Rev. Fr. Mark Perera S.J. by Cecil Perera Courtesy : Karava people of Sri Lanka

 Courtesy : The Karava people of Sri Lanka


Rev Fr Mark Perera SJ (1929 - 2010)


Rev. Fr. Mark Perera of the Society of Jesus was the second son of Maharage Marcelline Perera former Principal of Calvary School, Galle and Paththage Josephine Perera, a qualified teacher. Fr. Mark's father Marcelline (brother of Rev. Fr. Moses Perera) migrated to Kaluwella, Galle from Dehiyagatha, Ja-Ela:
His intention was to give his children the best of education. Fr. Mark had four brothers and two sisters. Prof. Wilfred Perera MRCOG was the eldest, Daisy Pathirana taught at St. Aloysius College Galle for over 35 years, Rita Perera is the founder of MarcSri Kalutara, Newton a leading Chartered Accountant, Former High Court Judge Joe Perera died 20 years ago under tragic circumstances, and Doctor of Medicine Kitty (MACC) is the youngest:
Family photograph taken when Mark Perera left home to become a Jesuit in August 1950.

Father Mark was a distinguished student of St. Aloysius' College, Galle. He joined the Jesuit Seminary to become a priest, did his philosophical studies in Bombay, proceeded to Naples and was ordained a priest in 1961. Subsequently he obtained his MSc. in chemistry from Louis University Missouri in USA and qualified in counselling. He returned to Sri Lanka after being away from his motherland for 16 years, and taught chemistry at St. Aloysius College Galle initially in English and subsequently in Sinhala too. Though he did not master Sinhala, he mastered the art of conveying ideas effectively in Sinhala.
He was a student counselor par excellence. He treated the youth with kindness and dignity, Religion, race or caste were not barriers for the young to reach him. Later he was appointed as the Student Counsellor for the University of Peradeniya, which post he held for over a decade. Many came for guidance and Fr. Mark always had time for them, and he brought peace and solace to them.
Music was one of his many pastimes. (Maestro Sunil Santha was his first cousin).
He was in a wheelchair for over a year, but his spirit never flagged. He was an optimist.
His last rites and burial was held at Lewella, Kandy, amidst a large gathering of his Jesuit Brethren, students, friends and relatives.

May Fr. Mark Rest in Peace and may his work be carried on.
-Cecil Perera
Grateful thanks to Gehan Goonewardene


Photo below, courtesy Lanka Shantha FB.





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Courtesy:

With a twinkle in his eye he put people at ease

Fr. Mark Perera

Much has been said of Fr. Mark the priest, the scholar, the counsellor and teacher. I wish to speak of Fr. Mark, the man. What I remember best about him is the constant twinkle in his eye, no matter what.

I first met him 25 years ago when I took my truant brother for counselling. He spoke to him privately and told me, “My dear, there’s nothing wrong with him except that all his buttons have been put wrong. Once the buttons are adjusted, he’ll be fine!” (a metaphor I still find useful when dealing with people).

He used to visit us in our up-country plantation and those visits proved to be great fun. He had a way of putting people at ease and was as comfortable prattling to my toddler as conducting a high-brow seminar. As Kipling would say, 'he could walk with kings, but not lose the common touch’. 
He was the chaplain/counsellor of the Peradeniya University, thus it goes without saying that he was particularly good with youth.

My husband and his brothers were his students at St. Aloysius College, Galle and they found him to be one of the ‘nicer’ teachers (high praise coming from high-spirited boys who usually resented their teachers).

Everyone was ‘handsome’ or ‘beautiful’ in his benevolent eyes. May the turf lie softly upon your grave and may the angels in heaven smile benignly on you!

Priyanthie de Silva


 

In Memoriam: 

Revd Fr Mark Perera SJ 

Our papers have announced the death of my friend Fr Mark. I first met him when we were both Chaplains at Peradeniya, he at the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy and I at the Sri Lankan National Christian Council Chaplaincy. 

Since we were both keen on working together we did work on many fronts. Very specifically in the areas of student activities at Peradeniya. 

What comes to my mind as I write this piece of memory of Fr Mark is the stand that we took together when to my mind for the first time in the history of Peradeniya there was a Sinhala, Tamil students clash just before July 1983. Fr Mark was very concerned about preserving the harmony between the two communities at Peradeniya. 

When I moved to Pilimatalawa to teach I invited Fr Mark to teach counselling and also counsel the students. Fr Mark will be remembered for many things and none of us can forget his work as a counsellor. 

I used to keep in touch with him even after he moved to Lewella where he spent the evening of his life. 

At Lewella and from Lewella he used to tell me that under God, despite his confinement to a wheelchair, he was able to help people with problems. Our meetings and telephone conversations always included Fr Mark referring to my late wife and asking about my daughter. 

Since it was impossible to get to Kandy because of the Kandy Perahera I could not attend the funeral. However, Fr Mark will be remembered with gratitude and love not only for his counselling but for the Roman Catholic, Anglican dialogue that the two of us had under God in our own style. 

I am sure that when the call came Fr Mark would have heard those words “well done good and faithful servant.” 

Fr Mark’s family and the Jesuits can certainly be assured of our prayers. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory! Amen. 

Sydney Knight





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