ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2011-2012

TELUGU SANGHAM, ROME
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2011-2012 

prepared by Fr. Anandarao Mekala CPPS

Election of the President and Secretary

Fr. Sudhakar OFM Cap and Fr. Ananda Rao Mekala C.PP.S were elected president and secretary respectively on 13 June 2011 at St. Paul’s College where the members of Telugu Sangham gathered for the party hosted by Fr. Martin (Warangal Diocese) on the occasion of his Doctoral defence.

First Gathering


The first gathering was held at Collegio San Lorenzo da Brindisi on 5 November 2011. The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Dara Bala (Vijayawada Diocese), and Fr. Ananda Rao Mekala C.PP.S. broke the Word of God. There were altogether 42 members gathered. After the Holy Mass, all of us were gathered for fraternal sharing. Fr. Sudhakar, President Fr. Ananda Rao, Secretary invited all the members to contribute their part towards the development of the Telugu Sangham, Rome. During this fraternal get-together, we discussed on how to proceed for the academic year 2011-2012. We finished the gathering with delicious Telugu Bhojanam.


Doctoral Defence of Fr. Chatla Mariadas

The members of Telugu Sangham were present for the Doctoral defence of Fr. Chatla Mariadas on 9 November 2011 at the Gregorian University. It was a wonderful occasion. After the Doctoral defence, dinner was arranged at the house of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood at Fontana di Trevi with the help of Fr. Ananda Rao Mekala, Secretary. There were 28 of us present for the occasion.

Doctoral defence of Fr. Dara Balaswamy

On 22 December 2011, Fr. Dara Balaswamy (Vijayawada Diocese) presented his doctoral theses at the University of Teresianum. Only a few of the members of Telugu Sangham were present for the occasion along with Fr. Sudhakar, the President, as it was Charismas season and many had gone for ministry.

Diaconate Ordination of Br. Prasad Maria Nitta (Marianists)

On January 14 2012, 18 members of Telugu Sangham were present for the Diaconate Ordination of Br. Prasad Maria Nitta. On behalf of Telugu Sangam, Rome, Fr. Anand, Secretary, gave him € 100 as a gift.

Second Gathering

The second gathering of Telugu Sangham, Rome, was held at St. Paul’s College on 25 February 2012. The holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Rajarao (Montfort Fathers) who also broke the Word of God. After the Holy Mass, during the fraternal sharing, the gathering was addressed by Fr. Sudhakar, President and Fr. Anand, Secretary. The spirit of togetherness and family was emphasized. It was a wonderful gathering with 37 of us present. There were two video-presentations by Fr. Praveen Kumar Gopu OFM Cap on the history of the Church in Andhra Pradesh, and the history of our Telugu Sangham, Rome. There was also a dance programme by Fr. Antony Doss Pilli. The gathering ended with the sumptuous Telugu Bhojanam.

Birthday of Fr. Rajarao (Montfort Fathers)

On 17 March 2012, the members of Telugu Sangham shared in the joy of Fr. Rajarao who celebrated his 60th Birth Anniversary. It was a wonderful family gathering. Fr. Rajarao addressed the gathering saying, “It is really a great joy to celebrate the 60th anniversary of my birthday with our Telugu family in Rome.”

On this occasion, there was a request for financial help by one of the members of Telugu Sangham, Rome, namely, Br. Appapogu Bala, for his sister who has been suffering from Cancer. The Telugu Sangham responded to the felt need and assured him of help.

Third Gathering

21 April 2012 was the joyous day of the third gathering of Telugu Sangham held at Collegio Koreano. The holy Mass was presided by Fr. John Paul Pentareddy (Warangal Diocese) who had came from USA and was on his way back to India after pastoral ministry. He also preached the Word of God during the holy Mass. There were 34 of us present for the gathering. After the Holy Mass, the gathering was addressed by Fr. Sudhakar, President and Fr. Anand, Secretary. This time, the newness of our Telugu family with its culture and traditions was emphasized. During the meeting the President and secretary proposed May 19 2012 for the next and final gathering of the academic year 2011-2012. They also reminded everyone about the election of the new team for the academic year 2012-2013. It was decided that the team will consist of 5 members: President, Secretary, Bursar and 2 executive members representing Sisters and Brothers respectively.

As promised and assured to help Br. Bala Appapogu in the last gathering, Telugu Sangham gave him Rs.15.000/- cheque along with € 330 for his sister who has been suffering from cancer. The total amount in Rupees was 330X69= 22,770+ Rs.15.000 + 37,770.00.

The gathering ended with our Telugu-Bhojanam.

Final Gathering of 2011-2012

The fourth and the final gathering of the academic year 2011-2012 was held at St. Paul’s College on 19 May 2012. The holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Arulappa David (Kurnool Diocese) who also preached the Word of God.

Felicitation to Br. John Kallarackal: Br. John Kallarackal the newly elected Superior General of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel was invited to Telugu Sangham gathering and was congratulated. He was a Missionary and Educationist in Andhra Pradesh for 38 years. After the Holy Mass, the gathering was addressed by Fr. Sudhakar, President and Fr. Anand, Secretary. During the fraternal sharing, the programme went on in the following way:

1. Felicitation to Br. John Kallarackal S.G (newly elected Superior General of the Montfort Brothers and a Missionary and Educationist in Andhra Pradesh). He was welcomed to the gathering with a bouquet and was honored by a shawl. To honor him there was a video-presentation by Fr. Praveen featuring his life.

2. Financial Report and handing over the charge to the new team. Fr. Anand, the secretary, presented the Financial Report for the academic year 2011-2012:

Total income of the year € 1683.00
Total expenditure € 1344.00
Remaining balance € 339.00

3. Election of the new team for the academic year 2012-2013.

The members of the Telugu Sangham had elected the new team to animate Telugu Sangham for the academic year 2012-2013:

1. Fr. Jaya Raju Polisetty, Vijayawada Diocese (President)
2. Fr. Praveen Kumar Gopu, OFM Cap (Secretary)
3. Bro. Jayapal Reddy, Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel (Bursar)
4. Sr. Jyostna (Executive Member)
5. Br. Chinnaiah Polisetty (Executive Member)

4. Video Presentation of the events of Telugu Sangham, 2011-2012

5. Vote of Thanks by the outgoing team. Fr. Sudhakar congratulated the new team and thanked all the members of Telugu Sangham for their co-operation and making the academic year 2011-2012 a big success. He thanked all those who helped ensure the success of the gatherings, especially those who helped with shopping and cooking.

6. New Team: The new team has taken up the charge. The new President Fr. Jaya Raju along with his team, on behalf of Telugu Sangham, thanked the outgoing president Fr. Sudhakar and Secretary Fr. Ananda Rao for their great service and animation for the academic year 2011-2012.

7. The gathering and the academic year 2011-2012 came to a happy end with Telugu Bhojanam.