KARACHI:
St Patrick’s High School held celebrations on Friday and Saturday for its rector and principal, Father Joseph Leonard John Paul, popularly known as Father Joe Paul, for completing 50 years in the priesthood.
Born in Karachi in 1937, Father Paul also studied at the St Patrick’s High School. He did his bachelor’s in 1969, master’s in English in 1972 and a bachelor’s in education in 1976. He was ordained by the Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi on January 7 in 1962.
He was subsequently appointed the assistant rector to St Pius X Seminary. In 1969, Father Paul was also made the associate pastor at St Patrick’s Cathedral. He served as the principal of St Paul’s English and Urdu schools and was the principal of St Jude’s High School for 11 years. In 2005, he became the principal of St Patrick’s College and served there till 2009.
On the occasion, Father Saleh Diego of St Paul’s Parish, said that they were extremely happy. “We thank the Lord for His blessings, and are delighted that our fellow priest completed 50 years.”
Father Diego said that a thanksgiving service was held to celebrate the occasion. Later another reception was held at the St Patrick’s school in which tribute was paid to Father Joe Paul.
“About nine to 10 priests in the Catholic Archdiocese have completed 50 years of priesthood,” said Diego. “This year in Karachi Father Joe Paul is the only one.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2012.
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I remember Rev. Fr. Raymond and Rev. Fr. Todd. Right now favoritism in this institution is on its rise and all know this. Anyhow congrats for completing 50 yrs. Please also check degrees of your present teachers so that CBE may know why St. Patrick is not the same as it was way back when above mentioned priest were heading this institution.
Thank you so much Father Joe Paul. You've maintained the quality of education being imparted from this school, whereas most of our schools are busy enterprises only.