By Fr Richard D’Souza
Mangaluru, Aug. 23, 2019: The funeral mass of Fr Mathias Periera was held at Valencia church, presided over by Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha the Bishop of Mangalore along with Bishop emeritus Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D Souza, Msgr Maxim L Noronha the Vicar General and many priests here on 23 August 2019.
Fr Uday Fernandes in his homily said, the birth and even death of a person leaves behind a message for the people. Fr Mathias lived his life with the spirit of beatitudes gave the message that death is the door that all have to pass through to go to heaven.
Fr Ivan Michael Rodrigues Parish Priest Paladka Parish gave the panegyric. He said Fr Mathias loved the poor and went out the way to help them. He is rightly called the priest of the poor. The large number priests, religious and lay faithful gathered for the funeral testifies that people loved him so much in return to his generosity.
Bishop Peter Paul expressed his gratitude for those people who took care of Fr Mathias in his sickness and persons who were closely associated with him during his last days.
After the mass his body was taken to Valencia Cemetery in procession and laid to rest after the funeral rites led by Bishop Peter Paul.
Large number people from the parishes he served came to pay respect to Fr Mathias and offered their prayers to God.
