Viriditas2: Soul Greening
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Father Soosai is pastor of St. Elizabeth Church, Aiea.
My father was a fisherman. My brothers are fishermen. In my simple family of five brothers and a sister, we did not have much, but we were rich in faith. This is due to the faith of St. Thomas the apostle who was the first Christian missionary to India and St. Francis Xavier. It was because of their inspiration that I wanted to become a missionary.
My mom was always praying and going to daily Mass. She never criticized a priest. Even after I was ordained in 2005, she said to me, “Never criticize a priest. They are servants of God and are answerable to God. So, no one has a right to make a judgment towards them. Just go with the flow and do whatever is asked of you.” This helped me to keep a positive mind, not blaming others or anything. My mom’s advice has helped me to be happy and joyful, and to be more successful.
In 2016, I left India as a missionary to work in Hawaii. It was not difficult to adjust here. The climate is similar. My home state of Tamil Nadu is also surrounded by the waters of the Indian Ocean at its southern tip as well as on its east side. As India is rich in culture, traditions and a diversity of ethnic groups. Hawaii is similarly rich in diversity, culture and faith.
Two years ago, I was incardinated into the Diocese of Honolulu. It was the strong faith of the people that I have served here that had encouraged my desire to remain in service here. People in Hawaii are seemingly obliged to keep God as their priority. It really is a blessing received to witness to their faith.
In 2023, I was assigned as the pastor of St. Elizabeth Church and School. It has not yet been a year that I have been here and yet I feel blessed to be here. I have a wonderful community: the Dominican sisters, the schoolteachers and staff, the parish staff and volunteers, and of course the parishioners. People are energetic here. That energy keeps me pushing to do more and more. The more I do, the more I become energized. For down time, I do try every day to play some tennis, basketball, or go for a long run. Along with spending a lot of time in prayer. This is the secret to my great energy.
When challenges in life do occur, I surrender all the problems to God. Only prayer can help us overcome challenges. As I surrender all difficulties to God, I ask him to solve the problems and give me the answer. I know he will solve things that I cannot. That is my conviction. Thus, If I am able to I will handle the difficult situation. If I am not able to, I will tell God to take care of it. And, he will show the way and bring about the peace and happiness in the situation where there is the struggle and challenge. As I often keep in mind the phrase from Psalm 40: “Here am I Lord. I come to do your will.”
