Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosia, the pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills Church in Eden, served his parish for eight years and bridged the gap between his hometown in Tamil Nadu, India, and North Carolina.EDEN — Father Gnanapragasam Mariasoosai, pastor of St. Joseph of the Hills Parish in Eden, is retiring this July. This year also marks his 45th anniversary as a priest on May 10 and his 75th birthday.
The parish of 300 members he has served for eight years is large in faith and love, he said.
“The people are very nice, kind and cooperative,” said Father Mariasoosai. “Sometimes they may not understand my English, but even then, they continuously love me and inspire me.”
When Father Mariasoosai cracks jokes in his homilies, he is always impressed with their laughs and encouraging smiles.
“I love saying Mass regularly and keeping people connected to the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
The congregation has worked to improve the church, raising money to build a protective landscaping wall around the church and rectory and adding stairs and an accessible parking lot.
“These may not be huge projects, but we did it and everyone supported it, and they are so happy with everything,” he said.
A cradle Catholic from India
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Madurai, India, in 1981, Father Mariasoosai, a native of Tamil Nadu, India, helps bridge the gap for Indian-American Catholics.
He travels to Holy Cross Church in Durham monthly to celebrate Mass in his native language, Tamil.
He was raised and baptized Catholic beside his two brothers and two sisters. When he was 3, his father died. Through difficult times, his mother held steadfast to the faith, raising her children to pray the rosary, give to the poor, go to daily Mass, and sacrifice time for God and others.
Father Mariasoosai said, “My mother sacrificed so much for us. She taught us everything, and she is the only reason I was ever able to become a priest. She died in 2003 but still lives on in my heart.”
After being ordained, Father Mariasoosai spent 19 years in India as a diocesan priest. His favorite part, he said, was “watching the children learn and grow in faith and love.”
He then spent three years in Jamaica, first studying in Kingston and then ministering in a small parish in Spanish Town.
Time to retire
Father Mariasoosai retires amid health issues.
“Last year, on the 27th of December, while I was saying Saturday Mass, after we said Our Father, I collapsed and I went to the emergency room. I stayed there for 5 hours,” he said. “I don’t know the reason, but maybe the sugar levels caused it.”
Plus, as he grows older, standing for long periods during Mass is taking its toll, he said.
His retirement plans are unclear for now, he said.
“I want to stay here, in the Charlotte diocese, for a couple more years if my health cooperates.”
He also plans to spend time visiting friends in London, Canada, and, of course, India.
Father José Palma Torres will step in as parochial administrator upon Father Mariasoosai’s departure. But before he leaves, he wants his parishioners and their new shepherd to keep his words in their hearts.
“Put Jesus in the center of your life,” Father Mariasoosai said. “Surround yourself with everything Jesus. With God, everything is possible.”
— Lisa M. Geraci