Father Sebastian Kunnath

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Father Sebastian Kunnath was born in Kerala State, most southern part of India. He did all his seminary studies in Hoch Schule Sankt Georgen, Franfurt, Germany. He recieved his Licentiate in Pastoral Theology. Then he taught Latin and Christian Doctrine in a Minor Seminary in Kerala for seven years.

In India there are only 2.5% Catholics, where as in the State of Kerala the Catholic population is 42% and above 90% are practicing Catholics and their faith is deeply rooted. In AD 52 Apostle Thomas came to the west coast of Kerala and began the missionary work. In Kerala more than 70% of the educational institutions and Hospitals belong to the Catholic Church and a number of Sisters and Priests teach in schools and colleges. Needless to say there are plenty of vocations to the priesthood and religious life which sends missionaries to other parts of India and to many countries. Fr. Sebastian's family has deep religious roots. His brother is a priest in the Trenton Diocese, four nieces are nuns, one in Rome, one in Florence, and two in Kerala.

He came to the United States in March 1977. He served as Chaplain at Pollak Hospital in Jersey City, Parochial Vicar at St. Michael's in Cranford and then as Chaplain at Bergen Pines in Paramus. In June he was appointed as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Visitation . He is present to many prayer groups in our parish each week. He faithfully visits people whom are home bound, hospitals or in any kind of need. He says Holy Mass for the Indian community at St. Mary's Dumont on a regular basis and takes care of their spiritual needs. He also makes time available for the Hindu people.

Glad to have you with us, Fr. Sebastian! God blesses you.