Pastor Assignments: Father Edward Leondhas

Friday, Jul. 28, 2023

Fr. Edward Leondhas was born and raised in Enayam Puthenthurai, Tamil Nadu, India. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Scott Christian College in Nagercoil, and went on to study philosophy and theology at Sacred Heart Seminary in Chennai, India. He went on to obtain a master’s degree in English. He was ordained a priest on April 19, 2009 by the Most Rev. Peter Remigius of the Diocese of Kottar, India. Following ordination, he served in various ministries in his home diocese. He also worked for six years for New Life, the weekly native language magazine of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council, which serves 21 dioceses in India. In 2020 he arrived in Utah; his first assignment in the Diocese of Salt Lake City was as parochial vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Orem. Later that year he  was appointed administrator of Saint Helen Catholic Church in Roosevelt and its missions, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Ft. Duchesne and Holy Spirit in Duchesne. On Aug. 2 he will begin his new assignment as administrator of St. James the Great Parish in Vernal and St. Helen in Roosevelt with its associated missions. 

My new parishioners must know that the priesthood is not an office. The priesthood is a sacrament through which the priest continues the work of redemption on earth. Therefore, I love the Catholic Church.

I am coming to St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Vernal as an administrator with no expectations. No matter where I am sent, Divine Providence will guide me and help me to find out the face of God in everyone.

Sometimes people come with all types of significant sufferings and problems. For example, cancer, depression or stress. But I don’t have a magic answer to console them. I am sure that if all of us together build our lives around Jesus and trust him, the Holy Spirit will guide us, lead us, through wisdom, to meet the challenges in our lives.

First, the most satisfying experience is celebrating the Mass and the sacraments. It is the source of my joy. I can feel and experience the joy, but I don’t have any words to describe the experience. 

Secondly, to help others to understand the wisdom of Scripture, guiding and helping to solve spiritual problems and finding meaning in life.