EPISCOPAL VISIT TO THE MAR THOMA PARISH, VIKHROLI
The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius visited the Vikhroli MT Parish and celebrated Holy Communion on 19 November 2017. Thirumeni arrived at St. Joseph School Hall at Vikhroli at about 8.15 am. The Vicar and Parishioners assembled at the quarter angle of the School and gave a warm and affectionate welcome to the Bishop.
At 9.00 am the Holy Qurbana started. His Lordship celebrated the Holy Qurbana. Rev. Saju Chacko, Vicar assisted. During the Holy Communion Service Thirumeni gave a thought provoking and spirited sermon based on St. Luke Chapter 1 versus 6 & 7. His Grace touched the following points:-
(a) Old age and health should never pull us back and make lazy towards our commitment to faith in God and religious practices. Like Elizabeth and Zachariah in their old age continued to be faithful and served in God’s temple as they aged gracefully.
(b) Advancement of Technology is meant for saving time but we becoming slaves to technology and eventually failing in time management. The virtual world has become our reality and guide. We need to develop a one to one personal relation with Jesus.
(c) Zachariah and Elizabeth were passing through uncomfortable experiences. He was mute till John was born. Elizabeth hid him for 5 months and John lived in the wilderness and eventually beheaded for speaking the truth. These vulnerable circumstances in human life can only be understood when we see the vulnerability of God the Father sending His only son to be sacrificed for our sins and on the cross Jesus crying out “My God why have You forsaken me”. The vulnerable circumstances we face in our lives should be seen through the Vulnerability of God, which helps us find meaning in all our humbling moments in life.
“Life is not about being rich, being popular, being highly educated or being perfect. It is about being real, being humble, and being kind”
8 children from the Parish received “First Holy Communion” and joined the full communion of the Church. An amount of Rs 11,736.00 was received as offertory in the Holy Communion Service. This amount will be remitted to the Diocesan Office for “Save a Heart Project”. The Holy Communion Service was a solemn occasion and the Parishioners took part with reverence and felt blessed. The Holy Communion Service as over by 11.00 a.m. After the Holy Communion Service was over parishioners were served with Tea and Snacks.
Later a public meeting was held with His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius in the chair. Rev. Saju Chacko, Vicar welcomed Thirumeni, Guests and the Parishioners. In the welcome address he briefly mentioned about the concern of Thirumeni for the poor and the suffering.
Thirumeni in his Anugraha Prabhashanam posed a question to the congregation “Are we responding to our duties and responsibilities entrusted upon us by giving and doing our best within our available circumstances? If not, then we are not involved in doing Godly work – Chrysostom Thirumeni. Have vision and Insight – Bring forward the hidden opportunities /talents from within each situation/ person/circumstances. If we already know how we ought to be living our lives worthy of God’s calling then why are we failing in doing so. How will our children be when they grow up? Thirumeni asked and advised the congregation to invoke the virtues of kindness and mercy in our children. “A simple Act of Kindness creates an endless ripple” Thirumeni said.
Then Thirumeni congratulated and welcomed the First Communicants to the full Communion of the Church and gave them certificate and a copy of Holy Bible autographed by His Grace. Thirumeni appreciated the Parish and the Vicar for the good work being done by the Parish. Senior Citizens, Mr. C. K. Koshy and Mr. K. Varghese who are above 65 years of age were honoured by giving Ponnada and Mrs. Aleyamma Skariah and Mr. Thomas Skriah who have completed 50 years of togetherness were honoured by giving Ponnada and presenting a memento.
Master Aniketh and Master Devendra with their parents were then introduced to Thirumeni. The Parish under “Paliative Care program” is helping these children. Thirumeni blessed and honoured them with Ponnada.
After the concluding address by Thirumeni, vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Thomas Skariah (Secretary). The meeting concluded at 12.15 a. m. after prayer and benediction by Thirumeni. Kaimuthu followed. Thirumeni interacted with the congregation, particularly the first communicants and their families and also posed for photos.
Thirumeni had Lunch and then left for IIT Guest House at about 1.30pm. The families of First Communicants arranged love feast for the congregation.
His Lordship left for the airport at about 2.45 pm and took a flight to Bangalore as planned.
