Meet Fr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor of St. Matthias
Born Oct. 11, 1956 in the southernmost Indian state of Kerala, Father Abraham Orapankal, his parents’ firstborn, has four brothers and three sisters. At age 15 he entered the seminary in the northeastern state of Assam to become a missionary priest. He then graduated from Christ King College, Shillong, and completed his theological studies at Jnana Deepa-Vidyapeeth (Pontifical Institute) in Pune, both in India. He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 17, 1983 for the missionary Diocese of Kohima in Nagaland, then earned his master’s degree in theology. He was appointed dean of the Minor Seminary in Nagaland, where he subsequently became rector. He was then made Pastor of Queen Mary’s Parish and Principal of Queen Mary’s High School with 2000 students in Mokokchung, Nagaland while serving as an adjunct professor in the Oriens Theological College in Shillong.
As a Ph.D was required to be a resident professor at Oriens, Father Abraham came to the United States in 1994 and began his doctoral studies at Fordham University, while serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Catharine’s Church, Blauvelt, NY. After earning a doctorate in the church leadership program from Fordham’s School of Education, he also completed a Certification program in Spiritual Direction from the Shalem Ecumenical Institute in Bethesda, Md. He returned to India in 2001 to teach theology and to serve as spiritual director at Oriens Theological Seminary in Shillong. But in 2004 he was allowed to return to the U.S. due to health reasons. Residing at Sacred Heart Church in South Plainfield, NJ, he did six years of ministry with RENEW International, as a national presenter and retreat director. RENEW is a 40-year-old international Catholic movement, following the principles of Vatican Council II, started in the Newark Archdiocese. Father Abraham also supervised RENEW’s “Theology on Tap” – a very effective outreach to young adults.
He joined the Diocese of Metuchen and Bishop Paul Bootkoski appointed him as Parochial Vicar at St. Bartholomew’s Church in East Brunswick in 2010. He was sent to St. John Neumann Church as Pastor in 2012. Bishop James Checchio transferred him as administrator of St. Matthias Church in October 2018. A year later he was appointed Pastor of St. Matthias Parish.
Letters from Fr. Abraham
- 4th Sunday of EasterDear Friends, This Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’ as the focus is on Jesus who… Read more: 4th Sunday of Easter
- 3rd Sunday of EasterDear Friends, We are now pretty familiar with the tradition of having a number of adults receiving one or more… Read more: 3rd Sunday of Easter
- Divine Mercy SundayDear Friends, I’m sure that all of us noticed a much larger number of people attending the Holy Week services… Read more: Divine Mercy Sunday
- Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the LordDear Friends, Jesus Christ is Risen! He is truly risen! These are the traditional greetings of Eastern Rite Catholics on… Read more: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
- Palm Sunday of the Passion of the LordDear Friends, Palm Sunday may remind us that the Lenten season of sacrifice and self-denial is coming to an end,… Read more: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
- 5th Sunday of LentDear Friends, Last Sunday we had a day of Self Care Fair. It was a wonderful experience with representatives from 16… Read more: 5th Sunday of Lent
- 4th Sunday of Lent, Laetare SundayDear Friends, This Sunday we hold the Self Care Fair in our cafeteria. We have been promoting this event together with… Read more: 4th Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday
- 3rd Sunday of LentDear Friends, March 8 is International Women’s Day, an annual celebration to honor the achievements and contributions of women, while… Read more: 3rd Sunday of Lent
- 2nd Sunday of LentDear Friends, Today’s noon Mass is our celebration of the Annual Black History Month Mass here at St. Matthias. I… Read more: 2nd Sunday of Lent
- 1st Sunday of LentDear Friends, It was so gratifying to see hundreds of people receiving ashes during the four services in our church… Read more: 1st Sunday of Lent
- 6th Sunday in Ordinary TimeDear Friends, Today is World Marriage Day. This annual observance is to honor husband and wife as the foundation of… Read more: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 5th Sunday in Ordinary TimeDear Friends, Glad to be back: My home trip was a very happy experience, especially because I had not taken… Read more: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 4th Sunday in Ordinary TimeA Message From Our Bishop Brothers, The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated this year on Friday,… Read more: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 3rd Sunday in Ordinary TimeA Message From a Member of Our Pastoral Staff I don’t know if it’s my age … but it seems… Read more: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 2nd Sunday in Ordinary TimeDear Friends, Greetings from my home in Kerala, India. I’m enjoying visiting my family, relatives and friends. I am also… Read more: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
- The Epiphany of the LordDear Friends, Today we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany. Our noon Mass has often been a bi-lingual Mass. Three Kings… Read more: The Epiphany of the Lord
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephDear Friends, Tomorrow we usher in the New Year 2024! January has its name from the Greek God Janus, who… Read more: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
- 4th Sunday of Advent– Christmas EveDear Friends, Merry Christmas! Yes, even though today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, today is also Christmas Eve and… Read more: 4th Sunday of Advent– Christmas Eve