By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Father Biju Thomas celebrated 25 years of priesthood with a Jubilee Mass June 8.
Father Thomas, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Huntingburg, celebrated the Jubilee Mass at St. Mary Parish. Father Biju was ordained to the priesthood May 3, 2000, in the Archdiocese of Imphal, India. Father Biju has served in the Diocese of Evansville since 2015.
Father Thomas has been pastor of St. Mary Parish in Huntingburg since June 2021. At the end of the Jubilee Mass, Father Thomas expressed thanks to God for the opportunity to serve the last 25 years as a priest.
“In spite of my own unworthiness, he has called me to be his priest. And he’s faithful and true,” Father Thomas said. “And his love carried me through. I first give thanks to God my heavenly father for making me what I am, especially a priest of the Lord.”
Father Thomas thanked many for their role in supporting him over his time as a priest. He thanked Bishop Siegel for being present at the Jubilee Mass. Father Thomas said Bishop Siegel’s presence “means a lot to me.”
Father Thomas also thanked Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, who was the Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville when Father Biju first came to the diocese. He also thanked the diocesan priests, several of whom concelebrated the Mass, for their support in his time serving the diocese. One of the many diocesan priests Father Thomas specifically thanked was Father Bernie Etienne, who Father Biju said really helped him in his transition to the Diocese of Evansville from India.
“God gave me another guardian angel when I arrived here,” Father Thomas said. “It was Father Bernie Etienne…He walked with me (through) any problem.”
Father Etienne was the vicar general when Father Biju joined the diocese.
Father Thomas also thanked his parents for allowing him to choose the vocation of the priesthood.
Father Tony Ernst, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vincennes and St. Philip Neri Parish in Bicknell, served as the homilist during the Mass. Father Tony said one of the things that stuck out about Father Thomas in their time at the same parishes was his “powerful preaching skills.”
“I can’t say that I’ve ever met a priest quite like Father Biju,” Father Ernst said. “The great command he has of the Holy Scriptures. If you haven’t experienced his preaching, you’re missing it because he’s filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Father Ernst believes Father Biju’s great goal is to help God’s people know the greatness of God’s mercy. He said they are thankful and they pray that Father Biju will enjoy many more years of the priesthood, They are grateful that Father Biju’s been a good, faithful priest for 25 years, Father Ernst said.
Father Thomas said he has enjoyed his ministry in the United States and at St. Mary Parish in Huntingburg.
“I have been humbled and deeply touched by the faith of all of you and all of your love and support,” Father Thomas said. “I have been inspired by your kindness, joy and commitment. Every day, I have the opportunity to learn something new. I truly love you. And I am committed to your service as a priest to the best of my ability.”