Greeting from Our PastorA Brief Introduction about Myself:
I was born and raised in southern state of Andhra Pradesh in India. I did all my academic and seminary education in India. I was ordained as a priest on February 7, 1977. I worked in the Diocese of Guntur starting of as a parochial Vicar and became a staff member at the seminary. For almost 16 years, I worked at the Chancery - as Secretary to the Bishop, Chancellor and Procurator (Financial Administrator) of the diocese. I was also the first priest in the region to do a four year course in Indian Classical (Carnatic) Vocal Music. From 1999 through 2001, I did a Licentiate in the Institutional Communications at “Santa Croce”, the Pontifical Holy Cross University run by ‘Opus Dei’ Congregation in Rome, Italy. I moved to the United States and worked in the Archdiocese of San Francisco from 2002 to 2010. I started my ministry in Santa Rosa Diocese from October 2010 as the Parochial Administrator of St. Aloysius Parish in Point Arena. In July 2014 I was appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Arcata, which has a mission church in Blue Lake. From July 2015 until July 2017 I was given additional responsibilities as Dean of Humboldt & Del Norte Counties, Pastor of Christ the King Parish, McKinleyville, with its mission in Trinidad, Pastor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Mission in Hoopa, and Pastor of the HSU Newman Center, Arcata. Then I served as Pastor of St. Apollinaris Parish in Napa from August 1, 2017 to June 23, 2019. Now I am your new Pastor of St. Philip & St. Teresa Parish. I also currently serve as the member of the Diocesan Finance Council, and a Trustee of the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) of the diocese. I have begun my first week ministry in your midst. I am indeed happy to be one among you. As your pastor, I feel honored and privileged to work with you and for you. We are all co-responsible in building the Kingdom of God here and now. May Our Heavenly Mother Mary lead us all to Her Son, Jesus Christ! Father Bala 6/24/19 |
Past Parish Priests
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