february 2011

© St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church, Toronto

MONTHLY EVENTS February 2011 Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 8

Feb 6 Catholicos Day Monthly MCYM

meeting Feb 18 - 20 MCYM Midwest

Regional Confer-ence

Feb 25 Daiju Achen

returns from India Feb 26 Women’s monthly

prayer meeting at Babu and Valsa’s residence (6:30pm)

2:00 PM Malayalam Class 2:30 PM Sunday School 3:30 PM Song Practice 4:00 PM Prabhatha Namaskaram 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Confessions 4:30 PM Holy Qurbono

Contact Information: Fr. John Kuriakose, 222 Ridley Blvd, Toronto, ON, M5M 3M6 Tel: (416) 485 7781 [email protected]

Sunday Liturgy

Malankara Catholic Church St. Mary’s Mission Toronto

St. Eugene’s Chapel ◊ 13 Regina Avenue ◊ Toronto, Ontario ◊ M6A 1R2 www.stmarysmalankaracatholicchurchtoronto.ca

[email protected]

Inside the Issue Parish Night 2

St. Scholastica 3

Bishop Interview 4

Kid’s Korner 8

His Excellency Most Reverend Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius visits Canada

It was a blessing to our com-munity, to start the New Year with the presence of the His Excellency Most Reverend Dr. Thomas Mar Eu-sebius, the Metropolitan of Ma-lankara Catholic Exarchate in USA and Apostolic Visitor of Canada and Europe. Although, in the past, His Excel-lency has visited Can-ada and the Toronto Mission during his pastoral years, it was His Excellency’s first visit as a newly ap-pointed bishop to our mission!

His Excellency came to Toronto on Saturday, January 8th 2011 and took part in our church Parish Night, where he graced us with his presence and inspirational words. The following day, on Sunday Janu-ary 9th, His Excellency celebrated the Holy Qurbono for us. Prior to the Holy Qurbono, he spent time with the Sunday school children and teachers, and made an effort to know each student personally and engage them in a wonderful and ex-citing conversation. After the Holy

Qurbono, His Excellency had a meeting with the youth where he engaged a lengthy discuss about the future of the Malankara Church and the importance of affirming our faith while embracing the values of the Western culture. Also, there was

a question and answer session where he an-swered all the questions of our youth. His Excel-lency visited the Archbishop of Toronto, His Grace Archbishop Thomas Collins and the Auxiliary Bishop in charge of the ethnic community, Most Rev. William McGrattan. By

visiting many families His Excel-lency imprinted a very personalized and friendly relationship many with parishioners. St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Mis-sion in Toronto is truly grateful to our Heavenly Father for blessing us with such a humble, wise, caring and loving shepherd, who without a doubt will lead his flock towards the path of faith, righteousness and love.

- Betty T. © St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church, Toronto


Malankara Catholic Church

Annual Parish Night The Toronto Malankara

community hosted their annual Christmas Parish Night on January 8, 2011, at Precious Blood Church. It was a wonder-ful opportunity for us to use our God-given talents for the glory of the Lord! This year we were graced with the presence of His Excellency Most Rever-end Dr. Thomas Mar Euse-bius. The evening began at 6:30 with some fun and enter-taining games conducted by the youth. Some of the games included the Candle Lighting game, Merry Fishmas, Stack the Can, and Coin Drop. Both parents and children were de-lighted to interact with one another and spend time with each other. Following the games, dinner was served at 8:30 and the programs started by 9:30. Some of the programs included Margam Kalli by the aunties, a come-

dic skit by the uncles, a black light skit by the youth, and sev-eral dances by the Sunday school children. The Sunday school students, youth, and parents worked very

hard to make this year’s parish night extra special. It was a great opportunity for everyone to praise and exalt the name of the Lord through displaying our talents on stage. Special thanks

go to everyone who lent their house for practices; without you, we would never be able to perform as well as we did. We would especially like to thank Ashwathy aunty, who worked relentlessly to make this event a huge success and a great blessing for all. We would also like to thank our beloved vicar, Fr. John Kuria-kose, who supported us with his love and prayers. Finally, we would like to praise and thank our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for showering us with his abundant bless-ings and graces. May the Lord be with you this wonderful New Year!

