Events
Fr. Thomas D’Souza passes Away

REV.FR. THOMAS JEROME D’SOUZA

BELLARY, SEP. 28: Fr Thomas D’Souza (83) passed away at 9.25 PM Sep. 27, at Trauma Care Center, Bellary. He was 56 years priest.

Fr. Thomas D’Souza was admitted in St. Mary’s Hospital, Bellary on Friday the 18 September. He was being treated for lower limbs weakness. On 22 September he tested Covid -19 + ve. Immediately he was shifted to Anushka Covid Hospital, Cantonment, Bellary. Thereafter as his condition was worsening, he was admitted to Trauma Care Center, Bellary.

On Sunday 27 Sep. evening his condition deteriorated and he breathed his last at 9.25 PM. Thereafter his body was kept in VIMS mortuary. His mortal remains will be taken to Cowl Bazar Cemetery. Bishop Henry D’Souza will preside over the funeral Mass in the cemetery chapel. Thereafter his mortal remains will be interred in the Cowl Bazaar cemetery.

Born on 21 December,1937 in a devote family in Kirem parish, Mangalore, to Santa D’Souza and Catherine Saldhana, Fr. Thomas heard the call of God at the early age and followed Jesus, the Master with youthful enthusiasm and determination. He was one of the priests recruited by Bishop John Forest Hogan, the first Bishop of Bellary. He completed his primary studies in his native place. He had his Minor and Major Seminary formation in Mangalore.

He was fortunate to be ordained along with 140 priests from various parts of the country during the Eucharistic Congress held at Bombay on 2 December1964 and led by his Holiness Saint Pope Paul VI.

Ever joyful Fr. Thomas D’Souza served the people of God with utmost dedication and devotion, amidst many challenges. His total dedication and selfless devotion to duty, won the admiration of many and success in good measure. With his strong faith, loyalty to the Church and love for people, he endeared himself to one and all. He has been a much appreciated as a beloved pastor in many parishes and an efficient Master of Ceremonies in all official liturgical services for many years.

He was always people’s priest. Always contented and ever smiling in the service of the Lord, building community of faithful. He has been living in the Bethany senior priests’ home along with his seminary companions Frs. Archibald Corea, Denis Menezes, Henry Fernandes and Charles D’Souza and other priests. Rev.Fr. Thomas J D’Souza celebrated his Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee on 2 December, 2014 at St. Anthony’s Community Centre, Bellary.

He worked in mission stations and parishes of the diocese: Jawalgera (964-66,1987-94), Cathedral (1966-68,1975-80), Mudgal (1968-69), Maski (1969-75), Munirabad (1980-81), Gangavathi (1981-87), Chithapur (1994-99), City Parish (1999-2004), Gangavathi ( 2004-2009) and Siruguppa (2009-13).

As a pioneer he started Maski and Gangavathi Missions in Raichur and Koppal districts. For many years he resided in small huts, using part of them as a chapel. He developed the diocesan land at Maski got all necessary Government permissions to construct the church and presbytery. He evangelized in Anthargangi, Benekanal, Hire Kadabur, Mudbal and Nanjaldinni.

He was the manager of St. Joseph’s Boys’ School, St. Martin’s Home, Bishop Hogan H. P. School in Gangavathi. Charity Sisters were brought to Gangavathi in 1982, during his tenure as Parish priest. His was a life lived for God and his people, a life spent in service and sacrifice. After retirement from active pastoral ministry, Fr. Thomas D’Souza moved to Bethany Senior Priests Home, Bellary in 2013.

Even after his retirement, he served as a chaplain at St. Mary’s Convent and Hospital. “Our Diocese has lost a zealous missionary and enthusiastic pastor. He was a fine human being who endeared hims self with priests, religious and people of all faiths”, said Fr Sam Nalan, Chancellor of the Diocese.

The Bishop, the Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Diocese of Bellary gratefully acknowledge his long fruitful services to the People of God in the diocese of Bellary.

We gratefully acknowledge the kind and loving services of Govt. Multi Specialty Hospital Trauma Care Center medical fraternity and St. Mary’s Hospital Sisters and their staff, and Frs. Antony Raj (VG), Ivan Pinto (PRO), O. Vincent (DFO), Cyril Lasrado (DEM), Alphonse George (ADFO) and all those assisted him particularly during his last days.