At long last, we warmly welcome to our parish Fr. Lijo Thomas, who replaces Fr. Deny Varghese who left us in June to take up advanced theological studies in Rome. Fr. Lijo (pronounced LEE joe) is a young priest, just 31 years old. He is a native of India, coming from the same state, Kerala, as both Fr. Sam and Fr. Deny. He is well educated in philosophy and theology. He also holds a licentiate degree (S.T.L.) from the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. He was ordained as a priest on February 22, 2014 and has served in a number of positions in his own diocese in India, ranging from parochial vicar (associate pastor) to pastor. He also has served as a vice principal and as director of the Family Apostolate in his home diocese. As you can see, Fr. Lijo, even as young as he may be comes to us with a wealth of experience, and we look forward to his presence and ministry.