Fr David Thexeira, A Blessed Life

My brother was born on 6 November 1956 to our parents, Lewis and Rita Thexeira. My other brother, Michael and I followed, then came Robert, 16 years after David. Growing up in Jalan Kesoma was the best years for us.

David, our big brother was quite a prankster but he was always there for all of us - when we fell from the bike or when neighbours tried to pick a fight. His alma mater was St Gabriel’s School.

During his 10 years with SATS Cargo, David travelled quite a bit but he always found time for the family. He was the one who encouraged me to join Singapore Airlines and was also the best man at my wedding. He is still my best man.

During that time, David spent many of his Saturdays at St Bernadette’s Church. One day, he invited us to join him for the celebration there. We were amazed at his transformation amongst the community that he loved. This was our first encounter with the Neo Catechumenal Community and seeing David so alive, involved and excited, was truly inspiring. We had not seen this side of him before.

Shortly after that, he came home and announced that he had a calling from God and that he was going to follow the call. It was as if a cold hand had grabbed hold of our hearts. We loved him so much and could not let him go. But then hearing him explain so articulately and passionately about his love for God and the ministry he felt he needed to join, calmed our fears and took away our sadness.

David was 33 years old then and it was as if a weight was lifted off him. He gave up everything almost immediately and handed in his resignation, although he had just been promoted to cargo manager. Shortly after, he left for Rome for a retreat. He also had an audience with the Pope. He was sent to a seminary in New Jersey for four years and thereafter was transferred to Australia to complete his studies and to a permanent posting later. When we visited him in America and Australia, he was at his happiest. We knew that God was with him, watching over and guiding him. He persevered because of his love for God.

My brother was ordained a deacon in 1998 in Perth and we attended the celebration. The following year, he returned to Singapore to be ordained a priest and we prayed for him to have a Singapore posting but he was very happy in Australia. However God had other plans for him. In 2001, the then Archbishop Gregory Yong summoned him back. Needless to say, we were overjoyed.

David spent five years in Holy Spirit Church. Some have told us that his sermons were the most powerful that they had heard. He was fire and brimstone. He spoke from the heart and he spoke his mind. For some parishioners, it must have taken them a while to accept him.

In January 2007, David was transferred to St Francis of Assisi Church (SFA). David will be remembered through the visual works that he was closely associated with - the stained glass that beautifully identifies Holy Spirit Church and more recently, the Divine Mercy icon at SFA.

On Sunday 2 December, that fateful day when he flew to Bangkok for a vacation, as he kissed our mum goodbye, David told her, “I’ll be home on the 14th”. He went to meet friends there. He disembarked, walked out after collecting his luggage and collapsed shortly after. He was at God’s mercy all the days that he was in a deep coma. He quietly went home to the Lord on 13 December 2007.

God had His plans for my big brother and although our grief is endless, we can find some solace in the fact that he is where he was meant to be – with Our Father in Heaven. David was a good son, a wonderful brother, uncle, godfather and above all else, a dedicated priest. He received his calling late in life but that was what made him special. We lost him too early but then, as many have said, his earthly work was done.

I miss you dearly David. You are at peace now and you are safe in Jesus’ arms.

Christine Clunies-Ross