By Matters India Reporter
Mumbai, Sept 2, 2024: A young man who resigned a job in a multinational firm to join a seminary has died after he accidentally fell into a river and drowned.
Brother Noel Felix Thekkekkara was doing his regency in an estate of Kalyan diocese in Sawantawadi, a town in Maharashtra state’s Sindhudurg district when the tragedy occurred. He was 29.
A condolence message from Father Cyriac Kumbattu, vicar general of the diocese said the seminarian on September 2 went out in rain and storm to check a small bridge in the estate.
“A strong wind blew his umbrella inside out, causing him to lose balance. He slipped and fell into the nearby small river,” the priest narrated.
Workers in the estate and bystanders tried to save him, but failed because of the swollen river.
Brother Thekkekkara’s body was recovered after two hours of extensive search by the police and fire department.
The body was handed over to the diocese after police formalities and post mortem.
His mortal remains were brought to Navi Mumbai, some 500 km north of Sawantawadi.
The funeral services will begin at 9 am on September 4 from the seminarian’s house in Gandharva Housing Society, Seawoods West Sector 40 in Navi Mumbai.
Bishop Thomas Elavanal of Kalyan will lead the requiem Mass at 11 am in Little Flower Forane Church, Nerul. The body will be buried in the Christian Cemetery in Nerul.
The seminarian was the only son of Felix Varghese and Sheeba Thekkekkara, residents of Nerul. He has a sister Nancy, a masters degree student. His parents migrated to Mumbai from Ittithanam, Changanacherry, Kerala.
The seminarian worked as business analyst with a multinational firm in Bengaluru before joining the seminary to become a priest for Kalyan diocese.
Very sad to read. RIP, brother.
Good Lord has His mighty plans.
Let brother Noel Felix’s soul rest in peace.
Without someone instructions how can he go , during this rainy season why did no one stopped him ,it was urgent to see small bridge,i feel like something fishy