Feast

Joseph Thamby Ashram, Avutapally
66th Death Anniversary Celebration of
Servant of God Br. Joseph Thamby
2011

The three days Feast was preceded by Novena Masses and it began with the flag-hoisting by Fr. Devadas Duguta, St. Francis College, Janampet.  The sacred music by the Bothers from the same community added solemnity to the starting day of the Novena Masses.  With the cooperation of our Friars from various communities and the Religious and Diocesans around the three day Feast went on smoothly – all in a spiritual atmosphere. Special mention is to be made of our Brothers from the Formation Houses at Enikepadu and Janampet (St. Francis & Brindisi) for their tireless services throughout the three days of the Feast.  To everybody’s surprise this year we had unusual rush even on 16th January, this could be due to the day was Sunday and the change of date of Sankrathi. Devotees from all faiths and all walks of life thronged, poured fourth their petitions and prayers at the tomb of Br. Thamby imploring his intercession and went back receiving God’s blessings.  In the eve of 13th Jan we had the Holy Eucharist presided over by this year’s newly ordained priests- seven of them. At the end of the Eucharist Frs. Praveen Boyapati, Vicar Provincial and Mathew Panthapally, the Guardian felicitated the new priests and Fr. Thomas Sebastian, the Provincial Minister, released the newly translated Telugu Biography of Br. Joseph Thamby - originally written in English by Fr. Oswald Pratap of happy memory.  The morning Holy Eucharist on the Death- Anniversary proper i.e. 15th Jan was presided over by Rt. Rev. Prakash Mallavarapu, Bishop of Vijayawada and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Eluru. It was concelebrated by about 70 priests from various places. The Bishop focused on the theme ‘The Call of God’ and invited all to follow the example of Servant of God Br. Joseph Thamby who responded to the call of God in his life faithfully. At the end of the Eucharist all prayed in one voice for the Beatification of Servant of God Br. Joseph Thamby. In the Thanksgiving Mass in the evening of 15th Jan Fr.Mathew Panthapally, the Parish Priest and Rector of the Shrine, thanked all our Friars, Diocesan Clergy, Religious Sisters, Parishnors and various Government Department for their co-operation during the Feast- time.  We were happy to have Fr. Adolf Kannadipara, the former parish priest, who came along with a few Third Order Members from Iritty, Kerela.  He was felicitated by Bishop Prakash for his dedicated services in Andhra and for building such a beautiful parish church which is celebrating its Silver Jubilee. We thank Fr. John Baptist, Provincial Minister, St. Francis Province, Kerala for joining us on 14th Jan.  We thank God the Almighty for the showers of blessings bestowed on all of us.  Hearty Welcome We extend a hearty welcome to Fr. Jwanesu Neeluri who joined us on 26th Jan 2011. He is the Circulation Manager of Thamby Velugu Magazine.  We wish him everything best in his ministry here at Avutapally.  Fr. Chinnappa Madanu took up the service as Procurator of the Ashram.   Fr. Prathap Allam who has been serving as Procurator until now is preparing himself for his higher studies. We thank Fr.Mariadas Prathipati who rendered his Dioconate services. His joyful presence enlivened our community. 

- Brothers, Joseph Thamby Ashram