Fr. Simon Fernandes SJ
1955 - 2007

He never refused anyone who approached him for help

Fr. Simon Fernandes S.J. died on 20th July 2007, just short of his 52nd Birthday. He was a young man of promise, a dedicated priest, a home in English and in that rare language, Konkanni - what Sanskrit scholars call, "Ubhaya Bhasha pravin". Fr. Simon was born at Aldona, Bardez, Goa in 1955, joined the Society of Jesus at Vinayalaya on 1 July, 1974, and after graduating with a B.A. degree in 1980, he was ordained a priest in 1987.

Simon was very skilled with his hands. He could have passed as a trained electronic engineer. He cut, erected aerials for digital radios and, with the greatest ease, repaired tape-recorders, washing machines and all other household gadgets. He never refused anyone who approached him for help, whether in the community or in the parish.

Except in times of ill-health, he made himself readily and cheerfully available to all.

He was a very people-oriented pastor. He cared for his people as was evident from all his stints in different parishes like Holy Family (Andheri), At. Peter's (Bandra), St. Ignatius (Ambadi Road), and finally, at St. Anne's (Mazagaon). He had a passion for singing and for training children to sing. During the four years he was in St. Anne's Mazagaon, he tained the children to sing during the Christmas midnight Mass. They sang like angles. Over the years he celebrated the Children's Mass every Sunday. It is there that the idea of reaching out to children and training their natural talents to sing originated. He had a deep, resonant voice which he made use of when preaching at Masses and services in the parish. Towards the end of his life, he suffered much from diabetes, but never once complained or asked for pity.

Simon was a meticulous organizer. He infused new life into the concept of pastor. Both at St. Peter's Church, Bandra and at St. Ignatius' Church, Ambadi Road where he was the pastor, the parishioners never complained that his homilies were too long. On the contrary, they would have loved to keep on listening to his stirring sermons. In honest appreciation of him, his former parishioners who were present for his funeral Mass, affirmed that he was strict but kind and gentle, that he corrected but never condemned them. That was very Ignatian of him. He was indeed, many things to many people. He was an outgoing popular people's priest. A genuine charmer!

But he also had hours and days of suffering because of his diabetes and related health deficiencies. He suffered silently, never wanting to trouble others, even when his needs were many and his suffering intense.

The presence of Archbishop Oswald Gracias, who officiated at his Funeral Mass, the large number of priest concelebrants, (about 40 in number), a crowded church, a sizeable representation of children singing in the choir and large contingents of parishioners from St. Peter's and St. Ignatius was indeed a fitting tribute to a pastor who died prematurely in his prime. May the good Lord, who alone knows what goes on in each man's heart and mind, be gracious and merciful to Simon and give him all the rest he needs. Amen!

- Fr. Joaquim Tellis, SJ