fr. Thomas Purayidathil

Fr. Thomas Purayidathil,  Ordained in 1980, Fr. Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and another in Education. In 1998 he reached Rome and graduated with Summa Cum Laude in Education (MA) and PhD (School Pedagogy and Communications) from the Salesian University in Rome. In between he managed to complete an MA course in world history. As a young priest he served as the Principal of a prestigious High School (student population of 1,500) in India (1982-1988). He served in Rome for almost 15 years. He taught at the Salesian University as Assistant Professor, Professor and Head of the Institute of Didactics. During that time he was the Financial Director (Bursar) of the School of Education of the above-said University. He took a Sabbatical from full time teaching and served as the Principal of St. Cornelius School in Richmond (Oakland) from 2002-2005. He served as Administrator of Kula Catholic Community (Maui) and Pastor of St. Joseph and Malia Churches on the Big Island. He is the author of a couple of books in Italian and English and has published numerous articles both in Italian and English in scientific journals. He is fluent in 3 languages and has a working knowledge of five more. After almost 35 years spent in teaching, he is now serving full time as Parish Priest.