NEWSLETTER - St Thomas Orthodox...

MARCH 2014 VOLUME XVIII ISSUE 3

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1009 UNRUH AVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19111

ST. THOMAS INDIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

NEWSLETTERSTTHOMASPHILADELPHIA.ORG I PHONE: 215.342.1500 I FAX: 215.342.2700

GREAT LENT 2014

http://stthomasphiladelphia.org

http://stthomasphiladelphia.org


VICAR’S MESSAGE Great Lent: Gateway To Spiritual Power

We have come to the Great Lent time 2014. For many people it is a time of disappointment as there are a lot of food restrictions, too many prayers, much less enjoyment, and so on. But for some other people it is a time to open up a new avenue for them to catch back their lost or weakened spiritual power and recovery of life energy. All of us have a worldly being in us compelling us to go the way of the world, enjoying all that the world produces including food, art, wealth, power and so on. For a good majority of the people their life goal is to achieve those worldly things to find solace, peace and joy. Christianity HAD redefined joy and peace as a reality through closeness to God. Common people think it is impossible to draw close to God. But the truth is that God is closer to us than the apple of our eye but we don’t recognize Him or we don’t feel it because our adversary is capable to mask that presence. At the same time this masking is supported by us. Satan cannot do anything without our permission and so does God. A conscious effort is needed to sense that presence of God in us. For that effort no money, beauty, muscle power, intelligence etc. are needed. Just feel that God is in us and there He is! It is so simple that people just ignore it. Not because it is impossible, but because that presence is not a joy for many. Again our definition of joy is defined by our adversary who wants to keep us away from God. Satan wants to keep us as far away as possible that his kingdom can become strong making us involved in all bad things in this world. God created nothing bad for us. But Satan is successful is misusing all those things in a way that will keep us away from God. Let us look at some of those things: 1) Food: It is one of the most essential stuff that sustains our life but Satan will make us do all kinds

of bad things with it. He will compel us to eat more, and spend more money on tastier food etc. Therefore, the Lord taught us. “Man does not live by bread alone.” Satan was unsuccessful in convincing the starving Lord with the temptation of food. I used to think if it was one of us, we will be convinced to change the stones to bread and fill our stomach. Jesus had the power with Him to transform the stone to bread but he did not want to use it for his personal enjoyment and satisfaction. The Lent will help us discipline our urge for enriched food.

2) Wealth: We all know without wealth we cannot survive. The simple reason that we are in the USA is to make some money. Otherwise Kerala is much better place for us to live! How do we use our wealth? Satan intervened every time when we get a good job and better financial strength. We have seen people acquiring their own belongings and assets according to the gift that the Lord gave to them. Who would use them just for their essential needs and share the rest with others who don’t have it? NONE! Our Lord clearly commanded us how important it is to share our wealth with others who need it. The man who came looking for eternal life was a truly righteous man who had been keeping all commandments and strict tithe-giver. But He could not get eternal life because Jesus asked him to share his wealth with the poor. Are we different? I doubt! We will never give a penny unless we see a material reward or return! The Lent will control our love for wealth and hoarding it for our sake.

3) Talents: Like food and wealth God has given some good talents that we must use for His glory. Many people are not aware of the talents God has given to them. Talents in music, arts, science, technology, social service, financial management, sports, farming and so on. There are myriads

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of gifts that God has given us. Without those gifts we cannot survive but we are not even aware of these gifts and we use these gifts in the wrong way. Today’s media projects so many kinds of talents to the public. Often most of these talents are used in a wrong way. Most of them are not for the glory of God at all. This is where Christians have thoroughly failed in our times. We all think that our talents are for our own gain and our own enjoyment. Also, when we see different talents exhibited by the celebrities of our times, we blindly follow them. Recently I cut off myself from all such shows available on the media. I feel good that it helped me overcome quite a lot of worldly attractions and divert my energy and mind to more divine ways. One thing I learned was that many do these so-called pleasures can estrange us from God. Judas Iscariot was one of the most talented disciples of Jesus and his talents were wrongly used and he lost the Lord. It can happen to any one of us. !

Can this Lenten season be a gateway to our spiritual power? I hope all of us will utilize this Lenten opportunity for true source of spiritual power! !Lovingly, Fr. M. K. Kuriakose

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Parish News !Relevant MC decisions • The accounts for the year were reviewed by the

committee and a budget proposal has been made. The accounts are currently audited by an external entity. We hope to present both accounts and budget to the general body on March 9, 2014.

• The focal points of this year’s budget are • Charity funds and the disbursement plans from them. • Capital projects that includes school section and gym refurbishment. !

Upcoming general body General body will be held on Mar 9, 2014 to discuss and approve the accounts for the year 2013 and budget for the year 2014. !

