Messi

The supersize cut out of our hero towards the east gate of our Vallarpadam Church

Thank you God for Blessing Leonl Messi to reach the peak of his talents and granting him victory at the FIFA World Cup. 

Long ago his country men won our hearts when they won the World Cup and one of them established himself as the greatest player of all times. He was hardly 26 of years of age when he became the hero of millions around the world winning fans for Football and FIFA. Yet, there was no consolation when our hero fell from grace and even got banned for the use of drugs from the 1994 World Cup when his team was pretty well poised after half way through the tournament. Our hearts were broken but we loved the guy for his sheer brilliance and the love of the game from his better days. 

Then from the ashes of the ruin of our hero arose a boy who was prophesied to win the world cup. We looked at him in awe as he grew in stature and mastery of the game. He won everything for the club in Europe he was playing for and became the hero he was destined to be. But he failed in every attempt to win the Cups and highest honour for his country in that blue and white stripes, the honour that mattered the most. Naturally, he became the joke of the world, talked about in contempt by his own countrymen even our now retired hero. 

Inspite of the humiliating circumstances the young man kept his heart and worked on his God given talents without saying or doing anything to destroy it. At the age when most of his contemporaries have either retired or had no more wind in them to kick a ball he came back with a young team who bonded and united under him as a team coached by a brilliant man who was a player himself.

Thank you God for blessing us with a Hero like Leonl Messi, thank you for giving us the opportunity to witness him peaking at the top of his talents and becoming victorious. We pray, God, help us too to do well with the talents you have blessed all of us with and become successful.  

Christmas Day at Vallarpadam

Advent Panorama

Christmas at Vallarpadam 2022

The Advent Candle

St. Jude Thevara

Vallarpadam 

St. Peter & Paul's Church, Venduruthy

"I made the Cross myself, whose weight

Was later laid on me. 

This thought adds anguish as I toil

Up life's steep Calvary. " 

Anne Reeve Aldrich

25 April 1866 to 28 June 1892

The Promise

When circumstances throw us,

Mercilessly on to the ground,

Jesus, help us to get back on our feet,

And reclaim what You promised us,

A heart full of peace & joy !

Farewell

Greece could be easily the oldest seafaring nation of the world. In the island of Sikinos there is a wonderful tradition of jumping into the wake of a departing vessel as a mark of respect for a loved one leaving the island.

Tuesday Novena

Tuesday

Novena at Kaloor

Saint Anthony is represented  as carrying a baby in pictures and icons. It is mentioned that the saint was seen carrying a beautiful baby in his arms by those who were close to him. 

An interpretation of the vision is that the Saint was as innocent and humble like a child inspite of the church positions he held (Superior Father). 

May the memory and the intercession of the Saint bring us such qualities in our own lives.

September convention

The preparatory retreat preceding the feast is underway at Vallarpadam. 

The church Pier on a Sunny break when the persistent rain held back for a while. 

September Feast

One heart and one body!

 I have  been going to St. Antony's a lot more these days. Sometimes morning and in the evening; often for spending some time quietly. 

This weeks readings at the church have been profound. The reading was about the few things that I keep in my heart and draw strength from. 

on 9th August, Tuesday,  the scripture was about Jesus telling us how our heart should be like; like little children - full of love and hate free. 

"Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." Mathew 18:4

On 11th August, Thursday, the scripture told us about what Jesus's idea of forgiving others for hurting us. 

His disciple Peter asks Him, "Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother?"

The Jewish scriptures say seven times. But Jesus had a different view on forgiveness, mercy, compassion and letting go..

"I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Mathew 18:22

Today, Friday, on 12th of August, He tells us about how we should love as a married couple. 

The occasion comes up when someone ask Him about divorce which was permitted in Jewish laws given by Moses generations ago. 

Jesus takes them back to the original concept of love to give them a clearer understanding. 

Gospel, Matthew 19:3-12

3 Some Pharisees approached him, and to put him to the test they said, 'Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?'

4 He answered, 'Have you not read that the Creator from the beginning made them male and female

5 and that he said: This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh?

6 They are no longer two, therefore, but one flesh. So then, what God has united, human beings must not divide.'

7 They said to him, 'Then why did Moses command that a writ of dismissal should be given in cases of divorce?'

8 He said to them, 'It was because you were so hard-hearted, that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not like this from the beginning.

9 Now I say this to you: anyone who divorces his wife -- I am not speaking of an illicit marriage -- and marries another, is guilty of adultery.'

10 The disciples said to him, 'If that is how things are between husband and wife, it is advisable not to marry.'

11 But he replied, 'It is not everyone who can accept what I have said, but only those to whom it is granted.

12 There are eunuchs born so from their mother's womb, there are eunuchs made so by human agency and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.'

Oh! Jesus, we pray for those who are married among us, let them be the way you wanted them to be. The ones total love and marriage was granted. 

