FR. BRIAN FERNANDES -- Bob
Sayre
Gone but not forgotten! St. Clare parishioners
have pleasant memories of the Rev. Brian Fernandes, the gentle, friendly
priest from India who visited with us for 28 days in July and August. Here
is some data about him: He was born in Bombay, India, a port city with
over 8-million people, including, he says, some 500,000 Roman Catholics.
His surname is Portuguese, which is not surprising since Portugal formerly
had the colonies of Daman, Diu, and Goa on the Indian subcontinent.
Although his parents spoke Portuguese, Fr.
Brian does not, but he is fluent in English, India's national language,
Hindi, and Marathi, the language of Maharastra state, where Bombay is located.
Fr. Brian is a twin, and at birth, his surprised parents did not have names
for two boys. His mother asked for suggestions from the attending
physician and nurse. The doctor, an
Australian, proposed "Sydney," and the nurse, who was Irish, opted
for "Brian." Both proposals were accepted
The Fernandes eventually had a daughter and
six sons, and three of the male offspring are now Catholic priests.
Fr. Brian has been a parish priest and Catholic school principal for 21
years. He has master's degrees in philosophy, political science,
and education.
His recent visit to Deltona was his second
to American soil: He went to Hawaii in 1991 for three months, reuniting
with his twin, Sydney, who is a parish pastor there. For his latest
U.S. trip, Fr. Brian searched the Internet for a destination that would
encompass Florida and Disney World. In the process, he found the
website of St. Clare Catholic Community, was attracted by what he read,
and then emailed Fr. Chris, inquiring about a possible visit. He
was told, "Please come. You'll be welcome." At that time, of course,
neither priest knew that the cleric from India would fill in at St. Clare
while its pastor took a well-deserved vacation.
Only two days into his visit to Deltona, Fr.
Brian was a guest at the installation dinner of Assisi Council, Knights
of Columbus, and its auxiliary, affiliates of St. Clare parish.
He was deeply impressed by what he saw and heard, and four days later,
with the help and sanction of Council officers, complete a membership application
to the Catholic order.
Fr. Brian was among four men who received
the first-degree initiation into the Knights and Assisi Council on July
31. He left St. Clare and Deltona on August 8. Back in Bombay, he
may well be the only Knight of Columbus among that city's 8-million
population and quite possibly the lone Knight in all of India (600-million)!
To keep in touch, Assisi Council will send "Caritas," its monthly newsletter,
to him, and more personal contacts will be made by email and the postal
services.
Fr. Brian said he intends to discuss the Knights
of Columbus with his bishop in India and will seek to establish the order
in Bombay "sometime in the future."
After his Internet contact with St. Clare's,
Fr. Brian made a similar email query to the archbishop of the Bahama Islands.
He received another "Come, you'll be welcome!" so he went to visit the
archbishop after he left Deltona.
Before returning to Bombay (via Moscow, Russia,
the reverse of his air travel from India to Florida), he planned to stop
at Houston, Texas, to see a married brother who is now a U.S. citizen.
Once home in Bombay, he will be pastor of the Infant Jesus Parish there
and will also manage its high school.
Best of luck, Fr. Brian. God bless you
and your work, and come again any time. "Come, you'll be welcome!"
St. Clare's Assisi Council, Knights of Columbus,
has presented plaques of appreciation to four local businesses for allowing
Council members to distribute Tootsie Rolls on their premises during this
year's fund-raising drive. The drive netted donations of more than
$2,800. Plaques went to McDonald's and Publix on Howland Blvd, Lowe's
of Orange City, and Fazoli's Restaurant. The presentations were made by
three of Assisi Council's top officers: K. J. Baker, Frank Perkowski, and
Francisco Cartagena.
The money raised has been distributed to the
Duvall Home for Retarded Children and the Boston Avenue School, both in
DeLand.
