavier College Mapusa for two months and also at Rosary College Navelim.
He was then appointed as the Parish Priest of Saint Rita Church, Maina-Curtorim where he served from 1995 to 2003. In the eight years here he renovated the boarding for the boarders, built the study hall and constructed a residence for the priests. From here, he moved to Colva to serve in the parish of Our Lady of Merces Church, from 2003 to 2011. The parishioners here still admire his will and ability, his power of tolerance, his quality of forgiveness and his helping nature. He was instrumental in building the new high school and also renovated the parochial house.
Today he is the Parish Priest of St Philip & St James Church, Cortalim. Here Fr Diogo constructed the DEd College of Education within a span of one year. The DEd college is named after Saint Joseph Vaz.
In all these forty years, Fr Diogo has served in the vineyard of the Lord and lived according to His will. The family of Fr Diogo Manuel Fernandes is very grateful to all people of the different parishes of Goa who have been a part of his life.
He is a man of commitment and dedication, always full of courage and joy. One of the best responsible priest towards his spiritual as well as social duties.
