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Welcome a Missionary Bishop

We are privileged to welcome Bishop Benny Varghese Edathattel to Saint Charles. He has been invited to our diocese for mission preaching at Corpus Christi Church, Piedmont and at Our Lady of Grace Church, Castro Valley. Bishop Benny will be preaching at our parish during the weekend of July 18/19 and will be taking up a collection in support of his mission.

He is a missionary bishop known to me personally. As a zealous missionary, he brings the message of Christ’s love to remote villages and to cities near the border of Tibet. It is a very challenging mission, where I also had the good fortune of working as a missionary.

BIOGRAPHY

The Most Reverend Benny Varghese Edathattel was ordained for the Diocese of Kohima, Nagaland, India, in 1999. On October 15, 2023, he was consecrated and installed as the Bishop of Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India. His life and ministry have been marked by a deep commitment to faith, education, and pastoral care.

The Diocese of Itanagar was erected on December 7, 2005, by Pope Benedict XVI. The Diocese comprises the 17 civil districts of Western Arunachal Pradesh. The Diocese is bounded by Tibet in the north and Bhutan on the west, the Diocese of Miao to the east, and the state of Assam in the south.

Early Life and Background

He was born in 1970 in the state of Kerala, India. His seminary studies were completed in North East India, mostly in Dimapur, Nagaland, and Shillong, Meghalaya. Early days of his pastoral ministry were in the Diocese of Kohima.

Later, he attended the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila, Philippines, where he earned diplomas in Pastoral Ministry and Effective Steward Leadership. He also holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theology from Ateneo de Manila University, in addition to a Master's degree in History and a Bachelor of Education from Guwahati University.

Bishop Benny is fluent in multiple languages - including English, Malayalam, Nagamese, Tagalog, Hindi, and Nyishi. He is a leader who is a bridge-builder. His ability to connect across diverse cultures and communities enhances his effectiveness in ministry.

Currently, he also serves as a chairman-bishop of the Catechetical Commission of the Northeast India Regional Bishops Council (NEIRBC). His leadership serves as an inspiration and a source of hope for the faithful as they navigate their spiritual journey.

We welcome Bishop Benny, wish him a happy stay at Saint Charles, and invoke God’s blessings on his mission to preach in other parts of the United States of America.

-- Fr. Augustine

Friday, July 3:
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel)
- Adoration Postponed to August 7 at 5:00 p.m. (Chapel)
Saturday, July 4:
Happy Independence Day!
- Reconciliation 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. (Church)
- Vigil Mass 5:00 p.m. (Church)
Sunday, July 5:
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
- Mass 7:30 a.m. (Church)
- Mass 9:30 a.m. (Church)
- Mass 11:30 a.m. (Church)
Monday, July 6:
Chapel Closed for Renovation
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)
- Pre-Pilgrimage Potluck with Fr. Augustine 12:30 p.m. (Hall)
- Christian Meditation 5:30 p.m. (Ignatius)
- Church Safety Team Meeting 7:00 p.m. (Pope)
Tuesday, July 7:
Chapel Closed for Renovation
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)
- Maintenance Team Meeting 11:00 a.m. (Library)
Wednesday, July 8:
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)
- New Testament Bible Study 6:30 p.m. (Church)
Thursday, July 9:
Chapel Closed for Renovation
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)
- Family Rosary 7:00 p.m. (Chapel)
- Scout Troop Meeting 7:00 p.m. (Hall/Pope)
Friday, July 10:
Chapel Closed for Renovation
Carpet Cleaning
- Mass 8:30 a.m. (Chapel/Livestream)