Eucharist + Basics and Beyond:
ORLANDO LITURGICAL CONFERENCE VI
The Office of Liturgy of the Diocese of Orlando will host a conference
for liturgical ministers, musicians and choir members, those involved in
initiation ministries and in catechesis, and for all who love the Liturgy
of the Church at the Orlando Airport Marriott September 27-29, 2001. Bishop
Kenneth Untener, Father Gerald Austin and Father Ronald Krisman will be
keynote speakers with an Environment and Art track by Jane Bernard-Hanson.
Father Jorge Perales will lead a track for
our Spanish speaking participants. In addition, there will be over
30 focus sessions and showcases.
A special concert by liturgical musician Marty Haugen will open the
conference on Thursday evening at 8:00 pm. Tickets may be obtained at the
door. For more information and for registration materials, please contact
the Office of Liturgy at (407)
246-4860.
THE NEW SCHOOL PRAYER
written by a teen in Bagdad, Arizona. This is incredible!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable! .
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen
Be well,
Abraham & Carmen Colon
They lie on the table side by side,
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
One is well worn and cherished with pride,
Not the Bible, but the TV Guide.
One is used daily to help folks decide,
No, not the Bible, but the TV Guide.
As the pages are turned, what shall they see,
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV.
So they open the book in which they confide,
No, not the Bible, but the TV Guide.
The Word of God is seldom read,
Maybe a verse before they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the Bible, from watching TV.
So then back to the table side by side,
Lie the Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
No time for prayer, not time for the Word,
The plan of Salvation is seldom heard.
But forgiveness of sin, so full and free,
Is found in the Bible, not on TV.
7 Days Without Praying Makes One WEAK.
~ Author Unknown
CHANGE A CHILD'S LIFE - CHANGE YOUR OWN
Eight scholars at Pine Ridge High School need a caring, adult mentor.
Become a mentor. Share an hour per week.
For more information, call 386-734-7190, 255-6475 or 427-5223, ext.
4608.
INCOME TAX REBATE
Thomas Aglio, Director of Catholic Charities in Central Florida, urges
recipients of the tax refund to consider sharing
part of it with the poor and disadvantaged. Just a 10% gift to
Catholic Charities would produce substantial resources
for the agency to provide assistance to those who will not receive
a check from the IRS. The Family Assistance
Program receives hundreds of requests each month for help with rent,
utilities, and food. Your contribution can be sent
to Catholic Charities, 1771 N. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32807.
DIOCESAN MASS FOR SEPARATED & DIVORCED CATHOLICS
A diocesan-wide Mass for separated and divorced Catholics will be held
at St. James Cathedral, Orlando, on Sunday,
September 9 at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Bob Hunt, a nationally known speaker,
will be the main celebrant. A reception will
follow the Liturgy. Everyone is welcome. For information,
call Terri in the Family Life Office at 407-246-4867.
BIBLE STUDY FOR SINGLES
"Introduction to the Bible" will be the title for a Bible study program
for singles to be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish
Center, Winter Park. The program will run for seven weeks beginning
Tuesday, September 11 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The cost will be $5.00 per person to cover the workbook.
For registration or more information, contact Terri in the
Family Life Office at 407-246-4867.
KNIGHTS SOCIAL NIGHT
All parish members are invited to hear a pro-life talk and see a film
at Our Lady of the Lakes on September 20. The
speaker will be Jessica Errico, who is the director of the Deltona
Crisis Pregnancy Center.
LADIES APPRECIATION DINNER-DANCE -
All are invited to this event at Our Lady the Lakes K of C hall on
September 21. $25.00 per couple -country chicken dinner - music and
dancing from 7:00 pm to 11 pm. - Silent Auction -BYOB.
I NOW RELEASE ALL SENSE OF COMPETITION OR COMPARISON.
I DO MY BEST AND ENJOY BEING ME!
FAITH
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: 'Give me a
light that I may tread safely into the unknown'. And he replied: 'Go out
into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be
to you better than light and safer
than a known way.'
Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957) US writer. Remembered
because it was quoted by George VI in his Christmas broadcast, 1939.
The Desert, Introduction