REVEREND MONSIGNOR PEDRO (PETER) FERNANDES

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REVEREND MONSIGNOR PEDRO (PETER) FERNANDES, P.H. Rev. Msgr. Peter Fernandes, P.H., retired Roman Catholic Priest of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg and pastor emeritus of Immaculate Conception Parish, died at St. Josephs Residence on Wednesday, July 26, 2000. He was born June 30, 1921 in Goa, then a Portuguese Colony, now part of India, and received his education there. Monsignor was ordained January 12, 1947 for the Diocese of Goa, by His Eminence Valerian Cardinal Gracias. Upon his arrival in Canada, Monsignor Fernandes was appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Marys Cathedral (September 1966) and was named the priest in care of the Catholic Portuguese Community, Winnipeg. On July 1, 1978 he was named Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, Winnipeg, when this congregation merged with the Portuguese Community. He remained there until his retirement in 1992. His Holiness Pope John Paul II appointed him as a Prelate of Honour, with the title Monsignor, on November 23, 1984. He served on the Refugee Status Advisory Committee under the Minister of Employment and Immigration (1982-85). Msgr. Fernandes had a big heart. Not only did he work zealously for his Portuguese flock he went out of his way to embrace all people. As a pastor he was ever mindful of Christs commission: Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep. His sheep were his prime concern. In prayer, in action, in word and deed, he held always in his minds eye the vision of the Apostle of Goa, St. Francis Xavier. A man who could dream, he knew how to make his dreams come true. The new Immaculate Conception Church on Austin Street is the fruit of his dream. Prayers will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Parish, 181 Austin St., on Sunday, July 30 beginning at 7:30 p.m., with Rev. Jose F. Cabral presiding. At Monsignors request, the Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Parish on Monday, July 31, beginning at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Jose E. Medeiros presiding. Msgr. Maurice J. Comeault will be the homilist. Entombment will follow in the Queen of Heaven Mausoleum at Assumption Roman Catholic Cemetery, with Rev. Msgr. D. Ward Jamieson presiding. A special thank you to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mr. Arthur Kimery and the staff and residents of St. Josephs Nursing Home for their kindness to Msgr. Fernandes over the past years. Cropo Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 29, 2000