Fr. Xavier D’Souza installed as Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Qatar

By Armstrong Vaz

Doha, Qatar: Last month Fr. Xavier D’Souza of Capuchin OFM Congregation became the first Goan Priest to be appointed as Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Qatar at the installation ceremony recently.

A moment of joy and happiness for the Konkani Speaking community and in particular the Qatar Goan Community.

The Goan Community has come a long way since early 1960’s when Goans started coming to work in Qatar. Goan Community members have been assisting/volunteering in the Church in various areas and now in 2023 they have son of Goa as the Parish Priest.

At this juncture it is necessary to go down the memory lane and trace the history of Qatar Parish and about Goans carrying out different activities/voluntary services in the Church.

Until 1988 there was no Parish Priest in Doha with a priest from Bahrain visiting Qatar on Weekends (Thursday/Friday). Fr. Lesech - a Polish Priest was visiting Qatar from the period between 85-88.

Until 1983 Masses were held in Shell Compound (QatarEnergy), Al Ahli Compound, it was situated at Al Rumaillah, currently the Women’s Wellness and Research Centre is located.

From 1983 until 1988 Masses were held at Parishioners Homes.

Many Goan / Mangloreans and Keralites offered their homes to hold Masses on Weekends, to name a few families: Eugine Dias, Sharlotte Fernandes (late), Bruno Campos (late), Herman DeSouza (late), Blossom D’Souza, Shirley Pratap Parulekar (late), Rappai, etc.

Many Parishioners offered their homes to hold Catechism Classes.

Many Goans volunteered in different areas, catechism teachers, ushers, lectors, admin, etc.

In 1988, Fr. John Van Deerlin (American Priest) (late) was appointed as the first parish priest. He established / transformed the Qatar Parish, mainly carrying out the below:

Started Masses at the American School (then at Rayyan next to the MES Indian School), started Masses at Al Bidda center (Opp the British Embassy), opened Parish Centre (Opp Hamad Hospital), appointed Eucharistic Ministers, to name a few Goans: Sharlotte Fernandes (late), Eugine Dias, Nerry Fernandes, Lucy Fernandes, Domnic Fernandes, Walter Dias, Bruno Campos (late), Marie Campos, etc., established contacts with Qatar Government and sought land to build the Church,moved the Masses to the new American School at Al Sadd, appointed Deacons, appointed Ushers with Goa’s Nerry Fernandes has been volunteering for more than 30 years.

Anne DeSouza was the first church office Secretary (volunteer). Masses were held in Doha, Messaied, Ras Laffan, Al Khor (now held only in Doha)

In 2000 Fr. Lestor Mendonca a Manglorean Priest was appointed as the Parish Priest. Early 2000 Parish Centre was moved to Ras Abu Aboud, opposite the Marriott Hotel. Mass was held in the large hall and catechism in classrooms.

In 2001 Masses stopped at the American School and in 2004 Foundation Stone was laid for the Church under the leadership of Fr. Lestor Mendonca.

One major event Qatar Goans will never forget Fr. Lestor is for his efforts to bring 4 Goan Clubs/organizations together and merging them and forming Goan Welfare Association (GWA).

The existing Church was Inaugurated on 8th March 2008. With Community member’s representation to Bishop Paul Hinder, Fr. Gaspar was appointed as the first Goan Priest for the Konkani Speaking Community.

Fr. Anand succeeded Fr. Gaspar, Fr. Nelson succeeded Fr. Anand.

The present big religious complex has the capacity to host five masses simultaneously and the parish have the services of at least a dozen resident priests.

Besides being blessed with a Konkani speaking parish priest from Goa, the Qatar Goan community have been able to make a few contributions to the catholic vocations.

Sr. Terese Pereira, a Nun with Missionaries of Charity, Kolkatta, she is daughter of Lilian and late Vincent Pereira (President of Qatar Goans Sports Club) and sister of Trecy (Qatar Airways).

Br. Robert Fernandes, Lay Brother with the Edmund Ignatius Rice congregation of Lay Brothers - currently he is the Principal of St. Columba School, Delhi, Son of Joe and Matilda Fernandes, Brother of Reggy Fernandes (Commercial Bank).