Former Holy Spirit Priest Killed in Auto Accident

Father Mathew Vellankal, a former priest at Holy Spirit Church in Centerville, was killed in a traffic accident Thursday afternoon in Colusa County.  The accident occurred at 2:24 p.m. on state route 20 at state route 16, west of Interstate 5.  Father Mathew spent a number of years at Holy Spirit before being transferred to  Saint Bonaventure Catholic Community in 2017.  Here is a link to an Indian news site with the info:

http://mattersindia.com/2019/10/shillong-archbishop-dies-in-road-accident-in-california/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/2-killed-when-car-turns-in-front-of-big-rig-in-colusa-county-officials-say/ar-AAIANpp

Diocese of Oakland

43 mins · 

The Diocese of Oakland mourns the loss of one of its pastors, Father Mathew Vellankal, who was killed in an auto accident on Thursday, Oct. 10 in Colusa County, California. Also killed at the scene was Archbishop Dominic Jala of the Archdiocese of Shillong, India and apostolic administrator of Nongstoin, India.

“Father Vellankal’s joyous spirit and faith will be deeply missed,” Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, said. “May his soul and the soul of Archbishop Jala rest in the peace of Christ.” Father Vellankal had been pastor of St. Bonaventure in Concord.

Father Joseph Parekkatt, pastor of St. Anne Parish in Walnut Creek, was also injured in the accident. He is in stable condition at Santa Rosa Hospital.

Father Vellankal was born in Ayavana, Kerala, India and ordained a priest on Jan. 5, 1987 in Randar, India as a member of the religious order Salesians of Don Bosco. He worked in parishes and schools in India before coming to the Diocese of Oakland in 2001. His assignments included Queen of All Saints, Concord; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fremont; Holy Spirit, Fremont; and St. Bonaventure, Concord.

Father Vellankal was also known for his skills as a magician, which he used in parish fundraising. He is the author of “From Humor to Inspiration: Jokes, Reflections, and Quotes to Enliven Your Day,” published in 2005.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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