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Liturgical Calendar ! March 2

Sunday of Cana !March 3

Great Lent Starts !March 9

40 Martyrs of Sebaste Second Sunday of Great Lent (Leper) !

March 16 Third Sunday of Great Lent (Paralytic) !

March 23 Fourth Sunday of Great Lent

(Canaanite Woman) !March 25

Annunciation to St. Mary !March 26 Mid Lent !March 30

Fifth Sunday of Great Lent(Cripple Woman)

April 5 Memory of Pampady Thirumeni !

April 6 Sixth Sunday of Great Lent(Blind Man),

Catholicate Day


New Born: ‣ Benjamin Nellat Alias, son of Dr Mathew and Dr. Vinitha ‣ Zarah Mary Kurian, daughter of Mr. Steve and Mrs. Sherry Kurien. Congratulations to both families!

Obituary: Mrs. Mariamma Varghese, mother of Mrs. Suja Abraham, passed on Friday, February 21, 2014. Mr. Thomas Abraham (92), father of Mrs. Annamma (Omana) Mathai, passed away on February 26, 2014. Please pray for both families. !Wedding Announcement: The marriage of Mr. Nelson Panicker (Son of Mr. Oommen Panicker and Mrs. Leelamma Panicker) with Miss_Reny Baby (D/o Mr. M.K Baby and Mrs. Rose Baby, Kottarakkara, Kerala) took place at St.Thomas Orthodox Church, Kundara, Kerala on Monday February 3rd 2014 according to the matrimonial order of service of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Congratulations to the couple!

Sunday School News Submitted by Oommen Kappil, Principal

(Tel.: 267.902.8500, email: [email protected]) !Sunday School Field Trip to Philadelphia Protestant Home (PPH) PPH is a home for hundreds of senior citizens who need care. It is located at 6500 Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111. Our students will be visiting the Seniors at 2 pm on Sunday, March 16. This is an opportunity for children and adults to support them by listening to them, to appreciate them, to learn patience (as they do things slower), to think about caring for others, to laugh with them or simply to lift their spirits by your smile. Our children are planning to entertain them by singing and dancing as well. Please contact Ms. Milly Philip (Program Coordinator) for details. !Teachers’ Fellowship and Training Learning is a continuing process. ‘Sharpening the tools’ is important in every profession, and we take that seriously. A Fellowship and Training session is scheduled for 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, March 15th at the residence of Bishel & Santhosh Baby. The training may include the following topics:

Behavior Management & Student Engagement Lesson planning Orthodox Faith Church history Role of Holy Bible

All teachers are expected to attend this event. (Please check the Sunday School Calendar on page 8.)

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MARCH BIRTHDAYS Saju Sam 1-Mar Mathew Nellatt Alias 1-Mar Abel G Panicker 3-Mar Kunjappy Koshy 3-Mar Julice John Raju 4-Mar Julius Raju 4-Mar Aswathi Eliz Jacob 4-Mar Stacy M George 4-Mar Podiamma Thankachan 5-Mar Elizabeth Kurian 5-Mar Rebekah Mathew 5-Mar Joshua Jacob Jose 7-Mar Justin Ronnie 7-Mar Saji Abraham 8-Mar Nissi Elizabeth Zachariah 8-Mar Anu Mary 10-Mar Susan Daniel 10-Mar Varghese Mammen 10-Mar Seena Varghese 10-Mar Nelson O Panicker 10-Mar Previn G Joseph 10-Mar Annamma Samuel 10-Mar Merlin Philip 12-Mar Binu K. Mathew 13-Mar Biju P. Varghese 13-Mar Jerin G Juby 13-Mar Vincet Jacob 14-Mar Keziah Kuncheriah 14-Mar Suresh Cherian 15-Mar Shibin Mathew Koshy 15-Mar Sosamma Jacob 15-Mar Aradhana Rose John 16-Mar Reena Raju 16-Mar Asriel Ann Vaidian 16-Mar Bibin P. Baby 16-Mar Philip George 17-Mar

Pramod Sam Kurisinmoottil 17-Mar Nikhil M Philip 17-Mar Thejus Mathew 18-Mar Varughese M M. 18-Mar Daniel P. George 18-Mar Cherian V V. 19-Mar Abhilash John 19-Mar Mariakutty Thomas 21-Mar Aju Jacob 21-Mar Shibu Kuncheriah 21-Mar Rohan Philip Robin 22-Mar Tiji David Thomas 23-Mar Mary Kuriakose 23-Mar Renjusha Rajan 23-Mar Alex Pothen 23-Mar Mathew Varghese 25-Mar Susan Mathews 25-Mar Lucas Philip 26-Mar Ashin Saju 26-Mar Susan Panicker 27-Mar Alvin V Jose 27-Mar Daniel Yohannan 27-Mar Blesson Daniel Thomas 27-Mar Rachel Melavila 28-Mar Megha S Varghese 28-Mar Jacob Varghese 28-Mar Cicily George Cherian 28-Mar Nishal Varghese 28-Mar Alen Saju 29-Mar Raji K John 29-Mar Lovina Maria Aji 30-Mar Annamma Cherran 30-Mar Paul Jacob 30-Mar Daniel Thomas 30-Mar George Varughese 31-Mar Izabella Ann Philip 31-Mar Raji George 31-Mar

