Parish Staff

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

With immense joy and gratitude to God, I would like to introduce myself to you all. I am Fr. Arul Francis Arputham (you may call me Father Francis), belonging to the Religious Order of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS), also known as Fransalians.

I was born on June 8, 1975, in a traditional Catholic village called Elayankanni, in the state of Tamilnadu in India; this village lies in the southern part of India and is surrounded by hillocks, lush green, sugarcane, and paddy plantations.

My father, Arputham, was an employee working in the sugar factory in the neighboring village, and my mother, Sammanasu Mary, was a homemaker. I was the eldest of their five children, and the only son. I have four younger sisters; one of them is religious nun, and my other three sisters are married and have their families.

I grew up in a very devout Catholic family, attending daily mass, praying the family rosary, and participating in the other devotional practices in the Parish. After I completed my primary schooling at Our Lady of Carmel School in my village, I was sent by my parents to a boarding school called St. Ann’s Higher Secondary School, in Tindivanam.

Since my parents were very pious and God-fearing souls, they had already sowed the seeds of love of God in me, but I began to sense an inclination towards the priesthood during the seventh grade. Since I was already in the boarding school, I came across a number of the missionary priests, who inspired me and encouraged me to become a priest. Being the only son in the family, it was a herculean task to be accepted into the seminary, but I stood firm in my decision to become a priest.

After the completion of school studies, I joined the seminary in 1990, at the age of fifteen, to become a missionary priest in the order of MSFS. Subsequently, I made my first religious profession in 1994, and then pursued my graduate studies in philosophy and sociology, followed by a year of pastoral practice. Afterwards, I went on to complete my graduation in Theology, during which I made my perpetual profession and received the order of Diaconate. Following the completion of my twelve years of priestly formation, I was ordained a priest on April 19, 2002; I was now twenty-seven.

I had served as an Associate Pastor, Secretary to the Provincial Superior, and the Procurator of a Catholic School. Meanwhile, in view of taking up the ministry of education in schools, I was asked to pursue my master’s degree in english and education. Then, for thirteen years, I was serving as the Principal at a number of Secondary Schools administered by our Religious Order. During this time, I was also elected to assist the Provincial Superior as his Councilor and Admonitor.

In 2022, I was given an opportunity by my religious congregation, to serve the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Since my arrival here, I have served as the Parochial Vicar of St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church in San Antonio, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church also in San Antonio, and now Administrator of St. Andrew Catholic Church & Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

In these 20+ years as a priest, I have enjoyed meeting with parishioners, interacting with them and assisting them on their faith journey. I hope and pray that I continue to live my vocation to priesthood, always relying on the grace and strength that comes from God. I request you all to kindly keep me in your valuable prayers. I am really excited and looking forward to being with you and meeting you in person. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our beloved Archbishop, Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, for entrusting me with the pastoral care of St. Andrew & Sacred Heart Parishes, and for graciously inviting me to minister in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

With Prayerful Wishes,

~ Fr. Arul Francis Arputham MSFS