Fr. Jonathan Perrotta joined Good Shepherd in November of 2018 as Pastor.
I was born and raised in Ann Arbor, which means, even though I didn’t go to the U of M for college, I am a Wolverine through and through. GO BLUE! I am the second oldest of six children of Kevin and Mary Perrotta. I have one brother, four sisters, and presently 23 nephews and nieces, and six great nephews and nieces (wow!). After graduating from Detroit Catholic Central High School, I attended Thomas Aquinas College in California, earning a degree in Liberal Arts in 1995. I returned to Saline, MI for a time, and eventually ended up working for Trader Joe’s, a grocery store company, out in Connecticut. I worked for Trader Joe’s for nine years and in four states, including stores in Farmington Hills and Northville, MI.
In 2005, I experienced the Lord calling me to enter the seminary and pursue a vocation to the priesthood. I entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit for the Diocese of Lansing in 2006 and continued to find confirmation from God that He wanted me to be a priest.
Some of you St. Robert parishioners might recall that I spent a summer with you back in 2009 as a seminarian, and in May of 2010 I was ordained a deacon at St. Robert’s. On June 11, 2011, I was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Lansing. Praise God!
My first assignment was as parochial vicar at Holy Family parish in Grand Blanc. In May of 2014, I was made parish administrator of Holy Family. In June of 2015, Bishop Boyea sent me to be the pastor of St. Mary parish in Durand and St. Joseph parish in Gaines. In July of 2017, we became one, merged parish: St. Mary & St. Joseph parish.
I am looking forward to being your pastor, to seeing what God has in store for us, and in leading all of us to fall more deeply in love with God.
– Fr. Jonathan Perrotta
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Fr. Prabhu Lakra joined Good Shepherd in July of 2021 as Parochial Vicar.
Born January 4, 1972, in Chhichiwani, Chainpur, Gumla,
JH, India Citizen of Republic of India
Education
St. Albert’s College, Ranchi, JH, India, 1990-1993, B.A. Philosophy & B. Ed.
St. Aloysius College, (Rani Durgawati University) Jabalpur, M.P., India,
1994-1997, B.A. General Studies
St. Albert’s College, Ranchi, JH, India, 1997-2000, S.T.B-M.A. Theology
St. Albert’s college, Ranchi, JH, India, 2000-2001,
Post–Graduate Diploma in educations (Moral and Religious science)
Ordained as a Priest, Diocese of Gumla, JH, India, April 10, 2002
Experience
Teacher, St. Pius High School, Rengarih, Simdega, JH, India, June-December 1993
Teacher, St. Xavier’s High School, Roshonpur, Gumla, Jharkhand, India,
January-May 1994
Clergy Assignments
St. Patrick High School, St. Patrick Cathedral, Gumla, JH, India, June 2001-May 2003
Assistant Director, Social Development Center (Diocese of Gumla)
June 2003-December 2004
Catholic Church, Dalmadi, JH, India, Pastor, January 2004-December 2005
ARRIVAL IN USA May 2006, Fr. Louis and Fr. Roy welcomed me.
St. Gerard Catholic Church, Lansing, Parochial Vicar, June 2006-May 2010 – 4 years
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ann Arbor 1 year Parochial Vicar, June 2010-11.
St. Joseph Catholic Church Howell Parochial Vicar, July 2011-2019- 8 years.
St Gerard Catholic Church, Lansing Parochial Vicar July 2019- June 2021- 2 years
I am here in USA for almost 15 years. I was given opportunities to be in these different parishes with different pastors. There were so many things to learn in this land. I am very much privileged among many to experience life in this world, so many things I was able to learn and still learning. Fr. Roy and Fr. Louis were there for me to welcome at St. Robert’s when I arrived here in this country, I was there from almost 2 and half months before I was assigned at St Gerard, Lansing. Fr. Roy requested me also earlier come and join him in the parish but I was going through difficult times of my family so I could not come. During this time, some years were very good but 2013 onwards there were some traumas in the family. But then, I have gone through some challenging years, I am surviving here because of the people of USA.
I will be grateful to share my faith life with you all as I arrive to St. Robert Flushing MI. Since I and Fr. Louis belong to same diocese back in India, I was going often to that parish when he was there, so I know little bit about the parish and city. I will love to know many mores, I have taken my driving lessons with teenagers of Flint so now I will get chances to drive around there and do the ministry of God with people of God. I am looking forward to see you all in July. Thanks. May God bless you all and keep you safe and sound.