PENANG: Parishioners from City Parish remember fondly their former parish priest (1992 - 1999), the late Fr Clement Pereira, as they celebrated his 40th day Memorial Mass on March 28 at the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS).

Fr Clement was the parish priest of City Parish, he was well loved by all due to his humble and caring nature. It was during his time that the BECs in City Parish thrived and became very active. He, together, with the late Fr Lucien Catel (also a former parish priest), were instrumental in promoting the Renewed Parish Project and community building.

The Youth Group grew, and became alive under his care as he showed true concern and support for the youth. Many youth at that time were inspired by him. They always remember his kind words and deeds to them, to encourage them in whatever they do. Fr Anthony Pillai, the parish priest who took over from Fr Clement, after he left the parish, gave the homily. He said, that Fr Clement was the first Indian priest to be posted to a predominantly Chinese community parish (OLS Church).

At that time, when Fr Clement was posted, the parish was still segregated — Our Lady of Sorrows Church for the Chinese, St Francis Xavier Church/St John Britto for the Indians and Assumption Church for the Eurasians. Fr Clement had arrived just four years after the four Churches had been amalgamated into one parish — City Parish. Many parishioners were still not comfortable with the idea. “Fr Clement managed to convince the parishioners to discard the racial stereotypes of each Church,” said Fr Pillai, “Everyone should come together as a People of God, and not as Chinese or Indian.”

Fr Pillai felt that when he replaced Fr Clement as the parish priest, it was an easy task for him to run the parish, since Fr Clement had set the foundation for him. For that, he was very grateful to Fr Clement. A long-time parishioner, who is presently in the Parish Animating Team, Mr Peter Foo, was called upon to give a sharing on how Fr Clement had inspired him. The main celebrant was Fr Maiccal Sinnappan, a close friend and classmate of Fr Clement.

Concelebrating were Fr Andrew Stephen from the Cathedral, Fr Anthony Pillai from Tg Malim, Fr Joe Matthews, OFM Cap, Fr Dominic Santhiyagu, present parish priest of City Parish and Fr Michael Thoo, assistant parish priest of City Parish. After Mass, there was fellowship, where the people, shared with each other their memory of the late Fr Clement Pereira, beloved former parish priest of City Parish, Penang. —By Lucia Lai