I am proud, happy and excited to become a member of this family. It has been a blessing and privilege for me to receive this vocation to be with you. Since you may have many questions about me, my family and my background, I thought it would be better for me to write something in the bulletin. My name is Mathew C. George. George is not my actual last name - "C" stands for Charthakuzhiyil, my family name. Please don't spend much time trying to understand what it is- it is what it is.

I was at St. Mary, Port Huron for three years, and then was transferred to St. Clement, Center Line. Both are great parishes and at both places, I had to deal with Polish pastors. The first one told me: "Mathew, your pastor is Polish, your Cardinal is Polish, your Pope is Polish, so is God." Before the second one said anything I changed my name to Georginski and became Polish. But now, after moving here, I changed Gorginski to O'George and became Irish.

I am from the Archdiocese of Trivandrum in Kerala State, South India. My Major-Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios sent me with the approval of Cardinal Maida to take care of the Indian Catholic community in Detroit area. I belong to an Eastern (Oriental) Church, called Malankara Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is a communion of different Churches of which 21 are of the Eastern tradition. The Latin Church is the Western Church, the largest of these Rites and the common head of these Churches is the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. Now my bishop will be sending another priest to take care of the Indian community as I am fully engaged with my present assignments.

My father died fifteen years ago and my mother is alive and very active. I have two brothers and two sisters. Being the middle one, I could adjust with anybody at the same time fighting with everybody to get the attention. After high school I joined the seminary and was ordained in 1997. I worked in the mission areas of my Archdiocese and my bishop sent me to the United States in 2000. I had a wonderful time at St. Mary, Port Huron where I was appointed first. In 2003 I was transferred as the associate pastor St. Clement, Center Line. The last four months I was the temporary administrator at St. Athanasisus, Roseville. When I was in Port Huron I started my studies at Oakland University and graduated last year with a Masters in English literature. Now, I am registered for my Masters in Education at University of Detroit Mercy. A s part of my studies I will be teaching two classes every day at Bishop Foley High School, Madison Heights. I need your prayers for all my ministries here. Eventually as per the decisions of my bishop, I will go back to India and teach English. I promise to try my best to live up to your expectations and to go with the traditions of the parish. I am extremely happy to work and live with such a friendly priest, Fr. Pat Casey. I am sure that I will be able to learn much from him. I am also eager to work with the dedicated staff of this wonderful parish. I am looking forward to get to know each one of you.