faith, family, fellowship - st. thomas...

JANUARY 2014 VOLUME XVIII ISSUE 1

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ST. THOMAS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

[email protected] I PHONE: 215.342.1500 I FAX: 215.342.2700

1009 UNRUH AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19111

Faith, Family, Fellowship


VICAR’S MESSAGE A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION? !

2014 has just arrived. I am so thankful to God who brought me into this New Year. Not knowing what is in store for me in 2014, I would like to proceed with my trust in the Lord. In my mature years, I have been helped by the Lord to initiate and attempt on many New Year resolutions. Most of them I could fulfil to a great extent. Even though I had failed in a few of my New Year resolutions, I still believe that New Year resolutions have a positive power in our life because I trust in the empowerment of the loving God.

Three years ago I made a resolution to seek holiness in life as a New Year resolution without even thinking what it entails. Even after three years, I am seeking an answer to that examining various aspects of holiness. Holiness is the nature of God and so to attain that is not an easy job. I sought after many who were somewhat successful in attaining some aspects of holiness. I learned from several sources, especially the saints who partially succeeded in leading a saintly life. All Apostles of our Lord especially St. Thomas, St. Peter, St. John and St. Paul; then Parumala Thirumeni, Pamapadi Thirumeni, and to our times Mar Barnabas Thirumeni, Mar Ivanios Thirumeni, Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Thirumeni and Pathrose Mar Osthathios Thirumeni and so on are some of those people in whom I found various aspects of holiness. My search is still continuing. However, that search for holiness made me understand how feeble human beings are and that how difficult it is to attain even a small amount of holiness or to practice holiness in certain aspects of this earthly life. That helped me understand the struggle some of the Fathers went through in their spiritual life.

That resolution opened a host of issues that are attached to holiness. Holiness is something that touches every aspect of life. It is something that affects both public and private life of a person. Also I learned that some of those small things we think unimportant are much important to reach a state of holiness. It affects our life style, our life philosophy, ideals, theological reflections, our worship, Bible study, day-to-day dealings with other people, especially our relationship with our own family members with whom we interact continuously. At the same time, it was a huge challenge to rise to that pedestal that our Lord instructed, “be ye perfect like your Heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. One thing I learned well is that without the help of Holy Spirit we cannot attain any amount of holiness in any area of life. Now I can see how and why people love worldly life so much and why people cannot often think right. I am continuing in my attempt to attain my resolution a little more forcefully and diligently in 2014, knowing well that it is very tough but hoping that the Lord will give me the power to win over a few more areas where holiness is almost impossible to attain.

The strongest conviction that I got in this search was that we are all under the severe influence of our adversary, Satan, who hates holiness. The desert Fathers used to fight Satan when they were tempted on various areas of life. Satan makes our life looks so simple and easy with worldly norms. Even a simple word that we use has a catch in it. We should remember what our Lord taught, “anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Satan uses such words that come out of our

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mouth to defile us. That is why our Lord expects us to be vigilant on each word that we use. Even when we do not want to use a derogatory or destructive word in our dealings, Satan will make us feel so uncomfortable and we will be tempted to use such painful words to give some temporary joy. Good people repent soon after such mistakes but people under the influence of Satan will not have that pricking of conscience because as per Satan what they did is right. I can remember, once upon a time I had used painful words to win an argument or to down a person but did not feel bad about it. Lately I started thinking differently putting myself in the place of the person who was offended. Then I can feel how cunning Satan was in inspiring me to use such angry or bad words. I learned a great lesson through the Word of God how different we can be when we obey God and when we obey Satan.

I would like to call upon all of you to take your New Year resolution seriously and come up with new decision on all areas of weakness. Don’t worry, God is with us. He will strengthen us well.

May you all have a God-filled New Year where happiness, peace, love, joy and prosperity will be enormously available!

Lovingly, Fr. M. K. Kuriakose, Vicar

Parish News Guest Clergy: Rev.Fr. Joecy Pappan - 12/08/2013 Rev. Fr. Boby Varghese - 12/25/2013 New Born: Riya Dony, daughter of Renju & Dony. Luke Mathew Cherian, Son of Cicily and Mathew Cherian. Congratulations to the blessed parents and grandparents. Parish Calendar: Saturday, January 25, 9AM - Combined Managing Committee Sunday, January 26, 4.30PM - New Member Orientation !!

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Liturgical Calendar !!January 5!

Second Sunday after Christmas!!January 6!

Danaha (Theophany)! !!January 7!

Beheading of John the Baptist!!January 8!

Memory of St. Stephen!! January 12 !

First Sunday After Danaha!!January 19 !

Second Sunday After Danaha! !!January 22 !

Commemoration of !Philipose Mar Eusebius! !!

January 26 !Commemoration of

H.H.Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, Third Sunday After

Danaha!!February 2 !

Mayaltho (Jesus' Entry into the Temple)! !

!February 3 !

All Departed Holy Fathers!! !!!


