Rev. Fr. Eugene Moon Lazarus was born on October 21, 1964 in Wazirpura, Agra, to
Mr. Lenus Lazarus and Mrs Josephine Lazarus.
As a young boy, Eugene was a parishioner of the Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception, Agra. From his early days he was deeply prayerful and gentle in
his behaviour with all. Having completed his high school studies, stirred by
the Holy Spirit and a deep personal desire to become a priest, young Eugene
joined St. Lawrence Minor Seminary, Agra on 18th July 1984. He completed his
philosophical and theological studies from St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary,
Allahabad.
Affectionately known to many as “Moon Bhai”, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Agra on
1st May 1994.
Over the course of 31 years, Fr. Moon served the Archdiocese of Agra with humility, dedication and a
heart full of love for God and His people. He served as Diocesan Youth Director, Editor in Chief of
Agradiance (Archdiocesan News Letter), Parish Priest, Professor and most dearly, as Spiritual Director
at St. Lawrence Minor Seminary, mentoring seminarians with patience, insight and deep care. St. Fidelis
Church, Aligarh, Nishkalanka Mata Church, Jaith, St. Francis Xavier’s Regional Seminary, Etmadpur are
some of the stations where Fr. Moon had served.
After a prolonged illness and thirteen days of intensive care at Ganga Ram City Hospital, New Delhi, Fr.
Moon was called to his eternal reward on 9th July, 2025. Following the funeral service, his mortal
remains were buried in the Cathedral Campus in Agra on 10th July, 2025.
Fr. Moon was known for his missionary spirit, his ability to animate the youth and his love for the
Church. He led with quiet strength, often preferring the background while inspiring others to step
forward in faith. His joyful presence, compassionate listening and reflective wisdom touched many
across generations. He endeared the people of all religions and denominations in Agra. He stood as
a uniting force among the many religious groups in Agra commanding respect and love from leaders
of all walks of life.
The Archdiocese of Agra offers heartfelt condolences to the family of Fr. Moon. May his example remain
alive in our hearts and continue to inspire our priestly and Christian lives. We commend his soul to
the infinite mercy of God and unite in prayer for the repose of his soul.
May his soul rest in peace!
Rev. Fr. Mathew Thundiyil was born on December 6, 1969 in Kumarakom of Kottayam Dt.
in Kerala, to Mr. T.U. Joseph and Mrs. Aleyamma Joseph.
Having completed his high school studies, stirred by the Holy Spirit and a deep personal desire to
become a missionary priest, young Mathew joined St. Lawrence Minor Seminary, Agra on 19th July 1985.
He completed his philosophical and theological studies from St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Allahabad.
He did his regency at Holy Family Parish and Christ the King School, Tundla.
He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Agra on 1st May 1996.
His first appointment was as the Vice-Rector at St. Lawrence Minor Seminary, Agra after which he served as
the Asst. Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Parish, Agra Cantt. and St. Mary’s Parish, Noida. He also
served as the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Parish, Noida, Sacred Heart Parish, Mathura, St. Francis
Parish, Hathras and St. Peter’s Parish, Bharatpur. Between the year 2007-2009, he obtained the Master’s
Degree in Biblical Theology from Bangalore. He was also the Principal of St. Francis Sr. Sec. School,
Hathras, St. Dominic’s Sr. Sec. School, Mathura and St. Peter’s Sr. Sec. School, Bharatpur.
In the year 2019, as the Principal at St. Dominic’s Sr. Sec. School, Bharatpur,
he was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer in the prostate. Though he
showed signs of improvement during the treatment, he succumbed to the deadly
decease on 29th March 2022 in his hometown in Kerala. He is buried in the
cemetry of St. John’s Church, Kumarakom, Kottayam Dt. Kerala. A tomb stone
is raised in his memory in the priests’ cemetry at the right side of the
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Agra.
Fr. Mathew was well known as an energetic and enthusiastic priest who as a fruitful parish priest held his
flock very close to his heart. His humerous and loving nature combined with hard work and simplicity will
be missed by everyone in the entire Archdiocese of Agra.
May his soul rest in peace.
Rev. Fr. Thomas Paramundayil was born on September 11, 1930 in Keezhampara, near
Bharanganam, Kerala, to Mr. Davasia and Mrs. Theresama Antony.
After completing High School in his native place, joined St. John's Minor Seminary, Sardhana, Meerut.
He was sent to complete his Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph's Seminary, Allahabad. He was ordained
on March 19, 1961.
He served the Archdiocese in various capacities. He worked as assistant at St. Peter's College till 1962.
He was then transferred to St. Fidelis Mission, Aligarh, where he was instrumental in purchasing the
land for FSMA Sisters. After a stint in St. Mary's Church, Agra, he was posted to Etah Mission and
remained there for 3 years. In 1972, he went to an African Mission in Kenya and returned to Agra in
1975. On his return from Kenya, he was appointed at St. Peter's School, Bharatpur, where he purchased
land for the School and the Convent and established the same accordingly. He remained there for
almost 28 years.
After retirement, he preferred to take up residence in Hathras with Fr. Jose Maliekal.
