by Gordon Nary
Gordon: Where did you attend Seminary?
Father Claret: - 2001 to 2003 – St. Xavier’s Minor Seminary, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
2003 to 2007 – Philosophy, Khrist Premalaya Regional Philosophate, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
2007 to 2009 – Regency – three places
2009 to 2013 - Theology, Khrist Premalaya Regional Theologate, Ashta, Madhya Pradesh
April 13, 2013 ordained a Priest in Raipur
Gordon: What was the most challenging course that you took and why was it so challenging?
Father Claret: Systematic Theology – not much for understanding, but to make it intelligible for the common people (laypersons).
Gordon: Where was your first assignment?
Father Claret: First two years (2013 to 2015) - Staff in the Minor Seminary & Diploma in Special Education (Mental Retardation) - 2015 to 2017 – Secretary to the Archbishop, Most Rev. Victor Henry
Gordon: What is your current parish?
Father Claret: 2017 to the present – Priest-in-charge of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dewarghata
Gordon: What impact has the Covid-19 pandemic had on your parish?
Father Claret: It has had both positive as well as negative impacts on the parish. It has shaken people so much that some who used to come to Church to get material gains have kept themselves away from the Church while others have come closer to God. It’s been a purifying process.
Gordon: What inspired you to write God’s Journey to Bethlehem: God’s Way of Alluring You to Enter into Your Heart
Father Claret: My main purpose is to personalize all that God’s done for us and help others do the same. God’s Journey to Bethlehem is the first in the series of eight books I have thought about beginning from His Birth. The focus of the book is NOT what we have to do but what God has done for us so as to experience His love for us
Gordon: Thank you for an informative interview.