Phoenicia Parish Celebrates its Departing Shepherd

Photo Caption: Rev. Mathew Azhakath, OCD, and artist Ralph Persons at the presentation of an original water color of St. Francis de Sales Parish Church in Phoenicia. 

(photo by Joyce Marie Umhey)



[Phoenicia, NY] – Over 165 parishioners and friends turned out for a farewell dinner celebration for Fr. Mathew Azhakath, OCD at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Phoenicia on Sunday, June 10. The gathering at the parish hall celebrated Fr. Mathew’s pastoral leadership during a difficult two year period when the parish faced possible closure, the disruptions of two floods, and the challenge of finding a new priest. 

The celebration’s Master of Ceremonies was Gene Gormley, president of the Parish Council. After an opening prayer, the Youth Faith Formation class presented a bilingual song and a banner that captured Fr. Mathew’s favorite expression, “Be a blessing to all you meet.” Rev. George Hommel, Parish Administrator, spoke about the ease and effectiveness of collaboration with Fr. Mathew. Presentations and gifts on behalf of the parish included a reflection on Fr. Mathew’s spiritual leadership, a scrapbook of parishioners’ memories and a statue of the Good Shepherd as a symbol of his work within the parish. The final presentation was an original water color of a winter scene of St. Francis de Sales Church created by Ralph Persons, parishioner and renowned local artist.

Fr. Mathew came to Phoenicia in September 2009 while he was a doctoral student at Fordham University. He completed his dissertation and received his Ph.D. from Fordham University on May 19. Fr. Mathew will be returning to Bangalore, India in mid-July to teach at a major seminary. Through his persistent efforts, St. Francis de Sales Parish will have a new pastor, Fr. Joseph, OCD from the same order of priests in India.

St. Francis de Sales Parish in Phoenicia was a newly formed parish in 1902 under the Archdiocese of New York. For over one hundred years, the Missionary Fathers of La Salette were entrusted with the pastoral care of families in the small town of Phoenicia. Today the parish serves over 300 families and numerous visitors to the area that are attracted to the beautiful stone-constructed church and its nearby garden grotto dedicated to Our Lady of La Salette.