As my memories pace back to the years of service as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, I remember them as a time filled with both great challenges and deep moments of faith. Soon after I began my ministry in the parish, the world was struck by the unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a time of uncertainty, fear, and isolation for many families. During those difficult months, when churches were closed and public gatherings were restricted, it became our responsibility to ensure that the faithful remained spiritually connected with God and with the parish community. With the help and cooperation of parish members, we began celebrating Holy Mass and conducting prayer services through online platforms. Though people could not gather physically in the church, the Word of God and the Eucharistic celebrations continued to reach families in their homes. It gives me immense pleasure to acknowledge the cooperation of the youth of Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral for their continuous and selfless service during the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic. They worked tirelessly and remained united to ensure that the online Mass and other parish activities were conducted smoothly. The pandemic also brought many moments of anxiety and suffering. Many families faced illness, loss, and uncertainty about the future. As a shepherd of the parish, I felt it important to remain close to the people during those times. Whenever possible, I visited families to offer prayer, comfort, and encouragement. These visits were moments of sharing faith and hope, reminding one another that God walks with us even in the darkest times. One of the most painful experiences during the pandemic was the loss of lives due to COVID-19. I would like to share the unnoticed and untold moments from that time. During the continuous lockdowns, people were unable to move around freely, and many families were suddenly faced with the sorrow of losing their loved ones. The common cemetery of the Udaipur Christian Fellowship (UCF) soon faced a serious problem - there were no graves available for burial.
At this critical moment, Dr. C D Alphonse, the Treasurer of UCF, took the initiative to prepare additional graves. Despite the restrictions and the widespread fear of Covid-19, he courageously worked alongside a JCB operator to ensure that the departed faithful received a proper and dignified Christian burial. Moreover, when people were hesitant to attend funerals due to the risk of infections Dr. Alphonse, me and a handful of others remained present to offer a respectful farewell to those who had lost their lives to Covid-19. In those moments, I was able to provide pastoral support and ensure that the departed were remembered with dignity and with the prayers of the Church. Despite the hardships of those years, I witnessed remarkable faith and solidarity among the parishioners. Families supported one another, remained united in prayer, and continued to trust in God’s providence. The pandemic reminded us that the Church is not only a building, but a living community of believers who walk together in faith. As I reflect on my time in this parish, I thank God for the opportunity to serve the people during such a unique and challenging period. I am grateful for the cooperation, faith, and resilience of the parish community. Together we learned that even in times of crisis, faith, hope, and love can guide us forward.