Members of St. Peter’s Church, Bahrain bade a very fond farewell to Fr. Paul Mathew on Friday the 12 February 2010.

Members of St. Peter’s Church bade a very fond farewell to one of their most popular priests at a special event organized at the church premises on Friday the 12 February 2010. At the same time, members also welcomed Fr. Thomas Nediyapalackal who will assume his responsibility as parish priest on 15 February 2010. The Chief Guest at the event was HE Dr. George Joseph, the Ambassador of India to Bahrain. Rev. Chacko Thomas, Vicar of Marthoma Parish and Rev. Sumod Cherian, Vicar of Bahrain C.S.I. Malayalee Parish were the Guests of Honour at the meeting. After two years in Bahrain, Fr. Paul Mathew will be leaving the Parish at the end of this month to take up his new position as parish priest in Kollam Diocese, Kerala. During his time here Fr. Paul undoubtedly became one of the most well-liked priests ever to come into the Parish. ‘It has been a very happy time here. People have always been very welcoming and reassuring and I have made a very large circle of friends here,’ he said, reflecting on his time in Bahrain. During his time here Fr. Paul has been involved in many worthy groups and organizations and has often been called upon to lend a helping hand during charitable events. However, one of the most momentous occasions for him was his integral role in constituting sixteen Area Units of the Church with a “care-and-share” approach to facilitate better interaction between parishners. At the event, Fr. Paul was also presented with a memento and a gift as token of love and affection of members of the Church. The new priest Fr. Thomas Nediyapalackal comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Biblical Studies from Serampore University, Bangalore. He was ordained priest in 1996 and had served in various churches in Bombay and in Kerala. Speaking at the occasion Fr. Thomas said: “I would like to follow the foot-prints left by priests before me, and my intention is to leave the parish as I enter it – filled with love, faith and promise”. The event was presided over by Mr. Jacob T V., Vice President of the Church.

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