Rev. Fr. Mathew Kavipurayidam, TOR, aged 71, passed away in the USA on the 19thof June, 2020 at 6 am (Indian time), due to a massive cardiac arrest. The sad news came suddenly, but the fond memories linger on.
Son of late Mr. Mathew Kavipurayidam and Mrs. Annamma, Father Mathew was born on July 6, 1949 at Ponkunnam in the then Archdiocese of Changanacherry, Kerala. Fr. Mathew has four brothers and five sisters. Two of his brothers and two sisters have gone to their eternal reward. One of his sisters, Sr. Susanna, SH, is a nun belonging to the Sacred Heart Congregation. He has 33 nieces and 15 nephews. Eight of his nieces are religious nuns belonging to Clarist, Carmelite and Presentation Congregations. From his childhood, we can clearly see the religious upbringing of Fr. Mathew.
After his primary education at the Sacred Heart School, and secondary education at the Government High School, Ponkunnam, Fr. Mathew joined the Third Order Regular in the year 1965. Pronouncing his first vows in May 1968, Father was sent to St. Albert’s College, Ranchi, where he did his philosophy studies. Upon his solemn profession in May, 1971, he joined the Papal Seminary, Pune, for a course in Theology. In 1974 he was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology by the Pontifical Athaneum, Pune. After the diaconate ministry in Lila and Poreyahat missions, Fr. Mathew returned to Pune in June 1975 and completed his master’s degree in Theology.
On October 18, 1975, Fr. Mathew Kavipurayidam, TOR was ordained a Priest by Most Rev. Sebastian Vallopilly, Bishop of Tellicherry, Kerala. Fr. Mathew offered his First Solemn Eucharistic Sacrifice the same day.
Important ministries of Fr. Matthew: Director of Aspirants from 1977 to 80 at Franciscan Training Institute, Ranchi. He served as Headmaster of St. Francis High School, Poreyahat from 1983 to 1990. Then he was assigned as the Director of the Professed Friars at Assisi Bhawan, Bengaluru. On November 4, 1992, Fr. Mathew was assigned as Local Minister of Franciscan Ashram and Principal of St. Francis School, Harmu, Ranchi, and then Principal of St. Francis School and Local Minister at Shamli. Thereupon he served the Province as Vicar Provincial, Province Econome and Local Minister at Franciscan Ashram till 2004. Besides English, he had a good knowledge of Hindi and Santali languages.
In the year 2004, he was appointed Pastor of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, Carrollton, Texas. For the last six years he was faithfully serving as the Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish at Fort Worth. He was also instrumental in building up the Church and the office building of St. Thomas the Apostle in a newly located area. In 2012, he was also appointed as Regional Minister for our TOR friars working in the USA and he was looking after the registered Corporation there. He also participated in the World Youth Day at Panama in 2019.
The best quality of Fr. Mathew was the human touch and warmth he had been imprinting upon everyone he had come across in life. Mathew could ably translate into action what he learned at home: the “homely” virtues of discipline, obedience, joy, and adaptability in the work field. He has many friends in India and abroad. In his death, we truly miss a holy, human and humane Franciscan Religious and a missionary Priest.
During the canonical visitation by Fr. John Kochuchira in September, 2019, Fr. Mathew expressed his desire to return to India in the year 2020 as he was deteriorating in health. He was suffering from diabetes, B.P. and dementia. He also had a black-out a few months back. He was expected to be in India by April 2020. But, due to COVID-19, the international flights were suspended and he was waiting for the flights to resume. On June 19, 2020, he called up Fr. John in the morning and talked to him for about 20 minutes. After the lunch, along with Fr. Benjamin he went to the Parish Office to attend the video conference with Bishop Olson.
No one ever thought that the end of Fr. Mathew would come so soon. After he returned from the Parish office, as usual he went for swimming in the pool at our residence while Fr. Benjamin was watering the plants nearby. All of sudden, Fr. Benjamin saw that Fr. Mathew was struggling in the pool. He cried for help. The neighbors rushed to the spot and with the help of medical and security personnel, he was taken to the hospital but he had already breathed his last.
Hearing the news of his demise, Most Rev. Michael Olson, Bishop of Fort Worth, Frs. George Thennattil, Joy Joseph, Sushil Tudu and Wilson Vattaparampil went to the hospital. Bishop offered prayers and blessed the body of Fr. Mathew. We are very grateful to Bishop Olson for his guidance and accompaniment. We thank the Diocesan Clergy of Fort Worth, the TOR Friars of different Provinces, health officials, friends and the parishioners for their prayers and support.
It is to be noted that on 17 and 18 June, Fr. Mathew had visited his doctors, especially the neurologist and family doctor, Dr. Sagert.
The Wake Service was held at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Fort Worth on the 25thof June. The Mass of Christian Burial was held on the 26thof June, presided over by Most Rev. Michael Olson, Bishop of Fort Worth. A memorial Mass was held at the Franciscan Ashram, Bhagalpur on the 26thof June, presided over by Most Rev. Kurien Valiakandathil, Bishop of Bhagalpur.
Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to the bereaved family members, Friars, Priests, Sisters and all the friends of Father Mathew.
As we remember Father Mathew and his good works, the farewell words of, St. Francis of Assisi at his death bed to his followers ring in our ears, “I have done what was mine to do, may Christ now teach you what you are to do.”