PROFILE OF FR KILIAN JESUS LOPES Born in Goa on 8th , July 1937 to late Mr. Fulgencio Prazeres Lopes and late Mrs. Maximiana Lopes, Dandeavado, Chinchinim, Goa. He had brilliant academic career and studied at St Paul`s, Belgaum. His parents encouraged and wholeheartedly supported him in his choice of vocation. Completed the course of Philosophy and Theology at St Pius X College, Goregaum, Mumbai and was ordained priest on 21-12-1965. Silver jubilee Eucharistic celebration was held at Chinchinim. As a young priest, he exhibited commitment, passion, zeal and enthusiasm for missionary work,. Hence from 1969-1968 served in at Dediapada, 1968-1975 at Valsad,1975-1978 at Ajmeer, 1978-1982 Rector of Good Shepherd Seminary, Baroda and from 2000-2015, at Amodar, all under Baroda Diocese . He endured painful movements without complaints and which restricted his mission until he underwent lately both the hip replacement
He single handed, with devotion, selflessness, determination and faith in God, established MATRUCHAYA SEVA TRUST, as the founder Trustee, Reg. No., E/7752, on 18-01-2014. The other Trustees being Fr.Lawrence Louis Rodrigues, & Mr. George Derel Das. He set up a sprawling complex DIVIYA MATA DHAM with buildings, infrastructure in the first phase with a vast orchard of fruit bearing trees for generating income. He frequenting daily from temporary stay at St Marys Church, Baroda The secular, nonprofit, charitable trust has spelt out in great details its 1-Vision,2-Core values,3-Goals 4-and Strategies. Its ambitious plan is to provide an Anath Ashram. Medical Centre, School for HIV/AIDS orphans. Because such individuals are denied basic and bare human rights, ostracized, ignored, suffer physically, psychologically and die inhuman death due to isolation. The preamble of the MST assures that under the Shadow of Mother, care, love and support, abandoned, orphans find hope to have both a fruitful life and bright future with a shelter, love to transform and empower. The Diviya Mata Dham has come into existence with a monumental, single minded devotion, dedication, determination, often painful selfless personal sacrifices., His life, dress, living is far removed from his original family comforts of high standards The edifice is a true and fitting monument to his lasting memory and a gift to the Diocese for the posterity of Humanity. It is an indication and assurance that good can come through a single, committed individual. Presently it is a centre for meditation, prayers and introspection, formal retreats for religious and others. Fr Kilian conducted retreats for various religious groups on request at sites. It is hoped that his dreams for the fulfillment of the aims and objectives of the MST will be kept alive and given shape by the Trustees in times to come with more human and material resources committed to the worthy cause Fr. Kilian underwent heart surgery under medical advice and with great faith, hope and expectations and was well on his way to recovery after fifteen days, when suddenly he was afflicted with uncontrollable infection. He breathed his last peacefully and calmly on 29-3-2015,at 3 a.m.,on Palm Sunday. After Eucharistic Celebration at Rosary Cathedral, Vadodora, on 30-3-2015 at 10.30 a,m, his mortal remains were laid to rest as per his wishes on the premises of Diviya Mata Dham,Amodar, Gujerat Fr. Kilian enjoyed special preference and privilege that he would be specially flown for celebrating all the important occasions of cousins, nephews in Goa and hence his absence and graceful charm will be missed forever. He blessed, prayed and healed the ever waiting and eager faithful flock of neighbors with his blessed hands. Farewell cousin you will missed. “” The highest tribute to the dead is not grief, but gratitude “ Thornton Wilder Nelson Lopes. Chinchinim 30-3-2015
