‘Father Swami’ getting his feet on the ground

Published 9:25 am Thursday, October 9, 2008

Always be good and always do good. These beliefs are the cornerstone of life for Ellendale’s new parish priest.

Three area Catholic church communities greeted the Rev. Swaminatha Pothireddy as their pastor in July. A 42-year-old native of India, Father Swami, as he likes to be known, is getting acclimated to the climate and culture of his new surroundings. St. Aidan’s of Ellendale, All Saints of New Richland and St. Mary’s of Geneva have given a warm welcome to their new pastor.

“These people have been very good to me,” Pothireddy said. “I feel very comfortable here.”

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Coming to America represents a major change in Father Swami’s life experience. He was ordained in India in 1993 and served four parishes in his homeland before coming to the Winona diocese in August 2007. He also taught English and social studies for 10 years, and was a high school principal at a parochial school in India.

“I was looking for a different experience,” said Pothireddy. “The affluence of many Americans is very impressive. It is a lot colder.”

Pothireddy grew up in the farming village of Silveru, in southeast India, and is the youngest of eight children. His family has followed the Catholic faith for over 200 years. He is a graduate of Osmania University and St. John’s Seminary in India. He was inspired to enter the priesthood by his own childhood pastor in Silveru. “Marreddy Allam was a very impressive and inspiring leader,” said Pothireddy. “I would always go along with him when he visited the sick.”

The farm laborers of his hometown and surrounding area provided extra motivation for Pothireddy. “Many of my hometown people survive on a dollar a day,” Pothireddy said. His Indian diocese transferred him to America for both religious and financial purposes. Half of his annual salary goes back to his homeland. “There is a crippled children’s hospital and an orphanage that I can help support,” Pothireddy said.

A family connection provided an extra motivation for Pothireddy’s transfer to southern Minnesota. His cousin, the Rev. Marreddy Pothireddy is the parish priest at St. Rose of Lima church in Lewiston.

“It is nice to have a family connection in the area,” Pothireddyy said.

Senior citizens are a special area of concern, Pothireddy said. He visits and conducts services at area nursing homes, and visits seniors still living in their own homes. “There are many older people in my parishes and I sense that they are often very lonely,” Pothireddy said. He always enjoys providing seniors with the companionship which brightens their days.

The new pastor has also been impressed with the women who help out at the churches during special events and fundraisers.

“Women contribute greatly to all three churches,” Pothireddy said. “They do a lot of the work.”

St. Aidan’s Church had its annual ham dinner last Sunday, serving 400 people. Crafts and baked goods were also available for sale at the event. St. Aidan’s is located in a converted movie theater in downtown Ellendale. The church has about 175 members. New Richland’s All Saints Catholic Church is the largest of the three parishes served by Pothireddy, with 300 members. St. Mary’s of Geneva has about 120 members.

Ministering to the youth of his parishes is very important Pothireddy. The three parishes combined have fifteen confirmation students at present. “My focus is on teaching the importance of the seven sacraments and the catechism,” Pothireddy said. He also encourages Bible study and lifelong celebration of Mass.

Pothireddy is still getting his accustomed to his new parishes. He said he relies on the trustees and church councils for church operations and handling financial matters.

“I am still studying the situation,” Pothireddy said. “I try to console and care for the parishioners.”