2025

A year is passing by.

For some, it has been joyous; 

For others, sorrowful;

And for many, a mixture of both.

Whatever this year has been to us personally, 

It is still a year of our life.

Let us bid it farewell,

With the quiet satisfaction,

Of knowing that we gave it our best,

Untroubled by outcomes beyond our control.

Remains of the Christmas

Christmas was on Thursday in 2025. The following Sunday after Christmas when I went to the National Shrine the decorations had all gone dry. 

Near the Meenakshi Restaurant, the night might have been beautiful with creative decorations. 

Most of the mass I attended at the National Shrine was in Nolasco Chapel. The Centre stage at the chapel goes to Baby Mariam...

The Crib at the National Shrine Vallarpadam is perhaps the biggest one can find anywhere, this year too the creativity scaled up the layout to a good part of Bethlehem town to a scale size. 

Christmas

🌙 Christmas 

The lights are all hung,

the night is beautiful. 

Our streets breathe warmth and cooking fires,

And somewhere, bells call us inward.

As you walk through your own Christmas, 

I know—you too have worked hard,

Given much,

And received just enough to keep faith alive.

Perhaps, like me, you whisper to the Lord:

You see the labour,

You know the waiting.

And perhaps, like me, you trust

That rewards come

Not always wrapped in paper,

But in time.

May He continue to use us,

Not because we are strong,

But because we are willing.

May He bless us with hearts

That still give their best,

Even when tired.

This is not just my prayer—

It is ours, who labour for His glory

On this quiet, holy Christmas night. 🌟

Branches

The branches of self-doubt and anxiety crowd my mind,

But your calm, steady presence, with reassuring words so kind,

Guides me through that tangled forest where my fears lie,

And helps me break into the open, toward a clear and healing sky.

A happy Sunday

Last Sunday attended the 9:30 AM mass in the Nolasco Chapel. Though there were only very few people everybody took part so earnestly that when the service was over a warm peaceful feeling overtook all of us. 

Wishes...

A beautiful view of the church from the new parking lot on the east of the church. They have taken care to make it mud free. The church has huge tiled parking lot on the west of the church. 

I like coming in through the old way through which devotees walked for centuries after coming to Vallarpadam on row boats. 

Wouldn't it be nostalgic and elegant if that route could be developed as a memory...

16 November 2025

Sunday Views

Never empty. Someone will always be in the frame. Moving towards the soft winter and burning days. 

A view from the ' windy hallway ' of Vallarpadam. Sunday services are always crowded. The windy hallway is naturally conditioned pleasantly from a burning hot day as long as one doesn't mind standing the length of whole service.