Fr. Thomas Matondo

WE REMEMBER IN
PRAYER: FR. THOMAS MATONDO, CICM.

Born Jan. 21, 1949 in Kasangulu, Democratic Republic of Congo; professed vows Sep. 8, 1975, ordained Aug. 1, 1982, Fr. Thomas Matondo, CICM (Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) died Dec. 3, 2009 in San Juan Nursing Home in TX.

Father Thomas is survived by a brother, Mbuanga Francois Matondo and a sister, Brigette Matondo Kisita. May he rest in peace!

Viewing will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Progreso, TX. on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary. Viewing will resume Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 at 9 a.m. and funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

The body will then be transported to San Fernando Cemetery II in San Antonio, TX, where a graveside service will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Confreres, friends, parishioners are all welcome. A reception will follow in St.
Martin de Porres.

Since his admission to CICM on Sept. 7, 1974, Fr. Thomas Matondo has served God, the CICM Community and the Church in various capacities. His first mission assignment was to the U.S. where he served as Parochial Vicar at St. Gabriel’s Church, San Antonio, Texas from April, 1983 to June 1985.

From 1985 to July, 1988, he served as Parochial Vicar at Assumption Church, in Harlingen, TX.

July, 1988 to May, 1990, Father did advanced formation studies at St. Louis University in Missouri. These Theology Studies were in preparation for his next assignment as Rector of the Scholasticate in Kinshasa, From 1994 - 2000, Fr. Thomas Matondo was elected and served as Provincial Superior of the CICM Province in Kinshasa. Father spent the last nine years of his life in Texas, U.S. where from 2002-2003, he served simultaneously as Parochial Vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish, La Feria, TX and St. Mary’s Parish, Santa Rosa, TX. In these final years, Father Matondo has served since April, 2003, as Pastor at Holy Spirit Parish, Progreso, TX. His zeal knew no bounds. For Father Thomas, it was always “YES”: A “YES” THAT SUSTAINED HIM AS SERVANT PRIEST, all the way home, - HOME to his eternal rest in the Heart of God, - where, in the spirit of a CICM missionary, he remains with us forever, - in a lived and living relationship with Christ, in One heart; One soul: Cor unum; Anima una.

Funeral services are under the direction of Hawkins Funeral Home in Weslaco.

Sign the guestbook at: http://legacy.com/Valleystar/Obituaries.asp