Bro. Vinod Panachiyil
We are in terrible shock! We have lost our young brother Vinod Jose Panachiyil in a fatal car accident. The car caught fire and he was still inside. It was around 8.30 in the evening at the Mass Communication School not far from South B Parish. He had left our house at a quarter past seven for a meal with Fr. Binu (newly ordained in India). After the meal, he accompanied Fr. Binu to Balozi Formation House. It was on his way back, just at the turning going to the flyover, that he may have lost control of the car, hitting a speed-bump and then colliding with the wall of the Mass Communication School.
Vinod was born on the 10th October 1978. He had just finished the second year of Theology. After the departure of Fr. Paul, he took over as bursar of our Formation House. He left us in the course of his generous service. He had studied in Bangalore, India, for the First Phase of Formation, 1999-2004, then the Spiritual Year at Kasama, Zambia, 2003-4, and the apostolic period in Zambia, 2004-6. We need your prayers at this very sorrowful time. May Vinod rest in peace
Fr. BIGEZIKI Francois-Xavier M.Afr. Responsable Small Formation Community South C
Saturday 19 July 2008, at 6pm we shall celebrate Mass in his memory at South C Formation House. You are welcome to be with us by your prayer or by your presense. Monday 21 July 2008 we shall celebrate the Mass of requiem for the repose of the late Br. Vinod Jose PANACHIYIL at Our Lady of Peace Parish,11am. The Eucharistic celebration shall be followed by the burial at St. Austin Cemetry where rest our confereres Missionaries of Africa and many other missionaries.
Thank you for you moral and spiritual support. May God bless you all
EULOGY OF VINOD JOSE PANACHYIL
1978-2008
Our brother and friend Vinod was born on 10th of March 1978.He was from the Southern Indian State of Kerala, Wayanad District. He was from the Syro Malabar Diocese of Mananthavaday. Vinod was the first born in the family of three children (sister, 25 and brother 23yrs). Both parents are Christians and very active members of their local Parish.
He was baptised at Padamala Parish on 29th March 1978 and received confirmation at the same parish on the 11th of December, 1988. Ever since childhood, he had a desire to become a priest. But after his tenth standard in school, that desire disappeared only to resurface again two years later.
Vinod obtained his secondary school leaving certificate in 1994. He decided to stay at home for two years helping his parents with farming. He later applied and was accepted into the junior seminary of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS). However, he had to leave after six months.
He came to learn about the Missionaries of Africa ( SOLA as they are known in India) from an advertisement in one of the Catholic magazines. Although he could have gone back to the MSFS, he decided to join the Missionaries of Africa having been attracted by their internationality, community life and service to the people of Africa. In June 1999, he was admitted into the SOLA formation programme and began the one year 'come and see' programme (he saw and stayed). He began the studies of philosophy which he successfully completed in three years.
He did his noviciate at Kasama in Zambia from 2003-2004 at the end of which he made the declaration of intent and received the ministry of Reader. Between 2004 and 2006, he did his stage (apostolic training) at Nyimba Parish in the Eastern province of Zambia. This undoubtedly was the best time of his formation training. He learned the language very well and the culture of the local people. The people loved him and he loved them. They gave him the local name Mbewe. He felt he belonged to them and they took him as one of them.
On 31st July, 2006, Vinod arrived in Nairobi after his holidays in India to start his theological studies at Tangaza College having been appointed to the Small Formation House of South C. Vinod did his 30 day retreat at Mwangaza retreat centre from 12th June to 13 July, and on 15th August 2007, he, together with Filianus, received the Ministry of Acolyte.
For his Pastoral experience here in Nairobi, Vinod worked at Mama Ngina Children's Home for orphans. He visited the orphans every Saturday His commitment and compassion for the children will be greatly missed.
Vinod was the bursar of the house following the departure of Fr. Paul to Sudan. He served in this responsibility with diligence, faithfulness and generosity. He was also the assistant dean of studies helping Fr Francois with all matters concerning Tangaza College.
