Our Clergy & the Homilies

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ABOUT OUR PASTOR. . . .

It was June 24th, 2007, when

Bishop Vasa installed Father Jose as our new pastor.

Know your Pastor

“Knowing is essential to love”

Rev. Jose Thomas Mudakodiyil was born on 05-05-1972 in Kallara in the state of Kerala in India. He is the sixth and last child of Mr. Thomas (late) and Annamma Mudakodiyil. He has three elder brothers and two elder sisters. He belongs to a pious catholic family which traces its origin to the time of St. Thomas the apostle who brought the Good News of Jesus Christ to the state of Kerala in India around 60 AD. He completed his lower and middle school at SKVUP School and the high school at St. Thomas school.

He felt God’s call to priesthood and in response to that call he joined the seminary of the Salesian Religious Order at Mannuthy in Kerala in 1987. After one year of intense learning of English language he completed his 11th and 12th grades remaining at Don Bosco seminary in Aluva. He entered the novitiate in 1990 and became a professed member of the Salesians Don Bosco (SDB) Religious Order on May 24, 1991. He spent the following three years graduating from Salesian College at Sonada. He also completed his philosophical studies during those three years. He was then sent to the state of Andhra Pradesh to spend the next two years in regency, teaching and training young seminarians. After completing two years of regency, Fr. Jose Thomas went on to do Masters in English literature from Nagarjuna University. After completing his Masters, he made his final Profession in the Salesian Religious Order on May 24th 1998 and chose to belong to the Lord entirely. Soon after his final Profession, he moved to Kristu Jyothi College in Bangalore to begin studies in Theology. At the end of the Theological studies he was ordained a priest on 28th January 2002 by Most Rev. Mathew Moolakat, the Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese of Kottayam, in his home parish, St. Thomas church in Kallara. He chose for his ordination motto the words from Philippians which fascinated him and characterizes his life and action (4:13) “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.”

Soon after his ordination Fr. Jose Thomas was appointed an associate pastor at St. Theresa’s church in the city of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh in India where he was greatly appreciated for the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist and other sacraments and for his marvelous work with the youth of the parish. During his stay at the Parish he also completed his masters in Psychology from Madras University. After two years at St. Theresa’s Parish he was transferred to Don Bosco Minor seminary to train the young aspirants to priesthood. During his ministry of training young seminarians he felt an intense desire to serve God in full time pastoral ministry. Therefore, he applied to some dioceses in US and five bishops responded inviting him. It was Bishop Robert Vasa who met all the requirements and carried him through the process by which he was able to leave his religious community to join the diocese of Baker. If God called out Fr. Jose from his own country and from his own people and brought him to our diocese and gave him as a pastor to our Parish, He definitely has a plan. In the words of our Pastor:

“My journey to the US was the first journey that I have ever made to a country outside my country and my first time traveling by plane all alone with no friends and relations. It was a journey to an unknown land and to unknown people with different customs and traditions. But the Lord gave me the courage needed to take this great step. I depended on His strength and placed myself in His hands to be led to wherever He takes me. Therefore, here I am with you to fulfill what God expects from us. I know for certain that everything happens according to God’s plan and He has a plan for each and everyone.”

Fr. Jose T. Mudakodiyil was installed the pastor of Holy Redeemer Church in La Pine on 24th June 2007 by Most Rev. Robert F. Vasa, the shepherd of the diocese of Baker, for the pastoral care of Holy Redeemer church in La Pine, Holy Trinity in Sunriver, Our Lady of the Snows in Gilchrist and Holy Family in Christmas Valley. Pastoral care of souls is his priority. With availability and faithfulness he invites everyone to form a community centered on the Eucharist.

His recreational interests are hiking, boating, fishing and sightseeing. He loves basketball, volleyball, skiing and swimming. He likes all food. But he restricts the intake of food with milk, milk products, egg and red meat. He loves the company of people, talking and dining with them sharing their sorrow and joy.

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Parish Webmaster: holyrdmr@msn.com