- Tanya M.

Liturgy of the Month

Week Gospel Readings Epistles Old Testament Readings

Feb 6 Mark 1: 14-20 Jesus Calls Four Fishermen

1 Pet 3: 8-12 2 Cor 4: 1-6

2 Kings 4: 1-7 Psalms 29: 1-11 Isaiah 48: 12-22

Feb 13 John 3: 31-36 He Who Comes from Heaven

1 Jn 4: 11-20 1 Cor 8: 9-13

Deut 26: 1-10 Proverbs 25: 16-28

Isaiah 43: 1-7

Feb 20 Matthew 24: 45-51 The Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant

Acts 20: 25-38 Heb 13: 7-16

Deut 34: 1-9 Sir 7: 29-36

Isaiah 65: 13-16

Feb 27 John 5: 19-29 The Authority of the Son

2 Peter 3: 8-13 1 Thess 4: 13-18

Genesis 49: 29-33 Eccl 7: 1-14

Isaiah 38: 9-20



St. Scholastica St. Scholastica, twin sister

of St. Benedict of Nursia, was born in 480 AD in Italy. She was a nun and leader of a community for women at Plombariola, about five miles from Benedict's abbey at Monte Cassino. She was very close to God from a young age, and led a devout life. She would constantly pray, and keep fast. She com-pletely devoted herself to God. After her brother went to Monte Cassino, where he established his famous monastery, she founded and gov-erned a monastery of nuns at Plombariola, about five miles from that of St. Benedict.

She could only visit St. Benedict once a year, and when she did, she was not allowed to en-ter his monastery. So, he went with some of his brethren to meet her at a nearby guesthouse instead. They would often spend a lot of time dis-cussing spiritual matters. On the last day they were supposed to meet, they had passed time as usual in prayer and holy conversa-

tion, and in the evening they sat down to reflect on their prayer and discussions.

When her brother began to leave, St. Scholastica begged her

brother to stay and talk with her until the next day. She knew it would be the last time they would see each other on earth, and she wanted to spend as much time as she could on her last day with him. However, St. Benedict refused to

spend the night outside of his monastery. St. Scholastica was so upset and disappointed; she prayed to God that he would do something to stop her brother from leaving. Almost immediately, a large thunderstorm started out-side. St. Benedict was not able to return to the monastery, therefore he had to stay. They spent the en-tire night in spiritual conferences.

The next morning they went their separate ways and said goodbye, for this would be their last meeting on earth. Three days later, St. Scholastica passed away, and St. Benedict had a vision in which he saw her soul ascend into heaven as a white, shining dove. He sent his brethren to bring her body to his monastery and laid it in the tomb he had prepared for himself. She died about the year 543, and St. Benedict followed her soon after. Her feast day is Febru-ary 10th. ‘St. Scholastica, pray for us.’

- Divya M.

Holy Father’s Intentions for the Month

GENERAL INTENTION That the family may be respected by all in its identity and that its irreplaceable contribution to all of society be recognized. MISSION INTENTION That in the mission territories where the struggle against disease is most urgent, Christian communities may witness to the presence of Christ to those who suffer.



An Interview with our Beloved Bishop His Excellency, Aboon Thomas Mar Eusebius kindly obliged to entertain an interview for the Toronto MCYM bulletin with Nisha Thomas on the 11th of January, 2011. Below is the written transcript of the inter-view. Nisha Thomas: “So, let’s start. It’s been a given that your life has changed since you became our thirumeni, here in North America.” Eusebius Pithave: “Yes.” NT: “I was wondering how you’ve been adjusting to life in New York.” EP: “I am not very new to this Western way of life, since I spent almost four years in Italy studying, and also I have trav-eled and also lived in many of the European countries. So it was not so difficult for me to adjust myself to the New York situation.” NT: “Mhmm. So, I know that you visited Canada before as a priest, can you just tell us, what was the intention of that visit?” EP: “It was during the time when I was studying in Rome that I came to Canada. I was in Rome from 1993 to 1997 doing doctorate in philosophy, and for my thesis I selected the philoso-phy of a Canadian thinker named Bernard Lonergan. So there is in Toronto, a Lonergan