MARCH WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Achen Varghese 21-Mar Jacob Chacko 30-Mar


MMS News: MMS meeting was held three times in February under the leadership of Fr. M.K Kuriakose. In every meeting one of the member shares the word of God. We do bible studies for the upcoming Bible Quiz for MMS conference. Kuriakose Achen teaches the assigned bible lessons in every meeting. MMS is also learning new songs. MMS conducting -5 number of chitty which started in February which will raise 6000 dollars to our church building fund. By the Grace of Lord Almighty MMS is spiritually enriching and growing every day.

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Job Opportunities in the City of Philadelphia (Submitted by Smitha Mathew) !

The following information generally applies to the ENGINEERING jobs. However, some of the protocols may apply to all the jobs. For up-to-date and accurate information, please visit http://www.phila.gov/. !For all the Civil Service Announcements, please visit the following link: http://personnel-web.phila.gov/announce/ For all the Non Civil Service Announcements, please visit the following link: http://personnel-web.phila.gov/announce/noncivilservice.asp All applications have to be submitted through the website. For instructions please visit the following link: http://personnel-web.phila.gov/announce/howapply.asp !The general public can apply for both 'Open Competitive' and ‘Concurrent openings'. In Engineering, Graduate Civil Engineers and Graduate Environmental Engineers typically have the most opportunities with City of Philadelphia. Applicants for civil service jobs must go through the testing process administered by the City’s Office of Human Resources. The examinations could be oral or written format, depending on the position. Graduate Engineer examinations are typically oral examinations. !Test-takers who successfully pass the exam(s) are placed on an eligible list in rank order-- according to competitors’ final scores in the test. As vacancies for the job position arise, candidates are selected from the eligible list and interviewed. These interviews are done by departments that have vacancies. Eligible lists usually last no longer than two years, and minimum of one year (unless the list of names has been exhausted). !Appointments can be made from the eligible list at any time during the life of that list. If selected to fill a job vacancy, new appointees must serve in a six-month probationary period, during which time on-the-job performance is evaluated. If an appointee’s on-the-job performance is evaluated as satisfactory or better, the appointee is considered to be a permanent civil service employee. If you pass the Civil Service examination and are ranked high enough to be interviewed for a vacancy, you must meet additional eligibility requirements including your right to work in the US. You would need to become a Philadelphia resident six months after your appointment date, with some exceptions. Opportunity for students: Full time paid Co-op Opportunities are also available for students. Streets Department typically hires students from Drexel University. Please contact your Co-op Coordinator at Drexel University for details. In addition, the Mayor’s Office offers unpaid part time internships in different departments. For more information about these opportunities, please visit the following link: http://www.phila.gov/experiencephila/mayor.html


Middle School Fellowship (MSF) News: (Submitted by Meenu Mathews) !Impact of Media on the Youth: MSF had its monthly meeting on February 22. The topic was the media and how it affects young people today. Living in a world where media and social network appears in everything we do, learning the difference between how to use media positively and negatively is very important. !The next MSF meeting will be on March 8, from 3:30-5:30 and all middle schoolers are welcome to attend. It will be a "Miracle Workshop" on the Great Lent. !

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Silence Please In the book ‘The Ladder to the Divine Ascent,’ St. John Climacus says, “Shut the door of your cell to your body, the door of your tongue to speech, and the inner gate to evil spirits.” (p. 199, 200). Twenty-first century is very noisy. It teaches the generation not to stand still or to wait. Rather, it is a century of speed. Everyday opens to an innovation that makes life speedier, and humanity cops with it and remain to gain speed. Cell phones, computers, cars and many other commodities are made to make life quicker and faster. Laptops and mobile phones are inevitable and unavoidable, even during sleep for some people. This generation calls the people to be committed to a fast paced environment that leaves no time for God. Fr. Henri Nouwen, a Catholic priest and spiritual leader of the 20th century said, “As soon as we are alone, without people to talk with, books to read, TV to watch, or phone calls to make, an inner chaos opens up in us. This chaos can be so disturbing and so confusing that we can hardly wait to get busy again.” The Bible clearly says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46: 10). The condition of being still has been practiced by many people in the Bible, and in Christianity. Life of Moses after the exile to the desert can be considered as a life of stillness. At the end, God Himself appeared and guided him. Communication with God is a two way process, and while waiting for answers, God asks His beloved to remain still. This stillness is not from cowardice, but from faith in the ultimate. ‘The Ladder of Divine Ascent,’ St. Climacus continues, “Stillness is unceasing worship and waiting upon God.” We are approaching the time that requires the most silence in our lives in the coming days. During the Great Lent, it is the time to switch off the chaos and come to silence. It is time to stop music and TV, limit conversations, and many other aspects of our daily life that constantly pulls us away from God. Let’s try to be silent, and experience God. Let’s talk less and listen more!


