Fr Peter arrives at St Gregorys

I arrived at Savio House at the end of Summer to start my priestly ministry as the parish administrator at St Gregory’s Church.  After a fond farewell party for Fr Martin Coyle who has served the parish for the last 6 years I find myself being made so welcome both in the Parish, at Savio and in Bollington. 

For those who don’t know, Savio House is home to a youth retreat centre run by the religious order the Salesians of Don Bosco to which I belong.  Don Bosco, a 19 century saint, dedicated his life to the welfare and advancement of youth, especially the poor and unemployed.

Being away from my homeland, coming to the UK a year ago to experience parish ministry in a different country was exciting,.  Although the weather, the food and the cultural shock were the things that were very different for me.  Moving to Bollington and living at Savio House with the Salesians and the volunteers and welcoming young people on retreat has been a very positive experience. Being close to nature, the beautiful landscape and my love of walking have all helped me settle in so far.

I was born in a small village in Tamil Nadu in India and had a happy childhood with my older brother and sister and parents.  It was my High school experience, with my father deciding to send us to a Salesian school, that led to me realising my vocation as a priest.  At aged 15, I decided to join the Salesians and made my first promise on the long road to ordination which involves studying philosophy and theology for 6 years as part of the formation.

I was ordained in 2013 and worked for 12 years in various roles in India.  I ministered in different churches as a parish priest before working at one of the Salesian Vocational Training Centers which offer technical training, career guidance, job placement and life skills to underprivileged and rural youth. After that I taught mathematics at the Salesian Arts and Science College for 8 years.

From when I was ordained I wanted to experience religious life outside India and that opportunity was presented to me in 2025 when I was asked to come to Bolton (the HQ of he Salesians in the UK) and help minister in two new parishes near there.  Just a year later I said yes to making my new home in Bollington and serving the parish at St Gregorys church. 

Fr Peter Arokiaraj (SDB)