Bishop Deeley announces three priest assignments

Bishop Robert Deeley has announced three priest assignments effective October 1, 2022.

Father Agustin Sebasthiyan, HGN

Father Agustin Sebasthiyan, HGN, has been appointed parochial vicar at Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish (St. David Church, Madawaska; St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Madawaska; St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel Church, Grand Isle), Our Lady of the Valley Parish (St. Agatha Church, St. Agatha; St. Joseph Church, Sinclair; St. Luce Church, Frenchville; St. Michael Church, Birchpoint), and St. Peter Chanel Parish (St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, Van Buren; St. Joseph Church, Hamlin). Currently, Fr. Agustin is parochial vicar at the Portland Peninsula and Island Parishes (Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Portland; Sacred Heart/St. Dominic Parish, Portland; St. Christopher Parish, Peaks Island; St. Louis Parish, Portland; St. Peter Parish, Portland).

Born in 1983, Fr. Agustin is a native of A. Kalathupatty, a town in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He holds bachelor’s degrees from Annamalai University and Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, both located in Tamil Nadu. He completed his clerical studies at Heralds College in Poonamallee, India (2000-2002), St. John’s Major Seminary in Kurnool, India (2002-2006), and St. Don Bosco in Hyderabad, India (2006-2007).

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 2011, at the Heralds of Good News in Melavalady, India. Since his ordination, Fr. Agustin has served as an assistant parish priest in four Indian towns: Rayapeta and Ambattur (2011-2012), Christu Nagar (2012-2013), and Naduvalur (2013-2014). In 2014, he was appointed principal of Divine Mercy School in the Diocese of Nalgonda, located in the province of Hyderabad, India, where he served until arriving in Maine in June of 2017. Since coming to Maine, Fr. Agustin has served in the Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou, Holy Spirit Parish in Kennebunk/Wells, and in his current parishes.

Father Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN

Father Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN, has been appointed parochial vicar of St. John Vianney Parish (St. Louis Church, Fort Kent; St. Mary Church, Eagle Lake; St. Charles Borromeo Church, Saint Francis; St. Joseph Church, Wallagrass; St. John Church, St. John Plantation) and director of the Christian Life Center (CLC). Located in Frenchville, the CLC offers a wide range of retreats, marriage preparation, and other programs designed to strengthen the faith of participants and increase their participation in parish life. Currently, Fr. Alex is parochial vicar at Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish, Our Lady of the Valley Parish, and St. Peter Chanel Parish (churches comprising these parishes are listed above).

Born in 1982, he attended school in Attur, a town in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, graduating from Little Flower Higher Secondary School in 1997. After graduation, he remained in India and attended minor seminaries from 1997 to 2000 before pursuing philosophical studies at major seminaries from 2000 to 2003. He completed theological studies from 2004 to 2007 at St. Joseph’s Major Seminary in Khammam, India.

On January 21, 2008, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop S. Singaroyan at St. Mary’s Church in Attur. Since his ordination, he has served as an administrator at a seminary in Melavalady, India (2008-2009); an assistant parish priest in Mylapore, India (2009-2010); a pastor for the Diocese of Dara Kiunga, Papua New Guinea (2010-2011); and as a provincial treasurer for the Heralds of Good News Provincialate in Trichy, a city in Tamil-Nadu (2011-2015). He arrived in Maine in 2015 and has served at the Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou as well as his three current parishes.

Both Fr. Alex and Fr. Agustin are members of the Heralds of Good News (HGN), a missionary society of apostolic life started in India in 1984. The specific aim of the Heralds is to promote vocations to the priesthood and the training of seminarians. Currently, there are ten members of the society serving in the Diocese of Portland.

Father Selvaraj Kasi, HGN

Fr. Selvaraj Kasi, HGN, has been appointed parochial vicar at the Portland Peninsula and Island Parishes. Father Selvaraj is currently parochial vicar at the Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou.

Born in 1979, Fr. Selvaraj attended school in Tiruvannamalai, a city in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, graduating from Danish Mission High School in 1994. He attended junior college in Tiruvannamali before entering Sacred Heart College in Tirupattur, India. He completed his clerical studies at St. John’s Minor Seminary in Nidadavole, India (2003-2005), St. John’s Major Seminary in Kurnool, India (2005-2008), and St. Augustine Major Seminary in Peramiho, Tanzania (2009-2013). While in seminary, he also did his regency (a period of pastoral ministry) teaching math and science in a town in the state of Orissa, India. Fr. Selvaraj was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 2013, at Ulaga Madha Church in Tiruvannamalai, as a Herald of Good News (HGN), a missionary society of apostolic life in India that specializes in missionary work and the promotion of vocations to the priesthood. Currently, there are ten members of the society serving in the Diocese of Portland.

Since his ordination, Fr. Selvaraj has served in Tanzania, including assignments in a hostel, teaching and caring for residents (2013-2014); as a correspondent at Queen Mary’s Secondary School (2014-2015); and as headmaster of the school (2015-2017). In addition, he also served as his congregation’s mission superior in the country before arriving in Maine in June of 2017.

Since his arrival in Maine, he has served at St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent, Our Lady of the Valley Parish in St. Agatha, Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish in Madawaska, Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston, and in his current position at the Parish of the Precious Blood.