“This is an exciting time in my life, a new phase in my priestly ministry,” says Father Palakudy, a native of the State of Kerala, in southern India.

Ordained in 1978, Father Palakudy served as a parish priest, high school teacher, school principal, university professor, lecturer on philosophy and ethics, and in other ministries in India. He came to the United States in 2001 and spent several years serving in the Diocese of Venice, Fla., before moving to the Springfield diocese in 2006 to serve as a parochial vicar at St. Paul Parish in Highland. He moved to Decatur in 2008, to serve as a parochial vicar at St. Thomas and Our Lady of Lourdes.

“I decided it makes more sense if I am going to stay here that I become a U.S. citizen. I enjoy being here and have adjusted very easily. The people are good and I am impressed by the priests of the diocese.”

When studying the book and CD he was given to prepare for taking the citizenship test, Father Palakudy would ask the office staff at St. Thomas for help when he had questions.

“We take for granted so many things we have in this country simply because we grew up here,” says Phyllis Howley, parish nurse at St. Thomas. “But when Father Palakudy would come up to one of us and ask us questions, it made us stop and think and better appreciate what we have.”

Father Palakudy has two sisters in Houston, Texas, who are U.S. citizens. “There are eight of us in our family; five are back in India. We are all going back for a family get-together this summer.”  

While Decatur does not have a Christian Indian population, Father Palakudy says he cooks, “and I make my own Indian food, and I make American food.”

His sisters have chosen to live in a warmer climate, but Father Palakudy says he doesn’t mind the Illinois winters. “I was in Milwaukee for two winters. I really enjoy cool weather.”