Fr. Gregory Kerketta, TOR, passed from this earthly life to his heavenly abode on 20 April 2021 in the morning hours at Sadar Hospital, in Gumla District due to COVID-19. He was under the observation of a civil doctor and few nurses. During the little more than a day he was in the hospital, he struggled to breath, dying early in the morning as he completed his race as a servant of God who had called and chosen him to be His religious priest.
Just two weeks ago, before the holy week of Easter, Fr. Gregory Kerketta, TOR had buried his dead father Theophil Kerketta. At this time, Fr. Gregory, his mother Mrs. Pulkeria and his family greatly consoled each other and after he returned to the parish to continue his mission as the Assistant Pastor, he continued to spend much time talking with his family over the phone and remaining in touch with them until the day he suffered the attack of the pandemic virus.
Fr. Gregory Kerketta, TOR was born on 27 March 1956 in a practicing Catholic Munda family in the village of Renduwa, in Mahuagaon Parish, now in the Khunti Diocese. He grew up in the village atmosphere and did his schooling as an Apostolic Boy at the St. Ignatius Middle and High School, Gumla, run by the Jesuits of Ranchi Province.
After his intermediate college studies at St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi, he joined the TORs in 1980. Before the division of the provinces, he was a candidate of St. Thomas Province, Bhagalpur and spent his candidacy at Franciscan Ashram, Harmu with other candidates. After language studies, he made his novitiate at Sacred Heart Novitiate, Babumahal, Bhagalpur. He made his temporary profession in 1983 and final profession on 30 May 1969.
He completed the B. PH. Bed. Degree from St. Albert’s College and was sent to Jamtara, a newly established mission station in Dumka Diocese for his regency. He worked with Fr. Fabian Kunnappaly, TOR among the pagans and a few baptized Catholics. He had tough time among low caste Hindu inhabitants, for various petty reasons. After a year, he came back to Franciscan Training Institute, Ranchi and pursued his theological studies at St. Albert’s College, Ranchi and was ordained a deacon on 8 December 1989. He was ordained a priest in 1990 together with some other friars, who later on, would chose to join St. Thomas Province, Bhagalpur.
He held an unassuming personality; therefore he was assigned to Sacred Heart Novitiate Babumahal. Within a year, he was sent to Kanjuwae Parish to assist Fr. Theodore Baa, TOR, the parish priest, and worked among the Santals. This parish was in its initial stage of growth, and, as a result, faced many challenges from the local pagan Santals in regard to ownership of the landed property of the parish. But Fr. Gregory Kerketta, TOR managed to have the unsettled landed property demarcated for the safe keeping of the parish within a short time.
After the bifurcation of St. Thomas Province, Bhagalpur and St. Francis Province, Ranchi, Jharkhand, Fr. Gregory Kerketta, TOR chose to become a permanent member of the St. Francis Province in 1996. He was assigned to different parishes, subsequently, as the local minister as well as the parish priest of Gaurbera, Banhora, Bhukumunda, Deorapara, Kuruskela, Harmu and Murumkela. Most of his lifetime was invested in the selfless service of the faithful. He assisted the then provincial, V. Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kattady, TOR, as the Vicar Provincial of St. Francis Province, Ranchi in 2005 to 2009.
He was a cheerful person and lived a life of simplicity for 31 years in the Order. He was amiable to all the friars and with people. He was of poor health and often, with patience, he endured his physical ailments throughout his life as a religious. (2000 to 2021)
Recently, he was the assistant parish priest of Murumkela parish in Gumla Diocese, more than hundred kilometers away from the headquarters in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This parish is located five kilometers inside the forest landscape near the National Highway leading to Madhay Pradesh. Before embracing Sister Death, he was actively involved in the Holy Week services conducted in the parish. He was suddenly struck by the Covid virus that abruptly took his life and took him from his fellow friars and beloved family members.
Fr. Gregory has gone to the heavenly kingdom for his eternal rest. He is buried at Murumkela Church in Gumla. May the merciful God allow him to enjoy His eternal bliss in the company of Saints and the Angels.