Fr. George P. Varkey

Father George P. Varkey is a member of the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle (MST), established in 1968 in Kerala, with is in the southwest of India.  He was ordained in 1989 in his home parish of St. Theres of Avila Catholic Church.  Fr. Sebastian, the current pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in New Port Richey and Fr. Matthew, the parochial vicar of St. Ignatius in Tarpon Springs, are of the same order.

Fr. George is the third child of a small family of four children.  His father has been called to eternal rest and his mother lives with his brother.  Just after his ordination he was sent to the missions.  Later he was appointed as the vocation promotor and professor in the seminary.  After five years he was sent for his post graduate degree of Masters in Social Work (MSW) and he later completed Youth Ministry training.

Soon after his studies were completed, he took charge as a pastor.  And later, he was again sent back to the misions as Mission Councilor for five years.  As he finished his term he was elected as the General Councilor where he was in charge of seminary formation and Priest Welfare.  During this time he also served as the Director of the Office of Regional Vocation Promotion under the Catholic Bishops Conference.  Before leaving India for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fr. George served as the rector of the minor seminary for his order.  We are truly blessed to have him as part of our parish family!