Diocese welcomes missionary priests to parishes

The Diocese of Spokane is pleased to welcome three priests from the Heralds of Good News, a missionary religious order of men based in India. The priests arrived in Spokane in early November and began their assignments on November 4.

Father J. Jeyabalan, HGN, is the administrator of St. Patrick Parish in Colfax, St. Joseph Parish in Lacrosse, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in St. John.

Father J. Prasath, HGN, is the administrator of Sacred Heart Parish in Wilbur, St. Agnes Parish in Ritzville, and St. Joseph Parish in Odessa.

Father Maria Lazar, HGN, is the administrator of St. Gall Parish in Colton and St. Boniface Parish in Uniontown.

Fathers Jeyabalan and Prasath were slated to begin their assignments on July 1, but were delayed. Father Lazar has also joined the group of priests, taking Father Baskar Anandan, HGN’s post in Colton-Uniontown, as Father Anandan was appointed to a leadership position in the order, moving him back to India. Upon Father Prasath’s arrival, Father Arokiaraj "Raj" Kunipaku-Selvaraj, HGN, will begin his pastorate at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Spokane, according to his July 1 assignment.

Please pray for these priests as they settle into their new assignments in the Diocese of Spokane.