The Province of South India of the Congregation of Holy Cross celebrated the addition of two priests to its ranks in the month of April. Fr. Naresh Namindla, C.S.C., was ordained on April 18, and Fr. William Selvaraj R., C.S.C., the following week on April 26.

“The ordinations of William Selvaraj R. and Naresh Namindla are a sign of hope for us because it reveals that vocations are not just coming from traditional areas of the country, but even from places where Holy Cross has been, until recently, relatively unknown,” said Fr. Roque D’Costa, Superior of the Province of South India. “New vocations open up new possibilities for our Congregation in our mission and service of the Church.”

Fr. Naresh’s Ordination on April 18 was held at Karunya Matha Church, Elkathurthy, which is part of the Diocese of Warangal. The ordaining bishop was the local ordinary, the Most Rev. Udumala Bala Showreddy. The liturgy was conducted in the local language of Telugu. Fr. Naresh is the sixth Holy Cross priest from the Telangana region.

Twelve Holy Cross were joined by other diocesan and religious priests in concelebrating the Ordination Mass. Fr. Naresh’s Ordination classmate William was also present, along with several Holy Cross seminarians and students.

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Fr. Naresh will begin his priestly ministry at the same church where he did his diaconal ministry, St. John Mary Vianney Parish in the Archdiocese of Hyderabad.

Fr. William’s Ordination one week later on April 26 was held at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Sulvadi, Martalli. The Most Rev. S. Arockiaraj, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Tiruchirapalli, presided at the Ordination Mass.

Once again, there was a contingent of Holy Cross religious who traveled to the Ordination, including eight priests, one deacon, and one brother. They joined Fr. William's family and other local religious and lay people in the celebration.

Fr. William did his diaconate ministry at St. Mary's Cathedral in Bangalore. His first assignment as a priest is still pending.