Fr. Catalin Mot

Father Catalin was born in Timisoara, Romania, on September 18, 1962.

He attended “Ioan Popasu” Orthodox Theological Seminary in Caransebes, Romania, 1980-1985. He went on to the “Andrei Saguna” Theological Academy in Sibiu, Romania, completing his studies in 1990. Currently, Father is completing his PhD at the same Theological Academy.

He was ordained to the Deaconate on March 31, 1991. One week later, on April 8, 1991, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Metropolitan Nicolae of Banat, Romania. He served the community of the Descent of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church, Mosnita-Noua, Romania.

Father Catalin immigrated to the United States in 1993, becoming a citizen in 2001. He began his ministry in the U.S. at Sts. Constantine & Helen Romanian Orthodox Church in Atlanta, GA.  From 1996 through 2002, he served the parish of Holy Spirit Orthodox church (OCA) in Venice, Florida. Being welcomed into the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Father’s first assignment was to Annunciation Greek Orthodox parish in Vestal, New York, in 2002. When the need arose at Annunciation parish in Muskegon, Michigan, Father Catalin was assigned to serve his present community, beginning in August 2005. He received the distinction of “Economos” from His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas on January 13, 2008. He has been instrumental in the integration of recent Romanian immigrants into the Muskegon parish, while continuing to serve the original Greek population whose families founded the parish. Celebrating the Divine Liturgy on two Saturdays each month, one in Greek and one in Romanian, has been encouraging to both communities.

Father Catalin married Felicia Teodora of Timisoara, Romania, in 1990. They have been blessed with two sons:  Sebastian Catalin, born in 1992; and Daniel Matthew, born in 1997.  Sebastian is beginning his sophomore year at Hellenic College with prayerful intentions toward the priesthood. Daniel is beginning high school this year in Spring Lake, MI.

Everyone at the parish benefits from the culinary expertise of Presvytera Felicia. She enjoys baking, planning & organizing parish social events, and serving as director of GOYA.  Father Catalin participates with Presvytera in GOYA events, and is a steadfast advocate and chaplain at Rose City Camp.

When it comes to any discussion of soccer, parishioners have some difficulty. Father is such an avid soccer fan that we joke about needing a special calendar for the World Cup matches. However, we’re sure that nothing can top watching his sons on the soccer field.