On August 18th, Vinod was to start his third year of Theology but this will never come to pass. On the fateful evening of Thursday 17th July 2008, Vinod in his jovial usual self sat in the living room of our home with other community members Fr Francois, Joe, Pawel and Dieudonne together with our visitor that evening Fr. Binu (recently ordained). Other members Fr James, Radek and Leander were away for holidays and Fr Paul and Raphael had already left. At 7.15pm, he went out for a meal with Binu. After the meal, he accompanied Binu to Balozi formation House. It was around 8.30pm, on his way back to South C, near the gate of Kenya Institute of Mass Communication that our beloved brother Vinod met his untimely death through a fatal car accident. He may have lost control of the car hitting the a traffic island in the middle of the road at the turn to the flyover bridge then hitting again a speed hump before colliding with the wall of the Mass Communication College. Apparently, the car burst into flames and this worsened the situation. Vinod died on the spot.
I stand before you at this moment, a member of a community in grief, shock and sorrow. We are all united not only in our desire to pay our last respect to Vinod but also in our need to do so. We are united with the family and friends of Vinod in India, friends in Zambia, Mafr and MSOLA families, the Indian Community here in Kenya, Mama Ngina Children's Home, Tangaza College Community, the religious, our many neighbours and all friends whom the joy and life of Vinod touched.
Vinod was the very essence of Joy and simplicity, a man who willingly accepted responsibility, a man of prayer (always first in the chapel among the students), a man of compassion, and above all a man of relationships.
Vinod, today is our chance to say thank you for the way you brightened our lives. We still need you and need now more than ever. Now that you are gone from us we truly appreciate what you been to us, A brother and great friend. We feel cheated that you have been taken from us so young and yet we must learn to be grateful that you came among us and shared your life with us. You have left us asking why God granted you a short life. What really happened between South B formation House and South C formation House on that fateful evening?
You will greatly be missed by all of us and especially your family of South C Community
You made sure we had all we needed in the house
We teased you, we laughed together
You were always willing to escort any of us to watch a movie, visit a family, sports etc
You were always ready and willing to volunteer for any service
You greatly contributed to making our house a home where everyone felt at ease.
Yes we have lost a brother and a great friend here on earth but we have gained one more saint in Heaven.
Your missionary journey here on earth has ended but you continue it in Heaven. May you never cease to pray for us.
In the name of Nairobi South C SFC
Leander Chembe MAfr.
Vinod was born on the 10th October 1978. He had just finished the second year of Theology. After the departure of Fr. Paul, he took over as bursar of our Formation House. He left us in the course of his generous service. He had studied in Bangalore, India, for the First Phase of Formation, 1999-2004, then the Spiritual Year at Kasama, Zambia, 2003-4, and the apostolic period in Zambia, 2004-6. We need your prayers at this very sorrowful time. May Vinod rest in peace
Fr. BIGEZIKI Francois-Xavier M.Afr. Responsable Small Formation Community South C
Saturday 19 July 2008, at 6pm we shall celebrate Mass in his memory at South C Formation House. You are welcome to be with us by your prayer or by your presense. Monday 21 July 2008 we shall celebrate the Mass of requiem for the repose of the late Br. Vinod Jose PANACHIYIL at Our Lady of Peace Parish,11am. The Eucharistic celebration shall be followed by the burial at St. Austin Cemetry where rest our confereres Missionaries of Africa and many other missionaries.
Thank you for you moral and spiritual support. May God bless you all
EULOGY OF VINOD JOSE PANACHYIL
1978-2008
Our brother and friend Vinod was born on 10th of March 1978.He was from the Southern Indian State of Kerala, Wayanad District. He was from the Syro Malabar Diocese of Mananthavaday. Vinod was the first born in the family of three children (sister, 25 and brother 23yrs). Both parents are Christians and very active members of their local Parish.
He was baptised at Padamala Parish on 29th March 1978 and received confirmation at the same parish on the 11th of December, 1988. Ever since childhood, he had a desire to become a priest. But after his tenth standard in school, that desire disappeared only to resurface again two years later.
Vinod obtained his secondary school leaving certificate in 1994. He decided to stay at home for two years helping his parents with farming. He later applied and was accepted into the junior seminary of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS). However, he had to leave after six months.
