Rev. George F. Almeida, Marian Garabandal Priest has Passed on to the Lord . . .

 

By Father Jay Finelli a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence in the state of Rhode Island. June 27, 2012

A great "priest" goes to the Lord

		Rev. George F Almeida Born in Newport, R.I. on Nov. 23, 1931 He was ordaind a priest May 1, 1965 God called him home June 27, 2012 Will lie in state on Monday, July 2nd from 4-7 PM in Holy Ghost Church, 73 Linden Street, Attleboro, Ma. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 3rd at 11 AM in Holy Ghost Church.

June 27, 2012 – I received the sad news that my dear friend Fr. George Almeida passed away suddenly this morning. Fr. Almeida celebrated the 7:00 am morning Mass at my parish, administered the Sacrament of the Sick to a parishioner before heading to another parish for a second Mass. After finishing Mass, he returned home to the Priest’s Residence. In the words of one of his fellow priests in the retirement home: “We had finished having our usual animated breakfast and we left the dining room about 10:30 to go to our rooms. The housekeeper found him on the floor in his room about 11 AM. He was already dead.”

Since I arrived at Holy Ghost as pastor 10 years ago, Fr. George Almeida, a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, MA has been actively involved in the life of my parish. Fr. Almeida has covered Masses on my day off, and vacations, he has covered from funerals and assisted with Confessions. Not only was Fr. Almeida a great help to my ministry and the parish, but he served as my weekly confessor. He always had kind and encouraging words: “Your doing a great job, keep up your good work.”

One priest from his diocese often told me: “Fr. Almeida is the happiest priest in the diocese.” Indeed he was a very happy priest! He was a delayed vocation, hearing God’s call “at the age of 37.” Having served in the Navy aboard the USS Midway. It was during a pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Catholic Chaplain and 30 other sailers that he heard the call. ”During my privacy in prayer, I felt Our Lady asking me to enter the priesthood, as I looked at her beautiful statue in the grotto.” Throughout the years, Fr. Almeida has had a deep love and devotion the Our Lady. Each year, he served as chaplain for a pilgrimage group to Garabandal, Spain and returned to Lourdes on several occassions.

Maria Saraco's Group - San Sebastian Church, Garabandal
Fr. George Almeida Far Right

The story of Fr. Almeida is so inspiring when we hear so much negative news about the priesthood. Like so many faithful priests, Fr. George Almeida lived his priesthood with all his heart, not seeking any recognition, yet, he light shined bright for all to see.

Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May they rest in peace. Amen. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Fr. Almeida
“Imitating Mary’s ‘yes’”

"I owe a great debt of gratitude for the Blessed Mother calling me to the awesome gift of the priesthood. She has protected me during my 44 years in the priesthood. Without her, I could not persevere. I dedicate this article to her. I pray that she continues to inspire me to be a faithful and humble servant as a priest, and helps me always to thank you, God, for the gift of the priesthood..."

True Cross of Jesus Crucifixion Monastery of Saint Toribio, Spain

 

While I was in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Midway, the Catholic chaplain, Father Mattiello from Lilly, Penn., invited the sailors to go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. About 30 men signed up to go with him, and I was one of them. We left Marseille by train.

When we arrived at Lourdes the next day, Dec. 29,1952, we went directly to our hotel in the afternoon, and settled in before we had a nice dinner in the evening. We were supposed to visit the grotto the next day to attend Mass with our chaplain.

After dinner, however, I asked two of my buddies to go with me to see the grotto, because I couldn’t wait to see it. We brought along some empty wine bottles to fill up with Lourdes water to bring back to the States. I think that we were at the only hotel open during the winter and no religious stores were open.

We arrived at the grotto about 9 p.m., and we were curious to see what it looked like at night with all the candles burning. It was very quiet; no one was at the grotto when we arrived. So I asked my buddies if we could kneel down and say the rosary, and they agreed. It was now getting colder, so they wanted to return to the hotel. I told them that I would stay a little longer by myself before returning to the hotel.

During my privacy in prayer, I felt Our Lady asking me to enter the priesthood, as I looked at her beautiful statue in the grotto. I didn’t think I was worthy of such a calling. I also loved being in the Navy operating a teletype in the department of communications, since I was assigned to a rear admiral who was in charge of the fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. I belonged to the “Flag Staff” and had planned to remain in the Navy for 20 years, and retire at the age of 37!

As I contemplated the calling from Our Blessed Mother, however, I couldn’t refuse her request. She had said “yes” to the Archangel Gabriel when she was asked to become the mother of Jesus, so I consented to her calling with great humility. I had the privilege of serving at the altar in the grotto the next day at 8 a.m. It was so cold that I served with my peacoat. After Mass, the chaplain invited the men to go into the bath, but only two of us — another sailor and I — accepted. The others were afraid of catching a severe cold. We did not even catch a sniffle.

I went back to Lourdes in 2002 to give gratitude to Mary for my calling. I was the main celebrant at the grotto on Saturday, April 13, 2002 at the 7:30 Mass, almost 50 years to the day I was called to the priesthood on Dec. 29, 1952. What a jubilee!

