Charles Somera
KUWAIT AUGUST 4, 2012: The parish of St. Therese of Child Jesus Northern Arabian Vicariate is privileged to have Father Ben, a Filipino diocesan Priest in the person of Fr. Ben Barrameda as the new Assistant Parish Priest.
Fr. Ben had been assigned to the Holy Family Cathedral Parish, Kuwait since February 2, 2006 and officially joined the Vicariate on July 31, 2006. After six fruitful years of ministry in the Cathedral, as a diocesan missionary, he has now been transferred to the St. Thérèse Parish which is under the pastoral care of the Salesian (Don Bosco) Fathers.
Father Ben was incardinated on August 28, 2009. He is notably the second Priest in Kuwait to be incardinated into our Vicariate. The other Priest is Rev. Fr. Dominic Santamaria, also a diocesan Priest who has been assigned to the Holy Family Cathedral Parish.
The Filipino community of Salmiya has welcomed Fr. Ben's arrival and all feel blessed to have him in their midst. This young and dedicated Priest was greatly delighted by the warm welcome that was accorded to him.
In his homily, Father Ben said the good feeling was mutual, that, he too felt glad and blessed to be with the Salesians and the Salmiya parishioners. He continued to say that he was dedicated to bringing the Good News to all. He expressed his commitment to journey and pray together as one family of God. Father Ben thanked His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCJ, for his excellent pastoral guidance, and the clergy and the faithful of Kuwait for their friendship and support.
We pray that Father Ben may continue to enjoy a happy and fruitful ministry in his new Parish. May the powerful intercession of Our Blessed Mother “Our Lady of Arabia” and St. Thérèse - accompany him always.