Muscat: Fr Augustine Fernandes installed as new parish priest of St Anthony’s Church, Sohar

By Flacid Lobo
Pics by Deepak Pereira
Bellevision Media Network

Muscat/Oman, 27 Aug 2015: Fr Augustine Fernandes OFM was installed as new parish priest of St Anthony’s Church, Sohar, near here during the Holy Mass held on Sunday August 23.

 

Fr Augustine was born on March 6, 1975 in Jagra village of Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, India. He did his schooling at Uppinangady, in Puttur taluk and continued his education at Bankal, Chikmagalur. He obtained his degree from Mysore University.

 

He completed his philosophical studies at Bangalore and his theological studies at Mysore. He was ordained as a priest on May 3, 2006 at Mangaluru, India. After his ordination Fr Augustine served in mission centre at Ranchi, India. Later, he was appointed as assistant parish priest of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Al Ain, UAE.

 

 

Fr Augustine assumed the charge as assistant parish priest of St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Sohar, near here on April 12.

 

The Eucharistic Celebration began with a procession from parish hall on Sunday August 23 at 8.00pm. The procession was led by altar boys, followed by the catechist, parish council members, lectors, clergies and Bishop Paul Hinder, Vicar Apostolic, Vicariate of Southern Arabia.

 

Bishop Paul Hinder concelebrated the Eucharistic Mass along with Fr Johnson, Fr Augustine, Fr Raul Ramos, parish priest of St Peter and Paul church, Ruwi, Fr Wilson Rumao, Fr Custos Paul John, Fr Stalin Varghese, parish priest of Al Ain, UAE.

 

The choir led by Franky Monis presented melodious hymns. After the homily, Bishop Paul administered oath to Fr Augustine, as parish priest of St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Sohar, near here.

 

Fr Augustine thanked everyone and promised to keep the unity and diversity of the parish growing. Hundreds of parishioners were gathered to witness this event.