Lexington, Ky. —
“Whomever is generous to the poor, lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed,” (Proverbs 9:17)
Fr Peter Joseph Kizhakkeparambil, a native of South India, is the Diocese of Lexington’s vicar for international priests, the director for acculturation, and my parish priest. He has served at St. Peter Catholic Church, the oldest parish in downtown Lexington, since 2019.
In January of this year, though, he enjoyed the warmth of loving and being loved by the residents and missionaries of Jamaica's Mustard Seed Communities, in one of its 12 residential care homes that stretch across the island.
The MSC homes serve nearly 500 children and adults with disabilities, many of whom were put at risk by another storm's fury just months earlier, Hurricane Melissa. Founded in 1978 by Msgr Gregory Ramkissoon in Mona, near Kingston, MSC has become a primary place of care for the most vulnerable—in particular, abandoned children with disabilities.
Kizhakkeparambil was there on his second mission trip, and described his hosts as "dedicated missionaries.”
“[They] have been serving in Jamaica for nearly 20 years, always accompanied by a priest, either Fr Dan Knoll, or the late, much-beloved Fr Norman Fischer, and I joined the team after his passing in 2024.”
Kizhakkeparambil’s return visit focused in part on the rebuilding efforts at MSC's Blessed Assurance home in Montego Bay, which houses 35 children and adults with a range of disabilities and complex medical needs.
It’s an ideal location for mission trips to Jamaica, but the property was destroyed by catastrophic flooding following Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, and rescue efforts were delayed after roads became impassable. All of the home's residents and their caregivers took shelter on its second floor—which remained above water—but the devastated building lost electricity, running water, and foodstuffs.
I talked with Kizhakkeparambil recently about his mission trip and the Mustard Seed missionaries, whom he described as "hard working builders and compassionate servants.”
“They dedicate themselves to constructing and repairing homes for residents in the surrounding communities… The missionaries work tirelessly to improve living conditions who cannot do so themselves, bringing safety, dignity, and hope to these people who are the most vulnerable members of their community.”
“It is incredibly fulfilling,” Kizhakkeparambil said, “to witness these residents' appreciation and happiness, and their smiles and openness,” he added, “which remind us that service is not only about what we give, but also what we receive watching their joy and faith.”
Kizhakkeparambil said his time with Mustard Seed was filled with feeding and assisting residents with their daily needs, praying with them and offering spiritual companionship, evenings of bingo, music sharing, conversation, and ice cream nights, and distributing small prizes and gifts of cheer.
"Each resident carries a unique beauty within themselves, and my encounters with them have been some of the most grace-filled moments of my ministry," said Kizhakkeparambil.
Kizhakkeparambil described with affection the residents, who range in age from six months to 33, as his “flock”, adding that "their faces and stories remain deeply etched in my heart."
One resident—Joe, as Kizhakkeparambil calls him for privacy reasons—was absent from Blessed Assurance during the priest’s earlier visit to Jamaica. Found in a hospital, Joe was brought to Blessed Assurance for extended care. He was described by Kizhakkeparambil as "living with significant mental disabilities, yet he has a smile as bright as a morning sunrise, and his joy is contagious.”
Many others at Mustard Seed also connected deeply with Kizhakkeparambil, some of whom became partners in his sacramental ministry.
"An 18 year-old resident became my sacristan, joining us for Mass every day,” he said. “While I celebrated the liturgy, he would stand beside me, gently holding my hands. His reverence and affection were deeply moving.”
Lastly, there were what Kizhakkeparambil calls his most cherished memories: The simple, intimate moments spending time feeding the residents, sitting with them, and simply being present.
“It is difficult to put into words what it feels like to be among them. Being with them humbles me. It makes me look at my own life with gratitude,” he said.
“Despite their many limitations, their smiles speak a thousand words. Their love and appreciation are genuine, pure, and deeply moving.”
The rebuilding efforts of the Mustard Seed Communities’ homes continues. You can help by going to mustardseed.com/lent and making a donation toward their future.
Robert Alan Glover is an alumnus of the University of Dayton where his studies included theology. He writes for The Catholic Miscellany in the Diocese of Charleston, among other media. He resides in Lexington, Kentucky.
