TURA: Salesian 80-year-old priest Rev Fr. Thomas Kochupurackal, known to his friends and students, as K A Thomas, who served in Garo Hills for almost fifty long years, has passed away at Bosco Mount in Rongkhon, Tura, early Saturday morning.
“Loving known by many as ‘Confrere’, Fr Thomas served in different parishes and schools across the length and breadth of Garo Hills. He passed away shortly after the celebration of the feast of Mary Help of Christians, on the month of our blessed Mother Mary, to whom he was greatly devoted,” announced the Provincial of Don Bosco Rev. Fr. Januarius S Sangma.
In more than five decades of missionary and education service to the people of Garo Hills, Fr. Thomas served in various positions.
He was the assistant parish priest at Sacred Heart Church in Tura, headed the Catholic charities as its director and even served as parish priest of Damra and Boko in Assam.
During his long years of service in the Garo Hills, he worked at Dominic Savio school and parish in Garobadha, Don Bosco School in Tura, Rongjeng, Selsella, Chima Impel in Resubelpara region, among others.
A man of prayer and a charismatic preacher, he was also known as a healer to whom many devotees flocked to seek his prayers and help.
His funeral service will take place on Sunday at 3:30 pm in the Holy Cross Parish Church in Rongkhon, which would be followed by the funeral rites at the Bosco Mount Salesians cemetery.
The Salesian congregation of Garo Hills has invited all religious priests, faithful and friends to attend the services and pray for the repose of the departed soul of Fr Kochupurackal.