MISSIONARIES OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
NORTHEAST INDIA PROVINCE
MSFS PROVINCIALATE
GPO Box No. 308, Guwahati – 781 001, Assam, India
Tel: 0361 2648507 / Fax: 0361 2648510
Email: /
CIRCULAR – FT / 05 –AUGUST 2008
Dear Confreres,
We are still in the shock of the loss of our beloved confrere Fr. Chacko Varapadavil, msfs. Grief and sorrow envelop us at this time, and our hearts are too heavy to bear the pain of the enormous loss. In moments like these, it is just normal to ask the question: why Lord? Though we have laid him to rest on Monday, August 18, 2008, I am yet to come in terms with the reality of Fr. Chacko’s physical absence. In his death, we all experience a huge vacuum and a sense of emptiness. But in faith we bow before God’s plan for each of us and the Province.
By this circular, I furnish you more on Fr. Chacko Varapadavil’s death, funeral and finally the burial at our private cemetery located in the campus of MSFS Study House, Shillong in Meghalaya.
It all began with a headache
On July 29, 2008 around 9.00 a. m. Fr. Chacko felt a sudden uneasiness and headache. Initially, he took some medicine to ease his pain but later, upon the insistence of the confreres, he consented for medical check-up and was taken to Woodland Hospital in Shillong. The MRI test established the growth of a tumor deep in his brain. The doctors suspected it to be malignant and on their advice, Fr. Chacko was flown to Cochin for expert treatment at Indo-American Hospital, Vaikam in Kerala. Fr. Joby Kurikilamkattu accompanied him. Meanwhile, Fr. Francis Poovelil, the Acting Provincial, sought assistance of Fr. Jose Parappillil, msfs, the director of Vidya Ashram, Aluva, who made necessary arrangements for the treatment. Fr. Chacko was admitted at the hospital on August 31, 2008. Prior to his admission in the hospital, Fr. Chacko took time to visit his home, to meet his parents and spent time with them.
On August 4, 2008, a biopsy was performed on him, and was discharged from the hospital on August 7, 2008 and was staying with the community at Vidya Ashram, Aluva till his death on August 12, 2008. Those who were attending him attest that he was cheerful and consistent in his conversation with every one, although there were occasional loss of memory, of which Fr. Chacko himself was aware. It looked all well and Fr. Chacko even entrusted some of his retreat programs for the next two months to Fr. Joby and expected to return to the northeast after the surgery and a period of rest. Meanwhile, all waited for the complete report of the biopsy.
A sad day in the history of the Province
On Tuesday, August 12, 2008, around 4.00 a. m, Fr. Chacko woke up from sleep and complained of severe headache. Medicine was administered to ease his pain and he took rest again. As per the prescription, every morning he was to receive an insulin injection. Since they found him in sound sleep, the injection was delayed. After sometime, they found him still asleep and tried to wake him up. Though breathing heavily, he did not respond to their call. Fr. Jose Parappillil, msfs, immediately informed the doctor concerning the condition of Fr. Chacko. At the advice of the doctor, he was rushed to the hospital. The doctors tried to give him the best of medical care. Although he was put in the ventilator, they could not save his life. Fr. Chacko, at the age of 54 and a priest for 25 years, died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday August 12, 2008 at 11.00 a.m in Indo-American Hospital, Vaikom, in Kerala.
Sharing the sad news of Fr. Chacko’s death
Fr. Francis Poovelil, immediately tried to communicate to me the news. In USA, it was midnight, Monday 11th August, 2008. Although he could not get me directly on the line, the Parish Priest informed me of the emergency call from India. Later, Fr. Augustine Tharappel, the regional superior of USA Mission also called me and informed of the sad news of Fr. Chacko’s death.
Immediately, I got in touch with Fr. Francis Poovelil, Fr. Jose Parappillil and Fr. Emmanuel Mappilaparmbil, the Rector of MSFS Study House Shillong, to discuss the modalities of preparation for funeral. Divergent views and opinions were raised. The urgency of a clear decision was crucial and in the given situation, the decision to bring the body to Northeast for burial was judged to be the best, and an option equally significant to the Province. With this decision in agreement, the preparations commenced simultaneously at Umroi and Shillong. Without delay, the council members along with a number of confreres reached Shillong to plan the funeral service. Thanks to the modern communication media, I too was able to participate in their discussion all the way from USA. Our Confreres, together with the local communities, rallied behind the decision and made preparations for a fitting farewell to Fr. Chacko. Meanwhile, the Provincialate community continued to disseminate the news to confreres in India and abroad. Religious communities and ecclesiastical authorities were also given the news.
