Matters India Reporter
Kolkata, November 16, 2024: A church renovator priest of Baruipur diocese located in the suburbs of Kolkata city marked silver jubilee of his priestly ordination at St Stephen’s Church Kalyanpur where he is at present the Parish Priest. He was ordained priest 25 years ago on 4th November 1999 at St Joseph’s Church Raghabpur in South 24 Parganas.
On Friday 15 November 2024 the jubilarian Fr Himangshu Poti was escorted to the altar by his father Mr Parimal Poti along with some 100 priests, and two Bishops, under the gaze of over 100 religious sisters as well as members of his family, friends, parishioners and faithful.
Among the concelebrants present in the sanctuary were former Bishop of Baruipur Salvador Lobo, current Bishop Shyamol Bose of Baruipur as well as his cousin brother Fr Onshu Gayan of Krishnagar diocese and batch mate Fr. Philip D’Souza.
The solemn Eucharist was concelebrated in his parish St Stephen’s church established in 1971 which he soon plans to renovate.
Earlier in his six year tenure at Sacred Heart Church Thakurpukur situated on the outskirts of Kolkata, Poti undertook renovation of the church and installation of life size statues of the Way of the Cross, and built a beautiful church in Khoriberia, one of the substations.
Noted for his ability to raise funds locally Poti says, “our parishioners are wiling to come forward and help finance the renovation projects.”
Poti who has 3 brothers and one sister was born in Chak Balai Bag of Nepalganj in South 24 Parganas in 1968 to Mr. Parimal Poti and late Sima Poti.
After completing his graduation as well as Philosophy and Theology studies at the West Bengal Regional Seminary Morning Star College at Barrackpore, Poti was ordained priest and was assigned as the Curate in St Stephen’s Church Kalyanpur.
Two years later, Poti went to St Peter’s Pontifical Institute in Bangalore to pursue two year Masters degree in Biblical Theology after which he served as secretary to Baruipur Bishop as well as Director of Diocesan Biblical Commission.
Poti has served as editor of the Diocesan newsletter, as well as Vocation Promoter and director of Dishari Pastoral centre and rector of Samarpan Minor Seminary at Kalikanan as well as spiritual director to Missionaries of Charity at Krithankhala and confessor at Missionaries of Charity Sishubhavan Kolkata.
Currently besides being parish priest, Poti is also secretary of the Priests’ Council of Baruipur diocese.