Parish Officials 2014Treasurer: Mr. Paul C. John Secretary: Mr. Paul John Office Manager: Mr. Varghese P. Abraham Asst. Treasurer: Mr. Joseph Vakkayil (Accounts Receivable); Mr. John Panicker (Accounts Payable) Asst. Secretary: Mr. Ninan Jose Public Relations Committee: Mr. Paul John Program Committee: Mr. Binu Mathew Finance Committee: Mr. Paul C. John Building Maintenance Committee: Mr. Regi Mathai Charity Committee: Mr. John Panicker Building and Premises Upkeep Committee: Mr. Sajan Thomas !!

Choir and Liturgy Committee: Rev. Fr. M. K. Kuriakose and Rev. Fr. Gheevarghese John Library Committee: Mr. Raju Markose Legal Advisory Committee: Mr. Paul John Refreshment Committee: Mr. Samkutty John and Mr. Thomaskutty Varghese Spiritual Enrichment Committee: Mr. Philip Varghese Picnic Committee: Mr. Abraham K. Varghese MOCF Representatives: Mr. Elias Issac and Mr. Alex Symon Ecumenical Representatives: Mrs. Annamma Gheevarghese and Mr. Thomaskutty Varghese Newsletter: Mr. Jerin Juby and Mr. Oommen Kappil

Officials of Spiritual Organizations 2014 MGOCSM Secretary: Renju Padiyara Asst. Secretary: Jobin Regi Treasurer: Tibin Prince Asst. Treasurer: Sneha Jose !OCYM Vice President: Shibu Thomas Secretary: Christin Varghese Treasurer: Anu Mathew Assistant Secretary: John P. Abraham Assistant Treasurer: Mathew V. Thomas Core Committee Members: Bini Thankachen, Jose V. Abraham, Jerin Juby !MMS Secretary: Shobha Biju Asst Secretary: Shanthamma Yohannan Treasurer: Jessy Jacob Asst Treasurer: Omana Varghese

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Announcements !Please send news, articles and information for February 2014 Newsletter by Sunday, Jan 19 to the parish secretary or newsletter editor: [email protected], [email protected]. !‣ Please contact the parish office for any updates in

contact information, addition in the family etc. to be added to the database.

‣ Please update your telephone numbers for Message Broadcast.

‣ Please visit our Web Site for information on upcomingevents. http://stthomasphiladelphia.org/

Prayer Meetings: Please contact Prayer Meeting Coordinator, Mr. Achen Varghese, to schedule a prayer meeting. Prayer meetings may be hosted in your home or in Church.


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JANUARY BIRTHDAYS Jestin K. Abraham 01-Jan Jilu Vergis 01-Jan Shine E Varghese 01-Jan Soumya Mariam Thomas 02-Jan Aleena Robin 02-Jan Suja Abraham 03-Jan Meeval Biju 03-Jan Roy Philip Chacko 04-Jan Renju Ann Joy 05-Jan Taina I Daniel 05-Jan Aleena Elizabeth Jacob 05-Jan Elizabeth Mathew 05-Jan Ron Philip 05-Jan Chrislin H Thomas 05-Jan Diya Sara Thomas 06-Jan Deepthi Cherian 06-Jan Jijo Jacob 06-Jan Lydiya Elsa Jaison 06-Jan Wilson Panicker 07-Jan Joyel Manoj 08-Jan Fiji C Philip 08-Jan Anila Thomas 08-Jan Mathew Varghese 08-Jan Mini Ninan 09-Jan Marshel Varghese 09-Jan Andrew Cherian 09-Jan Sandeep K Thomson 10-Jan

Andrew J Mathew 12-Jan Divya Mary Thomas 12-Jan Joshua M George 13-Jan Carolyn Thomas 13-Jan Shawn George Philip 13-Jan Shelby K Renji 14-Jan Yasmin George 14-Jan Ian Thomas 15-Jan Libi Korathu 15-Jan Ramany George 15-Jan Sajan Varughese 16-Jan Allen Abraham 16-Jan Binsy E Mathew 17-Jan Maliyil M Philip 18-Jan Deepthy Panicker 19-Jan Sanju John 19-Jan Wincy B Joseph 20-Jan Anu Lajy 21-Jan Anu Mathew 23-Jan Sunil Thomas 23-Jan Shannon Ann George 23-Jan Alwin T Raju 23-Jan Linju Jacob John 25-Jan Saramma Thomas 27-Jan Susan Mathew 28-Jan Mathew Thankachan 28-Jan John Polayil Abraham 30-Jan Mathew Philip 30-Jan Christin Thomas 31-Jan

JANUARY WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Mr. & Mrs. Shibu Varghese 01-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Rajan T Samuel 01-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Finney M Philip 02-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Eapen V Kalathil 03-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Sam Jacob Kurisinmoottil 04-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Binu Mathai 05-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Jaison Daniel 05-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Samuel 05-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Varghese Jacob 05-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Thankachan 06-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Mathew V Thomas 06-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Anu Mathew 09-Jan

