Father Jerome Mascarenhas OCD.
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About our Pastor
Father Jerome Mascarenhas OCD.
Fr. Jerome Mascarenhas, OCD was born on Feb 13th 1972 to Rosario and Carmen Mascarenhas. He is the youngest of 10 children and two of his sisters have dedicated themselves to the service of the Lord as Religious. He comes from a little town of Venur, Karnataka, south India. Fr. Jerome joined the Discalced Carmeilte Order after the 10th grade. Following four years of seminary training, he made his religious profession in 1994. He graduated with B.A in Philosophy from the University of Mysore and also secured a Gold Media in Philosophy. He pursued his theological studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Mangalore where he obtained a degree in theology. He was ordained a priest on December 29th 2001. Two years after his ordination, he obtained a Masters in Sociology from the University of Dharwad, Karnataka.
After ordination and a year of service at the minor seminary in Goa, he was sent to Jagalur, a remote place in northern part of Karnataka, with a view to spreading our presence into different dioceses. As a young priest, he served in various capacities a missionary in India. After serving for six years as pioneer among non-Christians the Discalced Carmelites selected him to be sent to Canada. Fr. Jerome arrived directly from missions to Canada on Feb. 17th 2009. He was assigned as associated pastor to St. Edmund’s Church, North Vancouver B.C, until 2012. On June 2012, Fr. Jerome was appointed as pastor of St. Aloysius Catholic Church Kitchener, ON the Diocese of Hamilton. He served as pastor for seven years. On July 2019, Fr. Jerome was appointed as pastor of St. Patrick’s of Caledonia, ON the Diocese of St. Catharines where he served until August 2026. He was then appointed to St. Patrick’s, Burlington, ON the Diocese of Hamilton. Fr. Jerome has preached at retreats to different groups of people, school children and won the hearts of people.
About the Parish
When the community of St. Patrick first formed, it gathered with its first pastor, Father Michael Callaghan, to celebrate Mass in Ascension School on New Street. The parish began on June 13, 1969. After Fr. Callaghan died suddenly of a heart attack in 1970, he was succeeded by Father Stephen Stinson, who oversaw the building of a new Church for the young community. St. Patrick Church was dedicated on May 20, 1974. This modern church structure was complemented by office space and living quarters for the priest. It eventually became the hub of a thriving community. The parish came together centered on Mass and the Sacraments.It also hosted every kind of group and activity from Alcoholics Anonymous to Brownies.When the parish’s third pastor, Father Fergus Duffy (1978-88) reflected on his pastorate there, he emphasized the importance of the team concept at work among the Priests, Sisters, lay associates of the pastoral staff, and those serving on the Parish Council.
This much loved pastor is remembered for his affection for children and for people who were suffering. He gave practical advice to the unemployed, founded a self-help group for separated and divorced Catholics, and offered strong support for the parish Marriage Preparation program.
The community grew from 300 families to more than 1200 by 1988. Father Alex Kramer served as pastor from June 1988 until his death in August 1993. This hard-working pastor also cared for his flock. Father Ronald Hodara was appointed pastor in June 1993 and worked as a caring pastor until June 2001. Father Robert Hetu then served as pastor from June 2001 until June 2004.
On June 30, 2004 Father Raymond Modeski became pastor and retired as Monsignor Modeski on Oct. 31, 2018.
Father Godwin Pinto, O.C.D. was named Administrator on Nov. 1, 2018 and on June 28, 2019 became pastor.
Today, the parish numbers over 2500 families in a lively community of Catholic Faith.