I left the Navy with an honorable discharge on March 17, 1954. I began my preparation for the priesthood when I entered the seminary in September 1955. I loved the seminary, which gave me the chance to increase my spiritual life both intellectually and prayerfully.

I found out much later when I met Father Manuel Ferreira, who now lives with me at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence, that he was on the USS Midway at the same time I was aboard, though we didn’t know each other. He was assigned to the engineering department. He and I went to see the aircraft carrier on Sept. 18, 2007. It’s now a museum in San Diego. Our tour of the aircraft carrier brought back many memories.

I owe a great debt of gratitude for the Blessed Mother calling me to the awesome gift of the priesthood. She has protected me during my 44 years in the priesthood. Without her, I could not persevere. I dedicate this article to her. I pray that she continues to inspire me to be a faithful and humble servant as a priest, and helps me always to thank you, God, for the gift of the priesthood and for three wonderful parishes as a pastor: St. Elizabeth’s in Edgartown, 1981- 1988; Holy Family in East Taunton, 1988-1997; and Our Lady of Fatima in Swansea, 1997-2001.

My years as a pastor were exactly 20 years of love, service and joy leading God’s people toward the kingdom of Heaven. I ask God to bless them for being so respectful to me as a priest of Jesus Christ. They are forever in my prayers with a loving heart.

Father Almeida, ordained on May 1, 1965, is a retired priest of the diocese living at the Cardinal Medeiros Residence in Fall River.

San Sebastian's Church Renovations Complete:

San Sebastian
Church of Garabandal Renovations Complete!!!

On Sunday May 6, 2012, Bishop of Santander, Vicente Jimenez Zamora, celebrated the inaugural Mass.

 

 

Ed Kelly is standing in front of the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Garabandal while the old church was being repaired. This is where the Mass was being held every day.

 

Father Orlando is kneeling in front of the “pines” praying the Rosary.

 

Bishop Vincent Jimenez Zamora consecrated church San Sebastian in Garabandal May 6, 2012 with nine priest concelebrating.

 

Bishop Vicente Jimenez Zamora congratulated the people for their part in helping to restore the church.

 

Father Orlando who is a big follower of Garabandal apparitions is still taking collections to pay for the church renovations. Would you like to make a contribution to help pay for the church renovations? Contribution Information

Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 29

Miracle of the Angel

Hail Mary—San Sebastián—July 8, 1962

Dear All:

This is to tell you that on the 18th of this month there will be a test from the Angel and this test will be that the form of the host will appear when he gives me communion. I love you.

Conchita

 

THE MIRACLE is about to happen! (Garabandal, Spain) (Amazing!!)

Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 28

San Sebastián de Garabandal—April 12, 1962

Dear Masimo,

You don’t know how happy I am to hear that you’ve been baptized and are Christian. When I told the Most Holy Virgin she laughed. Now that you’re Christian, please pray to the Most Holy Virgin so that I will be very good and I won’t forget about you. I won’t tell you more now—please send my regards to your wife and a salutation from one who loves you—

Jacinta González

 

A Summary Of The Message Of Akita in Relation to Garabandal:

Akita, Japan 1973 - 1984 

The Tears and Message In June of 1988, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger approved the Akita events as "Reliable and Worthy of Belief."  This was the first approval of a Marian apparition in over 50 years!  There were five wonders at Akita:  1. Tears flowed from the statue of Our Lady 101 times, from Jan. 4, 1975 to Sept. 15, 1981 (Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows). [On Sept. 28, 1981, Sister Agnes suddenly felt an Angel at her side during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. A bible appeared open before her eyes and she was invited to read Genesis 3:15...the voice of the Angel was heard explaining that the passage had relationship with the tears of Mary and then said: "There is a meaning to the figure 101. This signifies that sin came into the world by a woman and it is also by a woman that salvation came to the world. The zero between the two signifies the Eternal God who is from all eternity until eternity. The first one represents Eve and the last the Virgin Mary."]  2. A cross-shaped wound on the left hand of Sister Agnes (main seer) bled profusely, causing great pain.  3. An identical wound appeared on the right hand of Our Lady's statue, from which blood flowed three times.  4. Sister Agnes, who had been declared to be incurably deaf, was completely cured at a time predicted by Our Lady.  5.In the midst of these wonders, the Angel and Our Lady appeared and spoke . . .giving messages of world - shaking importance.  Our Lady has has already told us at Fatima and Garabandal what we must do. We can believe that when a sufficient number are responding, there will be miracles of Grace in the world turning back the tide of evil and issuing in the "era of peace for mankind" promised by Our Lady.  Bishop Ito of Nigata, Japan, said that Akita is an update of Fatima... and its promise.  *********************************************************************************************************************** The Blessed Mother gave Sr. Agnes the following message on August 3, 1973:  "My daughter, my novice, do you love the Lord? If you love the Lord, listen to what I have to say to you. It is very important. You will convey it to your superior. Many men in this world afflict the Lord. I desire souls to console Him, to soften the anger of the Heavenly Father. I wish, with my Son, for souls who will repair by their sufferings and their poverty for sinners and ingrates."  "In order that the world might know His anger, the Heavenly Father is preparing to inflict a great chastisement on all mankind. With my Son I have intervened so many times to appease the wrath of the Father. I have prevented the coming of calamities by offering Him the suffering of the Son on the Cross, His Precious Blood, and beloved souls who console Him forming a legion of victim souls. Prayer, penance and courageous sacrifices can soften the Father's anger. I desire this also from your community. That it love poverty, that it sanctify itself and pay in reparation for the ingratitude and outrages of so many men..."  The final message is very serious:  "As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never have seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms that will remain for you will be the Rosary and Sign left by my Son. With the Rosary, pray for the pope, the bishops, and the priests."  The work of the devil will infiltrate even the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate Me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres...churches and altars sacked, the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord. The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of My sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them."  "With courage, speak to your superior. He will know how to encourage each one of you to pray and accomplish works of reparation."

