Fr. Bala Yeruva (Parish Priest)
The life story of Fr. Bala Yeruva, the beloved Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravipadu, is a testament to his unwavering faith, humility, and dedication in serving God and his flock entrusted to his care.
Born on September 19, 1968, in the serenity village of Patibandla, Fr. Bala Yeruva was the youngest of eight children born to Chinnappa Reddy and Amruthamma. Growing up in a faith filled devout family, Fr. Bala was instilled with values of love, compassion, and a strong sense of community from a tender age.
The journey of Fr. Bala in service to the Lord began by entring the minor seminary in Guntur, later at St. John's Regional Major Seminary in Hyderabad. He embarked on a path of spirituality and academic excellence, immersing himself in theological studies and preparing to dedicate his life to the priesthood. After 12 years of formation, he was ordained on 5th April, 1995 by the Most Reverend Gali Bali.
His early years as a priest were noteworthy by his genuine compassion and eagerness to serve the Lord. Fr. Bala commenced his priestly ministry as an assistant priest in Immaculate Conception Church in Ravipadu, where he first began to touch the lives of the faithful through his sermons, guidance, and acts of kindness. His devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary became a cornerstone of his spiritual life. He often led and participated in the charismatic prayers, fostering a deep relationship with God among the faithful he serves.
Throughout his 29 years of journey as a priest, Fr. Bala held various pastoral assignments with an open heart, namely from Ravipadu to Pastoral Center in Numbur, and thereafter Phirangipuram, Vegendal, Bapatla, Nagaram, Thubadu, Emani, Siripuram and at present Ravipadu parish. Fr. Bala carried the light of faith and hope to different corners of the Andhra region. His dedication to his pastoral duties was surpassed only by his humility and down to earth nature, making him easily approachable and beloved by all.
Fr. Bala's siblings also found their own paths of service within the church. His sisters namely Reverend Sr. Paulis, St. Ann’s congregation, Phirangipuram, Reverend Sr. Marina, and Reverend Sr. Bala Sundari, congregation of J.M.J embraced religious life, while his brother Reverend Fr. Joji Reddy, though no longer with us, also answered the call to priesthood.
Presently, Fr. Bala stands as the Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravipadu, the very place where his priestly journey began. His leadership is marked by simplicity, profound faith, and an unshakable trust and ardent lover of his faithful. He continues to be a pillar of strength and support for the people as he serves tirelessly attending to their spiritual and psychological needs.
Fr. Bala Yeruva's life is a living example of what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus, someone who walks with humility, serves with love, and prays with unwavering devotion. His life inspires us to take up our own journeys with faith and compassion, reminding us that through our service to others, we find our greatest fulfillment and draw closer to the divine.
May the blessings of the Almighty radiate through his smile, helpful through his hands and shrine through his heart to the flock of Immaculate Conception Church, Ravipadu.
Rev. Fr. Uppuluri Joseph Thambi, MSIJ
Rev. Fr. Uppuluri Joseph Thambi, MSIJ was born on January 3, 1995, to Mr. Yesuratnam and his family in Edavali (East)-39, Pragadavaram Post, Eluru District, Andhra Pradesh. From his early years, he nurtured a deep love for God and felt a calling to dedicate his life to the service of the Church.
Responding generously to the Lord's invitation, he joined the Missionary Society of Infant Jesus (MSIJ) on June 1, 2011. During his years of formation, he was shaped spiritually, intellectually, and pastorally to become a missionary priest committed to proclaiming the Gospel and serving God's people.
He pursued his philosophical studies at Vijnana Nilayam, Janampet, Eluru, where he laid a solid foundation in philosophy and priestly formation. As part of his preparation for the priesthood, he completed his Regency at the MSIJ Formation House, Kavoor, gaining valuable pastoral experience while continuing his formation.
Fr. Joseph then continued his theological studies at St. Joseph's Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore, where he deepened his knowledge of Sacred Scripture, theology, and pastoral ministry in preparation for Holy Orders.
On October 2, 2024, he was ordained a Deacon at St. Joseph's Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore. During his diaconate year, he faithfully served at Divine Mercy Church, Gangada Parish, Srikakulam Diocese, ministering to the faithful through preaching, charity, and pastoral care.
The joyful culmination of his priestly formation came on April 26, 2025, when he was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood at the St. Lawrence Shrine, Bondel, Mangalore. Through the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration, he became a priest forever in the order of Christ, called to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, proclaim the Gospel, and shepherd God's people.
Following his ordination, Fr. Joseph received his first priestly appointment as Associate Pastor at Immaculate Conception Church, Ravipadu Parish, where he now begins his priestly ministry with zeal, humility, and missionary enthusiasm.
As a priest of the Missionary Society of Infant Jesus, Fr. Joseph embraces the mission of bringing Christ's love to all people, especially through pastoral service, evangelization, and compassionate outreach. Inspired by the Infant Jesus, he seeks to live a life of simplicity, holiness, and generous service to the Church.
We thank Almighty God for the gift of Rev. Fr. Uppuluri Joseph Thambi, MSIJ, and pray that the Lord will continue to bless his priestly ministry with wisdom, good health, holiness, and abundant fruits for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. May Our Blessed Mother and the Infant Jesus always guide and protect him throughout his priestly life.