Bird Grains

Just before I came to Vallarpadam, one of my friend, called me to join him at his home near the backwaters to enjoy the monsoon which has been pouring down for the last few days.

The invitation was very tempting. Sitting in the church trying to hold the mind which was jumping too much, I noticed the little birds, a gang of them, pecking on the rice grains on the floor which is brought to the church as offering. Though I could not see any of it with my eyes, was surprised there were so many spilled on the floor as the birds were feasting on them fearlessly for a long time. 

The rain is still continuing, in this month of Karkidakam - our Malayalam month of rain - monsoon caught up in inches for shying away for a while in the start of the season. 

Wishing you all a prayerful and safe month of Rain. 

El Shaddai

The mobile bookshop of Sehion Retreat center, passing by Vallarpadam Church.

Technical brilliance of a ever widening world. A mobile bookshop with amazing facilities.

Fully air conditioned, the mobile bookshop is a delight to shop for your favorite Sehion publishing.

The day at Vallarpadam.

Sirach 51:13 In my youth, before I set out on my travels, I openly sought wisdom in prayer; 14before the Temple I asked for her and I will pursue her to the end of my days

Reason for our ruins

Haggai 1:9 You expected much but it turned out to be very little. I blew away what you had piled up. Why? Because my House lies in ruins while each of you goes running home

Comfort

Jeremiah 16:19 Yahweh, my strength and my fortress,
my refuge in times of distress!

November to February, we have the best of the sky. When the other half of the world is having shivering winter we have just cool nights. Mornings are a delight in these months in our tropical world.
Just one of the shots I am trying during these months at Vallarpadam.

Grape Vine

Capiar Roy's grape vine at the back of the sacristy.

Marian Tower dedication

There was a travel mart Exhibition going on at Bolghatty for which I wanted to go to very badly but could not. So when the bus I was traveling from Ernakulam reached the Bolghatty stop I leaned across from where I was sitting to have a look at the way to the exhibition ground. It was then I saw this rather tall girl in green salwar standing in the front of the bus.

When the bus reached the Church stop, most of the passengers from the bus got down, since it was the Sunday after the feast (Which was on a working day) lot of devotees were visiting the church and the bus when it stopped had created a mild road block too. I got down through the back door and crossed over to the other side. When I reached the other side and looked back at the bus, I saw this girl in the green salwar lying flat on the hot sun-scorched road senseless and some fellow church goers running up to her.

While she was crossing over to the other side of the road to the church by the front of the bus a biker who came up from behind the bus without seeing her, rode straight into her. Who ever were around her, ran up to her, tried to lift her up, but she remained unconscious, with no power in her limbs. I feared something worse, and stood watching motionless from where I saw her first.

Surprisingly after a few minutes, we all sighed a huge relief when she responded, actually it was the fear and the shock from the hit that made her go numb. Except for a few bruises on her forearm there was no other serious injury. I hope.

Lady of Ransom church, freshly painted for the feast. The first shot of the new towers after its completion. The towers were dedicated today.

Mission feast Sunday at vallarpadam

Happy orchids from home garden.
The traditional Christian dress of Kerala Christians.
They were friendly and let me take their picture happily. Bless them in your heart, who all who see this picture. Thank you.
It runs with the wind, but my picture couldn't capture the rotating motion...:(( I should have, the thought came late..very very late.
Eye catchers on the way side..far behind is the Cranes at the work site of Vallarpadam Container Terminal.
The ever growing weeding in the south jetty of the church. "Kadavu". Time of the year for the weeds.
The Cruze on top of the church up close, I have to try this again on more clearer day, need to get it more clearer and more crisp..
Ever since I can remember that tree in front of the church was right there. May be from the time of Meenakshi Amma.... I should give the tree more camera time.. I guess it looks wonderful against the blue clear tropical sky.
The curator Roy, all smiles after the blessing of the boat. Behind him is the old fashioned toilet of the folks who come by boat. He is the one who tells me about the church , its history and the miracles that happen every week through the intercession of our Mother. The guys in the boat were curious to see a guy with a camera on the occasion of the blessing of their boat. The young man in the red T-shirt was really excited, I wanted to give them a print of the occasion, but they just disappeared after the event. Or should I say, I didnt go back looking for them to the jetty..:((
Quite unexpectedly came across the blessing of this fishing boat. The boats come on the south "kadavu" of the church, which is a bit of a walk from the church.
"Potti curry and Appam was the special delight from the food stall. For 20 bucks it was a treat, indeed!
The young priest of the church checking out a stall.
Another competition, probably they have to throw a ball at the steel glasses.
"Cuppela" in the morning light.
Pineapple in a stall.
Another, Bulls Eye!! Look how happy the kids are..:):)
The Sunday was the mission feast, more or less a parish get together. See how the young ones celebrate the occasion. Here some kids are getting ready for some popular competition where anyone who tries can win a prize.
The stairs of the church, which leads to the balcony on top. See, how blue is the blue of the window!
Another shot of the sunlight beautifully falling on the altar through the round ventilation from the east.
The old yellow Portuguese yellow glass on the window gleams in the morning sunlight.
There are two oil lamps on either side of the altar which exudes an old world charm and burns continuously throughout the day. Thanks to the young curator Roy who makes sure the lamp never runs out of oil.
Old stone vessel on the wall which holds the holy water.
Likeness of the Mother against the light from the window. Here the mother is depicted as the queen of the world with crown and all as in the revelations of John, but I like her the way she lived in the world, which made her the queen of the world, simple and close to God.
After the mass when the church cleared, folks from far, stayed back for those minutes of solace, when they offered their heart unto Lord. I love the way sunlight fall through the window on to the church floor. It makes me feel the way I feel on christmas, happy and sad at the same time, sad 'cos we know the day has to pass. As the sun move, light fades and it makes me strangely aware of the passing time...
The morning mass was serene as always, I stayed by the front door right in view of the main altar, it was a peaceful experience as always.
Usually folks do not wear shoes inside..the old flooring is always cool and neat. The church folks always keep it clean.
Church around 7am in the morning mist. Not a nice frame, the slope is in the frame not of the church ofcourse..:)
The morning of Sunday of 17th October was cool and pleasant. I wanted to reach the church earlier than 7 o clock, but with two buses and less frequency on a holiday morning, I was past seven. These big wheels of cable were parked on the side of the road to the church from Vypeen road, I stood by them enjoying the morning and the coolness before framing it.