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Parish Calendar

March 1 - MGOCSM Retreat (9AM-3PM) March 2 - Family Fellowship (12-2PM) March 8 - EFIC World Day of Prayer March 9 - Day Light Savings Begin March 15 - Managing Committee (9AM-12PM) March 22 - Annual Lenten Retreat March 23 - Parish FOCUS Meeting March 26 - Mid Lent Holy Qurbana March 29 - GROW Conference (8AM-5PM) April 6 – CPR class and Certification for Bystanders by OCYM (12.30PM-2PM)

April 13 - Palm Sunday April 18 - Good Friday April 20 - Easter June 6-8 - Philadelphia Renewal Convention June 8 - Pentecost July 6 - Perunnal July 16-19 - Family and Youth Conference August 16 - Picnic October 4 - Harvest Festival, OCYM Blood Drive !

Sunday School Calendar

Event Date Venue CoordinatorTeachers’ Fellowship/

TrainingSaturday, March

15th Residence of Bishel & Santhosh Baby Bishel Baby/Jessie Jacob

Field Trip to PPH Sunday, March 16 6500 Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111.

Milly Philip/Agin Thomas

TTC/Area Teachers Conference

Saturday, April 26, 9am -4pm St. George Church, Fairless Hills Sheeba Mathew

Centralized Exam. Grade 12 Sunday, June 1, 12.30 pm St. Mary’s Cathedral Binoj Chacko

Area level Picnic Saturday, June 7 To be announced Benjamin Mathew

Assigned Competition-Area level Sunday, June 8 St Mary's Church, Devereaux Street Liz Pothen

Centralized Exam. Grades 5, 8 and 10

Sunday, June 29, 12.30 pm

St Gregorios Church Sunitha Zacharia

OVBS (Area-level) July 24, 25 & 26 St Thomas Church, Unruh Ave. Shaji Abraham

Talent Competition-Parish Level

Saturday, September 13 (Tentative) St Thomas Church, Unruh Ave. Reena Susan Mathews

Talent Competition-Area Level

Saturday, September 27 St John's Church, Delaware Valley Sunitha Zacharia and

Shaji Abraham


MGOCSM News: Greetings from the parish MGOCSM! This past month we held a few events. !MGOCSM had our first Topic Sunday on Sunday Feb. 23rd. Topic Sundays are meant to be discussion based meetings in which we pick a topic, have FOCUS and other lay leaders join, and as a group with college and high school students, discuss amongst ourselves and our Achens on the topic. For February we had the topic of relationships. We had around 24 participants and FOCUS members to help lead along with our Achens. !On Friday, Feb 28th, we had our first bible fellowship of the year at Agin Thomas' house led by Rev. Fr. Gheevarghese John on the theme "A Long Journey”. !For March we have the following events scheduled, so please be sure to mark off your calendars! - March 29th - Volunteer Service Event with SHARE - March 29th - Diocesan GROW Conference !We are releasing the Great Lenten Devotionals via email and hard copy this year. If you would like a copy or would like to subscribe to the daily messages and prayers, please contact Renju Padiyara.

Secretary’s Corner: The next 50 days are set aside for the Great Lent by our Church. During this time, we are encouraged to think about the way we are living and the choices we are making in our lives. Let this Lenten season make a positive influence on all of us. With love and prayers, Paul John, Parish Secretary [email protected]; 215.390.7083 (cell)

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Parish Announcements !Please send news, articles and information for April 2014 Newsletter by Sunday, March 23 to the parish secretary or newsletter editor: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. !‣ Please contact the parish office for any updates in contact information, addition in the family

etc. to be added to the database. ‣ Please update your telephone numbers for Message Broadcast. ‣ Please visit our Web Site for information on upcoming events: stthomasphiladelphia.org Prayer Meetings: Please contact Prayer Meeting Coordinator, Mr. Achen Varghese, to schedule a prayer meeting. Prayer meetings may be hosted in your home or in Church. !Please provide the names of the family members who are at least 70 years or will be 70 this summer. A log sheet is available in the office.


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