Father Thomas Steven (Songa Mohanrao) was born on November 12, 1990, at K.Gokavaram, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India. In addition to his parents, Father had one deceased elder brother and has two elder sisters. He studied at ZPH Elementary School, Songavarigudem from 1st to 5th standard, and high school (6 – 10 std) at K. Gokavaram ZPH High School. On June 16, 2008, he joined St. John’s Minor Seminary at Nirmalagiri in the Diocese of Eluru. For his philosophy courses and regency, he studied at Vianney College, and then studied at Vijnananilayam Institute of Philosophy and Religion in Janampet, Eluru. His theological studies were done at the Papal Seminary, Pune.
Father was ordained a priest on August 27th, 2020, at Vianney College. He was assigned as the Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Eluru. In 2021 he was appointed as the First Secretary to Most Rev. Dr. Jaya Rao Polimera, Bishop of Eluru, for the last four and half years. In addition to carrying out his work as the secretary to the bishop, he has been taking care of the pastoral needs of Prakashnagar village of the Cathedral Parish, and as the chaplain to the FIH Sisters. He was also working at the diocesan Pastoral and Communication Center from 2024 to the present time. His hobbies are reading books, listening to music and playing games, especially chess and badminton. He is kept inspired by Bible verses and philosophical insights.
Father Saji is a member of the Carmelite Order, who was born on March 7, 1975, in south India, Kerala, in a small family which consisted of father, mother, elder brother and a young sister. He completed his primary and secondary education in his parish school called- Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Angadikkadavu. He joined the seminary in 1993 and was ordained a priest on January 2nd, 2005.
Over the years he has served as an associate pastor and pastor in various parishes across south India. In 2017, he was the pastor and associate pastor in Brisbane Archdiocese, Australia, until 2022. He felt that this experience strengthened his bond with the global catholic community. In his leisure time he loves travelling to new places, driving, reading and listening to music.