Vallarpadam church is dedicated to Holy Ghost. It is the first church in Asia to be so dedicated. Naturally, on the day of Pentecost, there were many Pilgrims. I was fortunate to reach there early on the day. Still, I couldn't find a seat inside the church. Luckily, there were extra loudspeakers fixed for the day which helped the likes of me to attend the mass sitting inside the new church where the service was very audible. Thank you Organizers for your thoughtfulness.

Sunday

Semester is coming to an end at my teaching assignment. A little too stretched preparing notes for the final classes and conducting them. Though the days before Sunday was class free, I had to spent them on class preparation, the occupation continued till Sunday noon. By evening I went to town to our Cathedral church where they were getting ready for the feast of the Christ the Kind with procession and such. Since I had to take the 8 PM bus to my village, I couldn't stay there for long.

The grace to accept that no one and nothing is perfect, the humility to understand the folks around us are even more so and we ourselves are flawed in many ways. Perhaps the greatest gift one can receive is to have the humbleness to understand and live accordingly. No easy task, as we know, many lives have perished around this rock of destruction. In terms of a mate, to receive someone who thinks and lives that way is a blessing, indeed.

Such were my thoughts when I was walking around my town after the visit to the church in the evening, taking pictures..

The month of November is coming to an end so very fast and we are on December quickly and Christmas is here. Enjoy the advent my dear friends.

Sunday

It was raining heavily the last few days. Sunday morning was overcast and cloudy. What more to say, woke up late and did not go to church. Spent the day practicing some stars and snowflakes for the Christmas cards.

By evening the sun broke free, by that time, the bus to town had already left. So, a day, more or less, at home in the village, alone. 

Sunday

The morning was overcast. Considering the difficulty in finding a less crowded share auto to town I was apprehensive on reaching the church on time. The trick is to wait for that dark horse of an auto, who would jump the line and would head to town before they are fully loaded with passengers. I was lucky last week. This week too.

The sisters who were running a shelter home for abandoned children asked a helping hand for the education of three students. With some networking I could find a benefactor without delay. Thank God.

What surprised me most was the craft work the sisters used to do with needle and paper making awesome greeting cards before old age stopped them from undertaking such work. I wish they would continue the magnificent work.

Before  I could return to my village it started raining. In the low lying plains of our village a drizzle could make puddles.

Sunday

So, the institution where I have an academic collaboration called again for another semster.

A quick round of good byes.

One last look around before to taking the train ..

SUNDAY

Big time events were coming up in the evening celebrating the conclusion of mercy event and everyone was busy getting ready. There were the flower decorators, sound engineers fixing up the microphones, technicians fixing the big screen TVs etc..

Four Bishops were expected, so naturally things has to be taken care of well. After the prayers I stayed for a while and left quietly without waiting for the celebration.

On the way gave a lift to a migrant worker who was waiting in the bus stop to go to town. His grateful smile was my Sunday best.

God bless you all my friends, may we have the grace to think and do the things we have to. May we have the strength to resist the unwanted thoughts which do not have any bearing to our existence. 

July

Monsoon continue to be withdrawn in Kerala and it turned out to be a beautiful Sunday at Vallarpadam, bright and pleasant. Personally, though work was slow I could work hard for the preparation of peak months. May , June, July & August are slow months, the first three being not just slow but emotionally hurting too.

USWNT's world cup victory, Copa America, Wimbeldon final, ICC cricket final every thing was in the week and kept me cheerful in the evening. So when I came to Vallarpadam on this Sunday  I quietly sat in my corner, not giving chance for distraction, being grateful remembering Psalm 50.

Gratitude as we all know is the greatest of all the sacrifice and offerings.

Sunday at Vallarpdam

The walk around during last Sunday at Nellore, got me down with a swelling on my gums. I wasn't sure whether I could make it to Kochi, where I have to come for meeting some arrangements of life. :) A few days late, I could manage the trip in the hot weather with the help of antibiotics. 

Kochi too, was hot. When I reached the church the 11.30 am mass was on and the church was crowded... a lot of pilgrims from all around. I stood out during the service in the north yard where the sea breeze still blows. Many construction around the church has stopped the wind from blowing and unlike earlier, we cannot be comfortable everywhere around the church if we have to attend the service standing outside in the yard. 

It's been almost a month since I have come to Vallarpadam  so being here on this Sunday was very important for me. Inspite of the emotional and spiritual need I was very distracted after the mass. I did not get the satisfaction of being with the God in meditation. A few things were going on yesterday and the day before yesterday since I came home, the business of life, it had gone well too. Still, I got distracted from holding the whole heart to God for sometime. :(

The church, as always, looked clean and neat, this old stairs to the balcony was so pleasant I couldn't help taking a picture of it. 

As soon as the mass was over everybody left and the church became empty around noon. The heat was having its toll. At Vallarpadam, the church is never so empty. Few dozens of devotees will always be there. But that few do not make our big church in anyway full. 

After having a simple lunch from the Meenakshi Restaurant I came back to the Church and spent some more time. Fr. Abel CMI's, way of the cross was on sale at the church shop, I bought one and read through it. Since I havent gone to church on Ash Wednesday initiating the Lent, the feel of Lent surprised me on my first visit to my Parish Church on Saturday. 

Wish you all a good Week my dear friends, May we all think good and do good and be happy that we could so. May the distractions be not so severe to take our mind of our motto. 

A hot Sunday

After the Sunday Mass I took a shared auto to the area around the main bus stand. The sun was getting warmer and warmer as it was in the last week. Walking around I found this small hotel who served the most splendid dosas of Nellore. 

Later walking around the crowded business part of old Nellore , I came across this small church named after St. Antony. 

The mass time was over, still the church was open and empty. I could sit there for a while in the cool comfort of the church praising and worshipping all alone. I felt very happy and thanked God for the opportunity. For those of us who have to seek divine help to survive the hurdles of the day such convenient prayer opportunities are God sent indeed. 

On my way out I met a boy who was coming from the presbytery who helped me with reading a board in local language and told me directions on how to go back to the bus stand. He had surprisingly good English. Now looking back I wonder why I did not take his picture. 

I have met some good people in this old town who have been extremely helpful to me. Thank you God 😊