Fr. Sijo Jose Arikkat (Associate Pastor)

Fr. Sijo Jose Arikkat was born on March 10, 1981, in Pananchery, Thrissur, Kerala, India. He is the elder son of Mr. Jose A.K. and Mrs. Rosily Jose, and has one younger brother. Raised in a devout and faith-filled Catholic family, Fr. Sijo discerned his vocation to the priesthood early in life.

Following his school education, he entered the Minor Seminary in Thrissur to begin his ecclesiastical formation. He pursued his philosophical studies at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary in Vadavathoor, Kottayam, and completed his theological studies at Marymatha Major Seminary in Mulayam, Thrissur. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 28, 2006, at St. Francis Xavier’s Forane Church, Pattikad, Thrissur, for the Archdiocese of Trichur.

Since his ordination, Fr. Sijo has served the Church with exemplary dedication across a range of pastoral and social ministries. His experience includes service in multiple parishes, pastoral care in medical college hospitals and healthcare institutions, and leadership in various ecclesial associations for children, youth, nurses, and social workers. He has also been actively involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement.

Alongside his priestly ministry, Fr. Sijo has pursued academic and professional development. He holds a Master’s degree in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work and has completed his doctoral research in Social Work. His Ph.D. thesis has been submitted and is currently under evaluation.

In May 2025, the Archdiocese of Trichur assigned Fr. Sijo to the Eparchy of Mississauga to assist with pastoral responsibilities. Subsequently, in June 2025, he was appointed as the Associate Pastor of St. Alphonsa Syro Malabar Cathedral in Mississauga, where he continues to serve the faithful with deep pastoral commitment, academic insight, and spiritual commitment.