Eucharistic Prayer of Akita  Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, TRULY present in the Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Your Heart, being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father, pleading for the coming of His Kingdom.  Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as you will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls.  Most Holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from Your Divine Son. Please defend and protect me as Your special child. Amen.  Our thanks to Brother George Roth, O.S.F. (now Father), for this outline and info. Sister Agnes, seer of Akita, Japan, who saw Our Lady's statue weep 101 times and bleed from the hand. 1) Insert the Fatima Prayer (O' my Jesus...) after each decade of the Rosary.  2) Say the Eucharistic Prayer (similar to the Morning Offering).  3) "Pray with fervor, not only because of your own sins, but in reparation for the sins of all men."  4) "Pray very much for the Pope, priests and Bishops."  5) "With devotion to the Sacred Heart, apply yourself to devotion to the most Precious Blood."  6) The Heavenly Father is preparing to inflict a great chastisement on all mankind.  7) "Prayer, penance and courageous sacrifice can soften the Father's anger."  8) "Without attaching too much importance to form, be faithful and fervent in prayer."  9) For religious: The importance of the three vows, especially obedience.  10) A chastisement, worse than the deluge, is at hand.  11) "Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary."  12) "With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and the priests."  13) Problems within the Church: the demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God.  14) "Pray very much the prayers of the Rosary. I am still able to save you the calamities which approach."  15) Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is not taken seriously. "Speak to the greatest number in order to console the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Spread this devotion with courage for Their greater glory."  16) "Those who place their confidence in me will be saved."  17) "Believe, trust, pray!"  18) Devotion to St. Joseph is very pleasing to Jesus and Mary. He should be publicly honored.  19) Attach great importance to the first Saturdays. There will be sufferings and obstacles. Do not fear. In bearing them and offering them you will be protected.  In addition to the above is the graphic message of tears and blood and of Our Lady's use of a secular institute . . . a group of catechists . . . involved through the blood and tears as a community, a prayer group.  At Fatima Our Lady used a group of three. They prayed together, they sustained each other in trial (even that of dry martyrdom), and they helped each other to persevere.  At Akita Our Lady again emphasizes the value of prayer groups, of community. She even says that She Herself is gathering such groups now to prevent the chastisement . . . to soften the wrath of God. If the chastisement is averted, we shall have the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart and an "era of peace".

 

Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 27

San Sebastián de Garabandal—October 2, 1964

Dear Masimo,

I’m happy upon receiving this letter to find you well and in the company of your wife and children. I offer thanks to God.

Masimo, this is so you know that I think a lot about you even though I don’t always write. I always remember you in my prayers and I ask the Lord and the Most Holy Virgin to keep you well and living in your faith so that it grows more in your heart. Well, please pray for me as well so that I will be better. We also have to pray for the sanctification of the priests so that they will be holy. Masimo, there are many good priests but there are others who are bad and we have to pray for all of them so that the Lord and the Most Holy Virgin will make all of them very good. If they were all good, that they would give us a good example of the truth because they represent Christ on earth, and if they’re not then they give a bad example. We also have to pray for the missions and the Pope’s intentions and the success of the Council. We have to pray for the whole world, so that those who are good will be better and those who are bad will be good. You already know Our Lady’s message, that if the world doesn’t change a punishment will come, and it will come because the world does not change.

Masimo, on September 30th we went to see Fr. Andreu—my father, Ceferino, Loli, and I all went to Reinosa. You don’t know how happy Loli and I were to go to the house. We were sad to not be able to be with Fr. Andreu more; we were there for a very short time. It will be two years on January 13th, so you can understand how much we wanted to come.

Masimo, when you come (it will be a year in June), when you come, Masimo in the last letter you wrote to me you asked about my brother Marcelo. I can’t tell anything now because it’s been three months since he’s written to us, but we know that he’s in Gran Canaria because my mother’s cousin…well I won’t put down anything more because you’ll already be tired of reading my handwriting.

Say hello to Araceli and Ralf for me, and my parents and siblings send their regards.

When you come, we’d like to see you. Goodbye. Don’t forget us.

Jacinta González

Conchita says hello because you did something as great as becoming Christian and receiving Jesus our Father and he loves us and we have to obey him. I won’t forget you before the Virgin and in my humble prayers—Conchita González