Father Paulraj Rayappa was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He attended Loyola College there, then went on to post-graduate studies at Madras University. He holds bachelor’s degrees in education and civil law, as well as a master’s in sociology and Christians studies. He attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Chennai, India, and was ordained a priest on April 18, 2004 by the Most Reverend Lawrence Pius for the Archdiocese of Madras - Myalpore.   
After ordination, Fr. Rayappa served as associate pastor of a parish in his home archdiocese, then as executive secretary to the archbishop, and as pastor of three different parishes and with special ministries. The special ministries were secretary of the Commission for Evangelization, executive member of Catholic Enquiry Centre in Delhi (part of evangelization), executive member of the Cemeteries Board, member of the archdiocesan Priest’s Council, and port chaplain (Stella Maris).
In 2022 he arrived in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, where he first assisted at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Salt Lake City before being assigned as a hospital chaplain. In 2023 he was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City and St. Lawrence Mission, Heber City for two years. In 2025 he became parochial vicar of St. John the Baptist Parish in Draper. Since March of this year he has been serving as temporary administrator of that parish. On Aug. 1 he will begin his new assignment as administrator of Holy Family Parish in Ogden and chaplain to Newman Center, Weber State University.
Fr. Rayappa speaks Tamil, English, Telugu, Kannada, Spanish and a little bit of German.
What would you like your new parishioners to know about you?
I would like my new parishioners to know that I come to this community with an open heart and a desire to walk with them in faith. My greatest joy as a priest is helping people encounter Christ through the sacraments, prayer and the life of the Church. I believe every person has a unique story, and I look forward to listening, learning and growing together as one parish family. My hope is that everyone feels welcomed, valued and encouraged to deepen their relationship with God.
What are you looking forward to most about your new assignment?
I am most looking forward to getting to know the people of the parish and becoming part of their lives. Every parish has its own gifts, traditions and history, and I am excited to discover them while working together to build a vibrant community of faith. I especially look forward to celebrating the Eucharist, accompanying families through life’s important moments, supporting our youth, and reaching out to those who may feel distant from the Church.
As a priest, what is your greatest challenge?
One of the greatest challenges is responding to the many spiritual and pastoral needs of God’s people while remaining faithful to prayer and maintaining a healthy balance in ministry. People come with different experiences, struggles and hopes, and I strive to be present to each person with compassion and understanding. This challenge continually reminds me to rely on God’s grace rather than my own strength.
As a priest, what has been your most satisfying experience?
The most satisfying part of my priesthood has been witnessing lives transformed by God’s love and mercy. Whether celebrating the sacraments, accompanying someone through a difficult time, welcoming people back to the Church or simply sharing moments of prayer and conversation, I am continually reminded of God’s presence at work in people’s lives. It is a privilege to serve as an instrument of Christ’s love, and those encounters continue to strengthen my own faith and vocation every day.