INFANT JESUS DELEGATION BIDS FAREWELL TO FR VINCENT SERRAO
Friars of Infant Jesus Delegation gathered on 29th of September 2023, to
appreciate and honour Fr Vincent Serrao for his 25 years’ service to the
north east mission and to bid farewell to his further mission to
Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (AVONA), UAE.
Fr Vincent came to Nagaland in 1997 as a regent brother and was sent to
St Francis Parish Lazami for his community experience, under the
guidance of Fr Arthur Menezes, the Parish Priest and Guardian, along
with Fr Augustine Cluade the community member. In 1998 he was sent to
Sacred Heart Theological College, Mawlai - Shilong for his theological
studies. On 2nd May 2002, he was ordained in Milagris Church, Mangalore
along with his capuchin companions, Frs Gerald Veigas and Richard
Quadras. Immediately after the ordination he returned back to Infant
Jesus Delegation Nagaland - Manipur and was sent to Agunato centre which
was the substation of Zunheboto Parish (Zunheboto Dist.). As a pioneer
among the capuchins to Agunato centre, he served in the centre till
December 2004 and thereafter centre was handed back to the Diocese.
Later, he was sent to St Francis Church Lazami as member of the
community to help out Fr Manohar the Guardian of Lazami community.
In the year 2006 he went to USA to help a Capuchin Parish and returned
back to Infant Jesus delegation in 2007. In July 2007, he was appointed
as Parish priest of St Peter’s Church Atoizu along with Fr Yesudas the
Asst parish priest. He served in Atoizu Parish for 3 years and was
appointed as Centre in charge of Akuluto in 2009. He was supported by Fr
Paul Inashe and Br James Furtado the regent brother. In the year 2010 he
was appointed as Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Church – Choithar,
Manipur. The people of Choithar Parish had a great desire to build a
church, therefore they laid a foundation to the new church in 1998 but
they couldn’t succeed to complete the work for several years because of
the economic constraints. As soon as Fr Vincent took up the Parish, he
worked on helping out the people in building the church. Asking help of
Benefactors from south and around the world, spending around one Crore
rupees, he finally succeeded to build the magnificent Church. The
beautiful architect of Church speaks about the great artistic work of Fr
Vincent.
The beautiful church included Artistic Sanctuary which has beautiful
wooden works and beautiful pictorial depiction of life of Jesus, it also
has beautiful façade and a mighty belfry. The Church has capacity to
accommodate thousand people with around 100 wooden benches. The marble
floor adds beauty to the beautiful structure. The stations of Cross
beautify the high standing walls. It was indeed a great work of Fr
Vincent who had built the church with dedication and commitment. In the
year 2019, he was sent to Brussels for the Asian Mission Course where he
could come in touch with the friars of OFM, OFM Conv and Capuchins of
the all around the world, the friars who were working in the missions.
In 2019, he was appointed as Infant Jesus Delegation Treasurer and
member of Capuchin House Dimapur. He served in the community till 30th
September 2023.
It was on 29th September 2023, Brothers of the Delegation gathered to
honour the great missionary. Fr Roshan Sequeira, newly appointed
treasurer and MC for the farewell programme, opened the forum to share
few words on Fr Vincent. Fr Isaac Baptist Rodrigues, the Provincial
Delegate, thanked and appreciated him for his hard work, specially being
pioneer to the mission, facing all kinds of troubles yet patiently
supporting the mission. First Counsellor of the Delegation, Fr Paul
Inashe said, “He is my vocation Promoter and my inspiration.” He also
recalled several beautiful experiences of his along with Fr Vincent, in
his home town of Lazami. Fr Brayan Dsouza the guardian of St Thomas
Friary Tamlu, appreciated Fr Vincent for his simplicity, jovial nature,
love for the nature and love for the missions. The farewell celebration
concluded with the sumptuous meal.
By Fr Stephen Dsouza, OFM Cap
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