Stephanie Weaver

Stephanie Weaver is an American Christian. She has a disability. She has no voice (sound).  Her shortcomings made her find her peace with Jesus and the inspiration she has drawn from Him made her dedicate her life to teaching Pre-School children. She talks with help of a mechanical aid. You can listen to her in this video (link at the bottom of the page).

 Stephanie called fondly as Miss Steph by the children is fond of writing  inspiring stories for them. She has published two such books which is now available on Amazon. They will make wonderful gifts for our own children.

Her life is a testimony to overcoming our disabilities and fears through faith and keep living everyday with hope.

A video of her speaking

Stephanie Weaver's book on Amazon

Thought of the day

 May the kindness of our hearts be the delight of all those who are send our way!

Mary Magdela

My own emotions churn me every day, 

My apostle and saint, 

You keep me straight and hold me tight, 

Your life and your mind,

Consoles me and make me strive,

To keep going the way Jesus taught us. 

Thank you, Mary of Magdela.  

pictures from the day of re-dedication

The Altar Picture Conservation

The Nolasco Friars of Vallarpadam

Saint Peter Nolasco lived between 12th and 13th century. His work of redemption and ransoming  of the Christian slaves was greatly appreciated during the era of Muslim Ottoman strength. During his life time and immediately after his death his work gained support and popularity all over known Europe. There were houses of his order in Portugal. 

The missionaries who brought the Lady Of Ransom picture to Vallarpadam, did they come from the Nolasco house in Portugal?

Anyway they reached here (evidence required). The French revolution in the 18th century had diminishing impact on the Catholic Church from which it never really recovered. The Nolasco Friars were nearly wiped out. Was it then, they lost connection with the Vallarpadam Church?

The feast of the Eucharist

On my way to Vallarpadam early in the morning, break fast from the corner shop. 

The flowers strewn on the floor after the procession. 

The settings for the feast. 

The day broke with rain. Later it cleared and became very bright.

The dayof the Pentecost

A flower offering by a devotee during the morning mass.

The lights were beautiful though they kept the decorations simple. 

Flower deck at the altar. 

A presuthenthi of the feast taking picture in his attire. 

Church on the Pentecost Morning

Fishing Boats towed in front of the church at the old Jetty. 

A tea at the end of the day at Vallarpadam from the Meenakshi Restaurant. 

Holy Communion

The way it was raining in the morning of the Sunday, I didn't think it was possible to go to Vallarpadam today. 

The sky cleared a little later and I could go there and make this flower offering. 

"I give you a new commandment ; love one another like I have loved you. " 

Easter Greetings

 The disciples of Jesus waited behind the closed doors of their temporary home in Jerusalem. Their master, the one they loved very much, was arrested and pronounced guilty of sedition and blasphemy by the religious court; the death sentence was approved by the Roman Governor and their master was crucified to death. Before they had the time to understand what is going on, their master was dead and hurriedly buried in a cave tomb. 

They were now waiting for the Sabbath to get over to return to the tomb to complete the anointing of his body which they could not complete on the day He died. On that fateful Friday Sabbath was already upon them when the Romans took the dead bodies down from the crosses and they hardly got the time to prepare Jesus's body for burial before it was placed inside the tomb. Everybody left in a hurry to start the Sabbath hoping to return early on Sunday morning to complete the anointment. 

Our heart goes out to the disciples and the women who were with them, especially Mary of Magdella, when they stood outside the tomb grieving while the lifeless body of their master lay still inside the tomb. The still body of their Master, who was their world and life for nearly three years. 

As their grief grew deep they couldn't help but think about the injustice of it all; their master being accused of a baseless accusation and being killed unlawfully on the day of Pessach. They were simple fishermen and workmen from Galilee with no connections or friends at higher levels of their society to appeal for help. Their helplessness added to their misery. No matter how deep their sighs were and how long their tears ran down, none of them, absolutely no one among them had any idea of what they are going to feel when the day broke after the Sabbath.

Are you ready?

Easter greetings, my friend. 

Good Friday

Some pictures from the Good Friday observation at Vallarpadam Basilica.

I

The Day Christ Died

Holy week

 As much as we want to walk ,

In the way of our Lord Jesus, 

Live in His peace and Joy;

The material world with its demands and conditions, 

Enslave us, filling our hearts with anxiety, jealousy, hate, anger... 

Taking away the peace and Joy we found in Jesus. 

Wish you a good Holy Week, 

To detox to be free and clean again. 

May the memory of our Lord's Passion, 

Free us from all enslavement;

May we enjoy once again, 

the Peace and Joy that freedom,

Jesus won for us, bring. 

Palm Sunday

Fortunately, I got the opportunity to be at Coimbatore at the beginning of the Holy Week.

The Procession was lead by the Bishop from the neighborhood to the Cathedral.