(Rev. Saju Chacko)
Vicar
EPISCOPAL VISIT TO THE MAR THOMA PARISH, VIKHROLI
The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius visited the Vikhroli MT Parish and celebrated Holy Communion on 19 November 2017. Thirumeni arrived at St. Joseph School Hall at Vikhroli at about 8.15 am. The Vicar and Parishioners assembled at the quarter angle of the School and gave a warm and affectionate welcome to the Bishop.
At 9.00 am the Holy Qurbana started. His Lordship celebrated the Holy Qurbana. Rev. Saju Chacko, Vicar assisted. During the Holy Communion Service Thirumeni gave a thought provoking and spirited sermon based on St. Luke Chapter 1 versus 6 & 7. His Grace touched the following points:-
(a) Old age and health should never pull us back and make lazy towards our commitment to faith in God and religious practices. Like Elizabeth and Zachariah in their old age continued to be faithful and served in God’s temple as they aged gracefully.
(b) Advancement of Technology is meant for saving time but we becoming slaves to technology and eventually failing in time management. The virtual world has become our reality and guide. We need to develop a one to one personal relation with Jesus.
(c) Zachariah and Elizabeth were passing through uncomfortable experiences. He was mute till John was born. Elizabeth hid him for 5 months and John lived in the wilderness and eventually beheaded for speaking the truth. These vulnerable circumstances in human life can only be understood when we see the vulnerability of God the Father sending His only son to be sacrificed for our sins and on the cross Jesus crying out “My God why have You forsaken me”. The vulnerable circumstances we face in our lives should be seen through the Vulnerability of God, which helps us find meaning in all our humbling moments in life.
“Life is not about being rich, being popular, being highly educated or being perfect. It is about being real, being humble, and being kind”
8 children from the Parish received “First Holy Communion” and joined the full communion of the Church. An amount of Rs 11,736.00 was received as offertory in the Holy Communion Service. This amount will be remitted to the Diocesan Office for “Save a Heart Project”. The Holy Communion Service was a solemn occasion and the Parishioners took part with reverence and felt blessed. The Holy Communion Service as over by 11.00 a.m. After the Holy Communion Service was over parishioners were served with Tea and Snacks.
Later a public meeting was held with His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius in the chair. Rev. Saju Chacko, Vicar welcomed Thirumeni, Guests and the Parishioners. In the welcome address he briefly mentioned about the concern of Thirumeni for the poor and the suffering.
Thirumeni in his Anugraha Prabhashanam posed a question to the congregation “Are we responding to our duties and responsibilities entrusted upon us by giving and doing our best within our available circumstances? If not, then we are not involved in doing Godly work – Chrysostom Thirumeni. Have vision and Insight – Bring forward the hidden opportunities /talents from within each situation/ person/circumstances. If we already know how we ought to be living our lives worthy of God’s calling then why are we failing in doing so. How will our children be when they grow up? Thirumeni asked and advised the congregation to invoke the virtues of kindness and mercy in our children. “A simple Act of Kindness creates an endless ripple” Thirumeni said.
Then Thirumeni congratulated and welcomed the First Communicants to the full Communion of the Church and gave them certificate and a copy of Holy Bible autographed by His Grace. Thirumeni appreciated the Parish and the Vicar for the good work being done by the Parish. Senior Citizens, Mr. C. K. Koshy and Mr. K. Varghese who are above 65 years of age were honoured by giving Ponnada and Mrs. Aleyamma Skariah and Mr. Thomas Skriah who have completed 50 years of togetherness were honoured by giving Ponnada and presenting a memento.
Master Aniketh and Master Devendra with their parents were then introduced to Thirumeni. The Parish under “Paliative Care program” is helping these children. Thirumeni blessed and honoured them with Ponnada.
After the concluding address by Thirumeni, vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Thomas Skariah (Secretary). The meeting concluded at 12.15 a. m. after prayer and benediction by Thirumeni. Kaimuthu followed. Thirumeni interacted with the congregation, particularly the first communicants and their families and also posed for photos.
Thirumeni had Lunch and then left for IIT Guest House at about 1.30pm. The families of First Communicants arranged love feast for the congregation.
His Lordship left for the airport at about 2.45 pm and took a flight to Bangalore as planned.
(Rev. Saju Chacko)
Vicar
