Visit to Ireland

The Mar Thoma Community in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland was blessed and honoured by the visit of our Diocesan Episcopa, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Thirumeni from 18th to 21st of August 2011. This was Thirumeni’s second Episcopal visit after taking charge of Diocesan Bishop in North-American and Europe Diocese. It was a blessed and motivating experience and also a time of fellowship and renewal.
Thirumeni reached Dublin on 18th afternoon and the parish Kaisthana Samithy members along with the vicar gave a warm welcome to Thirumeni.

In the evening there was a committee members retreat and in which Thirumeni emphasised the importance of community formation and community living and its challenges and possibilities. Thirumeni pointed out the importance of strengthening the community based on Christian values and ethos. Thirumeni shared the concerns of our church and Diocese. After photo session, members enjoyed fellowship dinner with Thirumeni.

On 19th Friday morning Thirumeni visited the National Centre for Liturgy at St. Patricks college, Pontifical University, Maynnoth and met the director and staff. It was an occasion to share the common concerns and
strengthening the ecumenical relationship between the Catholic and the Mar Thoma church.

In the afternoon Thirumeni visited Cork Mar Thoma prayer fellowship and celebrated Holy Qurbana at St. Ann’s
church. The Mar Thoma community in Cork gave a warm welcome to Thirumeni. After Qurbana, in a public meeting
Thirumeni inaugurated the web-site of the fellowship. The amount collected for the ‘Snehakaram Project’ of the Mar Thoma Church was handed over to Thirumeni on the occasion.
On 19th Saturday morning there was a teenagers meeting in which Thirumeni clarified the doubts and quarries of the teens about church, faith and practices. It was a blessed occasion for our teen to know and interact with Thirumeni.

The newly formed Dublin CSI congregation members visited Thirumeni at the parsonage with a bouquet and Thirumeni offered best wishes and prayers to the newly formed fellowship.
In Dublin, Thirumeni celebrated Holy Communion at Tallaght St. Maelruain’s Church at 03:00 pm. The dedication of first communicants was a blessed experience not only for the participants and their families, but to the whole congregation.
Thirumeni led the first communicant’s dedication service, in which 7 children participated, and obtained full communicant membership into the Church. After the Holy Communion service, parish celebrated 4th parish day with Thirumeni. In his address Thirumeni highlighted the importance of renewal of family relationship and emphasised the social responsibility of the church in the eve of reformation anniversary.

During the meeting Thirumeni officially inaugurated a unit of the Mar Thoma Yuvajanasakhyam in the church and its two new projects such as ‘Bring a Book & Take a Book’- parish library and ‘Donate a Bible’- Bible distribution venture. Thirumeni felicitated the winners of the family quiz programme. The parish honoured Thirumeni with a bouquet and memento. A large number of people, including the friends and relatives of first communicants,
members from neighbouring parishes and sister churches, attended the service especially Rev. William Deverell, the vicar of the St. Maelruain’s church.

The programmes ended with Tirumeni’s Kaimuth and photo session. A fellowship dinner was arranged for the whole congregation. This was a blessed occasion for people to meet and enjoy fellowship with one another and with our Thirumeni.

On 20th Sunday, Thirumeni celebrated Holy Qurbana at Belfast Mar Thoma congregation and encouraged people with His thought provoking message. The Episcopal visit was a time of renewal and fellowship. It was an occasion to remember and thank God for the reformation in the Malankara church. We are thankful to Mar Theodosius Thirumeni for finding time to be with us and bless us with Thirumeni’ presence, prayers and exhortation. The whole Mar
Thoma community in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are much indebted to Thirumeni for his vibrant and systematic leadership and praying for God’s continued strength, wisdom and grace in Thirumeni’s ministry.
Rev. Jameson. P K
Vicar