Episcopal Visit to the St. Peters Mar Thoma Church, Margao

The Episcopal visit of Mar Theodosius to the St. Peters Mar Thoma Church, Margao on July 23, 2016 at 6 a. m. was synonymous with the Showers of Blessing all along the monsoon week .It was not only a blessing but a challenge to all the parishioners who assembled for worship. On his maiden visit to Goa, land touched by God himself, his Grace was on a journey of sublimation as it was twenty five years since he had initiated the regrouping of the then single church into four parishes.

Tirumeni arrived at Margoa at 6 a m to be given a rousing welcome at the gates of the Church. Blessing and greeting them with Kaimuthu, he proceeded for the preparation of the Holy Qurbana.  83 believers attended the qurbana ardently looking to the Hills of help and benevolence praying profusely over the gracious presence amongst the unworthy few. Qurbana began with Hymn … “Yesu en ulla namame” followed by Bible Readings. The Message barged in with hosting the Uninvited  based on the book of Deuteronomy. Tirumeni’s major concern was welcoming the strangers and the Uninvited. He focused on the issues of the refugees and migrants all around the world.

 

The St. Peters Mar Thoma Church, Margao proposed a felicitation after the qurbana  to the New Diocesan Episcopa. The meeting began with welcome song –Swagathame nalla oru idaya…… The Vicar Rev Sunil George Mathew welcomed the bishop reverently. He walked the lanes of memory as a young pries in the diocese of Kunnamkulom-Malabar in 1995, wherein Tirumeni was the Diocesan Bishop then. He welcomed the Diocesan Treasurer Mr. P.  K. Achenkunju. The guest Mr.  Bhaskar Nayak, Director of Education, Government of Goa was overwhelmed by the persona of the Episcopa, especially his eruditeness and vast exposure to the world around. He arched his flag on the issue of fanaticism and the need for peace and harmony.

Mr. K. M. Varghese, the Vice-President of the church highlighted the esteemed presence of the Shepherd as the one who reaches out to the farthest. He lauded the Bishops as a friend of the trees, following which saplings were distributed to all the church members. He wished HG all the Divine providence in the tenure at Mumbai Diocese. As the part of the Jubilee, the Church would help an infant in the Save a Heart programme of the Diocese. Mementoes appreciating the Go-Green Drive were presented to the Bishop and guest.

 

Tirumeni, in his reply was happy and thankful to the words of welcome. Drawing the attention of the gathering to the need of the diocese, he urged all to participate as and when possible .He also joined the Guest Bhaskar Nayak in throwing light on the Educational issues of the country.

 

Meeting concluded with the prayer by Rev T. S. John and Benediction by Tirumeni.

Rev. Sunil George Mathew