PRESCOTT — St. Joseph Catholic Church recently welcomed Father Joseph Albert Saleth as its new priest.

Saleth is originally from the southern portion of India. He lost his parents at a young age, but his grandmother raised him to live a life of faith. He also credited the Holy Cross missionaries from Canada and the United States for bringing him closer to God.

After the death of his mother, faith got more difficult for Saleth.

“I waited for a while and I was kind of becoming more secular in my life journey,” Saleth said. “Then the Lord called me to become a priest. My vocations are mysterious. Still I am not able to comprehend how God called me to this life.”

Saleth pursued an education in economics all the way to the point where he was pushing for a PhD when the archbishop asked him to come to the Diocese of La Crosse. He still remembers the day he was asked to make the jump during a priest retreat.

“The third day of the retreat, my archbishop, he called me and he wanted to talk,” Saleth said. “I said, ‘Will you just give a day of time so that I can pray over it and I will let you know?’”

Through prayer, Saleth decided he should follow through on the request. Prior to coming to Prescott, Saleth spent time at Chippewa Falls and Wausau.

He has loved Prescott so far and is excited to develop a mission for the church.

“It’s a beautiful community,” Saleth said. “Overall, I have a good feeling. The other thing is people are so welcoming. The location itself is so beautiful… I am admiring the creation of God.”

Having a school along with the church, Saleth emphasized the importance of teaching the young generation the word of God.

“The future of the church are the future of the community, are the future of our nation,” Saleth said. “When we give them the right motivation and the timely education, or the Catholic education or moral education, I think that will be more helpful for them to have a strong foundation… Basically, I am a teacher.”

He said he worked with the young generation in Wausau, which he loved to do.

The biggest message Saleth is trying to bring to the Prescott community is to continue to love each other.

“Love one another. Help each other,” Saleth said. “The hospitality and welcoming community, it’s all very important for us to make people feel at home, to feel that they belong to the parish, they belong to this community.”

Even through the pain of people’s past, Saleth wants the church to be there to heal all when they are ready.

“We are Christians by our love. We are Christians by our forgiveness. We are Christians by our charitable attitude,” Saleth said. “I wish and pray for the community of Prescott, that we all work together, team spirit, to keep up the peace and harmony.”

He said no matter the denomination or if they are religious or non-religious, the community should always work together as one.

Saleth is still getting to know the community, so he encouraged people to introduce themselves at mass.