ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • Parish Finder
Picture

Sharing on Priestly Ministry

10/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Please share about your family
I was born in a village called, Katilapoovam in Kerala State in India. My parents, Cheriyan & Eliamma and my elder sister Sara John (Jincy) and younger brother Philippose (Vinoy) and their family now live in Toronto, Ontario. My parents and grandparents were deeply religious. Their faith experience and especially my grandfather’s religious convictions were always inspirational guidance to my priesthood. My family always stood behind me with strong support and helping me with prayer and spiritual bond.

How did you discern your vocation to the priesthood?
I was born and brought up in a traditional Orthodox St. Thomas Christian family in India. From Childhood days and especially during my primary school days, I was liked and desired for a dedicated way of life. For this, I was supported by many holy lives and particularly the role model of my parents. My discernment to become a priest grew strong due to the encouragement coupled with the prayerful presence of my parents and grandparents. 

Any priestly ministry stories before you arrived in Canada?
I was ordained to priesthood on 18th April 1995. After the ordination, I worked in a few parishes and as editor of the diocesan publication. In 2001, I was sent for higher studies in Rome and did a licentiate and doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University. After my studies, I was appointed as Chancellor of the Diocese of Muvatupuzha. Besides being the Chancellor, I was asked to teach theology in St. Mary’s Malankara Theological Seminary, Trivandrum. Before coming to Calgary, I worked in Switzerland as pastor of three parishes in the Diocese of Basel. In 2018, I joined the Diocese of Calgary as pastor to the Malankara Catholic Rite Community in Calgary while also serving as associate pastor at St. Michael's Church. I thank Bishop William McGrattan for his care and support for the Malankara Catholic community. Presently I am serving at St. Bonaventure Church in Calgary.

Any spiritual message to share from your priestly ministry
In my 25 years of priestly life, I was always happy to be with people serving, sharing and caring for them. I also enjoyed my priestly ministry in administering the Holy Eucharist, the summit of Christian life, dispensing of divine mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation, and the celebration of other sacraments. Of course, the priesthood is a gift from God. Priest is another Christ. He represents Christ to the world. 

How do we become closer to Jesus?
When I was working in the Seminary, I was teaching two subjects of Theology, Christology and Mariology. While teaching the doctrinal teachings of the Church, I never failed to advise my students the need of personal encounter and relationship with Jesus. Yes, Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. He is the true source of love, peace, and happiness. Following the teachings of Jesus Christ shows our love for Him and our desire to be close to Him. If we make an effort for an authentic sacramental life, we certainly experience him as well as feel his love. 

Any message for those discerning a vocation? 
We are all created in the image and likeness of God. We have our dignity as sons and daughters of God. Together with this dignity as Children of God, we are privileged to have divine call to different vocations. Discerning and embracing our vocation is paramount important. Every day He calls us to serve Him radically and completely in one way or another, which requires faithful and active obedience, unwavering commitment, and devotion from the one called.
​
As I celebrate my 25th Ordination Anniversary, I thank God for his great providence and grace.
Picture
Rev. Dr. George Madathikunnath

Written by Rev. Dr. George Madathikunnath
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

    Categories

    All
    Advent & Christmas
    Art
    Bereavement
    Bishop Emeritus Henry
    Bishop McGrattan
    Book Review
    Care For Creation
    Catechetics
    Catholic Charities & Development
    Catholic Education
    Catholic Schools
    CCCB
    Christian Unity
    Climate Change
    Conversion
    Covid 19
    Culture
    Development & Peace
    Devotions
    Diocesan Event
    Discipleship
    Ecumenical
    Elizabeth House
    Environment
    Euthanasia
    Evangelization
    Faithful Living
    Faithfully
    Family
    Feed The Hungry
    From The Bishop's Office
    Fundraising
    Funeral
    Grieving
    Health Care
    Homelessness
    Indigenous
    In Memoriam
    Interfaith
    Jubilarians
    Lay Associations
    Lent
    Lent & Easter
    Liturgy
    Marian
    Marriage
    Mary
    Mass
    Mental Health
    Migrants
    Miscarriage
    Mission Mexico
    Movie Review
    Music
    One Rock
    Online Formation
    Ordination
    Parenting
    Parish Life
    Pastoral Care
    Permanent Diaconate
    Pope
    Pope Francis
    Prayer
    Pray For Peace
    Priesthood
    Prolife
    RCIA
    Reconciliation
    Refugee
    Religious Education
    Religious Freedom
    Religious Life
    Resources And Guidelines
    Sacred Art
    Safe Environment
    Saints
    Scripture & Reflection
    Seniors
    Social Justice
    Stewardship
    St. Joseph
    Synod
    Vocation
    Youth And Young Adults
    Youth Ministry

    RSS Feed

GET TO KNOW US
Our Bishop
Offices & Ministries
​Our Staff
Read our Blog
Catholic Community
​Lay Associations
CONNECT WITH US
Contact us
​Careers
​Parish Boundaries

News & Events
Faithfully
​Reporting Abuse
NEED INFO ON
Becoming Catholic
Marriage Preparation
​Vocations
Annulment 
Sacraments Prep
Catholic Funeral
GIVE TO
Diocesan Ministries
Together in Action
Feed the Hungry
Elizabeth House
Your Parish Church​ 
​Other Ministry

Catholic Pastoral Centre  | 120 - 17th Ave SW, Calgary, AB  T2S 2T2 | ​Phone: 403-218-5500 | communications@calgarydiocese.ca
Charitable Number: 
10790-9939-RR0076​. Donate Now.
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • Parish Finder