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Born in Ghana West Africa, I am blessed with a loving and caring family who give me constant help and support. I grew up with my parents, Robert Yaw Appiah (May His Soul Rest in Peace) and Beatrice Akua Appiah, my sister Laetitia Appiah Kpentey and, five brothers - Kwadjo Anthony, Kwadjo Fabian, Kwame Ernest, Kofi Victor and Kofi Victus. Divine providence has been the ever present inspiration in my family’s life and the source of strength throughout the sojourn of our lives from Ghana to the United States in 1986. The wisdom of my Father and Mother through toil, trials, and tribulation led us to Tennessee. The pursuant of a lived life of devotion in service to my neighbor poor and rich alike enkindled my resolve to answer the call to work towards a single minded devotion to the gospel message of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. After graduating from Knoxville High School, I received my Bachelor of Arts from Saint Meinrad with a major in history and a minor in philosophy. I earned my Master of Divinity and STB at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. In the year of our Lord, 1998, having fulfilled all the formation, academic, pastoral and ecclesiastical requirement, I was ordained a priest. With the help of God and the support of God’s holy people, I promised obedience to my bishop and his successor, and faithfulness to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. I served as parochial vicar in Chattanooga at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church (1998-1999), Spiritual Director, Chaplain and Teacher at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Chattanooga (1999-2004), Parochial Vicar at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Oak Ridge (2004-2006). Also, I served as an Administrator for four months at Lafollette, New Tazewell and Helenwood (December 1, 2005-April 1, 2006). Currently I am the pastor at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Greeneville. Along the way, I have been fortunate to have great mentors in the person of Fr. Mike Nolan—my first pastor, Fr. P.J. McGinnity—while in residence at St. Stephen in Chattanooga, and Fr. Michael Woods, my pastor while in Oak Ridge. I remember the people who have challenged and encouraged growth within me. I am certainly glad for the people who have shown me the way to a better future, but most of all the people who have not forgotten the potential not yet realized. To God belongs glory, honor and all the praise. |