Clergy, Parishioners Bid Adieu to Msgr Fred V Pereira
Pics by Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Mar 02: The funeral of Msgr Frederick V Pereira (74), former vicar general, Mangalore diocese, took place in Valencia on Wednesday March 2.
The mortal remains of Fr Pereira were placed at St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia, for public homage at 3.00 pm. The funeral Mass began at 4.00 pm. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, Fr Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga, and J S Sadhananda, Bishop of CSI, were the main celebrants of the Mass. Priests of Mangalore Diocese as well as friends and family members of Fr Pereira took part in the mass.
In the beginning of the mass, Bishop D’Souza spoke about the personality of Fr Pereira and said that he was a person who inspired many people with his soft nature and was committed to his work. The Bishop recollected the days of establishment of St Joseph Engineering College where Fr Pereira was key in the establishment of the college.
Fr Victor Machado, parish priest, Bejai, offered a meaningful homily. Referring to the Holy Bible he spoke about death and life. He explained the importance of death in order to reach out to God. “To win the world, death is essential,” he added.
After the mass, the Bishop blessed the body of Fr Pereira and this was followed by homage from Fr Peter Noronha. During his speech, Fr Noronha unfolded old memories the time he spent with Fr Pereira—being classmates in the seminary, Fr Pereira serving as an altar boy, studying at Jeppu school and St Aloysius College.
Bishop Sadhananda spoke about the work of Fr Pereira and thanked the Almighty for the gift of Fr Pereira to the Catholic community.
Fr Bonaventure thanked people such as Michael Pais and Edwin, who helped Fr Pereira during his difficult times.
Later, the body was taken to the graveyard where the Bishop of Mangalore offered prayers and blessed the grave. People gathered to pay a final tribute to Fr Pereira and sought eternal rest for his soul.