Rev. Can. João Pedro Amancio Fernandes was born on November 20, 1928 (coinciding with the first death anniversary of Fr. Agnelo) in Verna, Salcete to devout parents (late) Militão and (late) Maria Claudina Fernandes.
After his early schooling he joined the Saligao seminary for his formation studies. On completing his priestly studies he was ordained as a Priest on October 3, 1954 in the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa by Archbishop Patriarch D. Jose Vieira Alvernaz.
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His first posting as a priest was at the Saligao Seminary as the Prefect. Later he was appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest in Nagoa-Arpora, Bardez. He also rendered his services as the Chaplain of the Palacio do Cabo (Cabo Raj Niwas).
He spent most of his years in Panjim in the apostolate of education, as the Director of Lar de Estudantes, the premier hostel run by the Archdiocese of Goa at Altinho Panjim.
Most of the students obtaining admissions in Goa Medical College, Government Polytechnic, Bachelor of Education and many other institutions would prefer to stay there and pursue their studies, as they were facing difficulties in getting easy transport options.
Although he was a ddisciplinarian, he also understood the problems and difficulties of the students. In Lar, he was fondly called J.P, in reference to the two initials of his name. His helping nature was well appreciated in Lar where he worked for a very long time.
To reciprocate their love for Rev. Can. João Pedro many of the ex-Larites would specially come to meet him either on his birthday or sometimes when they came from abroad or still others would make it a point to phone him. I am sure he touched the lives of many a Larites, who will miss him.
He was very helpful to the poor and the needy students and more so, towards the deserving students to pursue their education.
Many from various villages are still grateful to him for the help he provided them, which helped them continue their studies. The best part was that he would never mention to anyone about the help that he provided. We would come to know about it from the beneficiaries who bumped into us sometimes. He truly believed in Mt 6:3 “But when you help a needy person do it in such a way that even your closest friend will not know about it”.
He also managed to give jobs and admission in various prestigious schools to many through his contacts with the right people.
As the parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church Cuncolim; St Philip and James Church Cortalim; and Our Lady of Grace Church Margao; he would work with his assistant Parish Priests as a team and they would gel very well with him.
At the height of the confraria issue/dispute in Our Lady of Health Church, Cuncolim in the year 1983 he was appointed as the Parish Priest. Here he stood firm and was successful in resolving the issue/dispute. They had to face a lot of hardships during this period in this Church. On one occasion, he and the (late) Fr. Savio Gama, who was his assistant, were even locked inside their rooms by some miscreants.
Soon after completing 75 years, he retired in the year 2004. Thereafterr he stayed at the Basilica of Bom Jesus Old Goa with the then Rector Fr. Savio Barretto and the other Jesuit priests. Here he rendered his services especially during the time of the Exposition of St. Francis Xavier in the year 2004-05. In the year 2005 he was appointed canon of the Cathedral Chapter, Se cathedral.The last 7 years of his retired life he spent in the clergy home where he would help out in some way or the other.
Rev .Can joão Pedro made friends wherever he was posted. He could adjust with people of different age groups, professions, backgrounds etc with ease. This quality of his earned him a lot of friends. Most of his friends would visit him in different parishes and later at the Clergy Home Margao.
Rev. Can João Pedro was chosen to be the Godfather by many parents. In his family, he was the God Father of the eldest child of his two brothers and one sister but he was lovingly called ‘Padrinho’ by all his nephews and nieces including their spouses and their children. He was very concerned about all the members of the family as he was with all others. He had a great influence on all of us. Whenever he would come home to Verna, we were a little scared as he would ask us questions about our progress in school. On most occasions, it was easier to convince our parents regarding our progress in school than to convince him if our results were not up to the mark.We also looked forward to be a part of his birthday celebrations.
Rev. Can. João Pedro lived a very simple life. He practiced what he preached and was always a person on whom one could depend at all times.He was more concerned with the well being of others than his own health conditions. He made very good use of all his talents and at the ripe old age of 91 returned to his heavenly abode on July 29 2020. He spread goodness and love to all those whom he came across. He will live in our hearts forever. We are sure the Good Lord will reward his faithful servant with the fullness of everlasting life.
(The writer is a senior high school teacher and the nephew of the late Rev Can João Pedro Amancio Fernandes)
