As of October 1, 2010 Father Bala Govindu has been assigned by the Diocese of Santa Rosa as the parish administrator and pastor of Saint Aloysius Parish. You may like to know a little more about me. Here is a brief note about my native country, discernment of priestly vocation and the 33 years of my priestly life and ministry. Born and raised in the southern part of India, in a traditional and exemplary family and village, I discerned my call to priesthood gradually and said ‘yes’ to God on February 7, 1977. I owe my vocation, of course, first to God and Mother Mary, and then to my good and holy parents, Marianna and Catherinamma for their example and encouragement. Several holy priests, nuns, and the people of my parish in the Diocese of Guntur, India, have been my mentors and supporters to become and still be a priest of God. I have been given various assignments in my home diocese, like the Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral Parish for about two years, the Teaching Staff Member for three years at the Regional Major Seminary, Hyderabad, and the Secretary to the Bishop and Financial Administrator of the Diocese for thirteen years. Between 1995 and 1998, I was appointed Project Director and Episcopal Vicar for Public Relations for the Diocese. I then took a sabbatical leave and went to Rome to do a Licentiate Course in Social Institutional Communications in the Holy Cross University. After completing the Course, I came to work in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, California. I worked there for eight years in three parishes engaged in Adult Faith Formation as Moderator of A.F.F. Team, Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary Apostolate, the Small Christian Communities, the CCD, the Youth, and the Young Adult Groups besides the Sacramental Ministry. As per my talents and interests, I like music (having been trained in India for four years in Indian Classical Vocal Music), write lyrics in my native language for liturgical and devotional purposes , and like preaching in liturgical celebrations, at retreats and recollections. I am honored to be among you as your Servant-Leader. This is my first assignment in a rural or country area. This will be a new and great experience for me in my priestly life and in my own faith journey. |
| Father Bala Govindu |