General News
15 December, 2024
Father Sajan settling in
Father Mathew Sajan (“Sarjen”) is relatively new to Rainbow and Jeparit, arriving to the area in May.
Based in Warracknabeal, he travels around 5000km a month, working with communities and congregations including Warracknabeal, Beulah, Hopetoun, Rainbow, Horsham and Nhill, alongside Monsignor Glynn Murphy who is based in Horsham.
Fr Sajan is the new Roman Catholic priest and is adjusting to life in the Mallee.
He was in a family of six children in Kerala State, India.
As Kerals is one of the more prosperous states in India, with four international airports and good medical, health, education and other services and amenities, Fr Sajan notes it is very similar to many European and Australian cities.
Fr Sajan began his journey to the priesthood at the age of 15 when he entered the seminary (training college).
Training for the priesthood is intensive and long, with Fr Sajan having graduated 11 years later, at the age of 26.
Fr Sajan served in Kerala State until 2016 when he arrived in Australia following a call from the local bishop in Ballarat to work with the Indian Christian community there.
Adjusting to a new culture has its challenges.
Unlike regional and rural Australia, Kerala State is closely populated, with cities backing onto each other.
This is one of the differences between the two countries that Father Sajan has found, another being the lack of activity on the streets after 10pm.
While Indian streets bustle with life, activity and movement at all times, even a regional city such as Ballarat could not host the nightlife Fr Sajan was used to in India.
In Kerala State, most children attended church, with Sunday classes teaching the catechism.
Another contrast in Australian culture is the smaller numbers of families and children involved in church life.
The Rainbow community is very grateful to have Fr Sajan among us, and along with all the churches and their leaders, he is happy to be involved in the first Carols at the Oasis to be held on Sunday December 15.
We can look forward to meeting him there.