Appreciations

It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute to Fr. Glen. We had known him for the past six years, but it seemed like 60, because he became a part of our lives and we were close to him. We first met him on our pilgrimage to Vailankanni and every August he went with us. I thank God and Aunty Mercy Kuruppu for bringing him into our lives.

I still have not encountered anyone who conducted the "way of the cross” as Fr. did. It was so meaningful and relevant to the times we live in, it was so full of life. On our return to Trichy from Vailankanni he never failed to buy something for his helpers at SUROL (Society for Upliftment and Rehabilitation of Leprosy patients). Our Vailankanni pilgrimage will never be the same without Fr. Glen. There was never a dull moment when he was around.

He reached out to the poorest of the poor and leprosy patients with total dedication, love and concern and the religious background was of no concern. Many social engagements were side tracked due to his commitment to his less fortunate flock. He was that modern day genuine good Samaritan. We saw true discipleship in him, truly rare in this era we live in. Whenever we visited SUROL he used to show us albums of leprosy patients under the care of the society. The love and concern he had for them were written all over his face.

He didn’t need a cassock to be recognized as a holy person, we could call him Father in every sense. The fact that he touched the lives of so many in so many ways was proved by the crowds that gathered in three churches to pay their last respects and to get a final glimpse of his mortal remains.

When he started officiating at the 12 noon mass at Sacred Heart Church at Rajagiriya, people thronged to listen to him preach the word of God. His homilies were meaningful and so relevant to the here and now, we never felt the time passing, also you would never find a nodding head if you happened to look around.

Before he entered hospital, on our way back from somewhere, we went to see him at SUROL. Since we did not have anything to take him, I bought some apples and when we went there the boy said that Father was in his room. When I spoke to him on the intercom he said that he was in office from morning and he came to the room to rest. I told him that we won’t disturb him and that I would leave the apples with the boy. Then at once he said in Sinhalese, “Oya Deviyanvahanse epa kiyala thiyana de mi karanne”. Then quite innocently I asked “ai Father?” Then he said “Ai minihate apple denne”. We had a good laugh about it and came home. That was one of the last jokes that he cracked with me.

It was a great shock to hear about his death. We can’t question God why he took him because he calls the best. May be he had another mission for him over there. A part of us too has gone with him. The vacuum left behind by him will be difficult to fill. At his graveside Fr. Pinto from Goa paid a tribute to him and said: “Glen, keep the Co-Pilot seat for me”. Yes, God willing we would all like to occupy that seat right next to him one day. Last Sunday, the 12 noon mass at Rajagiriya was offered in memory of Fr. Glen. As Fr. Xavier Pinto preached about Fr. Glen we could not hold back our tears. We lost a very dear Priest, Father, Brother, Friend and brilliant Preacher.

Our dear Fr. Glen is no more, his voice is still but he will remain in our hearts forever. May his soul rest in peace. Adios! Fr. Glen, till we meet on that beautiful shore.

His words and deeds will ring on