The St. Bonaventure Catholic Community in Concord and Clayton is grieving tonight after learning their Pastor, Fr. Mathew Vellankal, died on Thursday.
The following information was released on the church’s Facebook page:
It is with great shock and sadness that we inform our St. Bonaventure community that our pastor, Fr. Mathew Vellankal, died in an an automobile accident yesterday in Colusa County. We will be remembering Fr. Mat in a special way at all of our Masses this weekend. Let perpetual light shine upon him.
Rest in Peace.
photo credit: St. Bonaventure Catholic Community
Father Matt was a very kind man. We will miss him greatly.
Rest in Peace!
Absolutely heartbreaking. Father Matt was a wonderful priest and will be terribly missed. Just a few Sundays ago he shared about the time he went to Todos Santos Plaza to find a homeless person he could buy dinner for. He was a great example of a true Christian.
May the Lord welcome him home with open arms.
God bless him.
Father Matt was inspiring, jovial and energetic. He was with us for a short time but will be greatly missed. He was Awesome.
RIP Father Matt….
What a great person Fr Mat was! I am so saddended and shocked to hear of his sudden passing. He will be missed so much..
So sad. He had done great things in his short time at the church. He made
you feel so good inside and feel the presence of god on Sunday night mass.
He will missed greatly. Rest In Peace father Mat.
This is truly a loss for our community. Father Mat was the impetus for drive-thru prayer; which I took advantage of recently when my mom became really ill. I am so saddened by this news. Rest in peace Fr. Mat.
He was a vibrant, funny, tireless priest who was a wonderful and inspirational speaker. Always made you feel welcome and appreciated! He will be missed terribly!
There must be a wonderful homecoming celebration going on in heave right now for him!!
He was filled with the love of God. He loved his priesthood. He was genuine.
May the choirs of angels come to greet him and may they lead him into paradise….May he rest in peace…..How very sad and such a loss for the church.
This is heart-breaking! The joy with which he served and greeted the St Bonaventure community drew me to the Parish and got me to come back.
Wonderful man! Wonderful Priest! Loved to tell jokes, and high five the children during the offertory. Feel so lucky to have listened to his sermons.
Very sad.
Rest in peace Father
He was the best example of a pure Christian heart I’ve met in a long time. We could always feel his enthusiasm and spirit while attending mass and will miss him dearly. As others have said, he earned his wings without a doubt.
RIP Fr. Mathew
Father Mat is with the Lord. The first meeting I had with Father Mathew Vallankal, it was obvious how much he radiated something special, a Devine presence. We are at a loss because he’s gone.
Tragic news. RIP Father Matt.
Father Mat Had an infectious smile and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was a blessing to all who met him. This is shocking news but I’m sure he is in God’s arms now. RIP He will truly be missed.
Father Mat was with Holy Spirit Parish, Fremont, for 12 years. He had a very faith filled impact on our community and made all of us feel welcomed and important. May God richly bless him and may he RIP. He will be truly missed.
So very saddended to hear of the passing of Father Mathew.
He was a blessing to St. Bonaventures.
He will be missed.
May he have eternal peace and happiness.
very tragic. He was a very kind person and will be missed.
Fr.Matt was an example of what the Catholic church is love
RIP Fr. Mat…How tragic but you and Archbishop are with the Lord now. Our parish community in Fairfield, CA grieves as well.