After losing parishioners to the pandemic and a beloved pastor to cancer, Holy Trinity Parish in Williamston, North Carolina, has grown to a vibrant Catholic community of 80 families.
The parish growth in Martin County stems from the efforts of Father Vijaya Babu Katta, on loan to Glenmary from his home diocese in southern India. He came nearly two years ago; he expects to stay a few years more.
“I wanted to serve the people in the United States, and through Glenmary, I got the chance to come to Williamston,” he says. “I’m here doing my best in whatever I can to serve the people.”
One of Father Vijaya’s first goals was to visit each of the parishioners in their homes. For Father Vijaya, known by many simply as “Father V.J.,” it’s a way to meet the parishioners and let them know about the Catholic presence in their area. “I just want to know the total family, including those who don’t attend Mass. Our Catholics need a blessing where they are living or working,” he says.
Parishioners appreciate Father Vijaya’s presence, and it shows. “The Mass is getting more crowded,” according to parishioner Edi Martinez. Local Catholics also value the opportunity for weekly Eucharistic adoration, one of Father Vijaya’s initiatives.
Once a month Father Vijaya celebrates Mass at a nearby camp of immigrant farm workers. “The Mass helps cheer us up because we are far from family,” Alex Saldana comments, gratefully.
One of Father Vijaya’s early goals was to create a youth group, which had been absent for many years. Three youth ministers hold group meetings weekly in the summer and biweekly during the school year. They help prepare youth for Confirmation and community activities.
One such activity took place last August, when the youth group assisted with the concession stand for the Williamston Community Garden at the Martin County Farmers Market. Similar endeavors are in the works for this summer.
As part of the Diocese of Raleigh, Father Vijaya led a Eucharistic celebration through Williamston and other Glenmary missions, also in August 2024, to honor the diocese’s 100th anniversary and to highlight Glenmary’s Catholic presence there.
Holy Trinity Parish is currently gearing up for its annual parish celebration. “After Mass, we will have programs honoring the different cultures of our parish with singing, dancing and music depending on the interests of the parishioners. It’s like a family get-together,” Father Vijaya explains.
As parish growth continues, Father Vijaya hopes to create a committee to explore options for a new church building including classrooms for religious education. “Based on their recommendations and resources available we’ll see if it’s possible to buy land and build a new church,” Father Vijaya says. That would be amazing.
—Mary Ellen Pellegrini
