Archeparchy of Tiruvalla celebrated Christmas with praise for the stars

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Archeparchy of Tiruvalla celebrated Christmas with praise for the stars

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church has celebrated Christmas with a difference in Tiruvalla by honouring people from different walks of life who have been doing praiseworthy service to society for the past several years.

Presiding over the function, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla, Thomas Mar Koorilos, said the initiative of the Church came in the backdrop of the Pope declaring the year a special Jubilee Year of Mercy, The Hindu reported.

Pope Francis called on Catholics around the world to use the ongoing Jubilee Year of Mercy to open wide the doors of their hearts to forgive others and to work against social exclusion, even of those that may have caused them bother or upset, the Archbishop said.

A Jubilee year is a special year called by the Catholic church to receive blessing and pardon from God and remission of sins.

Problems of society

The problems of the society must be resolved with the oil of mercy and not with weapons and taking this into account, the Church thought of honouring people who have been contributing to the work of mercy in and around Tiruvalla as part of this year’s Christmas celebrations, the Archbishop said.

Kanmani, a differently abled girl who does exquisite paintings with her legs; Jayaprakash who draws beautiful pictures with his artificial limbs; Maneesh Susan Philip who got this year’s Presidential Award for best self-employment undertaking; Suresh from Kottoor who took part in the Special Olympics held in Los Angeles; Dr Jayakumar, Cario-thoracic surgeon who has done the first successful heart transplant at the Kottayam Government Medical College; Lalan the saviour of destitutes in Central Travancore; Rev A.C. Kurien, Senior Vicar General of the Mar Thoma Chruch who has been doing praiseworthy palliative care service at the Pushpagiri Medical College; Fr Ignatius Thangalathil and Fr Philip Valiakavumkal who run a chain of care homes; Sr. Mercilit who runs a special school with over 100 students; and heads of the Red Cross Society, Satyam Ministries were among those who have been honoured at the function.

Joseph Marthoma, Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church; Kuriakose Mar Gregorios, Bishop Thomas Samuel of the Church of South India, and Blessy, film-maker, were among those who addressed the function.

New General Administrative Body for Bethany Sisters (SIC)

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New General Administrative Body for Bethany Sisters (SIC)

The 11th Ordinary General Synaxis of the Congregation for the Sisters of Imitation of Christ (Bethany Sisters), held from 19 to 26 December 2015, elected the following members as the new General Administrative Body:
Rev. Mother Little Flower SIC   Superior General
Rev. Sr. Ardra       SIC            Assistant General
Rev. Sr. Thejus     SIC            General Councillor
Rev. Sr. Shanthi    SIC            General Councillor
Rev. Sr. Vineetha   SIC           General Councillor & Secretary General
Rev. Sr. Ashish     SIC             Procurator General

BJP State president Kummanam Rajasekharan calls on Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos

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BJP State president Kummanam Rajasekharan calls on Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Kummanam Rajasekharan called on Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos at his official residence here on Thursday.

Mr. Rajasekharan told Cardinal Cleemis that he called on him to seek his blessings before starting the organisational activities in full swing. They had closed door discussions and also had lunch. BJP leaders S. Suresh, Chempazanthy Udayan and Dany J. Paul accompanied the party’s State president.

Mr. Rajasekharan later told reporters that he shared a warm camaraderie with the Cardinal and it was he who played a pivotal role to set the stage for discussions between Hindu and Christian leaders in Kochi. The BJP president called for open discussions on all issues.

Syro Malankara Dallas celebrates Christmas and inauguration of year long Silver Jubilee

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Syro Malankara Dallas celebrates Christmas and inauguration of year long Silver Jubilee

The Christmas celebration of the St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Parish, Dallas was presided over by His Excellency Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius during his pastoral visit to the parish. After the solemn liturgy of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord at 7.00 pm on December 24, His Excellency inaugurated the year long celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the founding of the Malankara Catholic community in Dallas. During the occasion, some senior members of the parish, whose selfless service and contributions were instrumental in the founding and growth of community, were acknowledged by His Excellency. Rev. Fr. Joseph Nedumankuzhiyil, the Pastor of the parish, organized the events of the day.

Christmas Celebrations at Neb-Sarai, Delhi

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Christmas Celebrations at Neb-Sarai, Delhi

The Christmas celebration for the Non-Formal Education program under the aegis of Prachodana Social Service Society on 24 December 2015. The gathering took place at the premises of the Bishop’s house Residence at Neb Sarai, New Delhi and included approximately 100 children who stay nearby and have no access to proper school education. Some of their parents also participated. The neighbors of the Bishop’s house joined the gathering. The program included Christmas cake cutting, Action songs and Dance by the Children and distribution of winter clothes and refreshments.  

