Rev. Mr. Mark Edward Fernandes
Age: 31
Born: Bombay, India
Where Baptized: St. Stephen’s Church, Cumballa Hill, Bombay, India

Parents/Siblings: Doris and the late Barney Fernandes; one older brother, Father David A. Fernandes, parochial vicar, St. Anselm Parish
Home Parish: Immaculate Heart of Mary, in the Andorra section of Philadelphia
Current Diaconate Assignment: Holy Innocents Parish in the Juniata Park section of Philadelphia
Grade School/Year Graduated: Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 1987
High School/Year Graduated: Archbishop Kennedy High School, Conshohocken, 1991
College/Year Graduated/Major/Degree: St. Joseph’s University, 1995; bachelor of arts degree in international relations
Employment before entering the Seminary: Paralegal in the Investment Management Group at the law firm of Drinker Biddle and Reath, LLP, in Philadelphia
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary entrance date: September 1998
What was the deciding moment that led you to enter the Seminary?
There wasn’t really one moment. It was a very gradual process of listening to God in prayer, speaking to trusted advisers and reading good books. The Bible, especially the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30), touched me deeply.
Who influenced you the most in your decision to enter the Seminary, and how?
My parents and brother, David, by their examples, were my greatest familial influences. The greatest non-familial influence has been my home parish pastor, Msgr. Bartholomew J. O’Brien. He has inspired me greatly by his joyful spirit, warmth, generosity, dedication and prayerfulness.
Were there any particular moving or grace-filled events in those beginning days or years at the Seminary? This last year?
It’s truly all been grace-filled.
What will you miss most about St. Charles Borromeo Seminary?
All the good, kind, dedicated people — priests, seminarians, religious and laity — whom I have come to know along the way.
Also, Taco Mondays in the refectory.
What advice would you give to seminarians who will enter St. Charles for the first time this fall?
Pray every day. Nothing else — intellect, personality, talent — is powerful enough to get you to the finish line when the world, the flesh and the devil are constantly trying to knock you out of the race.
What do you do for recreation?
I enjoy playing the Irish tin whistle, walking, reading “For Dummies” books and fairy tales, movies with friends, nature, photography, tinkering with mechanical things and just sitting quietly sometimes.
What are your favorite devotions and why?
Our Mother of Perpetual Help, because I can use all the help I can get and she always delivers.
What passage from Scripture is most meaningful to you and why?
Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!”
I believe that the whole spiritual life is directed to one thing — true joy in knowing God, which is what God wants every person to have.
What does the priesthood mean to you?
The priest is the one through whom heaven touches earth and earth touches heaven.
What is your greatest hope for the Church?
The Blessed Virgin Mary. She is always watching over us and helping us on the way to heaven.
What might the faithful do to promote vocations to the priesthood?
Nurture strength and holiness in their families, teach children their faith and support and not discourage their children should they express a desire to serve God as priests/religious.
What will you as a priest do to promote vocations to the priesthood?
I will pray for vocations to the priesthood/religious life and seek to be a prayerful, loving person myself.
What are your feelings as ordination approaches?
I look forward to all that will come. I’m sure there will be many ups and downs, hills, valleys and open plains, figuratively speaking.
But I’m not afraid because God will be my SUV.

— Compiled by Christie L. Chicoine, CS&T Staff Writer