6 July 1973 – 20 Dec. 2010
As the whole world was getting ready to celebrate the New Year 2011, Fr Suresh Shelke took the leap into the New Life to celebrate the New Year with Renewed Life with the Lord. Suresh was born on 6 July 1973 in a pious catholic family in his home town Umbri in Sangamner Taluka. He was the youngest of seven siblings. His father is a retired teacher and mother, a house wife. Two of his brothers have also left for their heavenly abode before him. The eldest brother is in the navy. He has three sisters.
He completed his schooling from the well-known Jesuit school, Dnyanmata Vidyalaya, Sangamner. He got the inspiration to work in the Vineyard of the Lord from the lives of Jesuits working there, says his nephew, Sch. Sachin Gaikwad. Fr. Suresh did extraordinarily well in his studies throughout his Jesuit formation. When asked about his very good performance in studies, he shared about his mother. His mother used to work tirelessly in the field in order to help Suresh to complete his education. Looking at her hard work, Suresh too used to work hard to get good results in his studies so that he could give his mother the fruit of her hard work in the form of his results, shares Sachin. He had a great love for his parents.
After finishing his 12th Std. in Agriculture Science, in Dnyanamata Vidyalaya, he joined the Society on 30 May 1994. On completion of his Novitiate in Belgaum, he was sent to Kathmandu, Nepal for his Juniorate Studies. He did his philosophical studies in Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, completed his graduate studies from Wadia College, Pune, and theological studies in Vidyajyoti, Delhi. He did his regency at Social Centre, Ahmednagar and Nagaland, in the North East. Suresh had also finished his Masters in Anthropology with flying colours. Looking at his good results in Masters in Anthropology and in theological studies, Fr. Provincial allowed him to pursue his Doctoral Studies in Anthropology after his Ordination on 7 November 2009.
After his ordination Suresh was sent to Social Centre, Ahmednagar. He was the Programme Coordinator for the B.S.W. College plus the Project Coordinator. He was also the house Minister of the Jesuit Community. And with all this, he was doing his Doctoral Studies. He
was a very simple friend but spiritual to the core. He was very regular in his prayer and Mass. His option for the poor was very much seen in his ministry. He identified himself with the poor. He had a great love for the poor and the marginalized. He would say that we cannot see God; what we can see are the people around us and we see God in them and love them. When asked about the Jesuit life he shared that it’s a beautiful life and gives ample opportunities to do good. When you are given any responsibility to do, do it hundred percent and not be happy with a little, he would add. He had many friends in the Society as well as outside because of his simple behaviour.
Fr Suresh attended the Ordination and First Mass of James Selvaraj at Wellington. After the First Mass on December 29, he went to the Convent to pick up his luggage as he wanted to proceed to Ooty. As he neared the jeep, he collapsed. He was taken to Nankem Hospital in Coonoor in Tamilnadu where a three-doctor-team tried their best to save Fr. Suresh from the massive heart attack, but they couldn’t save him. He surrendered his life into the hands of his Heavenly Father and breathed his last at 11.20 a.m. The funeral Mass was held at St. Mary‟s Church, Sangamner, on 30 December 2010 at 3.00 p.m. and was well attended by innumerable Priests, Religious, staff members where he worked, friends, students, both past and present, and hundreds of lay faithful who bid him a fond and final adieu. He was thereafter laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sangamner. God grant him eternal joy, and abundant blessings to his parents, relatives and friends.
The untimely death of Fr. Suresh Shelke….
December 29, 2010 shocked all of us present in Wellington with the news of the demise of Fr. Suresh Shelke. No one could believe in the sent SMS. Fr. Suresh was very much present for the first Mass of Fr. James Selvaraj. After the Mass, Fr. Suresh was in his usual happy humour. While having breakfast, he introduced his friends to Fr. Bertie, the provincial. He had breakfast with us. A Jesuit from Madurai Province, who came for the first Mass, Fr. Amalraj, companion of Fr. Suresh, invited four of us, Fr. Bertie, Fr. Suresh, Fr. Ramesh and me to have a lunch with the Jesuit community in Ooty. We all got ready to proceed to Ooty. Fr. Suresh wanted to pick his luggage up from the Convent where he was staying. Accompanied by Fr. James, Fr. Suresh went to get his luggage and the jeep was standing hardly twenty meters away from the place. Fr. Suresh and Fr. James returned to the jeep. As they reached near the jeep, Fr. Suresh collapsed. We gave him a chest and leg massage, and then he got up and sat down there for few minutes. Then he spoke to everyone. He told Fr. Bertie that he could proceed to Ooty. Fr. Ramesh Tribhuvan stayed back with him. In the meanwhile a Doctor-nun came to assist Fr. Suresh.
After twenty minutes Fr. James Selvaraj rang me up and told me that Suresh was brought to the hospital and the doctor from Nankem Hospital, Coonoor would like to speak to Fr. Bertie. The doctor told Fr. Bertie, that a three-doctor-team tried their best to save Fr. Suresh from the massive heart attack, but they couldn’t save him. The Parish priest of Wellington, his two
assistants and twelve to fourteen nuns from three different convents rushed to save Fr. Suresh’s life. With a loud shout Fr. Suresh surrendered his life into the hands of his Heavenly Father and breathed his last at 11.20 a.m. on 29.12.2010 at Nankem Hospital in Coonoor. This shocking news of a young Jesuit, Fr. Suresh, left everyone present at the hospital dumb. No one would believe that Fr. Suresh was no more. It shook all of us. Our province members, companions of Suresh from far and wide, received the news through the SMS; but many could not believe it. They called us and confirmed the news. May his soul rest in peace and may the loving God grant him eternal rest!
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