Late FR ARCHIBALD FERNANDES(MSFS)
FR ARCHIBALD FERNANDES (MSFS). (Born 29th August,1936, Ex-Tanga, Tanzania)Death- 13 May, 2007: Pune, India.
Son of Manuel/Petronila. Brother of Sheila, Eddie and Ronnie.
Tanga-born Fr Achibald Fernandes hailed from a very rare breed of Catholic priests given to preaching music. His father – Manuel Fernandes – played the flute and his mother – Petronila – excelled at the keyboards as does his sister Sheila. He and his brothers (Eddie and Ronnie) plumped for the haunting harmony of the saxophone. He loved and preached music. He mixed music and education admirably. Even when he was being ordained priest 1965, he was in the thick of music.. As an educationist, he served as a principal of various schools – SFX High School in Siolim, St Thomas High School in Aldona and St Francis de Sales High school, which he had founded in Pune. He was also the principal of St Francis de Assisi High School at Shivaji Nagar in the same city. His quarters at the Fransalian seminary at Bastora was always strewn with a variety of musical instruments as he took pride in preparing youngsters in music
He played the saxophone famously, and while he played, he believed that “there are hundreds of eyes following you… a priest playing saxophone on stage.” Music and preaching, though disparate, helped him “induce them with a bit of spirituality and certain values and often establishing fine camaraderie by mixing freely with the members of other participating bands”. He was a great music teacher, a better guide and mentor. He believed the fact that there were “extraordinarily talented musicians among the priests”, who did not venture out to play”. Fr Archie preferred to be unusual. He even played for the Grease for two years while in Muscat.
I still cherish those days when he used to come all the way from Goa to Sawantwadi to play Saxophone for musical shows and tiatrs, along with Uncle John, Cyril, Valentine, etc.... Specially it was great fun and a thrilling experience during Alexio's tiatr "OH PAI". He travelled with us for 12 shows at different places in Sawantwadi as well as Goa. He had special concern for me and Michael. And the bonding with him grew when he happily agreed to be our elder son- Archie's GodPa...
The ever jovial Fr Archie, suffered his sickness for quite some time, and eventually signed off from planet Earth, for greener pastures up in heaven on May 13.
Fr Archie - would be as much happy, busy and in hi demand in Lord’s abode as he used to be here in His vineyard. Today we are thinking about you and making a wish upon a star...to carry our love to where you are......
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