Objections and hurdles
For a variety of considerations, the family members were unwilling to part with the body of Fr. Chacko for burial in the northeast. On the contrary, they insisted upon a burial at the home parish. It took a lot of patient negotiation to convince the family to accept our decision of a burial in the Northeast. It was important for the Province to take a stand in this matter. In the process of negotiation, the Province remains deeply indebted to Frs. Jose Parappillil and Johny Kanjiramparambil of Southwest Province. Finally when the family expressed its willingness to accept the decision of the province, the process for taking the mortal remains of Fr. Chacko to Northeast India was initiated.
A Family’s Final Surrender of Their Beloved One
Fr. Chacko is survived by his parents (Paulose and Mariam) who are well advanced in years, a younger brother (Joy), and four sisters (Annama, Mary, Alice, Kochurani ) and was preceded in death by his elder brother V. P. Kurian. The Northeast India Province is grateful to the parents and other members of the family for making the final act of surrender of their beloved one to us.
Funeral Service at St John Baptist Church Thuruthipally
Once the decision to take his body to Northeast was accepted, preparations were made for a service at his parish church in Thuruthipally. On 16th August 2008, the body was taken to his ancestral home and was kept for visitation by relatives , friends and neighbors. The visitation was concluded by a prayer service led by the parish priest along with Frs. Abraham Mullenkuzhy, Jose Thenganakunnel and Johny Kanjiramparambil. The funeral mass was celebrated in Syro-malabar rite, officiated by Fr. Mathew Kozhuppakalam, the provincial of South West Province, and concelebrated by Frs. Gracious Chirattolicakl and Pius Nellianyil. Fr. Jose Parappillil delivered the condolence message and homily. The well arranged funeral mass was attended by confreres of Charis Bhavan, Athirampuzha and SFS Seminary, Ettumanoor and from Vinaya Bhavan Seminary, Thamarassery.
At the end of the mass, Most Rev. Peter Celestine, bishop of Jammu and Kashmir led the final prayer of blessing of the body. As per custom, the body was carried by priests to the altar, to the doors at left, right and the main entrance. As a sign of farewell to the altar of sacrifice and the faith community, the priests allowed the coffin to touch these spots three times. At the main door of the church, the body was handed over to the family and relatives to pay their last tribute by kissing the hand of the deceased. Followed by the family members, priests, sisters, and faithful too paid their last tribute. Then the body was taken to Cochin International airport for the last journey to Northeast India.
The Liturgical Services at Narengi and Umroi.
At 11.25 a.m on Sunday August 17, 2008, Fr. Chacko’s mortal remains reached to Guwahati airport and a number of our senior confreres were present to receive the body. The body was taken to MSFS Provincialate, Narengi and from 1.30 p.m to 2.30 pm it was kept for visitation. A prayer service was led by His Grace Thomas Menanparambil, SDB, DD Archbishop of Guwahati, at the conclusion of which the body was taken in a mobile mortuary to Holy Redeemer Retreat Centre, Umroi.
A number of confreres accompanied the body to the Holy Redeemer Retreat Centre. As the volunteers received the body at about 5.35 p.m, the silent crowd broke into loud wailing. The body was placed on a decorated podium and people placed wreaths. With an introduction and welcome by Fr. Devasia Manalel, the superior of the community, the celebration of Eucharist began. Fr. Francis Thadathil, the Provincial presided over the Eucharist which was concelebrated by over 60 priests. In his funeral homily, Fr. George Parampukattil, the General Councilor, highlighted the good works of Fr. Chacko. The body was kept at the retreat centre for the rest of the night. Various groups kept vigil, and people paid homage to their beloved “papa.” The vigil was concluded at 8.00 a. m, on Monday 18th August 2008 with a prayer service led by Fr. Leo, the parish priest. The huge gathering of people was certainly a proof to Fr. Chacko’s charismatic influence on the lives of the people.