Saint Thomas Cakes for charity as X’mas bells ring

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Saint Thomas Cakes for charity as X’mas bells ring

Yuletide spirit takes a full swing in city with decorations, baking special cakes, singing and dancing. But few have chosen to bake for charity and spread smiles on faces of many deprieved ones. St Thomas Malankara Syrian Catholic church, Arera Hills, have started a service “cake for charity” under their Prachodana Social Service Society, where they are providing traditional plum cakes for the community as well as other cake lovers in Bhopal. “We have got 700 kgs of traditional plum cakes made by the members of the church, which are available at reasonable prices in weights of 1kg and half kilograms. All the fund that will be raised from these cakes will be used for charity works like education of underprivileged students, and for homeless people,” told Father Daniel Kuzhithadathil Corepiscopo. This is for the first time any church in the city has started a service for cakes and using the funds for charity.

“We use to have this service for charity among traditional Christmas cake lovers in New Delhi. Since, I shifted to Bhopal this year, I decided to begin this service here too,” said Father Daniel. Along with the every year traditional celebrations of Christmas at St Thomas Church, this activity has added to the enthusiasm of members who are happily busy in packing and managing cakes for all. The cakes are known by the name of “St Thomas Cakes”.”This is for the first time that we are having this cake service and we are excited to reach as many people with our traditional, spiced plum cakes for Christmas.

Source: Times of India

Christmas Celebrations 2015 at Mar Baselios College of Nursing, Bhopal

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Christmas Celebrations 2015 at Mar Baselios College of Nursing, Bhopal

Mar Baselios College of Nursing celebrated Christmas on 19/12/15.

The guest for the day were Rt. Rev Msgr. Daniel Kuzhithadathil Corepiscopo, Director, Rev. Fr. John Wilson, Bursar, Prof. Daisy Thomas, Principal and  Rev.Sr. Sharon SIC, Principal of St. Thomas School, Bhopal.

The program began with a prayer song followed by lamp lighting by all the dignitaries. Ms. Kiran Elizabeth, student, B.Sc (N)III year welcomed all the guest, which was followed by the cutting of Christmas cake by Rt. Rev Msgr. Daniel Kuzhithadathil Corepiscopo, Director, Mar Baselios College of Nursing.

Many cultural programs were presented including skit on birth of Jesus, carols and group dance performances by B.Sc (N) students.

The message of the day was delivered by Rt. Rev Msgr. Daniel Kuzhithadathil Corepiscopo, Director; Mar Baselios College of Nursing focusing on the real meaning of Christmas is fulfilled when we celebrate it with the needy and unprivileged. He motivated everyone to share the joy of Christmas with the underprivileged. The main event of the day was the intergroup comedy skit competition.

The program concluded with the vote of thanks by Ms. Mary Veronica, student B.Sc Nursing II year.

Christmas Celebrations at Manasarovar Park, Delhi

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Christmas Celebrations at Manasarovar Park, Delhi

On 19 December 2015, the Prachodana Social Service Society (social service department of the Diocese of Gurgaon) arranged a Christmas gathering and celebration for the slum-dwelling children at Manasarovar Park, New Delhi. As part of the non-formal education program for these children, this celebration included brief cultural programs performed by the children from this place. Christmas carols were sung by the youth members from St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Cathedral, Neb Sarai. H. E. Jacob Mar Barnabas conveyed his Christmas greetings and shared the Christmas cake to all the children and their family members. Mr. Raymond D’souza, a lay leader was the chief guest. Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Kochuthundil also gave the Christmas message. As part of the Christmas celebrations, winter clothes were distributed to the young children. Followed by noon meal for all those gathered. 58 children along with their parents and nearby residents also participated in the event.

Gathering of the Priest-Religious

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Gathering of the Priest-Religious

A gathering of the clergy and religious in the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum was held on December 16, 2015, at Girideepam Convention Center, Nalanchira. The gathering was convened in connection with the birth centenary celebrations of Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. In the first session that lasted for two hours Dr Babu Paul IAS gave a memorial speech on the great personality of Benedict Mar Gregorios stressing on the point that he was a man who lived the fullness of sanyasa life. His simple way of life, a natural, spontaneous outflow of finding his happiness in his Lord, was admired by all, Babu Paul said.

In the session that followed, Fr Joseph Plampani took a class on the very spirituality foundational to the life of the clergy and religious. Citing a variety of examples from real life experience and inspiring stories Fr. Plampani made every priest and the religious ponder hard over the real implications of the life separated for God.

There was a documentary presentation on the life of Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. Afterwards His Beatitude addressed the gathering. In his speech His Beatitude emphasized on the urgency of forming an attitude that makes every person come together to work for the Kingdom of God. The gathering drew to a close with the holy adoration and blessing.

Diocesan Inauguration of the Year of Mercy

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Diocesan Inauguration of the Year of Mercy

Following the inauguration of the Year of Mercy by the Holy Father Pope Francis on 8 December 2015, this ecclesiastical year for mercy was inaugurated in the Diocese of Gurgaon by H.E. Jacob Mar Barnabas on 13 December 2015. This was done through a liturgical ceremony which included the opening of the main door of the Cathedral of the Diocese (St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Cathedral, Neb Sarai). The prayers for this liturgical service were prepared by Rev. Fr. Mathew Kalarikkalayil.

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