Meenakshi Amma

A replica of the original Portuguese image of Mary which was lost in the flood and retrieved by the then Prime Minister to the King, Paliathachan.

A history of the church is available at book store at Church.

I hope and pray Meenakshi Amma will not be forgotten. Without her story, Vallarpadam church is just another of the many church in the Cochin area.

David

In Second Samuel, chapter 7 : 28-29, David is thanking the Lord of Israel for the good things He has announced through Prophet Nathan for the Kings family. True to God's promise David's name remained and Jesus who has descended from Him became the Lord to the whole world. It's not worthy that David, even at his height of glory was always committed to God and stayed humble before Him. He always prayed he remained that way.

I had to go through a personal set back this week. But with the Grace of the God, I could withstand it and remain hopeful in life. Just like the day and the night God has created, I take my happiness and sorrow to God and enjoy/bear it in His glory.

Picture of the Altar at Vallarpadam, yesterday. This Sunday is Peter & Paul's feast.

Prayer

We pray that the Sunni's and Shias of Muslim faith reconcile and they live among themselves as brothers and sisters like in the times of the Great Prophet.

...that there is peace and love in the middle east, especially in Iraq and Syria, where innocents die everyday.

Power house

Church yesterday, in the rain.

St. Sebastin

Monsoon Sunday

The Sunday after the feast of Holy Ghost. Vallarpadam Church was beautifully decorated. I did not take my camera. What a miss.

The blue pearls of serial lights glowed all over the main hall. The altar was decorated with more flowers and fresh covers over every table top.

The Portuguese image of Mary was placed in the middle of the main tower at the entrance. 

Since the festive mass on the 8th day of the feast was celebrated at length, the 11.30 am mass was at 12. Since the schools were opened the worshipers were less today.

Twice it rained, giving all of us the rich feel of the the strength and boldness of the monsoon at Vallarpadam. Sky cleared quickly both the times. 

Met a local committee member who gave me some information about Meenakshi Amma. There is a book available there now, written by Fr. Joseph Thottath, which has some history of the Church.

It is nice to see the Hindu family still has some connection with certain rituals of the church. I wish it continues that way forever. The symbol of our Kochi society's harmony and brotherhood.

The annual trolling ban started yesterday and there were many boats moored infront of the church. Another beautiful sight and a great photo opportunity.

Prayer of the season

Monsoon is on. For the fishing folks in Kochi, life has become little tougher.

Life for everyone, brings tough times. May we all have the strength and grace to deal with it positively. May we not even lose a moment worrying over what we are going to do, how we are going to deal with situations etc..

Let us bind our life in faith, God provides, He keeps, He leads..

Amen.

Monsoon at Vallarpadam

For some personal reason, I could not go to Vallarpadam today. When I am in Kochi on a Sunday, missing the mass there is a big time emotional worry.

First Sunday of the monsoon, so as to speak. It rained good. But the monsoon is yet to pick up. Last week I could post some pictures of the changing landscape around Vallarpadam. Today somehow I was thinking about how lucky we were to get an approach road to church from the Container Terminal Road. I guess it was around the time when Vallarpadam was declared a National Shrine Basilica and impending visit of the Prime Minister/President of India which did the favour. I have  heard  Fr. Jose Pulikkan, ex-parish priest speaking gratefully about it.

Vallarpadam neigbourhood

Trucks which are part of the  new harbour parked on the big highway that is being build infront of the church. 

The new port and its accessories are spreading all around. The place is taking new metro look.

First Sunday in May

The very beautiful adoration chapel adjacent to the old church. I love sitting there, its very calm and consoling. The tin roofs make it hotter during the day. But the lady there keeps the place spotlessly clean. Its been few years now since they started the new chapel, still it gleams new. Wonderful work by the lady who is assigned the responsibility.

I was little restless at heart while I was there at Vallarpadam today. Did struggle to find the union with the God. But after sometime in meditation, my peace returned.