He came to learn about the Missionaries of Africa ( SOLA as they are known in India) from an advertisement in one of the Catholic magazines. Although he could have gone back to the MSFS, he decided to join the Missionaries of Africa having been attracted by their internationality, community life and service to the people of Africa. In June 1999, he was admitted into the SOLA formation programme and began the one year 'come and see' programme (he saw and stayed). He began the studies of philosophy which he successfully completed in three years.
He did his noviciate at Kasama in Zambia from 2003-2004 at the end of which he made the declaration of intent and received the ministry of Reader. Between 2004 and 2006, he did his stage (apostolic training) at Nyimba Parish in the Eastern province of Zambia. This undoubtedly was the best time of his formation training. He learned the language very well and the culture of the local people. The people loved him and he loved them. They gave him the local name Mbewe. He felt he belonged to them and they took him as one of them.
On 31st July, 2006, Vinod arrived in Nairobi after his holidays in India to start his theological studies at Tangaza College having been appointed to the Small Formation House of South C. Vinod did his 30 day retreat at Mwangaza retreat centre from 12th June to 13 July, and on 15th August 2007, he, together with Filianus, received the Ministry of Acolyte.
For his Pastoral experience here in Nairobi, Vinod worked at Mama Ngina Children's Home for orphans. He visited the orphans every Saturday His commitment and compassion for the children will be greatly missed.
Vinod was the bursar of the house following the departure of Fr. Paul to Sudan. He served in this responsibility with diligence, faithfulness and generosity. He was also the assistant dean of studies helping Fr Francois with all matters concerning Tangaza College.
On August 18th, Vinod was to start his third year of Theology but this will never come to pass. On the fateful evening of Thursday 17th July 2008, Vinod in his jovial usual self sat in the living room of our home with other community members Fr Francois, Joe, Pawel and Dieudonne together with our visitor that evening Fr. Binu (recently ordained). Other members Fr James, Radek and Leander were away for holidays and Fr Paul and Raphael had already left. At 7.15pm, he went out for a meal with Binu. After the meal, he accompanied Binu to Balozi formation House. It was around 8.30pm, on his way back to South C, near the gate of Kenya Institute of Mass Communication that our beloved brother Vinod met his untimely death through a fatal car accident. He may have lost control of the car hitting the a traffic island in the middle of the road at the turn to the flyover bridge then hitting again a speed hump before colliding with the wall of the Mass Communication College. Apparently, the car burst into flames and this worsened the situation. Vinod died on the spot.
I stand before you at this moment, a member of a community in grief, shock and sorrow. We are all united not only in our desire to pay our last respect to Vinod but also in our need to do so. We are united with the family and friends of Vinod in India, friends in Zambia, Mafr and MSOLA families, the Indian Community here in Kenya, Mama Ngina Children's Home, Tangaza College Community, the religious, our many neighbours and all friends whom the joy and life of Vinod touched.
Vinod was the very essence of Joy and simplicity, a man who willingly accepted responsibility, a man of prayer (always first in the chapel among the students), a man of compassion, and above all a man of relationships.
Vinod, today is our chance to say thank you for the way you brightened our lives. We still need you and need now more than ever. Now that you are gone from us we truly appreciate what you been to us, A brother and great friend. We feel cheated that you have been taken from us so young and yet we must learn to be grateful that you came among us and shared your life with us. You have left us asking why God granted you a short life. What really happened between South B formation House and South C formation House on that fateful evening?
You will greatly be missed by all of us and especially your family of South C Community
You made sure we had all we needed in the house
We teased you, we laughed together
You were always willing to escort any of us to watch a movie, visit a family, sports etc
You were always ready and willing to volunteer for any service
You greatly contributed to making our house a home where everyone felt at ease.
Yes we have lost a brother and a great friend here on earth but we have gained one more saint in Heaven.
Your missionary journey here on earth has ended but you continue it in Heaven. May you never cease to pray for us.
In the name of Nairobi South C SFC
Leander Chembe MAfr.