Don Bosco School Principal Fr Mahesh D’Souza laid to rest

By Alphonse Mendonsa & Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 15 Oct: Fr Mahesh D’Souza principal of Don Bosco English School Shirva was laid to rest on Tuesday, October 15 evening, at Our Lady of Health Church cemetery, Shirva.

 

Thousands of mourners paid their last respect to Fr. Mahesh D’Souza on his last journey on Tuesday, 15 October 2019. Fr. Mahesh had passed away under tragic circumstances on night of Friday, 11 October 2019. His sudden and unexpected death had sent shock waves throughout Udupi and Mangalore Dioceses. People could not believe how such a promising and energetic young priest, barely 36 years of age and serving as the Assistant Parish Priest and Principal of Don Bosco CBSE School was no more.

 

The funeral service of late Fr. Mahesh D’Souza was held on Tuesday, 15 October 2019. The mortal remains were kept for public viewing in Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva from 10 am. Thousands of people had been making beeline to get a glimpse of Fr. Mahesh.  Priests and religious men and women from Udupi and Mangalore Dioceses made their way through the crowds of people to pay their last respect to  their colleague priest, Fr. Mahesh DSouza. Vinay Kumar Sorke, former MLA of Kaup, Lalaji R. Mendon-Present MLA of Kaup, J.R. Lobo-Former MLA of Mangalore South, Ivan D’Souza-Member of Legislative Councilm Karnataka, Mohan Alva of Alvas Educational Institutions, Moodbidri and other dignitaries also paid their last respect to Fr. Mahesh.

 

As if the nature too was shedding its tears at the sudden passing away of Fr. Mahesh, the sky was overcast with thick clouds from one o’clock. There was intermittent thunder and it rained right from 2 pm till the end of the funeral service at 5.30 pm.

 

 

The funeral Mass was concelebrated by Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with former Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Uudpi Diocese, Fr. Denis D’Sa-Parish Priest of Our Lady of health Church, Shirva, Fr. Stany Tauro-former Parish Priest  of Shirva and Presently Parish Priest of Holy Rosary Church, Kundapur and other priests. 

 

In his introductory remarks, Bishop Gerald Lobo said that in Fr. Mahesh God had blossomed the flower of vocation to priesthood, but within a short period of six years He took it away. He further said that with the sudden death of Fr. Mahesh not only his parents and family members but also the diocese, the Shirva parish, Don Bosco students and teachers and many of his well-wishers have felt a void which cannot be filled. But all of us have to yield to the will of God. When the news of the tragic death of Fr. Mahesh reached Vatican, Pope Francis through his Nuncio conveyed condolences to the family of Fr. Mahesh and the Diocese of Udupi.

 

Delivering the homily, Fr. Royson Fernandes, Editor of ‘Uzvaad’ said that with heavy heart people have gathered in large number to pay the last respect to late Fr. Mahesh. The sudden death of Fr. Mahesh has plunged everyone in despair and sorrow. Fr. Mahesh has in his brief period of priesthood had achieved quite a remarkable success. During the six years of his priesthood he offered the holy mass daily, looked after the spiritual needs of the parishioners and also successfully managed the institution.

 

 

Soon after the funeral Mass, Fr. Stany Tauro paid tribute to late Fr. Mahesh. He said that the night of Friday, 11 October was the darkest of the nights as Fr. Mahesh suddenly left this world and left a big void in everyone’s heart. Fr. Stany Tauro narrated the family background and  said that he was the first priest to be ordained in 2013 after the formation the new Diocese of Udupi. He served as Assistant Parish Priest in the Milagres Cathedral and Mount Rosary Parish Santekatte and served as Headmaster in the Milagres English Medium School for two years. In 2016 he was appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva and also as the Principal of Don Bosco English Medium School. Fr. Mahesh worked hard to convert the school into CBSE affiliated institution. He was instrumental in acquiring the no objection certificate from the state government and CBSE affiliation from Delhi. He earned the affection of his students and admiration from the staff. He was a good teacher, efficient administrator, inspiring leader,  disciplinarian, soft hearted  and good organizer. His untimely death has brought sorrow to his family, students, teachers, his admirers and the entire diocese.

 

On behalf of the Shirva parish, Wilson Rodrigues, member of the Finance Committee and on behalf of Don Bosco CBSE School, Mrs. Irene paid tribute to Fr. Mahesh D’Souza.

 

Austin Barboza, uncle of Fr. Mahesh in his tribute narrated the early life of Fr. Mahesh which he had spent in Shirva where the seeds of  priestly vocation were sown in his mind and heart due to the good example of late Fr. V.G.F. Rego. Later, while he grew up at his paternal place in Moodubelle the seed grew up as a plant and he underwent priestly training. He had a number of talents such as music and leadership qualities. As the people of Shirvfa remember the service of late Fr. Hilary Gonsalves so also they should remember the service of Fr. Mahesh though it was for a brief period during which  he was instrumental in developing Dons Bosco CBSE School. 

 

The heads of different educational institutions and parish organizations paid their last respect to Fr. Mahesh D’Souza by offering floral wreathes. 

 

Fr. Denis D’Sa thanked Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo, former Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza, all the priests, religious and all those who had made arrangements for the funeral of Fr. Mahesh. He said that the sudden passing away of Fr. Mahesh was a personal loss to him and fondly remembered the days he had spent with him after he was appointed as the Parish Priest of Shirva.

 

At the end of the Mass, as a mark of respect, different representatives laid wreaths and garlands over the remains of the deceased Fr Mahesh D’souza.

 

 

MLC Ivan D’Souza, Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, former MLA J R Lobo, U R Sabhpathi, Alvas Education Society chairman Dr Mohan Alva, Udupi district BJP chief Mattar Rathnakar, Hegde, Kaup Thasildar Mohammed Isaac, Shirva SI Abdul Khader paid their last respects to Fr Mahesh.

 

Udupi Diocese Chancellor Fr Stany B Lobo, Mangalore Diocese chancellor Fr Henry Sequira, Shirva Parish Priest Fr Denis D’Sa, Asst Parish priest Fr Ashwin Aranha, Kallianpura deanery head Fr Lawrence D’souza, Udupi deanery head Fr Valerian Mendonca, Attur Basilica rector Fr George D’Souza, Church pastoral council vice president Wilson D’Souza, secretary leena Machado, office barriers Melwin Aranha, Melwin DSouza,  Norbert Machado, Fr Mahesh D’Souza’ parents, brothers large number of family members and others were present.

 

 

Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza alogn with Bishop Gerald Lobo conducted the funeral service in the church. Thereafter, people went in procession and remained by the side of the way to the cemetery. Priest colleagues carried the coffin containing the mortal remains of Fr. Mahesh to the cemetery.

 

Bishop Gerald Lobo conducted the last prayer service in the cemetery and Fr. Mahesh D’Souza was laid to rest in the built up grave. The sorrow of the family especially parents of Fr. Mahesh, Frederick and Mrs. Matilda D’Souza and his brothers is beyond description.