Mangalore: Homage to architect of Pakshikere Fr Stanley Pereira
By Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza
Parish priest of Pakshikere
Mangalore, Aug 9: I wish to offer this final homage to founder vicar of Pakshikere parish and the architect of Pakshikere city, Fr Stanley R Pereira, on behalf of the diocese of Mangalore, our beloved Bishop and all the priests, and the people of the pilgrimage centre of Pakshikere and the entire congregation.
Fr Stanley R Pereira who had served in several parishes in the diocese prior to his retirement sixteen years ago, breathed his last on Tuesday, August 6 at 9.30 am at the home for the aged at Bajjodi. His mortal remains are here in front of us. They will be interned at our old adoration chapel as per his wish and as desired by the parishioners of Pakshikere parish.
Fr Stanley Pereira was born in Byndoor as the eldest among ten children of the late Boniface Pereira and Margaret Pereira. He had six brothers and three sisters. Fr Louis Pereira, one of his brothers belonging to the diocese of Aurangabad is now retired and is living in Pune.
Two of his brothers, Willy and Vally and three of his sisters, Prescy, Benny and Barbara are no more. Among his remaining brothers, Alphonso is in Kalianpur, Walter is in Singapore and Michael is living in Milagres diocese at Mangalore.
Fr Stanley Pereira was adopted by his maternal grandfather at Kemmanu. So he spent his childhood and got educated at Kemmanu and Kallianpur. He then joined Jeppu Seminary to be a priest. He was ordained as a priest on April 7, 1953.
His first posting was to Karkala Attur as assistant priest. After six years of service there, he was transferred to Derebail as an assistant priest in the year 1959. After serving there for two years, he was posted at Cascia church as an assistant priest for a year before being transferred to Bantwal as assistant priest.
After being there for two years, he was appointed as the founder parish priest for the newly formed Pakshikere parish that was carved from Kinnigoli parish on May 11, 1964. He tirelessly strived and developed the chapel that was devoted to St Jude Thaddaev and converted it as a pilgrimage center. Some of the important developments under his leadership can be recalled here -
1. The beautiful church that we see today, which was the first spectacular landmark in the whole neighborhood. He was the architect, designer and planner of this beautiful monument, construction of which he closely supervised, every inch by inch.
2. St Jude’s Higher Primary School, where the local children were provided an opportunity to study without much travelling.
3. He built the multipurpose parish hall for the promotion of activities such as dramas, social programmes, weddings and other festivities to celebrate in solidarity.
4. He was instrumental in opening up of a branch of a Vijay Bank in the vicinity, so also a post office in our parish.
5. He established the Roosemp organization under the sponsorship of CODP for children who are poor and not interested in studies. For this, he bought and ear marked three acres of land to start a technical institute.
6. He earmarked five acres of land under the parish for coconut plantations and other cultivation. The land has a well, two water tanks, water and other facilities in it.
7. He has fought tireless for nearly nine years for the rights of about 150 families regardless of their religion, who were living on half acre acquired government land and succeeded in obtaining them the ownership of the plots.
8. Has helped the poor without religious discrimination, to get food for work with the support of CODP, by involving them in labour work such digging of wells, construction and repairing of houses and roads.
10. He steadfastly struggled for the road construction from Haleangadi to Kinnigoli via Pakshikere and impressed upon the private bus owners to introduce buses on this route.
Besides the above, his work for spiritual development of the parish congregation and for those who visit the pilgrim center is noteworthy.
He had paid special attention to the devotees of St Jude. Many people started visiting the parish from far and near praying for St Jude’s help and were relieved of their illnesses, problems related to spirituality and bad spirits. Both Catholic and non-Catholic people are grateful to the help and guidance of Fr Pereira.
After nine years of his fruitful service at Pakshikere, he was sent to Dublin, Ireland for higher studies. When he returned in 1975, he was appointed as founder director of Canara Communication Center at Nanthur. In this new role he has extended his specialized services in the field of media and communications. Later, he was appointed as parish priest of Bendur Parish in 1981. After his selfless service of seven years, he was transferred to Udyavar church as parish priest in 1987. He was then transferred to Kallinapur Milagres parish in 1994 till he retired in 1997. As his health did not allow him to continue his work he opted to stay his house at Kemman after retiring from his priestly service.
He continued to visit Pakshikere church even after his retirement, as this place was closer to his heart and helped other priests in conducting novena services.
In the year 2006, as his health was deteriorating, he preferred to come and stay at the Home of Little Sisters of the Poor and also served as a chaplain. His health deteriorated further during the last year and subsequently he lost his memory power.
Finally, after silently suffering for a long time and praying in silence to his creator, he left his mortal body to live with Him and in the company of saints and eternal souls on Tuesday at 9.30 in the morning in the presence of his dear and near ones.
Fr Stanly Pereira lived in accordance with the letter of St Paul to the Philippians (Letter IV, Chapter 13) - “I can do all things with those who strengthen me”.
Fr Pereira believed that alongside good people of God, there are bad people in this world. The bad spirit is dragging people towards evil. Jesus alone can help us get rid of evil. We as priests are the instruments or tools of his passion.
Fr Pereira never felt tired in his work. He was always prepared for productive and useful work. He is a special priest willing for sacrifice and prayer. He had special spiritual skill due to his selfless attitude.
Dear Rev Father, you are not with us today, you have presented yourself in the courtyard of your Creator. Your mortal body is in our presence. Your inspiration will always remain with us. May you have the divinity to rise again with body and soul, one day. We thank Almightily God for the gift of a selfless priest who loved, lived and died for his people.
Good bye to you on behalf of the diocese of Mangalore. Good bye to you on behalf of the parishioners where you have served during your life and good bye to you on behalf of your most dear parishioners of Pakshikere. Good bye to you Fr Pereira till we all meet again in heaven, the home of almighty father.