Church Leaders
With joy and gratitude, Our Lady of Sorrows Church (OLS) associate pastor Father Balta Raju Reddy Pentareddy celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on March 15, 2020 to mark the 25th Anniversary of his priestly ordination. An outdoor procession through the decorated campus to the church included Bishop Robert Baker of the Birmingham Diocese, altar servers, children dressed as angels, 16 priests, and parishioners and guests. Holy Mass included traditional and Indian hymns, a renewal of his priestly vows before the bishop, and the presentation of a Papal blessing. Father Balta thanked OLS Pastor Rev. Msgr. Martin Muller, the people of the parish, Bishop Baker, and his bishop in his home diocese of Warangal in India. “I can say from the bottom of my heart Jesus qualifies the unqualified,” he said. “Today I thank the Lord for all His goodness.” A reception followed featuring performances of Indian dancing and singing. Guests included Father Balta’s brother and friends from his home in Warangal, Telangana. Father Balta has been at OLS since July 2016 and before that he was at St. Aloysius in Bessemer. †
