Did You Know?

Back in 2007 Bishop Kicanas asked us to welcome a wonderful young Priest from Nepal, whom our Bishop had met while working with CARITAS (Catholic Relief Services) in Asia. We “hit it off” and from that first visit, Father Silas has had a home in the heart of our Parish! He excited our interest in the tiny Catholic Community in Nepal, a very traditional Hindu nation where until very recently Christian missionary activity was strictly forbidden. He shared the story of his conversion and his incredible journey to Priesthood – the first native Nepalese ordained to the Catholic Priesthood in 2000! When he was Rector of the Cathedral in Kathmandu, Father Silas survived a terrorist bomb explosion during Mass (in 2009) and spent part of his recuperation/recovery time with us. Following the devastating earthquake in 2015, Father Silas was able to direct some of our relief efforts through Caritas-Asia. When he was appointed Vicar General (second-in-command) of the Church in Nepal, he worked with us to build a new church – named St. Andrew’s! – in Tulachan, eastern Nepal, dedicated in 2018. When he was transferred to western Nepal to direct St. Joseph’s School in Gorkha, we were able to assist him with necessary funding for the school. Most recently, Father Silas has been appointed Apostolic Administrator of Nepal – in charge of the Apostolic Vicariate while awaiting the appointment of a new Bishop for the country. In this role, he recently “met up” with our Father Anthony Corcoran, (the Apostolic Administrator of Kyrgyzstan) at a Bishops’ Conference in Malasia! Both Father Silas and Father Anthony count St. Andrew’s as their “home Parish” – half a world away! We are proud of all of our “Priest-Sons” and are very happy to welcome our ‘adopted’ “Priest-Son” Father Silas home to St. Andrew’s! He will be with us through the 16th, so don’t miss the opportunity to welcome and speak with Father Silas while he is “home” and celebrating his Silver Jubilee of Priesthood with us! A Second Collection will be taken to support the Church in Nepal! And PRAY for our sisters and brothers in Nepal