Greetings, everyone!
I am Fr. Sudhakar Mannam, and I am truly excited to introduce myself as the new Pastor at St. Mary’s Church in Lakeport and St. Peter’s Church in Kelseyville. It’s an honor to be part of these vibrant communities.
A bit about me:
I was born on July 24, 1981, in Pedavadlapudi, Andhra Pradesh, India, to my loving parents, Augustine and Sarojini.
As the eldest of three brothers, my family instilled in me the values of faith, service, and community. My educational journey began in RCM Elementary and ATPM Catholic Schools, where my calling to the priesthood was nurtured. In 1996, I joined St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, marking the beginning of a path that would lead me to deeper spiritual formation and growth. I graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy and a Bachelor of Theology from St. John’s Regional Seminary in Hyderabad.
Priestly Ministry:
On February 27, 2008, I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Guntur, India. My early ministry included serving as an Assistant Director in the Guntur Diocese Social Service and Welfare Society, followed by my role as Parochial Vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Guntur City. In 2010, I was appointed Pastor of Epiphany Parish in Chiluvuru, India, where I served for eight enriching years. During that time, I also pursued further education, earning a master’s in business administration (MBA) and a master’s in social work (MSW) from Acharya Nagarjuna University.
Ministry in the United States:
After a decade of active priestly ministry in India, I received an incredible opportunity in March 2019 to minister in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, California. I began my journey at St. Francis Solano Catholic Church in Sonoma. Most recently, I served as Parochial Vicar at St. Bernard and Sacred Heart Parishes in Eureka for three and a half years. Now, I’m honored to serve at St. Mary’s and St. Peter’s in Lake County, CA.
Interests:
In my free time, I love visiting families in the parish, listening to music, watching NBA games on television, and taking long walks or going to the gym to stay fit and healthy.
A message of faith:
As we begin this new chapter together, I invite you to work with me as a family of faith. Let’s nurture our spiritual lives and grow together in the vineyard of the Lord. I look forward to getting to know each of you, sharing in your joys and challenges, and supporting one another in our mission to serve Christ and our communities.
Thank you for welcoming me! May God bless each of you abundantly with His grace and peace!