In American visa limbo, priest got his hands dirty

By Michelle Caswell  –  A priest who served 19 years as a missionary in South Africa has responded to adversity since he was posted to the United States with an innovative solution. Today the parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Jennings, Louisiana, feel blessed at having Fr Jude Fernando TOR as their parish priest.

Fr Fernando served in South Africa for 19 years, from 1998 to 2017. In that time, the Sri Lankan priest of the Third Order Regular of St Francis served at St Patrick’s mission in Mariannhill diocese, from 2010-14 at St Anne’s mission in Mpophomeni in the Archdiocese of Durban, and until 2017 at Our Lady of Good Help church in Verulam.

In his time in South Africa, he was known for his work with young Catholics and even wrote a children’s book. He was sent to the US in 2017.

Fr Fernando had served the parish of Jennings for four years when it was time for his work visa to be renewed. Many difficulties and unforeseen problems arose. His visa was not approved in time for him to stay in the United States, so he was scheduled to fly home on December 3, 2021. The day before he was to leave, Fr Fernando received a phone call with the news that he could stay in the US until his visa was approved. What an Advent miracle that was!

But the news came with strings attached. Fr Fernando was allowed to live at the rectory until his work visa was renewed, but he was not allowed to receive a salary. Even though he had no way of knowing how long it would take for his visa to be approved (if at all), Fr Fernando wasted no time being idle. Instead he used his time to volunteer with different companies in the community. During his seven months of visa limbo, volunteering taught the priest how people in his parish work to provide for their families and church communities.

Getting on with the jobs

He worked with local fishermen in the crawfish industry. He worked with a local construction company, doing odd jobs and whatever they needed him to do. He worked for an electrician doing jobs as they came up and helped wherever he was needed. He painted houses and business buildings with a painting company. He worked with a tree-felling company, cutting and cleaning up after the jobs were done. He worked at a local catering business, preparing food and learning how to make cakes as well. He worked with a towing service and assisted with whatever was needed. He also worked for a hydraulics company.

In short, Fr Fernando was very busy in the months when he was unable to minister in his parish. In the process he gained valuable knowledge about all of those areas of work, and an insight into the lives of the people he was called to serve. The priest turned out to be a great worker and enjoyed all of the experiences in which he was able to participate.

Fr Fernando also started a prison ministry in Jennings. No parish priest in our area had ever taken the time and initiative to minister to the inmates at our local jail. Fr Fernando is working closely with Sheriff Ivy Woods to offer inmates hope in their lives. To prepare for this ministry, the priest rode along with the police during work hours to understand all of the responsibilities of the local sheriff’s department. Fr Jude offers a beautiful example of charity and love to the prisoners while sharing the Word of God with them.

Fr Fernando has ministered to many Catholics who have returned to the Church and now attend Mass weekly. He has counselled them and prepared them to receive the sacraments. He works tirelessly to bring those who have fallen away from the Church back into our parish family.

By responding to his visa travails in the way he did, Fr Fernando provided his parishioners with a beautiful example of not to be discouraged in times of doubt and uncertainty. No matter what comes our way in life, we should always follow God’s example of courage and humility.

Fr Fernando has used his time working in the community to witness first-hand what it takes for ordinary people to take care of their families, their responsibilities and their Church community, and he has set an example to all that no matter what your circumstances, you can use your time, talents, and efforts to be productive.

Michelle Caswell is a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Jennings, Louisiana.

Published in the October 2023 issue of The Southern Cross magazine