Rev. Manuel C. Pereira, 83, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, died December 23, 2022 at the La Salette Hartford House in Connecticut.  He was born October 7, 1939 in Horta Fayal, Açores, son of the late Olindo Amaral Pereira and Maria Conceiçao Carvalho.  He entered the seminary in Terceira, Azores.  However, he was unable to complete his studies there because of a lack of financial support.  After the death of his parents, he immigrated to the United States. He worked in several factories, but still had the desire to be a priest. After a visit to La Salette shrine in Attleboro, he pursued his vocation as a Missionary of La Salette.  He entered the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Novitiate in Washington, DC, in July of 1986 and made his Perpetual Profession on June 28, 1987 at the La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, Massachusetts.  In 1988, he was certified in Lay Ministry from the Lay Ministry Training Institute in Boston, MA.  His ordination to the priesthood was on September 9, 1995 in East Providence, Rhode Island, and he was assigned to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro, MA.

For many years, he organized and coordinated the Portuguese pilgrimage which took place on the last Sunday in September each year. During the years he was at the shrine, he was very generous with his time and serving the needs of the Portuguese community.

He would help out in the Portuguese parishes both in Rhode Island and in

Massachusetts; he also was called upon to lead retreats in both the Portuguese

parishes in New England, as well as in California, Florida and Canada. Fr. Manny

was well known and well respected within the Portuguese Catholic community.  He will always be remembered for his gentle manner, his compassion and desire to bring the gospel of Christ to others.

In addition to his La Salette confreres, Father Manny is survived by his brother Fernando C. Pereira of RI; his sister-in-law Ligia; his niece and nephews Ligia Pereira, Olindo Pereira, António Pereira and Dora Pereira – all from Portugal/Azores.  He was predeceased by his brother António C. Pereira.

In Connecticut, a Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at the La Salette Chapel, Hartford, CT at 10:00 am.  Calling hours are from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.  In Rhode Island, a Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary parish, 21 Traverse Street, Providence at 10:00 am on Thursday, December 29, 2022.  The calling hours will be one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence, RI.

Contributions in his memory may be made to:  Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Retirement Fund, 915 Maple Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114-2330