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May 9, 2024Recently, Father Balaswamy Bathini, pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Tonkawa and Blackwell, celebrated the 20th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
The event was celebrated April 14 with a Mass, which was attended by nine of his brother priests and four members of his family. After Mass, the parishioners of both Tonkawa and Blackwell hosted a meal to celebrate his anniversary, attended by an estimated 150 parishioners and friends. The dinner ceremony began with everyone reciting a prayer for Father Bala and all priests, followed by Father Bala leading the meal prayer. Father Bala’s family felicitated him with a shawl from India to commemorate his anniversary.
Father Bala has been the pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tonkawa and Blackwell since 2020. He began his ministry in the area right as COVID closed the churches.
“I am committed to my vocation to the priesthood,” Father Bala said. “I love to continue to live my call to exercise my ministry in and through the Church. I am open to the Holy Spirit to lead me according to his wish and will. I am ready to be an instrument of love, teacher and follower of the Gospel of Christ.
“I am convinced of my vocation to the priesthood as a call to bear fruit that will remain (Jn. 15/16). It was the faith of my grandparents specially my maternal grandmother who taught me and inspired me.”
