Prayer Painting
by Catherine Shaw Bowker
On a frigid February day in 2015 two young men from India step off a plane in Boston . Unlike most of the passengers disembarking this day , these two are elated with the heavy snow falling around them . In fact , once out of the airport they stop to play in the snow , neither having ever touched the cold ice crystals before this day .
Roman Catholic priests from the Heralds of Good News Minor Seminary , a missionary society in Tamil Nadu , India , they are headed to Maine . Assigned to the Diocese of Portland , they will spend a few months learning how to drive and navigate the roads , lifestyle and nuances of living in Maine before departing for their individual parishes . One of these priests , Father Antony Alexander Maria Doss , or Father Alex as he is lovingly caled by his parishioners , is assigned to the Parish of the Precious Blood in Aroostook County . Currently residing at the St . Mary ’ s rectory in Presque Isle , Father Alex serves the parishioners of the ten parish churches from Mars Hill to Portage .
Father Alex was ordained on January 21 , 2008 in India ; one of his first assignments was in Papua New Guinea where he spent two years before being called back to his home diocese to serve as Provincial Treasurer for the diocese . He speaks fondly of his time in New Guinea . A very remote area , the villagers of Papua New Guinea have no phones , televisions , or even refrigeration . Transportation is limited to walking and boat . In order to leave the village , Father Alex had to wait for a helicopter sent by the diocese . In fact , Father was responsible for assuring the landing spot for the helicopter was clear .
One of the things he most liked about the village was the community created by the very fact that the natives had so little . These people are happy even though they do not have much by our standards . Although they have individual homes , they go to them only to sleep . Daytime is spent together hunting and gathering food . When a deer is caught , the entire village shares it . A messenger delivers the good news to the villagers , the women immediately prepare a cooking fire and the priest is called to bless the bounty . Then the villagers celebrate , eat , sing and dance through the night , happy to have been blessed with their bounty , their priest and each other .
While he was a bit homesick at some of his assignments , Father Alex told me he has never once felt homesick in Aroostook County . He attributes his comfort to his parishioners who are happy , loving and giving . Like the natives of Papua New Guinea , Aroostook County natives recognize the need for community and do not hesitate to reach out to others , welcoming them into the fold . Father feels like a member of a huge family , cared for , loved and always welcome . During his Thanksgiving Day Mass , he told the congregation he is most thankful to God for sending him to a parish with such wonderful people .
Naturally , one of the first questions he is asked when people learn this is his first time in the States , Maine in particular , is , “ how do you like the snow and cold weather ?” Father explains that his friends in India are jealous of him because of the cold and change of seasons . India has one season , essentially , and that season is extremely hot . Coming to Maine is like those from the County who go to Florida in the winter to escape the cold – a vacation . Father admits driving in the winter is a bit intimidating , but after one winter in the County he has learned how to navigate its rural snow-covered , often icy roads .
A remarkable priest who inspires his parishioners with
WINTER 2017 11