Mr. & Mrs. Geevarghese K John 09-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Ninan Mathai 09-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Prasad George 10-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Rinu John 11-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Oommen George 11-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Eldoe A Korathu 12-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Koshy 12-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Elias K Issac 12-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Varghese 13-Jan Mr. & Mrs. George G Mampallil 14-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Thomas George 14-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Varghese K Issac 16-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Philip Varghese 18-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Abraham Thomas 19-Jan Mr. & Mrs. Babu Varghese 29-Jan


Sunday School News Submitted by Oommen Kappil, Principal

(Tel.: 267.902.8500, email: [email protected]) !Welcome 2014! Let us Resolve To Do Better! Let us thank God for the amazing Grace He has showered upon us in 2013. Our Christmas & New Year Program was a celebration of the greatest gift that we have received, which was none other than Jesus Christ, the Savior. This celebration also reminded us that our parish is blessed with children (and adults) with amazing talents and great potential. The New Year would bring new challenges, and of course, it comes with higher expectations. We cannot strive for change on our own strength. We need God’s help. As teachers, parents and as adult members of our parish, let us resolve to do better, seeking God’s guidance and blessings. !A Few Reminders for Parents & Students -General Session: Every Sunday, children get around 15 minutes to get refreshments after Kaimuthu. Children should be attending the General Session immediately after refreshments. During the General Session, they get to learn new songs, Bible verses, or get training in singing or public speaking. Parents, please ensure that your children are not missing this opportunity. Regular Classes start immediately after the General Session. !-Homework/Quiz/Tests: Students in most Grades get homework assignments or class quizzes. Please check with your children or class teachers periodically to find out how your children are performing, and on how you can help your children do better. !-Mid-term exam will be scheduled in February for all Grades. As in the past, Centralized Exam is being conducted by the Diocese in June, for Grades 5, 8, 10 and 12. Sample questions from previous years are available at the Sunday School web site. !-New Web site for Diocesan Sunday School: Our Diocese has created a new web site for Sunday School. Please visit the web site periodically for updates, sample question papers etc. http://nesundayschool.org.

New Member Orientation & Dinner on Jan. 26th It is a noble tradition of our parish to welcome the new members formally by inviting them to an Orientation and Dinner meeting. This will be an opportunity for new members to know more about the history of our parish, about current opportunities for children and adults to grow spiritually, and on how to become a strong member of the parish family. All new members who joined since the Jan 1, 2013 are expected to attend with family. This meeting is being hosted by the Board of Trustees and Managing Committee members of 2013 and 2014. The meeting starts at 4.30 pm on Sunday, January 26, 2014.

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Secretary’s Corner From 2013 Parish Secretary, Mr. Philip Varghese

Let’s welcome the year 2014 with a thanksgiving prayer. Let’s thank God for all the wonderful blessings we received in the past year. Before we move on, let's pause our thoughts for a moment. Are we really deserve to receive some of the many blessings we have?. As we entered in to Year 2014 theses thoughts may help us. When the clock strikes down, for some, this event is no more than a change of a calendar year. For others, the New Year symbolizes the beginning of a better tomorrow.

For many people, more or less the Church activities are about completing the programs in the Church calendar and fulfilling some ritual needs. Many a times we miss the warmth of sharing and supporting and accepting each other. With all good wishes, I like to express my sincere thanks to my dearest and respectful Achan’s, my loving wife, my children’s and my mom. I don’t know how to thank the support and dedication of the office manager, my fellow office Bearers, Managing Committee members, and the entire Parish for your unconditional support throughout this year. It is only because of your full support that I was able to successfully accomplish all I have done this year. I wish all the best to the new Secretary, Office Bearers, and to the Managing Committee members for the upcoming year. Let's thank God for the abundant blessings we enjoyed as a Parish in the year 2013. May the living Lord be with us and help us to fulfill His will through our lives by using us an instrument for the upcoming year as well.

With love and prayers,

Philip Varghese, Parish Secretary 2013.

From 2014 Parish Secretary, Mr. Paul John

Wishing a Happy & Prosperous 2014 to each and every one of you!

I appreciate the confidence that you have shown in electing me to represent you as Secretary for the year 2014 to serve this wonderful parish. It is an honor to be recognized and I strongly believe that this assignment is not an authorization of power but a collection of responsibilities. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I will endeavor to represent you with the greatest self-assurance. I would also like to thank our 2013 office bearers and all volunteers who worked tirelessly for a successful 2013. I welcome suggestions and feedbacks and please feel free to relay them directly to me.

I look forward in working with you alongside with our Valliachen, Kochachen, Board of Trustees, Managing Committee members and all other representatives that you have elected.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. May Almighty God guide me through.

With love and prayers,

Paul John, Parish Secretary 2014

[email protected]; 215.390.7083 (cell)

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