A GOOD preacher, provider, confidant, and loving father.These were just some of the loving words used by the closest colleagues of Msgr. Frederick Kriekenbeek to describe him.Kriekenbeek died on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022 at age 90.He was known as one of the Archdiocese of Cebu’s pioneering exorcists — a tough job he did for years.But behind all his strength lay the soft heart of a priest whose life was purely devoted to serving God by serving others.Fr. Jerome Antagop, Kriekenbeek’s assistant in Mary’s Little Children Community (MLCC), could not forget his last long conversation with him just on Thursday, Sept. 22, and described the renowned priest as the “best father.”Antagop said he became close to Kriekenbeek when he entered the congregation in 2001.He narrated how he always ran to the late monsignor to seek advice and to share his experiences.Antagop said Kriekenbeek taught him the importance of prayer.“His life was really a life of prayer. When I was still a seminarian, my room was right beside his. At 3 o’clock in the morning, I would know he was awake because he would play religious music and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament,” said Antagop.For Sister Marife Leslie Luna, servant moderator of the Living the Gospel Community (LGC), Kriekenbeek was a compassionate leader and fellow.Luna recounted Kriekenbeek’s eagerness to help and, as much as possible, carry all the burdens of people to make them comfortable, even during his weakest days.“During those times when he was already very sick with serious lung disease, he couldn’t even walk. But there was a sick call in a hospital. He groggily went there to help even if he was already weak,” Luna said.Sister Maria Nars Abuel Cagas, the local superior of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Community, described her feelings about Kriekenbeek’s death as “saddened but happy.”Cagas and Kriekenbeek had known each other since 1984 through the Charismatic renewal movement. She said the monsignor’s passing was at the right time given by God and hoped he is now happily in communion with the Lord.The seed died for the plant to growIn his homily on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Kriekenbeek’s wake, Fr. Jufel Baldado, a parishioner of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, said the priest’s death is his pathway to eternal life.Baldado, in an interview, thanked the monsignor for his influence on him since he was 10, saying Kriekenbeek was one of the reasons why he wanted to become a priest.“He captured me, and I let myself be captured with his charisma. Fr. Fred (Frederick), please pray for us,” Baldado said.Kriekenbeek’s remains lie in state at the Sacred Heart Parish mortuary on D. Jakosalem Street, Cebu City, and was later transferred to the MLCC chapel in Tabunok, Talisay City, on Thursday morning, Sept. 29.On Saturday, Kriekenbeek’s remains will be moved to the LGC Mother House and Formation House in Barangay Mantalongon, Barili town, where a funeral mass will be held in his honor.