Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
Greetings and prayerful wishes to you all!
With immense joy and a grateful heart, I thank God for the blessing of serving in this parish during my orientation, under the guidance and support of our loving pastor, Fr. John A. Potaczek.
Allow me to share a little about myself. I am Fr. Balraj Thotta Saminathan. I was born on December 10, 1974, and ordained to the priesthood on April 17, 2005. My beloved parents have gone to their eternal home in heaven. I have five siblings—one elder sister and four younger brothers. I belong to the Diocese of Chingleput, Tamil Nadu, India. I arrived int eh United States on June 5th, and, to complete my initial formalities, I stayed for a time with Fr. Arivu in Black River Falls.
I sincerely thank Bishop Gerard Battersby, the shepherd of the Diocese of La Crosse, for granting me this opportunity to serve. I am also grateful to Fr. David Kunz, the former Vicar for Clergy, and to Fr. Sam Martin, the present Vicar for Clergy, for their guidance and support.
In my short time at St. Peter’s Parish in Stevens Point, I have been filled with gratitude to God for this beautiful opportunity. I cherish every moment here. This is a parish with a loving pastor, a beautiful church, and a caring, faith-filled community.
I have seen that the parish is well-organized and vibrant in every way. The deep spirituality of this community is especially inspiring—the way parishioners participate in the Holy Eucharist, their devotion to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the time they spend in Eucharistic Adoration is truly uplifting. Much of this is the fruit of the dedicated leadership of Fr. John A. Potaczek.
Recently, I have also had the privilege of visiting elderly members in nursing homes—an opportunity generously given to me by Fr. John. I always remind the m that they are a great treasure to both the Church and society, rich in spiritual wisdom. They deserve our deepest honor and respect, for their sacrificial lives matter greatly. Even if they live alone, they remain close to the Lord.
In conclusion, I thank the Lord, Fr. John A. Potaczek, and the entire parish community for welcoming me with such warmth and love. Together, as one family in Christ, may we continue to cherish God’s love and care in this beautiful parish.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Balraj Thotta Saminathan