Vicar's Letters
From Vicar - 01/2022
Dearly Beloved in Christ:
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I wish you All a Happy New Year – 2022.
I thank the Almighty and everlasting God for providing all good opportunities to stay blessed in 2021. God has enabled us to enter a New Year. As we have entered a New Year, let us look forward with new enthusiasm and zeal to a good witness of Christ Jesus. I take this opportunity to thank all parishioners for their help and participation in the smooth running of our Church. I thank you for your generous support and prayers. The year 2021 was a bit tough in our lives, not only in our outward life but also in our spiritual life. As we can see, our worship services have only less than 50% of attendance. It could be due to the absence of a residing vicar; hence our worship services are scheduled at different timings. I am convinced that some of our elders and healthcare professionals are unable to attend the worship services regularly.
In 2021, we have decided to have the Celebration of Ruby Jubilee, and we have conducted the inauguration along with our Parish Day celebration. We will have the final meeting in April 2022 under the auspicious presence of our Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa. As you all know, we have decided to sponsor forty (40) children in India through our light to life project for their education and well-being as part of our Ruby Jubilee.
Since the new variant of Covid-19; Omicron, the situation is increasing, we are concerned and let us closely watch the unforeseen situation in January. As we enter a new month, let's follow the church calendar or lectionary for every Sunday service.
I would also like to congratulate and thank the Office Bearers and Executive Committee members of 2021 for their sincere efforts and dedication throughout the Year. May the Lord enable the Executive Committee members and Office Bearers of 2022 to perform their tasks to the best for the glory of God.
Let us use every opportunity to remember those loved ones around us suffering from sickness and sorrow. Bring their needs to the throne of grace, who can heal and wipe away the tears.
May the year 2022 be full of hopes and good times for all of us. Once again, I wish all of you a blessed New Year.
Prayers,
Rev. Sam T. Mathew
Vicar in Charge
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: (201) 294-2699
From Vicar - 04/2022
Dearly beloved in Christ:
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We have reached one more Lenten season and started our Lenten prayers from mid lent. I am happy that our organizations and payer groups are taking the lead in these prayers; daily attendees are also in good number. After the pandemic, we got a chance to attend church regularly, but we could not use the time and space properly.
Since our Ruby Jubilee celebration is going to wind up this month on the 23rd Saturday, let us all come together on that day. Our Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa, will be the chief guest for the Day. Even in this pandemic, we have completed our parsonage renovation work, and it is ready to occupy now. This time, I would like to congratulate all the 2021 committee, the Ruby Jubilee committee, and All other sub-committees for their support and hard work.
In April, we are observing the great lent and passion week. I invite all of you to partake in these special days. Christian churches had been giving significant importance to Holy Week and Easter. May this Lenten season enable us and help us to lead our lives holy and acceptable to God. Let us not forget that Christ died for our sins. Through his death on the cross, he brought salvation to humankind. The world is expecting the death of Jesus; Christianity will destroy and disappear from everywhere. But Easter gives us hope, joy, and peace in all circumstances of life. May the Lord help us to experience the power of resurrection and witness the living Christ boldly and effectively in our day-to-day life experiences.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all of you for your willingness to accommodate me for the last year. Since there was no Vicar, the Diocese appointed me to do the necessary services for the Parish. I am happy and satisfied that parishioners have supported me to conduct all the programs well. I hope the new vicar will join by May onwards.
As we are in the new financial year, let the new committee take charge and do good for all, and as a faithful community, let us go ahead with new programs which encourage and enrich our Parish.
I wish you all a very blessed Easter. Once again, thank you and good wishes.
Blessings and Prayers,
Rev. Sam T. Mathew
Vicar in Charge
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: (201) 294-2699
From Vicar - 01/2019
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our lord Jesus Christ, especially for the wellbeing of 2019. Last year we went through a mix of sorrows and joy. Our mighty God strengthened us in our tough time, soothen us in our painful moments and also enriched us with happy moments. We should look back to the past and thank God for his manifold blessings. God entrusted humans with the responsibility of enacting and enforcing God’s intentions on earth. We have so many duties to fulfill for the kingdom of God. God planted us here to bear fruits for others.
From Vicar - 07/2018
Dearly beloved in Christ,
A very warm greetings in the name of our lord Jesus Christ.” change is essential, but continuity is also necessary”. We are living in a changing world everything is going to be changed according to space and time. Nothing is permanent except change. We should realize the change of this world and its orders. God led us from a chaos to cosmos, means disorder to orders so we should have an order in our life. We should priorities our orders. A disciplined life is inevitable to make a meaningful society. We must have lean to the core of the cross and know the cost of discipleship. We are entering in the third quarter of this year. When we look back to last two quarters must realize that, what we have done in the past six months for the expansion of the kingdom of God. The time has come, he said the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news. (mark1:15)
From Vicar - 04/2018
Dearly beloved in Christ,
As we have entered the second quarter, let us give thanks to Almighty God for all the blessings that we experienced in the first quarter. God has enabled us to observe the Great Lent one more time in our life. Through the 40 days fasting and continuous prayer to His Father, Jesus finished a victorious life. This is the excellent model of a blessed life in this world.
Jesus said “You are the Light of the World”. Every believer and member of the Mar Thoma Church should take up the responsibility to lighten others and hence our motto – Lighted to Lighten.