Obituary - Rev. Thomas PLATHOTTAM and Memorial Mass Timing

[Karimattom Ciji Joseph]

Rev. Thomas PLATHOTTAM
 
Reverend Thomas Plathottam, C.S.T., a priest of the Congregation of St. Therese, unexpectedly went to meet his Lord and Savior on Tuesday (January 10, 2012) while on Sabbatical in the Philippines. Father Plathottam was the former longtime pastor of Saint Luke Parish in Ellington, Connecticut. Affectionately known as Father Tom, he lovingly ministered to the parish family for 11+ years. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. Father Tom was born in Kizhaparayar-Kerala, India, on November 8, 1947, a son of Mathew and the late Aleykutty Plathottam. He joined the congregation in 1965 and received his education at the Little Flower and Saint Joseph Pontifical Seminaries. He professed his first vows in 1967 and his final vows in 1971. He was ordained to the priesthood in Kothamangalam, India, on December 16, 1974, by Bishop Mar Mathew Pothanamuzhy. After ordination, Father Tom worked as a staff member at the Jyoti Niketan School in Azamgarh (India) for one year. From 1976-1980, he did missionary work in Nichlaul (India). The following 11 years he was a social worker in Attapadi (India) prior to coming to the United States. With great humor, he often enjoyed telling stories about his experiences as a missionary in India, especially his exploits while traveling from village to village on a horse through very muddy terrain. His heart always remained faithful to his missionary roots. Within the Norwich Diocese, Father Tom was assigned to St. Joseph Church in Windham County on March 19, 1990, as Parochial Vicar. He briefly returned home to India nine months later. In 1991, he came back to the Norwich Diocese and was assigned as temporary Parochial Vicar for several churches, including St. Joseph (North Grosvenordale), St. Mary (Putnam), St. Luke (Ellington) until February 22, 1993, when he went to St. John's Church (Old Saybrook) as Temporary Administrator and then became Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Church in Putnam. Later on, he was asked by Rev. Daniel Hart, the Bishop of Norwich at the time, to be Pastor of St. Luke. He took on the role in October 20, 1999, until his Sabbatical. Through his financial acumen, a church heavily in debt became a flourishing and financially healthy parish. He successfully ran a capital campaign to build a parish center in 2004. The campaign raised $1.4 million, and in 2006, the parish center became a reality. Also important to him during his tenure at St. Luke was his prison ministry as Chaplain at CRCI and Enfield CI and the inmates who sought his spiritual direction. In addition to his mother, he is predeceased by his brother Jose Plathottam (Canada). He is survived by his father Mathew Plathottam and loving family, Sister Rose Plathottam, S.C.N. (India); James and Sarala Plathottam (India); Sister Anice Plathottam, S.A.B.S. (Kenya); Mathew and Sherly Plathottam (India); Devisiachan and Alice Plathottam (India); Bobby and Shiney Plathottam (Canada); Lissy and Seby Manavalan (Canada); Tessy and Martin Chamakalayil (Canada); Soly and Mathew Vettukallel (California); Sojan and Lisa Plathottam (Canada); sister-in-law Rani Plathottam (Canada); and many nieces and nephews.

A Parish Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 17, at 7 p.m. at St. Luke Church, 141 Maple St., Ellington. The Rev. George Villamthanam will be the celebrant along with other priests from surrounding parishes. A reception will follow in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke Church, P.O. Box 246, Ellington, CT 06029.

To share a memory or for online condolences please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.