Episcopal Visit to the St. Thomas Marthoma Church, Pimpri

St. Thomas Marthoma Parish was blessed with the visit of our beloved Bishop of Mumbai Diocese Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa on Sunday 11th Dec 2016.

The usual Sunday morning Holy Communion services were shifted to evening at 5:00 PM and our Bishop was the Chief Celebrant. A red carpet welcome was rolled out and our Sunday school children welcomed our Thirumeni with flowers. Thirumeni was escorted into the Church by the Vicar Rev. K. K. Kuruvilla, Vice president Mr. P.V. Mathew, Edavaka Secretary Mr. Jose Philip and Trustee Mr. Aji John for the Holy Communion Service and the welcome song by the church choir.

The Holy Communion service was started at 5:00 PM sharp and it was a blissful experience for the congregation and 164 Gents and 207 Ladies participated in the Holy Communion.Thirumeni gave a meaningful message from the Gospel according to St. Mathew 1:24 about character of Joseph. Joseph was a righteous man and completely obedient and we also should be obedient like Joseph in our life. We all should lead a merciful life and should be fully aware of what we should do and should not do. Our life should fulfill the wishes of our God and should respect each one and submit ourselves to help others in all their needs. We should submit ourselves to God and should obey his will and live a pleasing life.

A Public meeting was organized during the visit and Vicar Rev. K. K. Kuruvilla gave the welcome speech and Edavaka Secretary Mr. Jose Philip extended greetings to Thirumeni. Thirumen in his speech elaborated about the various mission works conducted by Mumbai Diocese and requested all to participate in the same and should not forget that we all have great part to play in building of God’s kingdom.

A special Edavaka Yogam was convened as per the instruction of Thirumeni to discuss about purchasing of land adjacent to the church. Due to growing membership the present facility is not adequate and it is the need of the hour to have a bigger worship place. Even though the church possess a land of 4 acres in MIDC, but the same is not handed over to church by the Government, due to the expansion project planned by the Government of Maharashtra. However a land adjacent to church is now available for sale and after deliberate discussions in the Executive committee, a proposal to buy the land is put up for the General body seeking its approval. After deliberate discussions the General Body gave its consent to proceed with proposal by the way of passing a resolution and advised to form a committee to work out the details and submit all necessary documents with regard to clear title and search report in the next General Body meeting for further discussion and consideration.

The meeting ended with vote of thanks and prayer followed by the benediction by Thirumeni.

The Pimpri parish is thankful to Thirumeni for his maiden visit to Parish and everyone is blessed with Kaimuthu by Thirumeni.

Rev. K.K.Kuruvilla.
Vicar.