From Umroi, the body was taken to MSFS Study House, Mowroh for private visitation by the community from 9.30 to 11.00 a.m. At 11.00 a.m the body was taken to St. Dominc Savio Church, Mawlai, where a large crowd was already waiting in prayer. Until the time of funeral service at 1.00 p.m, the students, aspirants, dignitaries, and people flocked to pay their respect to a missionary whom they loved so dearly. People love their priests precisely because they share their lives for the service of God’s people.
The Funeral Service at St. Dominic Savio Parish, Mawlai
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2008 at St. Dominic Savio Church, Mawlai, Shillong. The liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Dominic Jala S.D.B, DD of Shillong, together with Most Rev. Victor Lyngdoh, DD, Bishop of Nongstoin, Most Rev. Vincent Kympat, DD, Bishop of Jowai, Most Rev. Andrew Marak, DD Bishop of Tura, Fr. George Parampukattil, Fr. Mario D Souza, and Fr. Francis Thadathil in attendance around the altar. About 175 priests concelebrated the funeral mass. The Church was full; and the faithful participated in a well orchestrated funeral liturgy. The final commendation at the Church was led by Most Rev. Vincent Kympat, bishop of Jowai and thus the liturgy at the Church ended at 3.10 p.m. St. Dominic parish community provided its best cooperation for a fitting farewell to a man of God, who gave himself enthusiastically to the ministry of renewal of Christian life in the region. The large crowd that gathered at the funeral mass is indicative of Fr. Chacko’s endearing influence on the lives of numerous people.
The Internment at the MSFS Study House, Mawroh
By 3.30 p.m, Father Chacko’s mortal remains were brought for burial to the private cemetery located in the precincts of MSFS Study House. Fr. Francis Thadathil, assisted by Fr. Geroge Parampukattil and Fr. Mario D Souza, led the final committal at the cemetery. By 4.05 pm Fr. Chacko, the first priest to die in the province, was laid to rest. Requiescat in pace! May his Soul Rest in Peace!
Early life, Education and Priestly Formation
Fr. Chacko was born on 29th of September 1954 at Manvettom in Kerala to Paulose and Mariam Varapadavil. He attended St. Michael’s School, Kaduthuruthy and K.E College, Mannanam, and SFS Minor Seminary, Ettumannor, Kerala. He then joined the novitiate at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradhesh and made the first profession of religious vows on 10th June 1977. At the end of the novitiate he was sent to St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore for philosophy. During his philosophical training, he also acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from the University of Bangalore. Thereafter, he was assigned to St. Francis de Sales Parish, Silapathar for the regency. After the completion of regency, he did theological studies at the Pontifical Institute of Theology (Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth), Pune. He made the final profession of religious vows on June 5, 1982 and was ordained to diaconate on 03-01-1984. At the completion of the priestly formation requisite for ordination, he was ordained a priest on May 6, 1984 at St. John the Baptist Church, Thuruthipally by Most Rev. George Anathil, Bishop of Indore.
Priestly ministry and Service
Fr. Chacko’s first assignment was as Assistant Pastor of St. Xavier’s Church, Chima-Impel and a teacher at the parish school. In the year 1988 he was appointed on the staff of SFS Seminary Ettumanoor and later from 1989 to 1993 at Vinaya Bhavan, Thamarassery, as vice rector and vocation promoter. During this period, he began to be recognized as a charismatic preacher and embarked on preaching retreats. In 1993 he was assigned as parish priest of SFS Church, Nongalbibra in Garo Hills, where he served for a period of two years. Recognizing his call to preaching ministry, the province set him apart for full-time preaching ministry, to which he was totally committed until his death.
The Retreat Centre at Umroi, Shillong.
Fr. Chacko was one of the officially designated confreres for preaching ministry in the Province. In 2000, he was appointed as director of Holy Redeemer Retreat Centre at Umroi, Meghalaya where he served for five years. Fr. Chacko was the founding director of this new venture of the province. Then, for a year, he was sent to Rome for a licentiate in Spirituality and on return, continued to be on the staff of Holy Redeemer Retreat Centre at Umroi. In 2007, he was appointed as Chirman and spiritual director of the Shillong Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services ( SCCRS). As a priest, he served the Church and the Congregation through pastoral ministry, education of young people and formation of the candidates to priesthood. Through preaching ministry he has touched the lives of so many people- seminarians, priests, religious and especially the lay faithful of the northeast region.