Rev. Siluvai Pitchai left behind a legacy of compassionate and selfless service to God and humanity. His minute concern for the poor the downtrodden and the marginalized reveals his huge heart that was meant to love all irrespective of who they were, rich and poor people of other faith and culture. His passing away has given shock to many miles faithful feel that they have become now 'sheep without shepherd'. This was not his age to least them who loved their pastor genuinely. To the dignitaries and common folk he executed same love and with dignity. Fr. Pitchai was one of the finest personalities among the clergy. All loved him for his inclusiveness and towards building healthy presbyterian fellowship and friendship. Rarely one encounters such pastors in life. In our diocesan endeavors he was my colleague in the Archdiocese of Calcutta. He was gentle, kind unassuming and very welcoming. His loving smile spoke louder than his words. He showed great hospitality to all, to his many guests and visitors to the CathedraL lk was available to all and was a model 'Servant Leader. Ile was ordained on April 24. 1990. A soft-spoken priest of God and with a big heart to induce all in his pastoral care. Both as a pastor in different parishes, i.e. Bamandanga and The Cathedral and as a Headmaster. he inherited his commitment to the mission entrusted to him. He did all that with great love for God's greater glory and with joy to everyone. There are hundreds of testimonies from his 'field hospital' those who were under his care and attention. Sr joan of Arc. MC. Superior of Missionaries of Charity. Nimtola said. les a huge loss for the Church in Kolkata. He was so kind and generous to all. His hospitality was unique. Ile was the 'man for the other'. During Christmas became to share his joy of Christmas with all the physically challenged children with cake. His sensitivity to the pastoral are was unique. Even though he had his health issues he never disclosed how' he felt. He empathized with those who suffered pain due to various reasons. He was a great pastor of souls.'
A parishioner Mrs. Anuja Liang who lives in the heart of a whole sale market near Poddar Court spontaneously shed tears at the demise of Fr. Pitchai She said crying, We don't understand why he left us behind. This was not the time for him to go. We are now without a shepherd. He cased for us very sincerely he knew our needs. He organized novena to Our Lady of Vailankanni this year. He wanted to begin the novena to St. Anthony. Besides regular recollections during our liturgical year retreat once a year. During his tenure our spiritual life improved. He made us to take active part in liturgy through singing and prayers. He spoke little but his actions spoke louder. We all will miss him so much. We feel that we are pushed into the darkness. He was very special to us and we shall pray that God gives him eternal rest. Now that he is no more with us he will pray for us from heaven." In the heart of the busy thoroughfare and the biggest wholesale market in Asia, he witnessed the struggles of the people daily whose main concern was the survival. More so, during the pandemic Covid 19 that affected the lives of millions across the world. He reached out to all the faithful those who lived in fear and anxiety day in day out.The sufferings of flight separation of families isolation loneliness and extreme poverty discouragement and despair are some of the concerns of our post-modem pastoral care. His commitment to the cause of Kingdom values were immense. In his own way he tried to rebuild their hope and lives. The words of Pope Francis in 'Esangelli Gaudium' fits well with his life and mission."If we are to share our lives with others and generously give of ourselves we also have to realize that every person is worthy of ow giving. Not for their physical appearance their abilities their language their way of thinking or for any satisfaction that we might receive but rather because they are God's handiwork his creation. God created that person in his image and he or she reflects something of God's glory. Every human being is the object of God's infinite tenderness and he himself is present in their lives. If I can help at least one person to have a better life that already justifies the offering of my life. It is a wonderful thing to be God's faithful people. We achieve fulfillment when we break down walls and our heart is filled with faces and names!'
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