“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. 

Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

After serving the parish for five years it is time for Fr Freddy D’Souza to move on to Bahrain, to the Sacred Heart Church.  The Parishioners promptly joined together for a thanksgiving mass on Saturday 28 August 2010 at 7.30 pm.  Fr Freddy, together with seven other priests from the parish concelebrated the mass to thank God for the blessings bestowed on him and the parish community, through him.

At the end of the mass Fr Tomasito called upon the parishioners to bid farewell to Fr Freddy and to welcome Fr Fransquinho Gomes (Fr Frank) who has arrived from Goa (India) to takeover Fr Freddy’s place.  Emolyn Bucsit read the welcome address for Fr Frank and welcomed him to the parish on behalf of all Priests, Sisters and the parishioners. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Fr Frank.  In his response Fr Frank thanked the parishioners for the warm welcome and committed himself to the spiritual wellbeing of the parishioners.  Being ordained on 19 May 2009, Fr Frank served in Mapusa, Goa and at the Franciscan Formation House in Goa.  Young and talented Fr Frank is interested in music, singing and plays the guitar. 

Maria Gomes read the farewell address to Fr Freddy and expressed the sincere gratitude of the parishioners for the tireless service rendered by him.

Since his arrival at the parish on 25 November 2005, primarily celebrating the Mass and giving other sacraments at the parish level, Fr Freddy also served as the Spiritual Director of Konkani Community, Goan Sodality, two Konkani Prayer Groups, Konkan Yuva, English Charismatic Prayer Group, Marriage Encounter Group, Come Alive Youth Group, Bengali community and the Korean Community.  He was also the driving force behind the coordination of all Youth Groups in the parish and his support and encouragement were instrumental in making Youth Quake 1 and 2 over the past two years a roaring success.

Fr Freddy was also responsible for celebrating Konkani mass once in a month at St Mary’s Dubai and also at other neighbouring parishes of Jebel Ali, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and at times Sharjah as well. Until last year he was the co-ordinating priest for various choirs in the parish extending his support.  As a trainer and mentor for the Altar Servers Fr Freddy showed great commitment and perseverance.  For the last two years Fr Freddy has also been closely involved in establishing and looking after the Young Franciscan group, “YOUFRA”.

In spite of all these activities Fr Freddy was always available for anyone who knocked on his door for house blessing, car blessing or counselling. 

Fr Tomasito offered a token gift from the parishioners to Fr Freddy, who in turn expressed his sincere appreciation to the parishioners who, over the years had given him opportunity to grow in his own faith and friendship with God.