Fr. Tewelde Paulos: A Good Shepherd

Written by Deacon Michael Soentgerath

It is with great pleasure and honour that I share this reflection on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood for Father Tewelde Asghdom Paulos.

Father Paulos was born in Monoxieto Eritrea. The village of Monoxieto has enjoyed a long history of having many young men and women from the village responding to a call from God to serve the Church as priests and nuns. Among his relatives many have also have become priests and nuns and even some who were ordained as bishops. Raised primarily by his uncle, who was a true living example of a faith- filled man, Fr. Paulos recalls how one day, while in grade eight, his uncle had a visiting bishop and priest come to the house. He was so inspired to meet them and said to his uncle, “one day I want to become like them”. This desire grew in his soul and after completing high school he entered the major Seminary where through the years he discerned his calling to give his life to the Lord, as a Catholic priest. 

Although many came from the village of Monoxieto, his was the first priestly ordination celebrated in the village and by a family relative, Bishop Kidanemariam T.Haimanot on July 20, 1997. It was a great day for the entire village that will always remain a very treasured memory, not only for him but also for all the residents still living there. After ordination he was appointed as the Rector for the Minor Seminary and Administrator of the Seminary High School from 1998 - 2000 while at the same time serving as Dominical Vicar for a small parish. In the year 2000 he was appointed as Financial Administrator and Administrator for Temporal Goods of the Eparchy of Asmara until 2006. From there he was asked by his bishop, to continue his theological studies at the St. John Lateran College in Rome.

​After his studies in Rome in 2009, Fr. Paulos came to Canada, first to Toronto and then in 2012 he came to Calgary to be part of the Diocesan Priest Hospital Chaplaincy Team and Pastor for the Holy Trinity Geez Rite Catholic Community. Looking back on his twenty five years of his priestly life, Fr. Paulos recalls with great fondness and gratitude, the years he enjoyed the friendship, mentorship and tremendous faith-witness of Bishop Zekarias Yohannes, Rev. Fr. Teklemichael Tekeste and Cambonian Missionary Sister Margaret in Eritrea. 

Father Paulos continues to be enriched in is priestly ministry to the sick, the elderly and the dying of our diocese, as a hospital chaplain. His effectiveness as Pastor of the Holy Trinity Geez Rite Catholic Community became most evident on July 16th this year, when the community celebrated his 25th Anniversary on the Feast of The Holy Trinity. The whole church community and his parents and relatives from all over, gathered from early in the morning, starting with prayers and chanting, then celebrating the Holy Mass followed by a festive lunch and afternoon in the parish hall. Young people had T-shirts with the Holy Trinity on the front and Fr. Paulos 25th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination, on the back. Presentations, skits and songs and dance coloured the afternoon with festive joy and gratitude.

​This was truly a witness of how much Fr. Paulos has endeared himself into the hearts of his faithful parishioners, who’s faces with smiles and laughter lit up the hall. One could truly experience the authentic joy that radiated from all those who partook in the occasion. Most certainly, the twenty-five years of priesthood have formed and shaped Fr. Paulos into a "Good Shepherd" who is loved by his flock, both young and old.

​May the Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, continue to make Father Paulos more like Himself, through his ministry as both Health Care Chaplain and Pastor of his community here in Calgary. 

Vertical Divider

Fr. Tewelde Paulos

Ordained: July 20, 1997 by Bishop Kidane Teklehaimanot in Monoxieto, Eritrea

Pastoral Assignments in the Diocese of Calgary

• ​Dominical Vicar to the Eritrean Gheez Rite Community and part-timemember of the Hospital Chaplaincy Team, Calgary (2012)
• Chaplain: Calgary Hospital Chaplaincy Team (2014 - present) & resident pastor at Canadian Martyrs, Calgary,