Redemptorist Fr. Simon Pereira, who ministered for decades at St. Alphonsus Church, popularly known as Novena Church, died on September 13 at the age of 78, leaving generations of Catholics in Singapore and Malaysia remembering his direct preaching, humor and warm pastoral presence. Fr. Pereira, a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, had completed 55 years of religious profession and 49 years of priesthood. In an obituary notice issued September 14, the Archdiocese of Singapore said the Redemptorists were “profoundly grateful for Fr. Simon’s dedicated service to the People of God, his commitment to the Redemptorist Congregation, his profound prayer life, and his zeal and passion for the missions.” Born August 25, 1948, Fr. Pereira entered religious life with the Redemptorists and was ordained a priest in 1977. For many Catholics connected with the Novena Church, his ministry extended beyond celebrating Mass. He became a familiar pastoral presence whose direct and sometimes humorous homilies were a distinctive part of worship at the church, a major Catholic pilgrimage site in Singapore. Fr. Pereira’s vocation began with an unexpected encounter with the Gospel. According to an account of his vocation, he once arrived late for Mass while carrying a football. During the Gospel reading, he heard Jesus ask Simon Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” The question stayed with him. He eventually began saving his recess money to travel by two buses to Novena Church. His growing connection with the church eventually led him to the Redemptorists and, later, to the priesthood. What began with a Gospel passage became a vocation lasting more than five decades. For 49 years, Fr. Pereira proclaimed that Gospel to others, drawing on the faith that had first spoken to him as a young man. Fr. Pereira became known for preaching that was direct, practical and accessible, particularly to young people and senior citizens. He often connected faith with ordinary experiences and used humor to make his message accessible to parishioners. Novena Church remembered him as a priest who could bring humor and relatable joy even to early Sunday Masses while keeping people engaged.

His ministry also extended beyond Singapore. In 2019, he was invited to preach the annual retreat for the Diocese of Loikaw in Myanmar, reflecting the wider missionary dimension of his Redemptorist ministry. He also wrote Never a Dull Moment with God , a book that reflected his simple and humorous approach to communicating faith. His death prompted tributes on social media from people who had encountered him at different stages of their lives. One tribute described him as “a great priest who served the community truly and faithfully.” Speaking to Radio Veritas Asia, preschool teacher Stella Hendricks said Fr. Pereira was “a household name among Catholics in Singapore and Malaysia.” “I remember his homilies at Novena Church,” she said. “When I used to attend the novena at St. Alphonsus Church, his homilies were so stunning. They could hit you between the eyes and make you feel that the message was meant especially for you.” “Sometimes, I would feel that he was speaking directly to me. He had a way of knocking home the point,” she said. Hendricks also recalled seeing Fr. Pereira walking around the church grounds while praying the Rosary. “I have not attended the novena sessions at the church for a long time. I attended his wake, and seeing the large crowd of mourners, I believe he must have touched many lives,” she said. Joseph Masilamany is a veteran Malaysian journalist and freelance writer with extensive experience in Catholic media. He contributes regularly to leading Catholic news agencies and platforms. Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) , a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms. Sign Up for Our Newsletters More Asian News