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Matthew Almeida SJ

1935 – 2009

Fr. Matthew Almeida was born on September 29, 1935 at Kundapur of the present Udupi district of Karnataka. He had three brothers and three sisters. He was the sixth among his siblings. He lost his father when he was young. His mother brought up the children at their maternal grandfather’s home at Kundapur. He did his primary studies at Kundapur and High School studies at Milagres High school, Kallianpur.

He joined the Society of Jesus (Belgaum Mission) on July 12, 1952. He did his two year of Novitiate and three years of Juniorate training at Vinayalaya, Mumbai. Later he was sent for three years of Philosophy to De Nobili College, Pune. He spent three years as a Regent teaching at St. Vincent High school, Pune.  Four years of Theology studies were done at De Nobili College. During summer holidays he learnt Indian music and tabla in Madhya Pradesh. He was ordained a priest on March 24, 1965 at De Nobili College.  Immediately after his ordination he was asked to go for tertianship at Sitagarha. Later, he did M.A in English literature from Karnataka University, Dharwad and B.Ed. and M.Ed at Bombay University. He served as a rector and principal/vice-principal at St. Britto High School, Mapuça (twice), St. Paul High School, Belgaum and at Loyola High School, Margão.  

He did M.S. in linguistics at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and completed Ph.D in Linguistics from the same University. He returned to India in August 1985. Since September 1985 to May 2002 he worked as the director and treasurer of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK). In May 1998 TSKK was shifted to its new premises at Alto Porvorim and he was appointed its superior.  In 2000 he began to edit TSKK Research Bulletin Sod and from 2006 Dor Mhoineachi Rotti, a religious Konknni monthly.  He has written a number of research articles in Konknni and about Konknni in English and they are published in various journals and periodicals. He have written/edited/transliterated 14 books. According to many scholars he will be remembered for his three books, namely, A Description of Konkani, Konknni Basic course (Konknni Mullavo Kors in Devanagari script) and Romi Lipient Konknni Kors.  He has served as a Konknni expert in various bodies of Goa State government, Central government, Goa University and non-government organizations. 
His service to Konknni research was recognized by Institute Menzes Bragança on April 16, 1993 by making him its “corresponding member”.  On April 24, 2008 he received the prestigious Goa Konkani Academy’s first Sahitya Projnya Puroskar. 

On Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Fr. Matthew passed away due to cardiac arrest at J.M.J. Hospital at Alto Porvorim. Fr. Matthew was a silent worker. He spoke less and worked more. He has served at TSKK for 23 years. He has contributed his mite. Now it is the turn of the younger generation of Goa Province to foster, nurture and strengthen what he have planted.  May God grant him fullness of life.  Adieus.  

Birth
September 29, 1935

Entrance
July 12, 1952

Ordained
March 24, 1965

Last Vows
April 22, 1976

Death
Febuary 18, 2009