Passion Week Service

May all who come to you be glad and joyful. Psalm 70 : 4

Soon after the festival Lent started, we had an unexpected crowd for the Ash Wednesday evening mass. This year the Station of the cross was more organized and we had a bigger crowd. Around this time trouble started brewing among the parishners, ego was the main culprit, misunderstanding and anger crept in. We took it in our stride trusting infant Jesus to solve all our problems.
Palm Sunday arrived bringing Fr. Stanley to our church. He was appointed to conduct the Holy Week services. Everything went well, and during the Easter vigil it started pouring outside. Even after the mass ended it did not stop raining. Everyone was huddled together inside the shed waiting for the rain to stop, it was an opportunity to mingle and know each other. After two hours the rain subsided and people began going home.
Meanwhile devotion to Infant Jesus kept increasing. People began talking about how their prayers to Infant Jesus was answered, how Infant Jesus performed miracles in their lives or in the lives of their loved ones. Everyone had a story to say about how Infant Jesus helped them through tough times.

Salvation and Redemption

The spirit of the Lord speaks through me: His message is on my lips. 2 Sam 23 : 2

Fathers sermon was about death, resurrection and everlasting life.

THE AWARENESS OF DEATH IS THE BEGINNING OF REDEMPTION.
1. He is the God of the living not of the dead , for Him all are alive Lk. 20 : 38

2. Why do you who are here find it impossible to believe that God raises the dead? Act 26 :8

3. I have hope in God that all people both good and bad will rise from death so I must do my best to have a clear conscience before God and man. Act 24 : 15

4. God will reward each one according to the work he has done. 1 Cor : 8

5. We have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to, but if by His spirit you put to death sinful actions, u will live. Rom 8 : 12, 13

6. I appeal to you, my friends, as strangers and refugees in this world! Do not give in to bodily passions, which are always at war against the soul. 1 Pet. 2 : 11

7 .For if we share Christ sufferings we will also share His glory. Rom 8 : 17

8. It is no longer I who live but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me, I refuse to reject the grace of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. Gal 2: 20

9. We beg you who have received God's grace not to let it be wasted. Hear what God says "When the time came for me to show you favor I heard you: When the day arrived for me to save you, I helped you.” Listen! This is the hour to receive Gods favor, today is the day to be saved.
2 Cor 6 : 1-2

10. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him to life on the last day. Jn. 6 : 54

11. We eagerly wait for our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule. Phil 3 : 20 – 21

12. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26

THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN IS THE BEGINNING OF SALVATION
In Paradise we shall rest in freedom and we shall see. We shall see and we shall love. We shall love and we shall praise. This is what will be at the end without end. St. Augustine.

THE FESTIVAL

His name will be called Wonderful Counseller, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isiah 9:6


Soon after new year we began preparing for Infant Jesus festival which falls on 14th of January. A few children were preparing to receive their First Holy Communion. Uniforms were stiched for the alter boys and they looked cute in their red and white flowing robes. A new organist arrived to train the choir group. We were to celebrate the festival for ten days from the 12th of Jan till the 23rd. The bishop was to come on the last day of the festival, he was eager to see how we were faring. We decorated the shed again, lights were put up, banners were put up , sound system hired, everything had to be grand, it was going to be our first Festival. Every evening we celebrated high mass with three or four priests. Every priest was introduced by Fr. Antony and welcomed with a shawl by the members.

On the first day the parishners welcomed the parish priest with fruits and shawl. Then commenced the flag hoisting. On the 3rd day of the festival which fell on a Sunday, we had morning mass and 13 children received their First Holy Communion . It was beautiful, later on they were given certificates. There was a huge crowd and the choir performed exceptionally well. The same evening we had a two hour adoration followed by the Benediction. After that dinner was served for everyone, and everybody had a great time sharing food and happiness. On the 5th day of the festival our dear bishop expired and we had three days of mourning. Then on the 8th, 9th and 10 day the mass went on as planned. On the last day, soon after mass the flag was brought down, and thus ended our ten days of festival.