After the Ordinations of Fathers William Selvaraj R., C.S.C., and Naresh Namindla, C.S.C., to the Priesthood in April, the other two deacons from the 2022 Final Profession class in India were ordained priests during the month of May.
The third from the class to be ordained was Deacon Amala William, C.S.C., of the Province of Tamil Nadu. He was ordained on May 3 at Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church, Aryanallur, in the presence of his parents, siblings, relatives, and friends as well as his confreres in Holy Cross and other religious and diocesan clergy. The Most Rev. Thomas Paulsamy, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Dindigul, presided at the Ordination.
Fr. Amala is the first priest ordained in the newly established Province of Tamil Nadu, which prompted Fr. Gaspar Selvaraj, C.S.C. Superior of the Province, to remark, “This joyous occasion is a significant event in the young province's journey and reflects the growth and development of our presence in Tamil Nadu.”
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During his diaconate, he served in Mattiyarendal Parish, and now as a new priest, Fr. Amala will now serve as Assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica at Poondi in the Diocese of Kumbakonam.
The last of the class of four to be ordained was Deacon Ishongkun Kurbah, C.S.C. His Ordination was on May 20 at Mary Help of Christian Cathedral in Shillong, where the Most Rev. Victor Lyngdoh, Archbishop of Shillong, presided. Fr. Irshongkun’s family and 18 Holy Cross Priests from the Province of North East India were joined by other priests, religious, and lay faithful at the Mass.
In his homily, the archbishop exhorted the newly ordained to remain faithful to the call he has received to the ordained ministry within the Church and work that entails on behalf of the Kingdom of God.
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Fr. Ishongkun celebrated his first Mass the following day at his home parish of Christ the Light in Marbisu. There was a reception following the Mass to congratulate Fr. Ishongkun and give thanks for his vocation.
Fr. Ishongkun did his diaconate ministry at St. John’s Parish, Khawzawl, in Mizoram, and he has been appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest at the same parish.