Fr. Jack Pereira: "Are you ready to serve?"

I was about 11 years old when Fr. Jack Pereira arrived at St. Anthony’s Parish, Calgary, in August 2012. He asked me this question during my confirmation retreat, "Are you ready to serve?" as part of an interview to gauge my readiness to receive the sacrament. More than a decade has passed since then, but these words have remained with me as I reflect upon the gift that his 50 years of priesthood have been for the Church and for our diocese. Indeed, it was a question he himself answered by his own willingness to serve the flock entrusted to him by the Lord. 

As an altar server, I had the privilege of assisting Fr. Jack at the altar all throughout his seven years at St. Anthony’s. His love for the Holy Mass was contagious, something I experienced particularly through his attention to detail. He never hesitated to mercifully correct any mistakes we made at the altar, and ensured that our comportment in the sanctuary was reverent and disciplined. In practices for solemn liturgical celebrations, such as Christmas and the Sacred Triduum, Fr. Jack would train us by reading directly from the Roman Missal’s rubrics. In addition to teaching us the actions of the liturgy, he also explained their theological significance – something which excited in me a deep love for the ceremonial of the Mass. 

Fr. Jack’s keen pastoral sense also allowed him to tend to the spiritual needs of his flock. At St. Anthony’s, he oversaw the painting of our stained glass windows, allowing us to pray with the images of the apostles and saints which now illuminate them. Further, the Marian Prayer Garden and the St. Anthony grotto on the parish grounds, both constructed under his direction, are reminders of his desire to invigorate the devotional life of the parish. Our patronal feast day was always celebrated with great joy and solemnity, culminating in a procession to St. Anthony’s grotto. There, Fr. Jack would collect prayer intentions to St. Anthony and offer them to God with burning incense.

Despite being very busy with parish work in addition to his responsibilities as Vicar General of the Diocese, Fr. Jack remained available to his people. He provided opportunities for bringing our parish community together apart from Sunday worship. In particular, I remember the annual “Taste of Cultures” Pentecost festival, an idea realized by Fr. Jack, which showcased the diverse cultures of our parish through food, dance, and song. After every weekend Mass, Fr. Jack was present to greet parishioners and join them in the parish hall for coffee and muffins. His lightheartedness and love of humour was also given a special place in the weekly bulletin: “Fr. Jack’s Chuckle.” 

I recall with great fondness one afternoon I spent with Fr. Jack, participating in a 40 Days for Life prayer vigil. We were praying the rosary and were met with much opposition from people driving by. One car stopped in front of us and the driver rolled down their window, hurled an insult, and drove away. Fr. Jack simply smiled at me and said, “Let’s keep praying.” His example of patience and composure in that moment continues to inspire me. 

These reflections are but a small glimpse into Father Jack’s fifty years of priesthood, and can hardly do justice to the impact he has had on our diocese and the parishes he served in. I am certain that I am not the only one who can attest to the love he has for the Church and the people of God. While I’m not sure I was quite “ready to serve” when he originally posed his question to me, my time with Fr. Jack has shown me his own unwavering readiness for ministry. Now, as a seminarian, I can confidently say that I would not be where I am without such an inspiring example.

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Fr. Joaquim Pereira

• Ordained: April 27th, 1974, Goa, India
• Associate Pastor:  St. Peter’s, Calgary (1988-1989)
• Associate Pastor:  St. Gerard’s, Calgary (1990)
• Pastor:  St. George’s, Hanna (1990-1994)
• Pastor:  Holy Trinity, Crowsnest Pass (1994-2003)
• Pastor:  Holy Spirit, Calgary (2003-2012)
• Pastor:  St. Anthony’s, Calgary (2012-2019)
• Retired: 2019

Written by Jeffrell Painaga for Faithfully.