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Beloved Airport Chaplain Fr. Bob Susann, M.S., Retires
Read more Beloved Airport Chaplain Fr. Bob Susann, M.S., Retires
We walk together with Mary into the light of Christ
Read more We walk together with Mary into the light of Christ
Amid Nazi barbarism, a vocation to La Salette – Fr. Jean Stern, M.S.
Read more Amid Nazi barbarism, a vocation to La Salette – Fr. Jean Stern, M.S.
Meet a La Salette – Fr. Anil Kochuthazhath, M.S.
What is your family background?
I was born in 1984 in the hilly District of Wayanad, in Kerala State, in southern India. I was born into a farm family. My father, George, was the director of our small-scale farm; my mother, Mary, was the homemaker for me, and my older brother, Shanil. I lost my father when I was five years old, and his parents took care of us. Our family produced rice, coffee, pepper, ginger, mustard, etc.
Fr. Anil Kochuthazhath, M.S.Our house is very close to a wild forest, with animals such as elephants, tigers, deer, wild boars, and monkeys. They come freely to our land and eat what they want. Eventually, we had to change our employment due to this animal incursion. Our family is very close to Our Lady of La Salette, so much so that my older brother’s daughter is named Melanie.
How did you first hear about La Salette?
In tenth grade, a parishioner introduced me to La Salette Seminary in Kerala. Fr. Benny Thadathilkunnel, M.S., was my Vocation Director. My mother, Mary, was very devoted to Our Lady, and I was quickly drawn to devotion to Our Lady as well. I felt that the La Salettes were God’s call for me.
What is your educational experience?
I completed my college and theology degrees and was ordained on January 14, 2013, in my home parish, St. Jude Church. To this day, I am the only priest from my parish. After ordination, I was sent to get my Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Law (LLB), with the hope that I can, as a law volunteer, help others to know their rights and duties.
Meet a La Salette – Fr. Roy Parayil, M.S.
Fr. Roy (front, center) with young La Salette Priests in India
I am Fr. Roy Parayil, M.S, a La Salette Religious priest from India, presently ministering at St. James Church in Danielson, Connecticut. I come from a family of five children – three brothers and one sister.
What is your family and faith background?
It’s my pleasure to share with you the story of my vocation. I should start by saying that my own family planted the seed of my vocation to the priesthood. I still have vague memories of visiting my parish church with my grandmother. I was still a little boy of seven when she was called home by the Heavenly Father. The seed of my vocation continued to grow through the inspiration of my parents, Varghese and Elsy, my three brothers, Reejo, Raimon, Raijo, and one sister, Reena Roy, parish priests, and my teachers (religious sisters). I was a dedicated altar server from age ten to fifteen when I decided to enter the La Salette Seminary in Parakkadavu, Kerala.
What does your vocation mean to you?
Meet a La Salette – Fr. Clemente Mário, M.S.
Can you describe your childhood?
Deacon Clemente Félix Mario, M.S., about to be ordained to the PriesthoodI’m Clemente Félix Mário, born on September 15, 1977, in the village of Kalomemba, municipality of Ganda, Benguela Province, in Angola, Africa. My father’s name is Mario Tanganha, and he was a Bank Manager. My mother’s name is Eva Mbweta, and she was a homemaker since we originally had a family of five boys and four girls.
What was your religious formation?
There were many practicing Catholics in my village, and thankfully my parents helped me a lot in my religious formation. They fostered my Christian education until I received the Sacrament of Confirmation in 1993 at St. John the Baptist Church, my home parish.
How did you meet and join the La Salettes?
First, I thank the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette from Switzerland. Honestly speaking, the Christian background of my region or province is deeply touched by La Salette Missionaries.
I was an altar server, and at the same time, I was in the vocational group for discernment under such surrounded by La Salette Seminarians. At sixteen, after completing High School, I decided to join them. On September 16, 1994, I was admitted to the La Salette Seminary, my first step in La Salette formation, from 1994 to 1996.
Meet a La Salette – Brother Carlos Ruiz, M.S.
the Perpetual Profession Month on the Holy Mountain in La Salette, France
Where were you born?
My name is Brother Carlos Ruiz. I am most recently from Providence, Rhode Island, but initially, I was born in Guatamala City, Guatemala. Like any immigrant who comes to the United States, I came to this country with a suitcase full of dreams and goals I would like to accomplish.
For many reasons, we were forced to leave our country, also leaving behind our loved ones to pursue the American dream. However, for many immigrants, the American dream is hard to attain because, as immigrants, we face many obstacles, beginning with learning a language that is very different from our vocabulary.
Brother Carlos Ruiz, M.S.When I came to this country, I got my first job at a jewelry factory and later found another job in a restaurant. Working two shifts, I was working to help my mother, Lucia, back in my country. On July 16, 2020, I proudly became an American citizen.
What happened in your first years in this country?
This is an incredible and somewhat traumatic story. One day, when I had my day off, I went out for dinner with one of my friends, and coming back from dinner, someone hit my car, and that car sped away as if nothing had happened. When I caught up to the car, it stopped. I went to ask the driver if he didn't realize he had hit my car. When I approached his car, he began screaming at me, took out his gun, and shot me in the head. I turned to run away, but he shot me again, and I fell unconscious on the ground.
I don't know for long I was unconscious. When I woke up, my friend was helping me to stand up, and the other had already left. A security guard from a nearby building heard the shot and came to see what had happened and when he called the police, the ambulance took me to the hospital.
Returning Home to a Foreign Land
Fr. Bob Butler, M.S. (extreme right) with Fr. Skip Negley, M.S.
(center) with La Salette Argentinian Seminarians in January 2013
How many years of ministry did you experience in the United States?
My first four years of priestly ministry were spent serving solely in our Seminary High School in Cheshire, Connecticut, as Prefect of Discipline to seventy active boys. I also was Athletic Director, Soccer Coach, and Infirmarian. On the weekends, along with the other priests, we celebrated the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in several regional parishes.
How many years have you served in Argentina?
I arrived in Argentina in February 1974 with two other La Salettes, Jim Lowery and Norm Farland. I served there for 45 enjoyable years of ministry and personal relationships. As a new arrival, I knew I had to adapt to this new culture, language, food, and customs. One of the prominent and unexpected customs was their welcoming with hugs and kisses from everyone.