With profound grief and sadness we mourn the untimely death of our beloved companion, Fr. Eusebio Agnelo Ferrao, on 17th March, 2006, at the age of 61 years, while serving his Christian flock as the Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier's Church in Macasana, Salcete, Goa. Fr. Eusebio's death has robbed us of a dear friend, prolific writer, a lively yet simple priest and an able administrator. While his sudden death leaves us with huge void, we rejoice in our colleague's life and thank God for his gift to the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
Born on August 14, 1944, Eusebio completed his primary education in Portuguese in his native Chinchinim. He joined the Seminary of Our Lady at Saligao, Pilerne, during the Academic Year 1956-57 and successfully completed the course in Humanities. He sought admission in the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol in 1962 and having completed his philosophical and theological courses was ordained priest along with twelve of his companions at St. Andrew's Church, Vasco da Gama, on 26th April, 1970, the ordination marking the church completion of 400 years of its establishment [1570-1970].
Thereafter, Fr.Eusebio joined the Pastoral Institute St. Pius X, Old Goa, and was appointed in 1971 'On deputation to the Liturgical Commission at Pastoral Institute, Old Goa', entrusted with the task of translating into Konkani the "Ritual" of the Catholic Church and also some books of the New Testament of the Bible including the Acts of the Apostles, Letters of St. Paul to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philomen, Letter to the Hebrews, Letter of James and the Letter of Jude, published by the Archdiocese as the "Povitr Pustok: Novo Korar" in 1974. This translation in Konkani was in the Roman script and serves as reference material and Sunday readings for mass/service in Konkani throughout Goa to this day.
Fr. Eusebio's subsequent appointment was at the scenic church of Our Lady of Piedade at Divar in 1975 as its Assistant Parish Priest. Later he was posted as a Chaplain at Ambelim Chapel at Assolna and in 1988 he was promoted and appointed Parish Priest of Carambolim, Ilhas, famous the world over for the migratory birds. He was given the additional responsibility of the Joint-Secretary of the Diocesan Commission for Liturgy in 1993. In the same year, he was appointed Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Agassaim, and also Dean of Goa-Velha Deanery and finally the Parish Priest of Macasana. He also served on the Council of Priests in 1992 and 1998. He contributed numerous articles to the local Konkani newspapers, reviews, and magazines on various topics and lately wrote on social issues in the weekly V. Ixtt. He was also a regular contributor to the Liturgical Review "Amcho Sevadhorm" of the Archdiocese.
Fr. Eusebio was a kind, unassuming, loving and asympathetic pastor, always approachable and available to his parishioners and others alike. For Fr. Eusebio, his parish was the window to view God. He would gladly and willingly share in joys, sorrows and trials of his parishioners. He knew the difficulties of his parishioners to raise children, what it means to fear losing a job or face an addiction. He preached about these things so that he could bring the good news [gospel] into their daily lives. He knew to pray in their voice, the voice of the Church.
For 36 years we, his companions who were ordained along with him, met annually on the day of our ordination at some such residence of the church and shared our anxieties and hopes in our priestly ministry. Fr. Eusebio Ferrao will be missed but his memories will linger on in our hearts. May he rest in eternal peace.