Date of Birth: 27-01-1935

Joining the MCBS: 15-06-1955

Religious Profession: 23-05-1957

Priestly Ordination: 10-03-1967

Death: 25-09-2009

Mathew, very dearly called also as Pappachen, was born on 27th January 1935 at Narianganam in the Diocese of Pala. His parents were Mani and Rosa Moothedom. He was baptised on 31st January 1935. He started his primary education at St. Thomas School, Pala. Studying has not been that easy for him from the early years. He continued his education at St. Mary’s School, Bharananganam. From early on he loved assisting at Holy Mass and singing Syriac songs in the choir. On completion of his high school studies, his desire was to join a seminary, become a priest and be of service to the people. Accordingly he joined the MCBS in June 1955.

Since the MCBS did not have own Minor Seminary, Mathew was sent to diocesan seminary for study and formation. After the first year he was granted permission to join the sixth batch of Novitiate in May 1956. Fr. George Kanat has been their Novice Master. Bro. Mathew has been an exemplary novice and successful in imbibing the basic values of religious life. He, along with his batch mates, made his religious profession on 23rd May 1957. Then he continued his study at the minor seminary. After the successful completion of the formation at the minor seminary, he was sent to Carmelgiri Seminary, Aluva, for his study of Philosophy. When the MCBS Study at Karukunnu was inaugurated in June 1961, his residence was changed to the new study house. He has had hard time during the study of Philosophy and Theology. But he has been an exemplary and hardworking seminarian. Intense prayer helped him complete the studies. He was ordained as priest on 10th March 1967 by Archbishop Joseph Parekkattil of Ernakulam.

Fr. Mathew Moothedom’s first assignment was as the procurator of MCBS Study House, Karukunnu. Besides his duties in the community he found time to render pastoral help in the nearby parishes and religious communities. Later he was transferred to Pious Mount Ashram, Nellikuuty, where he did good job taking care of the Coconut and Rubber plantations and assisting in pastoral ministry in neighbouring parishes. His next place of service was at Lisieux Ashram, Athirampuzha. Then he was transferred to St. Thomas Villa, Kombayar, where he did an excellent job taking care of the Cardamom and Pepper plantations and considerably increasing the income. He was appointed to Pious Mount Ashram for a second time and was able to gather the fruits of his earlier work there.

In 1990 Fr. Moothedom was deputed for pastoral service in the diocese of Mananthavady. He served as parish priest in the parishes like Palankara, Thrissileri and Kurumani. Later he was asked to take care of the Mission station at Agumbe, in Shimoga Mission. In 1994 he served as procurator at MCBS Generalate, Chunangamvely. The beautiful Teak plantation in front of the Generalate is the fruit of Fr. Moothedam’s hard work. Then he was asked to take care of farm at Nanajangud, Mysore. During those years he felt like having certain health issues. In a detailed medical examination he was diagnosed of suffering from cancer. By 6th June 2009, it was reported that the illness had spread to various internal organs. By 21st September his condition became worse and he was admitted in the hospital in Kozhikode for further treatment. On 23rd September he made his last confession and received Holy Communion, and was administered the Sacrament of Anointing. By the evening of 25th September 2009 Fr. Mathew Moothedom breathed his last in the Lord. On the following day Bishop Remigius Inchenanil of Thamarassery, many priests and religious visited the Zion Provincial House, payed tribute to and prayed for Fr. Mathew. There has been also concelebrated Holy Mass presided by the Provincial Superior and assisted by the councillors and other priests. Fr. Thomas Varakil gave a very touching eulogy.

The funeral service for Fr. Mathew Moothedom was on 28th September 2009 at the Minor Seminary, Pariaram. The first part of the service was officiated by Fr. Augustine Paikkatt, the Provincial Superior, and second part by Fr. John Puthenpurayil, Vicar General of MCBS. The third part of the service commenced with the concelebrated Holy Mass, presided over by Bishop Jose Porunnedom of Mananthavady, assisted by many members of the MCBS and attended by many religious, friends and relatives of Fr. Mathew. Fr. Jose Peedikaparambil preached the homily. Fr. Moothedom’s mortal remains were buried at the cemetery in the seminary campus.

Hard working, spirit of prayer, willingness to accept pain and suffering, reediness to obey without complaining etc. are a few of Fr. Mathew Moothedom’s virtues that are to be appreciated and emanated.

