from Fr. Deepak Oswald D'Souza
Director Social Work
Allahabad
 
Fr. Richard Fernandes son of Late Anthony Fernandes and Maria Fernandes, an illustrious priest of the Diocese of Allahabad is no more. He was fondly known as "Fr. Richie" and was born on 23.01.1945 at Shirva, Diocese of Mangalore, District Udupi, his home parish being Church of Our Lady of Good Health Shirva. He hails from a family of four brothers and two sisters. One of his nephews is a Dominican Priest.
 
Fr. Richard had his schooling from Pompey High School Kirem, after which he joined St. Paul's Minor Seminary, Lucknow in the year 1962. Having successfully completed his initial priestly formation there, he was sent to St. Joseph Seminary, Allahabad to pursue his Philosophical studies. Young brother Richard excelled in the study of Philosophy and  his superiors promoted him to the Theologate in the same Seminary.  During his philosophical and theological studies he was able to excel in Hindustani Music as well as Western Music. In this regard he was awarded the degree "Prabhakar" in Hindustani Music from Prayag Sangeeth Samiti, Allahabad, having trained himself from Sangeeth Sadhna Mandir, Panchmadi. 
 
On having completed his priestly formation from St. Joseph Seminary, Allahabad he was ordained priest on 12th Dec, 1971 at St. Patrick Church Kanpur by the then Bishop Most Rev. (Late) Alfred Fernandes.

Newly ordained Fr. Richard was appointed in St. Xavier's Church Ashok Nagar Kanpur in the capacity as assistant parish priest. There after he was posted in a number of places to head varied responsibilities of the Diocesan Pastoral Mission. He served in all the capacities allotted to him with a sense of strict discipline, prayerful dedication and uncompromising attitude to the values of Jesus' Kingdom which he preached and practiced.
Although he was available for service at any place and at any time, Hehe was seen actively serving particularly in places like St. Xavier's Church Kanpur, Sacred Heart Church Obra, St. Mary's Church Faizabad, St. Paul's Church Sultanpur, Our Lady of Lourd's Church Renukoot, St. Joseph's College Allahabad, St. Aloysius School Kanpur, St. Joseph's School Rihand Nagar, St. Joseph's School Shaktinagar, St. Thomas' School Kidwainagar as pastor and heading Education Ministry of the place with utmost competence and sincerity.

Fr. Richard was last appointed as priest-on-duty at St. Joseph's Cathedral Allahabad in the year 2007 where he busied himself with prayers and priestly duties; despite his deteriorating state of health.
Rev. Fr. Richard was admitted in Nazareth Hospital Allahabad for complaint of jaundice and chest congestion in the first week of December 2008, where he was given medical attention in all possible ways till 26.12.2008; his last day on this earth.

After serving the Diocese of Allahabad for 37 years tirelessly, Fr. Richard Fernandes left for his much cherished Eternal Rest on 26.12.2008 at 10:58 a m in the presence of a praying community of priest and sisters assisted by their constant prayers. On being asked about his last Will he jokingly but thoughtfully remarked "When I came I brought nothing. When I go I take nothing. I have no Will of my own. My Will is written above."

Funeral will be on 28th, Sunday at 12.00 noon at st. Joseph Cathedral Allahabd