Meet our Priests
Rev. Biju Kannampuzha, CMI
The sixth child of Antony and Mariam Kannampuzha, Fr. Biju was born and raised in Kerala, India. His parents imparted to him a love and respect for Christ and the Church. As a student in a Catholic school system throughout his childhood and adolescence he had the opportunity to see the work the priests did in the school and broader community. Their vocation was one that inspired and attracted him.
At age fifteen he joined the Carmelite seminary in the nearby city. After graduation in Philosophy, Psychology and Theology, he was ordained to the priesthood on December 29, 2001. He served as the associate pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kerala, India until he arrived in Canada in 2005. He was then appointed as the associate pastor of St. Patrick’s and St. Lawrence churches in Hamilton, ON. Before coming to St. John Vianney parish, he was Priest-Chaplain at St. Joseph's Villa long-term care home in Dundas, ON. His interests include reading, basketball, hiking, jogging, Indian classical music and Philosophy.
Rev. Prasanth George Varambinakathu, CMI
A graduate in English literature, Rev. Prasanth George Varambinakathu is a member of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate religious congregation. Prasanth is an Indian name deep rooted in Indian culture. It means peace. His last name ‘Varambinakathu’ means ‘within boundaries’. So the name means ‘peace within boundaries’ but the lifestyle of Rev. Prasanth proves to be one of peace, even beyond boundaries. As a seminarian he rendered his service to an aids rehabilitation centre called ‘Snehadhan’ at Bangalore in India. By ministering to aids patients, he challenged his country’s fear and taboo of aids, becoming a ‘fool for Christ’. During his seminary life, he co-ordinated youth activities and engaged in various pastoral ministries. While he was serving as an Associate Pastor in a monastery parish and as an administrator in a school in Kerala, God’s call came to him to leave his native land and serve in St. John Vianney Church. A young priest, born on June 16th 1979 in Kerala, and ordained on December 30th 2009, Rev. Prasanth’s potential will no doubt bloom in Barrie.
Rev. Jose Varghese Koluthara, CMI
Fr. Jose was born on October 29, 1942, in Kerala, India. He made his First Profession on May 16, 1961 in CMI Religious Order and graduated from a degree in Philosophy, Theology and English Literature before his priestly ordination, which occurred on December 18, 1972. His professional life amounted to helping young adults in their formation in his various capacities as a teacher, rector, novice master and member of the Formation Team. His field of specialization is Formative Spirituality and Value Education. His interest in Value Clarification and Value Development led him to publish a book, “Becoming Disciple,” a training program in Gospel Values (Dharmaram Publications, 1990). In June 2000, he came to Canada and served as the Administrator of St. Edith Stein Parish, Toronto for ten years. On June 30, 2010, he was appointed Associate Pastor at St. John Vianney Church.
