Newsletter September 2024

Parish Council Updates

            On September 8th, we celebrated the Catechism Pravesholsavam with a special

inaugural function to welcome all children to the new catechism year for 2024-

2025. The event commenced at 4:45 PM in the parish hall, marking the beginning

of the catechism year. Following this, we held an oath ceremony for our

catechism teachers. This date also coincided with the Nativity of the Blessed

Virgin Mary, a significant day for Christians, and the Holy Mass was celebrated

with a Ledinju and procession. The feast day concluded with a traditional Nercha,

which was organized by the Holy Family Unit.

        On September 15th, we celebrated our Family Meet. The festivities commenced

with a Holy Mass at 4:15 PM, followed by a diverse range of paid games, an

auction, and garage sales, and the amount generated from these activities will be

sent to support those affected by the landslide in Wayanad, India. The festivities

concluded with a traditional Kerala-style sadhya, featuring an array of delicious

dishes meticulously prepared by the Mathruvedi members of our parish. The day

was very memorable for all the parishioners.

Catechism Department Updates

Catechism Inauguration 2024-2025:

The catechism inauguration day was held on the auspicious day of the Nativity of Our Lady,  8th of September 2024, marking the beginning of a new year of faith formation for our children. The parish hall was decorated with welcome posters, balloons and Word of God banners creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The event was attended by parents, catechists, parish council members and our beloved priest Fr. Jerlin Francis, graced the event. The newly joined Jesus kids were offered balloons and crowns welcoming them specially as they embark on the journey of faith formation this year.

The day commenced with a prayer song led by our high school students Christina and Alvina. 

A welcome speech was addressed by the Principal Mrs. Mithoo Jyxen to all the attendees emphasizing the importance of catechism in nurturing the faith of children. Special thanks were given to catechists for their dedication and commitment.

After the welcome speech lighting the lamp ceremony was held by Fr. Jerlin, Principal, Vice principal Junior and a Senior student, officially inaugurating the catechism program for the year 2024-2025

Fr. Jerlin Francis gave a remarkable and articulate speech highlighting the importance of faith formation to children and parents, and ways to remain engaged in the catechism program. Next Mrs. Danya James our Ex- Principal gave an in-depth introduction to catechism program and general guidelines that has to be followed throughout the catechetical year.

The event was concluded with a Vote of thanks by our Vice Principal, Mr. Sam Thomas who thanked all the attendees and the catechists for making this event a successful and memorable one. After the inauguration ceremony there was a student- teacher interaction where teachers got to know their class students, took attendance, distributed textbooks and chocolates to the students.

Since the inauguration was held on the Nativity Day of Mother Mary children were involved in making Happy birthday cards to our blessed Mother on the theme “A card to Mama Mary”.

All children were provided with papers and all were asked to bring pencils and colored pencils for the same. Children drew beautiful cards with happy birthday wishes to Mother Mary. These cards were kept on display in the parish hall. A big thank you card was also displayed on which every child wrote a thank you note to our dear Mother Mary for her powerful intercession.

After the engaging activity, all the children along with the catechists proceeded to the church for Holy Qurbana. Grade 1 children offered flowers, as offertory to Mother Mary during the entrance.

Fr. Jerlin blessed all the students who were about to begin catechism program this year along with the catechists who gathered at the altar for special blessings and prayers invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit on every catechist throughout the year.

After the blessing all the catechists, parents, parishioners and children attended the Hoy Qurbana followed by Litany, Procession and Neercha. Overall, by the Grace of God the Catechism Inauguration went off well and as planned. Around 80 students along with their parents and guardians attended the program making it a successful and memorable one.

Mathruvedi Updates

Feast of the Nativity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary

We celebrated the Nativity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday, September 08, 2024.

The feast celebrations commenced on Sunday, the Sept. 1st, 2024, with Rev Fr. Jerlin Francis preaching the homily, explaining the history behind the beginning of the 8-day Lent (Ettunoyambu). Rev. Father encouraged all parishioners, especially the women, to rigorously observe the eight days of lent from the 1st day to 8th day of September, and thank Mother Mary for her intercessory prayers, care and love.

The Feast Day celebrations on Sept 08th were held with Holy Mass, Ladeenju, Procession and Nercha. The Holy Family Unit (East) arranged the Nercha, a big birthday cake to honor Mother Mary. Rev. Fr. Jerlin Francis blessed the Nercha, and the same was distributed among the parishioners. The church also conducted the inaugural ceremony for Catechism 2024-25 (Praveshanolsavam) on this auspicious day, and all the catechism students created Birthday cards for Mama Mary.

Family Meet

We celebrated our Parish Family Meet 2024 on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

The Annual Family Meet was a big celebration where almost all of our parish families gathered together, strengthened friendships and bonds as a church community united in Jesus Christ, and appreciated for the importance and goodness of family life. The celebrations started with the solemn Holy Mass at 4:15 pm by Rev. Fr. Jerlin Francis, receiving the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Together with an exciting bunch of fun and celebrations, the Family Meet 2024 stood apart this year with many interesting fundraising events such as Auction, Garage Sale, Paid Games, and a 50-50 Raffle, conducted to extend a ‘Hand of hope’ to the people of Vilangadu, Kozhikkode, Kerala. We had a great time of fun and excitement with the children and adults equally participating in all the activities and games.

The highlight of the Family Meet 2024 was the “Potluck Dinner” organised by the Mathruvedi members jointly with the Family Unit Coordinators. Mathruvedi members and families demonstrated the biggest example of sharing and giving, by serving the ‘Traditional Kerala Sadya’ to approx. 250 participants in the Family Meet. The selfless commitment of 59 families, together with seven culinary artists of our parish, made the Sadya of 20 dishes a splendid experience. It was such a pleasure to enjoy a big variety of good food. Even the consumables for the potluck, viz. banana leaves, other disposables like cups, napkins, table cloth rolls and garbage collection bags were sponsored by the Mathruvedi members and their families, making it a ‘Zero Expense’ Dinner.

Our Family Meet 2024 was such a lovely evening that created lasting memories! It was a wonderful gathering that strengthened our ties with families, and friends, in the Unity of Faith and Christ’s unending Love!

Nurses Ministry Updates:

On September 1-8, Canada nurse’s ministry held “THE Harvest of Grace”.8 days continuous chain rosary all over world for the feast of Mother Mary. Canada nurse’s ministry got the time slot on September 4 th2.30 pm-2.30 am. Regina nurses ministry is leading at 10.30 pm -11 pm.

               Canada nurse’s ministry is planned to give free NCLEX Training. On September 11th, 12 noon our spiritual director Fr. Daris and Fr. Pathrose inaugurate the training session.

                    On September 9th, regina nurses ministry lead the rosary, on September 10-16 regina nurse’s ministry lead the 3-o clock prayer.

Knight of Columbus Updates:

The installation of new officers for the Knights of Columbus was held on September 23rd, with WDD Jim Langen and WST Agnel George in attendance. WC Fr. Jerlin Francis blessed the occasion.