Fr. Cyriac Kottayarikil MCBS

മൂത്തേടം ബഹു. മാത്യു അച്ചൻ

ജനനം: 27 – 01-1935
പ്രഥമ വ്രത വാഗ്ദാനം : 23-05- 1957
പൗരോഹിത്യ സ്വീകരണം: 10-03-1967
മരണം: 25-09-2009

ഇടവക : പാലാ രൂപതയിലെ മേലുകാവുമറ്റം
വിളിപ്പേര് : പാപ്പച്ചൻ (കൊച്ചാൻ )

സഭയിലെ ആറാമത്തെ നൊവിഷ്യേറ്റു ബാച്ചിലെ അംഗം

ആലുവയിലെ സ്റ്റഡി ഹൗസ് ആയിരുന്നു മാത്യു മൂത്തേടം അച്ചൻ്റെ പ്രഥമ ശുശ്രൂഷാരംഗം

പയസ് മൗണ്ട് ആശ്രമം ചെമ്പേരി

അതിരമ്പുഴ മൈനർ സെമിനാരി

ഹൈറേഞ്ചിലെ കോമ്പയാറിലെ സെൻ്റ് തോമസ് ആശ്രമം

മാനന്തവാടി രൂപതയിലെ പാലാങ്കര, ത്രിശ്ശിലേരി, കുറുമണി എന്നീ ഇടവകകളിൽ വികാരി

ഷിമോഗയിലെ ആഗുമ്പേ

ആലുവയിലെ ജനററേറ്റിലെ പ്രൊക്കുറേറ്റർ

നഞ്ചൻകോട്

ഇവയെല്ലാമായിരുന്നു അച്ചൻ്റെ ശുശ്രൂഷ മേഖലകൾ

ദിവ്യകാരുണ്യ മിഷനറി സഭയ്ക്കുവേണ്ടി കഠിനധ്വാനം ചെയ്ത ഒരു കർഷകവര്യൻ,

ഒരു മാതൃ ഹൃദയത്തിൻ്റെ ഉടമ ഇവയെല്ലാമായിരുന്നു മാത്യു അച്ചൻ

2009 ജൂൺ മാസത്തിൽ ശ്വാസകോശത്തിൽ രോഗബാധ കണ്ടെത്തി

മാത്യു അച്ചന്റെ ജീവിത ശ്രേഷ്ഠതയെ കുറിച്ച് ആ കാലഘട്ടത്തിൽ അച്ചൻ്റെ സഹവർത്തിയായിരുന്ന ബഹുമാനപ്പെട്ട തോമസ് വരകിലച്ചൻ, മാത്യു അച്ചൻ പറഞ്ഞതായി ഇപ്രകാരം സാക്ഷ്യപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു:
“കുർബാന ചെല്ലാനും കൂദാശ പരികർമ്മം ചെയ്യാനും പറ്റിയാൽ മതി, സഭ എന്നെ സ്വീകരിച്ചു. സഭയ്ക്കു വേണ്ടി ജോലി ചെയ്തു. എനിക്ക് ഒരു പരാതിയില്ല…ഒരു ടെൻഷനും ഇല്ല. എല്ലാ കെട്ടിൽ നിന്നും സ്വസ്ഥമാണ്. യാതൊരു ബന്ധനവുമില്ല. എൻ്റെ ഉള്ള് ഇപ്പോൾ ഫ്രീ. സഭ എന്നെ ഏൽപ്പിച്ച ജോലി പരമാവധി നന്നായി ചെയ്യുവാൻ ശ്രമിച്ചു. എനിക്കു സംതൃപ്തി, സന്തോഷം. തമ്പുരാൻ എൻ്റെ കണക്ക് നോക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. പാസ്മാർക്ക് കിട്ടുമ്പോൾ ക്ലാസ് കയറ്റം തരും.”

ലാഭകണ്ണില്ലാതെ അർപ്പിക്കാനും, ആശ്വാസം തേടാതെ അധ്വാനിക്കുവാനും, മാതൃഹൃദയത്തോടുകൂടി കാത്തിരിക്കാനും, പ്രാർത്ഥനാനിരതനായി പണിയെടുക്കാനും ,
പരാതികൾ ഇല്ലാതെ സംതൃപ്തരായിരിക്കാനും,
മാതൃക നൽകിയ ബഹു. മാത്യു മൂത്തേടത്തച്ചൻ ദിവ്യകാരുണ്യ സഭാംഗങ്ങൾക്ക് എന്നും മാതൃകയും പ്രചോദനവുമാണ്.