Surprising Father Govind

When Father Anthony Govind arrived at St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh for the 7 a.m. Mass on Aug. 7, his birthday, he found surprises created just for him.

Parish Environmental Committee members Karla Dehner and Karen Hanley had decorated the altar and the narthex with brightly colored fabrics, intending to replicate what Father Govind would see regularly in his home village and parish in India.

At the offering, parishioners brought up gifts of fruits with the bread and wine, as is the custom in India.

For lunch with the parish staff, Father Govind prepared some of his favorite dishes of curry and rice from his homeland.

Father Govind is the associate pastor at St. John the Baptist Parish.

Photo submitted courtesy of Steve Hanley, St. John the Baptist Parish