Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Lay Faithful,
Adios To Rev. Fr. Paul Thelapilly
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth” (Rev.14:13)
OBITUARY
Rev. Fr. Paul Thelapilly
Born : 17.07.1932
Ordained : 12.04.1959
Expired : 25.12.2014
To All the Priests, Religious & Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese of Bangalore.
With profound grief, I condole the death of our beloved Rev. Fr. Paul Thelapilly who died on Thursday, 25.12.2014, St. John’s Hospital at 7.40 a.m.
Rev. Fr. Paul Thelapilly was born on 17.17.1932 at Karunannore, Trichur, Kerala. His parents were Mr. Mathew and Mrs. Mariam. After his school studies, he joined the Archdiocese of Bangalore and did his priestly studies in St. Mary’s, Minor Seminary, Bangalore and Major Seminary studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. He was ordained a priest on 12.04.1959 at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Bangalore, by the late Archbishop Thomas Pothacamury.
He served the Archdiocese for 45years at the following places:
Took charge on Designation Parish / Institution
20.05.1959 Asst Parish Priest Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Mariapura
28.08.1959 Asst. Parish Priest St. Joseph’s Church, Begur
18.11.1959 Asst. Parish Priest St. Mary’s , Blackpally
03.08.1962 Asst. Parish Priest Our Lady of Victories Church, Champion Reefs, K.G.F.
23.04.1965 Parish Priest St. Anne’s Church, Marathahalli
24.05.1970 Parish Priest Immaculate Conception Church, Doresanipalya
24.05.1975 Parish Priest St. Ignatius Church, Begur
1977 Priest-in-charge St. Anthony’s Church, Guddadahalli
23.05.1978 Parish Priest Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Ramanagara
15.07.1983 Parish Priest Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Mariapura
15.07.1984 Parish Priest St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Somanahalli
JUNE 1989 Parish Priest Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tumkur
JUNE 1994 Leave Leave
JUNE 1995 Parish Priest St. Rita’s Church, Kanakapura
14.03.2005 Parish Priest St. Joseph’s Church, Solur
15.03.2005 Retired Clergy Home
25.12.2014 R.I.P.
Rev. Fr. Paul was a man of prayer, and led an ordinary and simple life. He was a priest loved by all, especially for his kindness and sense of humour. He was very sincere to his priestly ministry and remained obedient to his superiors till the end.
Although he was sick these last few days, no one expected his death to come so soon. He died as he lived: in faith, hope and love.
He never ever believed glamour or publicity. He always tried to serve by remaining incognito. He always remained faithful to his priestly commitments, and stood for truth and justice.
Let me quote a few sentences from his last will:
- “Naked I came to the world, naked nay with my merits and demerit before God I go to the other world.”
- “Have mercy on me O God in your kindness in your compassion blot out my offence.”
- Do not weep for me, instead pardon me for my sins, omissions and commissions, pray for me. Rejoice, clap your hands for the graces and blessings I received from God and say Alleluia. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In the death of Fr. Paul Thelapilly, we have lost a very senior priest of our Archdiocese. Let us continue to pray for the repose of his soul in gratitude for all the services that he had rendered to all of us in the Archdiocese.
On behalf of all my Priests, Religious and the Faithful, I express my heartfelt sympathies to the brothers and sisters, relatives and friends of the late Fr. Paul. May the Lord grant them the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.
His Funeral Service will take place on Friday, 26th December, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Church, Richmond Road at 04.00 p.m. The mortal remains of Rev. Fr. Paul Thelapilly will be kept for public homage at the Sacred Heart Church on 26th December from 3.00 p.m. onwards.
All the priests of the Archdiocese of Bangalore are requested to offer 3 Masses for the repose of the soul of Rev. Fr. Paul Thelapilly.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord; and let the perpetual
Light shine upon him. And may his soul rest in peace.
