Click to view a short video clip from Fr. Joe’s recent Jubilee (25th
Anniversary) celebration at his home Parish in India.
Group photo above: Father Joe Thundiyil Chacko, (center) Nancy J. Mignault
(left) and Wendy Majcher (right). Click photo for a full res enlargement of the photo.
Fr. Joe was interviewed by a Parishioner at St. Matthew, Tolland.
The Times of life
Fr. Joe was born in
India, in the state of Kerala, in a Syrian Catholic family. Even as a teenager Joe had the desire to become a missionary in North India due to the influence of his uncle Monsignor Jacob
Vadakeveetil, the then Apostolic Administrator of Balasore, Orissa.
In the year 1970 he joined a seminary. Prized moments during his formations period are days of working with Mother Teresa
and her Sisters in Calcutta during his theological studies.
He was ordained to Priesthood by the late Archbishop Alan De Lastic on March 19th 1984, on his Patron’s Day, Feast
of St. Joseph. As a Priest he worked as Pastor, Regional Youth Director, Dean, Diocesan Consulter and Hospital Administrator in the diocese of Balasore. He was liked by all under his care, and was
considered a father to all.
At the request of the Most Rev. Thomas Thiruthalil, the Bishop of Balasore Fr. Joe came to the United States of America in July 2006 to work in the Diocese of
Norwich. Most Rev. Michael Cote, the Bishop of Norwich, appointed him the Parochial Vicar of St. Matthew, Tolland Green, under Rev. Jim Carini, the Pastor.
The parishioners in
Tolland remain an inspiration to him and he whole heartedly appreciates their care, love and concern.
On this auspicious occasion of his twenty fifth year of Priesthood, he is
thanking the Lord, along with the people of God, especially the people of St. Matthew Parish at Tolland Green and his friends. He is grateful to everyone in the parish, particularly to Fr. Jim and
his staff for their Love, Friendship, Support and Prayers.
The Parishioners of St. Matthew wish Fr. Joe every success in his new assignment at St. Catherine of Siena, Preston.
FR. JOE THUNDIYIL CHACKO St. Catherine of Siena Administrator by Eleanor J. MillerReprinted from The PRESTON PRESS (Norwich Bulletin) 12/03/2009
On the weekend ofSeptember, 5/6 Fr. Joe Thundiyil Chacko was introduced to the parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Church
as their administrator. I had the privilege of interviewing Fr. Joe and found him to be enthusiastic regarding this new appointment and his demeanor that of an optimistic individual truly dedicated
to his priesthood. Fr. Joe was born in India in the State of Kerala located on the southeastern coast of India to a Syrian Catholic family.There were five children, twO girls and three boys. When
Fr. Joe was a teenager, his uncle was the Apostolic Administrator of Balasore, Calcutta and his inspiration to be a missionary.In 1970 he joined a seminary and studied theological studies for
thirteen years. During this period he was privileged to work with Mother Teresa and her Sisters in Calcutta as part of his theological studies. He related to me that Mother Teresa had been a
teacher at a high school for daughters of the wealthy for fifteen years. She left this comfortable environment to pursue what she believed was the direction God was pointing her to - that is to
serve the poor openly in the streets of Calcutta. Fr. Joe was ordained to the Priesthood on March 19, 1984 on his patron's day, the Feast of St. Joseph. From 1984 to 2002, he served in several
parishes in India He said that what he considered to be his noblest achievement during this time was while he was the parish priest at the Cathedral in Balsore and although the cathedral was
splendid, it was located in close proximity of what we would describe as a slum area inhabited by an intensely impoverished population. Characteristic to his missionary spirit, during his free time,
Fr. Joe visited the people in this area and felt compassion for them He appealed on their behalf to an acquaintance, Emily Stark who resides in Kansas City. She generously responded by donating
$145,000!! With these funds new housing was constructed as well as money for education, books, medicine and clothing. At the request of the Most Rev.Thomas Thiruhahi, the Bishop of Balasore, Fr.
Joe was assigned to the USA in July 2006 at the Diocese of Norwich. Most Rev.Michael Cote, Bishop of Norwich, appointed him as the Parochial Vicar at St. Matthew, Tolland Green, to assist Rev. Jim
Carini, the pastor, who served at St. Catherine of Siena several years ago. Fr. Joe said that not only did Fr. Carini assist him in making this huge adjustment but he was also an inspiration to
him. Upon arriving at St. Catherine's Fr. Joe beheld the resident peacocks on the church grounds, the national bird of India!! On October 11, parishioners of St. Matthew's traveled to St.
Catherine of Siena and together, both parishes celebrated Fr. Joe's 25th year in the priesthood Fr. Joe stated that his door is always open to anyone who wishes to share experiences, ideas, etc.
because he said "The People of God are what make up the Church."
