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August
6, 2007
VOL.
45, NO. 14Oakland,
CA
St. Ambrose
Parish welcomes
new administrator to Berkeley
Salesian Father
Joseph Paradayil feels humbled at being selected as the new parochial
administrator at St. Ambrose Parish in Berkeley, in part because he has
never headed a parish.
“I know there are a lot of people out there who are more efficient,
more capable, more qualified and holier than me,” he told The Voice.
“But at this point in time God is calling me to be here with this
religious community.”
Though he admits to having much to learn about his new role, he is already
familiar with the parish where he lived from 2002-2004 while studying
for a master’s degree in pastoral counseling at Holy Names University
in Oakland. He returned to the parish in January and assumed its leadership
on July 15, replacing Salesian Father George Alengadan who was appointed
diocesan director of deacon formation and continuing education for priests.
Father Paradayil said he has been warmly welcomed at the parish, which
has about 600 registered members. “There is a strong sense of ownership”
among the parishioners, he said.
In addition to caring for the pastoral needs of the largely European American
and Filipino congregation, the parish offers a Spanish language Mass at
12:15 p.m. on Sundays for Latino Catholics who live both inside and outside
the parish.
Father Paradayil, who turns 45 this month, was born in the state of Kerala,
India. He grew up as the second child in a family of five siblings in
what he calls a “good Catholic home.” He was an altar server
as a youth and realized that he had a religious vocation when he was 16.
He joined the Salesians of Don Bosco after graduating from high school
and was ordained to the priesthood in December 1991.
After his ordination, Father Paradayil worked for three years at a Salesian
center for homeless children living in the streets of Kerala’s capital.
Most were orphans or runaways who had fled because of abuse. Many had
made their way to the city to try to eke out a living only to fall prey
to pimps and drug traffickers.
As one of two Salesians at the youth center, Father Paradayil would make
contact with the youth on the streets and at railroad and bus stations
and invite them to stay at the shelter. There they were offered counseling
and referral to Salesian schools. “We try to take them off of the
streets,” he said.
Although the work was difficult, it was “very satisfying”
to the young priest as he lived out the Salesian charism of reaching out
to young people.
Father Paradayil later was administrator of another Salesian youth center
attached to a parish that offered a variety of activities, including sports.
He also served as administrator at a theology college before coming to
Berkeley in 2002 and was an administrator at a Salesian high school from
2004 until early this year.
About his new assignment, he said, “My primary efforts are to get
to know people more and tend to their spiritual needs.” He wants
to be especially attentive to the sick and homebound and to find ways
to attract more young people to God and the Church.
He also wants to develop a response to the hunger and homelessness he
has seen in his new neighborhood. “On Gilman Street I see homeless
and hungry people who sometimes come and knock on our doors. I don’t
know how we can be of help.”
The priest admitted, however, that his biggest challenge involves educating
himself about the traditions and customs of the local community as well
as American society as a whole.
“Even though I was last here a couple of years ago still I need
to learn a lot in dealing with the people and the culture and how I can
go about my ministry as a priest. I come with a lot of good will.”