However he was posted in Bulandshahr for a short stint during which he acquired a
plot of land for the mission. He took ill there and was brought to Agra. After
prolonged hospitalization in Fatima Hospital, Agra, due to cancer, he breathed
his last on June 14, 2019. He is buried in the cemetery used for priests at
the side of the Cathedral, Agra.
Fr. Thomas was an austere missionary: a man of vision with few needs. He leaves behind a rich legacy of
hard work and simplicity.
May his soul rest in peace.
Rev. Fr. Joe Vadakkekara hailed from Vadakanchery, Palakad. Fr. Joe was born on
12th August, 1946. He joined the Minor Seminary, Agra, in 1965, studied Philosophy
and Theology at St. Albert's College, Ranchi, was ordained on April 25, 1976. His
first assignment was as the parish priest of the Cathedral, Agra, from 1976-1985,
where he was in charge of Social Works and Social Communications and a Member of
the College of Consultors. After that he had a short stint as Parish Priest of St.
Mary's Church, Agra. In 1990, he was posted to Etah. He was instrumental in
building the Parish Church in Etah. While in Etah, he extended his mission to
Kasganj, and acquired seven acres of fertile land and built a priest's house,
School and Convent. He left Kasganj in 2006 to take over as the Parish Priest
of St. Patrick's Church, Agra Cantt. In 2010 he was appointed Parish Priest of
the newly created Parish of St. Thomas, Shastripuram, Sikandra. He remained in
Office till death beckoned him in 2016.
Fr. Joe was a pioneer missionary par excellence. While in Kasganj, he discovered
a group of Christian families in Bastar, a remote non-descript village. He regularly
visited, catechized and brought them to the Catholic faith. He further went in
search of shepherd-less Christians, another group in Achalpur - re-grouped and
catechized them. Today, we have vibrant Catholic communities in both these places
with resident Priests, Convent and Schools. The credit goes to Fr. Joe for
acquiring land in Kaulakha, Deori Road, Agra. This he did while he was the
Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Church.
Fr. Joe had problems with his eye sight as early as in the seventies. He could not
see properly nor read properly. But he was well informed of what went on around
him. Though weak in physical sight, he grew stronger in insight. His inner
vision enabled him to see the Divine Mission that was the secret mantra of
his success. If Fr. Joe got an idea and decided to go for it, he would not
rest, neither let others rest, until it was accomplished. Propelled with
faith and commitment, anchored in the protection of Mother Mary, he would
get done what had to be done. Fr. Joe was a great devotee of Blessed Virgin
Mary. He visited the Shrines of Lourdes and Fatima. He was very generous at
heart, had great love for the poor and was regular in his parish visits.
Fr. Joe leaves behind a rich legacy of pastoral care and missionary
zeal.
Born at Pavaratty, Trichur, on March 22, 1942, ordained Priest in 1969, appointed
Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Church, Agra Cantt in January 1970. He remained in
the post till 1986. Fr. Jose tried hard to raise the existing Nursery School to a
High School, and constructed the School building up to the first floor. Prior to
that he had to fight long drawn-out legal issues with resident occupants, who
refused to clear the ground. Exhausted and worn out, he availed home leave for
a few months and returned to the Diocese. On his return, he was appointed in the
Cathedral House. He also did stints at Hathras, Etah and St. Francis Xavier
Seminary, Etmadpur. While he was Parish Priest and Principal at St. Patrick's
Church and St. Clare's School, he had the additional charge of the Administrator
of Archdiocesan Properties.
By nature, he was very simple and amiable, at the same time, very intelligent and extra-ordinarily generous
to the poor and needy. Austere and dedicated, he bore no ill will towards any one. Fr. Jose Muttath
breathed his last after a brief illness in the Fatima Hospital on September 12, 2013. His remains
were interred on the next day in the Cemetery at the side of the Cathedral Church, which is normally
reserved for priests.
Born on June 7th, 1948, at Enamau, Trichur, Kerala, joined the St. Lawrence Minor
Seminary, Agra, and was ordained priest by Most Rev. Dr. Dominic Athaide, on March
9, 1980. Appointed Priest in-charge in Gonsalo Garcia Parish, Bulandshahr. He
looked after Noida from Bulandshahr. Later appointed to Noida in 1986, and thus
was the first Parish Priest of Noida till 1994. He was instrumental in building the
St. Mary's Parish Church, Noida. Because of the migrant Catholics, Noida turned out
to be a throbbing and vibrant parish. Fr. Johnson was posted to Mathura, Sacred
Heart Church, with the adjoining village missions. He was instrumental in building
village schools in these places. He was tansferred back to Bulandshahr for another
six year term.
He then was appointed parish priest of St. Fidelis' Church, Aligarh in 2003. After completing his term of
5 years, he was transferred to St. Francis Xavier Church, Etah, where he took ill after a year or so. He
suffered from cancer for quite a few months and breathed his last on September 30, 2010.
Fr. Johnson was a very simple priest. He was faithful to his prayer life and ministry. He had great
love for the poor and readily reached out to the needy. He leaves behind an exemplary legacy of a good
priestly life. He is buried in the Cemetery by the side of Cathedral Church.