Visit of Bp Udumala Bala

Here are a few photos of the visit of Bp Udumula Bala, the Episcopal delegate of the APBC for the major Seminaries during his maiden visit to the Seminary on January 26, 2014.

He arrived on January 26, 2014 the Republic day in the evening, after having given his solemn blessing at the end of the 3rd day novena Mass in preparation for the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Kondadaba. The Brothers put up a short programme welcoming him and Br Thomas Reddy, the former Provincial of the Gabriel Brothers who was accompanying the Bishop.

After supper he met the staff and the following morning presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebration for the Community.

During the sermon he exhorted the students to Grow into Christ and be men ready to take on the challenges of the world as effective minister of the Kingdom above.

After b'fast he addressed the three courses, separately and left before mid-day for Vizianagaram. 

Bp Prasad's official visit

Today was an auspicious day because of the sudden visit of Rt. Rev. Gallela Prasad, the vice-delegate for the major seminaries under the preview of the Andhra Pradesh Bishops' Conference. He arrived in the house at about 8.00 a.m. in the morning. At 9.00 a.m. he began the staff meeting with a short conference and then asked the staff to share the general running of the seminary especially formation of the brothers. 

At 10.00 a.m. he gave a conference to the brothers on the theme, “Faith and Formation”. He celebrated Holy Eucharist for the community at about 11.00 a.m. In the sermon, he stressed that years of formation offer a beautiful opportunity to develop friendship with Jesus Christ to grow deep in faith. After the Eucharist an address was read thanking him for his kind visit.

Visit of Bp Prasad

On the 20th of February 2012 the Seminary was graced by the presence of Bp Gallela Prasad, the Bishop of Kadapa and the Deputy Delegate of the major Seminaries on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh Bishop's Conference (APBC). This was his second visit to the Seminary in his official capacity as the deputy delegate. He arrived in the morning and after a cup of tea addressed the Staff of the Seminary. At 11.30 he presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebration for the community and celebrated the Mass of the day itself.

Citing the fast approaching season of Lent and our need to model ourselves according to our Divine Master, he exhorted the Brothers to imbibe values presented in this formation stage. Towards the end of the Mass, on behalf of the APBC, he thanked the staff members and in particular, Fr K.T. Jose, the Rector for shouldering the delicate responsibility of forming future Priests for the Church of Andhra Pradesh. He concluded the official visit soon after lunch.

Episcopal Visit

On September 1, 2011 the Seminary was blessed by the gracious presence of Bp Gallela Prasad, the Bishop of Kadapa, for the Episcopal visitation of the Seminary. He was delegated for this official visit by Bp M.D. Prakasam, the Episcopal delegate of the APBC for major seminaries. Bp Prasad arrived in the morning and soon met the staff of the Seminary. He appreciated the delicate task being rendered by the Salesians of Don Bosco, of the Province of Hyderabad in their animating role and an efficacious presence in formation of the clergy of the dioceses of Andhra Pradesh. He also assured the community of representing the needs and concerns of the Seminary at the APBC meeting.

He then presided over the Eucharistic celebration and during his homily stressed the need to model one's life according to that of Jesus Christ the Chief Shepherd. Immediately thereafter there was a short felicitation programme followed by lunch in his honour. He then addressed the students for a while in the hall. He also made time to wish the domestic staff and the Brothers from Kadapa and Kurnool. He was accompanied on his trip to the Seminary by his good friend, Fr Christopher from the diocese of Srikakulam.

It would be good to note here that Bp Prasad was the confessor and Spiritual Director of this seminary for four years, and it was from here that he was appointed Bishop of Kadapa.

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.