Candidates for the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation were enrolled on Sunday, Nov. 12th at the Noon Mass.

Dear Friends,

I am Fr. Caetano Crasto born and baptized in the small tiny state of Goa which is famous for its beaches and places of worship. I grew up in a beautiful state called Goa, located on the west coast of India. Goa is known for its international and domestic tourism. Tourism is its primary industry, and is generally focused  on the coastal area of Goa. People from different nationalities love Goa for its local culture and friendly nature; beachside cafes and shacks make Goa the perfect destination for the tourists.

 My father’s name is the late Mr. John Crasto and my mother’s name is Mrs. Maria Fernandes. I am the second of three children. I have one older brother and one younger brother. God calls us by name and we are invited to respond uniquely by the way we live our lives. God calls us for a purpose and the Lord called me as a young boy to the priesthood. I was just 16 years old and I joined the Religious order called the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (popularly known as Pallottines). I finished my Novitiate, and received Degrees in Philosophy and Theology. I was ordained a priest on May 1, 2006. I have completed 17 years in the priesthood and worked in different parishes in the Archdiocese of Goa (India). In the early stages of my priestly life, I was Associate Pastor for four years and the Pastor for ten years in different parishes. I served three years as a prefect and Administrator of a Pallottine Minor Seminary where I assisted the young seminarians to take deep spiritual roots in their priestly vocation.

After agreeing to minister in the United States, my Provincial asked me to go to the Archdiocese of Detroit, as Fr. Socorro had asked for an Associate. Knowing that Fr. Hendrico Rebello is also in the same Archdiocese. I was very excited as Fr. Hendrico is my classmate. After a long wait of several months, here I am to begin my new assignment as an Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Loretto and St. Valentine Parishes, and to be of service to the Mother of Divine Love Family. After being introduced at both parishes last weekend and by seeing your kindness and love shown towards me I look forward to my ministry and to serve you in whatever way I can. I am thankful to God for the opportunity to do Christ’s work under Fr. Socorro at both parishes and I look forward to serving you and the Family of Parishes to the best of my ability in the years to come. I have known Fr. Socorro for many years as we are members of the same Pallottine Congregation. Fr. Socorro will be my mentor at Our Lady of Loretto and St. Valentine Parishes. To work with Fr. Socorro is a great joy and to be with him is fun. He is a priest with simplicity, spirituality and a great heart for the poor. I have no hesitation to say that I will have a great and fruitful ministry under his guidance.

 In Christ,

Fr. Caetano Crasto