La Salette Father Augustine “Gus” Cheerakathil, 50, was born in Kerala, India, and has six brothers and one sister. He graduated with degrees in philosophy and theology from the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City in the Philippines. Father Cheerakathil was ordained a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette (M.S.) on July 16, 1988, in Santiago, Isabela, Philippines. He served as a pastor in the Philippines before coming to Hawaii in May 1989. Father Gus was an associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Waipahu before becoming pastor at his present parish, St. Anthony in Kalihi-Kai. He answered a few bonus questions besides the standard eight we posed to him.
1. What is your favorite childhood memory?
During Christmas, I’d go caroling with other children around the neighborhood and attend Midnight Mass.
2. Which person have you admired most in your life?
I admired Pope John Paul II, whom I met in person, for his personality and enthusiasm to go and visit different countries and people. Also my mother, who is a very simple person.
3. If you hadn’t become a priest, what would you have been?
Maybe I would have gone into military service.
4. What is your favorite Bible passage?
Luke 9: 62: “Jesus said, ‘No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.’” This passage was an inspiration for me during a vocation campaign seminar I attended and it has stuck with me even to this day.
5. What is your favorite book?
“Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light.” This book contains the private writings of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and it’s an inspiration for me.
6. What book are you reading now?
“Next Generation Leader” by Andy Stanley. This is a good book for leadership training.
7. What is your hidden talent?
Sports. Whatever sport I see, I want to try it. I play tennis and basketball as a hobby.
8. What or who makes you laugh?
Good, funny movies. Comedies are my favorite kind of film.
9. What’s the Church’s biggest challenge today?
Instead of moving forward with the changes and challenges from Vatican II, the Church seems to be going backward with its changes.
10. What is your favorite television show and why?
“The Amazing Race” because it gives a view of other countries. I also love the Travel Channel and I especially hope that I will someday travel to the Holy Land.