Parishioners bid farewell to Father Marshall Fernandez

On Jan 3, The Chapel of Ave Maris Stella celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord with parishioners and visitors.

Feb 05, 2016

By John Kuppusawary
On Jan 3, The Chapel of Ave Maris Stella celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord with parishioners and visitors. They also had a farewell celebration for Fr Marshall Fernandez, parish priest of St Michael’s Church, Alor Setar, who will be retiring to the Priests’ residence at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Penang.

In his homily, Fr Marshall greeted all the parishioners of Ave Maris Stella Langkawi for all they had accomplished in the past, especially one programme which was to help over a hundred poor and underpriviledged people of the beginning of the Year of Mercy. He hoped the parishioners would continue to focus on more merciful acts during this Year of Mercy.

He told the parishioners that when the Lord called him to a life of service, he entered the seminary at the College General, Penang in 1971. He was ordained a priest, at the age of 36, on Dec 18, 1976 at the Church of St Louis, Taiping, He began as an assistant parish priest at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butterworth.

He was appointed as the Acting Director of the Penang Office of Human Development (POHD), Penang Diocese Youth Network (PDYN), Campus Ministry Office (CMO) in Jan 2007 till Dec 2007 and Ecclesiastical Assistant of SSVP to Penang State Council. On Oct 23, 2010 he was appointed as assistant Parish Priest and on Feb 6, 2014 as Parish priest of St Michael’s Church, Alor Setar.

During his five years as parish priest, he left an indelible mark in the hearts of his parishioners. He is a good advisor, a motivator, and encouraged the youth to participate in Church activities.

In the 39 years of his priesthood, parishioners were grateful for his love, kindness, care and concern, especially the college students and undergraduates. He always gave equal opportunities to all the different language groups in our Church. He gave meaningful homilies that helped and guided us in our spiritual lives.

He always urged the ministries and committees of the Church to reachout to the parishioners. Finally, he told the parishioners to be merciful.

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Alice Alphonsa Andrew[email protected]
t was great knowing you Fr Marshal who always says you are British when I try to talk Malayalam to you.It was great knowing especially when you was assisting in church Of Our Lady of Lourdes Silibin Ipoh.Tq for all that you done with all the parishes you were with.May God continue to bless you with good health always take care n be numerous always.