Walking into the church office of Father Panneer Selvam Arockiam, one is instantly greeted with a hug and a smile.
It’s a smile and laughter that comes over his entire body. He is filled with love and a sincere desire to bring others together in Christ’s love.
Father Panneer brings his warm spirit and growing enthusiasm for the Yazoo community to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He arrived as the new priest in February.
The 52-year-old priest arrived in Yazoo City last December thanks to St. Mary’s former priest Father Arokia Savio.
“It was a blessing,” Father Panneer said. “Father Savio was the link between the Dioceses.”
But before he arrived in the United States, his journey began in the Dindigul district, south of Tamil Nadu, India.
Father Panneer had just completed the eighth grade. The year was 1978, and his young life took a different direction.
“My parents and myself discussed what I would like to become with our priest,” he said. “As a child, I understood to some extent. I saw our priests, our sisters and the services they did.”
With five older brothers and two older sisters, Father Panneer may have been young, but he knew what he wanted to do. It was then that he decided to begin his journey into the priesthood.
“As I went further in the selection, out of 22 students, 15 were selected during that first year of 1978,” he said. “I enjoyed it. I could study well, and I was happy with the vocation.”
Father Panneer began to learn Latin and other languages, including English.
Later, he would earn his Bachelor’s degree in both Philosophy and Chemistry.
“Yes, Chemistry,” he adds, with a laugh.
Father Panneer soon earned his Theology degree. And on May 14, 1992, he was ordained as a priest.
In the beginning, Father Panneer served as associate pastor in a parish and a communications center. Eventually, he would also earn an Education degree.
As the years continued, Father Panneer traveled, meeting people from many other places outside of his own homeplace.
And then on Dec. 3, 2015, Father Panneer arrived at the Jackson airport with Father Savio waiting for him.
“After Father Savio received us, he brought us here,” he said. “This was my first experience of Yazoo City, and it was really fascinating to see the culture and the people. The people gave me such a warm welcome with broad smiles. I was so appreciative of everything.”
Father Panneer would celebrate the Christmas season by visiting Belzoni, Canton and Vicksburg.
On Feb. 7, Father Panneer was introduced as the new priest of St. Mary’s in Yazoo City and All Saints in Belzoni.
“St. Mary’s is such a beautiful church, so serene and peaceful,” he said. “When you sit in the church for Mass and prayer, it is really an elevating experience.”
Although Belzoni is smaller than the Yazoo community, Father Panneer said the experience there is just as inspiring.
“The community may be small , but there is always a good participation in Mass,” he said. “You feel so happy in both places.”
Father Panneer said he is extremely fond of the welcome he has received in both communities.
“When I go out, people wish me well and are happy to see me,” he said. “They are so welcoming.”
He has also expressed interest in joining efforts with the Yazoo Ministerial Association. He recently met with Rev. George Woodliff of Trinity Episcopal Church.
“We met and discussed the planning of future events, and it was a wonderful experience for me,” he said. “There were so many pastors involved. I was happy to see so many people coming together in one meeting.”
Unity is a big theme in Father Panneer’s message.
“We are all under one God, but yet we are divided into so many different groups,” he said. “We are all His children. We should all come above our differences and realize our mission is to bring people together as one under God.”
“Christ’s spirit is not in the buildings or walls,” he adds. “It’s bringing people together. This idea has been on my mind. I hope that we can enlighten each other, and I would like to see that flourish. We all come from one God, and we will return to one God. It’s always one Father, one flock.”
