Maiden visit of the Episcopal Delegate

The Episcopal Delegate of the Andhra Pradesh Bishop's Council (APBC) for the major Seminaries of the state, Bp M.D. Prakasam, made his maiden visit to St John's Regional Seminary, Kondadaba on September 19, 2010. During his one-day stay at the seminary he met and addressed the students and staff separately and celebrated the Sunday Holy Mass for the Community. All through his talks and reflections he stressed on the need to build character and not be satisfied with gaining reputation or fame. In spite of the exams commencing the following day, the community took time to meet and felicitate him on his first visit this academic year.
Soon after breakfast Bp Prakasam (also the Bishop of Nellore) addressed the students and reiterated the need to become men of prayer. He also spent time patiently listening to their views and concerns pertaining to the life at St John's Kondadaba. During his discussion with the staff in the evening, he presented some of these concerns so as to assist the formators to be aware of the mind of the students and accordingly do the needful.

During the homily he exhorted the students to build character in order to be authentic witnesses to the Gospel in their everyday life. "Learn from the mistakes of others rather than spending all your life making mistakes and learning from them," he stated. Our life is too short and busy to make all the mistakes ourselves and only a wise man will be respected and listened to, he added. A short felicitation prior to lunch was organised to welcome him. Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector of the Seminary, thanked him for his gracious presence, especially for his timely and generous interventions on behalf of the Seminary during the APBC meetings and discussions.

Before the final blessing of the Mass, he specially thanked the Salesians of Don Bosco, specifically the Salesian Province of Hyderabad for their valuable contribution to the Church of Andhra Pradesh, by way of four personnel on the staff. He also thanked Fr Devadas, the Spiritual director for his meaningful presence and hardwork in the community.

He left for Vijayawada the same evening after paying a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of Visakhapatnam, Kagitapu Mariadas.