A Letter from India

Dear Msrg. Tom, Fr. Carter, Fr. Jean, Deacons, and all parish and school staff members, and my dear loving people of the Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows - St. Anthony's, greetings and well wishes from Fr. Gene.

First of all, I take a moment to thank God for His divine providence and His unconditional love in these days of new learning and living. I also thank you for all your arrangements to send me off with great encouragement, love, and comfort. I treasured every single minute of my time with you on that day and every day of our time together. I can't fathom how the years passed so quickly when I was in Hamilton, NJ. Yes, when we have fun, it does.

Since I left Hamilton, over two months have passed. I know many of you have tried to contact me by telephone or email. I apologize for not returning your call or email. I hope you understand that I am not in an area where I have easy access to the Internet.

I thank God every day for bringing our lives together and making me a better instrument in His holy hands. From day one, I felt I was meant to be with you so that I could come to believe that God still loves the world.

One drastic difference in my priestly ministry to the people of God in the USA and here in my village where I am called to serve now is that I have to be there for them in every walk of their lives. In addition to serving as minister of sacraments, and tending to their Pastoral and spiritual needs, I have to be there for them in their social, economic, medical, and educational needs. There are also a few very interesting areas where I have to sit in judgement seat over disputes that arise from their encroachment of one another's property or farm land or fights between family members so I am involved in every civil and criminal case.

Please pray that I stay strong in my ministry and am an exemplary priest to the people in India. I promise my daily prayers for all of you and your special and family intentions.

I will keep in touch. God bless all of you. I love you and I miss you so much!

With many prayers and in peace,
Fr. Gene