Father Ray (Rayapureddy) Pothireddy

Greetings to all in the precious name of Jesus!

The good Lord blessed me abundantly with His priesthood and has given me this wonderful opportunity to accompany you all at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. I am pleased to share my biography with you all in nutshell.

I, Fr. Rayapureddy Pothireddy, (you can call me “Fr. Ray”) was born on August 18, 1967 to a large family of nine boys and four girls in Silveru, India. God called my dad and two sisters at their very young age. My mum is 82 and is still in India. Our family was an agricultural family in this small, remote village.

Upon completion of my seminary studies, I was ordained on April 6, 1994 for the Diocese of Kurnool by the late Bishop Johannes Gorantla. After my ordination, God blessed me to render my services at St. Anthony's Orphanage for a one year. I served at Infant Jesus Parish as pastor for three years, along with the Diocesan Youth Apostolate. Later, our State Bishops Conference appointed me as the Regional Youth Director for five years. After completion of the tenure in the Youth Apostolate, the State Bishops Council handed to me the responsibility of the Regional Magazine along with the administration work of the Centre for eight years. Later, I worked for over a year at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and before coming here, at the Holy Name of Jesus Parish for two and a half years.

The turning point in my life with God was an experience at Taize, France during the Great Jubilee year and a one month spiritual retreat at Singapore Spiritual Centre in 2003. During these 20 years of my priestly ministry, I got the opportunity to participate in International, Asian and National conferences, seminars and meetings.

God gave me the spirit to write eight spiritual books in my native language apart from the production of some devotional songs. Now I am here in this vibrant and lovely parish to walk with you, to work with you, to pray with you and to experience the love of God with you. May the good Lord bless our journey and inspire many during the days to come.