A Salesian priest of Don Bosco has called on fellow parish-priests to love parishioners in order to win their favour and succeed in the work of evangelization.
Indian Father Dominic Padinyara Parabili was parish-priest of St. Vincent De Paul Parish, in Gumbo, and Rector of Salesian fathers in Juba for the past six years.Before leaving for a new assignment in Wau, he told Bakhita Radio that his key to success was love and sincerity towards his parishioners.
Fr Dominic said spiritual fathers need to be close to their people at all the times of joy and difficulty.
Fr Dominic said it was not easy to leave his parishioners in Gumbo after leading the community for over six years.
He added that he must adhere to his vows and do the will of God wherever he receives a new assignment.
Fr Dominic said he wanted to do well in Wau as he did in Gumbo.
Many parishioners shed tears over Fr Dominic’s relocation to Wau during last Sunday’s farewell mass at St Vincent de Paul parish.
Fr Dominic was among the first Salesians to arrive in Juba in 2006.
The Salesian foundation in Gumbo is growing by the year: it has kindergarten, comprehensive and secondary schools, three religious communities and a number of programmes with children, youths and women.
There are plans to open a clinic and a vocational school and build the parish church.