Research Institute, so I wished to spend a few weeks in this in-stitute as part of my research. That’s how I came to Canada in 1995, and I was here for seven weeks. He’s written lot of books, the best known book is called Insight: A Study in Human Un-derstanding. It has got more than a thousand pages.” NT: “Very nice. Can you fill us in on your educational back-ground a little bit more?” EP: “I had my schooling in my village, that is near Pathanam-thita, called Mylapra. So after my schooling I came to the Mi-nor Seminary in Trivandrum, and I spent there three years, and also I completed my pre-degree studies. Then I was sent to Pune, where I had the rest of my priestly studies. I did my Bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Bachelor’s degree in theology, and Master’s degree in philoso-phy. So all these studies I had in Pune, at the Papal Seminary. Then I was ordained, and then I was appointed in our Major Seminary in Trivandrum to teach philosophy, and in ’93 I was sent to Rome to do Doctor-ate. I came back in ’97 and then I resumed my teaching assign-ment in the seminary.” NT: “You’ve just mentioned that you’ve taught at one of the seminaries in India. Can you tell us about that experience?

For how long did you teach there?” EP: “Now I started teaching at the St Mary’s Malankara Semi-nary in 1988, then I taught up to 1993. Then I was in Rome ‘til 1997. Then from 1997 ‘til 2010 – when I was appointed a bishop – I continued teaching there, and I taught philosophy all through.” NT: “Okay. So now let’s come and talk about North America. What are your dreams for this exarchate in America?” EP: “Yeah, it is not so easy to say in a sentence or two. I per-sonally believe that the Ma-lankara Catholics have a very specific mission in this conti-nent.” NT: “Mhmm.” EP: “We are fortunate to be the heirs of some of the most beau-tiful traditions of the world. First of all our tradition, our culture, the Indian culture, as I’ve said many times, is one of the most ancient, richest cul-tures of the world. We inherit that culture, and we always… you know, we can never be ig-norant of that, negligent of that. Secondly, as Christians, we have inherited one of the most ancient spiritualities of the world. Christian spirituality, that is what we have, the Antio-chian, our liturgy and all that is

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An Interview with our Beloved Bishop cont inued . . . meant by that. The Malankara Catholics in North America have been fortunate to be the heirs of these traditions. On a third level, we are fortunate to spend our life in this beautiful continent, which is one of the most open cultures of the world, which welcomes every other culture. I think no other culture in the world, respects human freedom and dignity as it is expected here. So when we have a beautiful combination of these values, in our life, in our Christian living, I think that would be one of the best Chris-tian witnesses that a human community could give. I hope you follow.” NT: “Mhmm” EP: “So this is a very specific mission and only we could do that. So that being all that good in India, all that is good in Ma-lankara, and all that is good in America – this beautiful sym-biosis combination only we could make. Now the details of this have to be spelt out. Ideally this is my dream.” NT: “Along with this question, can you tell us a few of your perhaps specific plans for the church in North America for the next few years?” EP: “Yeah, generally speaking our people have to be strength-ened to give this Christian wit-

ness in this continent. That’s my mission.” NT: “Mhmm” EP: “Help people to provide this witness. That is, theoretically that is our aim, and practically, so many things have to be said, so many things have to be done. We have to cater to the pastoral needs of our first gen-eration, to our second genera-tion, our youth and our chil-dren. Special emphasis must be made on the mission to our youth and children.” NT: “Mhmm” EP: “Because, they have a dif-ferent cultural ambience than our first generation people. So they must be helped to develop a belongingness to the church, and they must be helped to be fascinated by the Christian val-ues. They must be equipped to provide or fulfill this mission. That is, I think, one of the most challenging missions that the exarchate has. More practically we need more infrastructures. Those things I think will be in place in due time. For example we need a cathedral in New York mainly. We need what you call a Centre from where most of our pastoral activities can be coordinated. We need, every parish in fact, needs to have a church of its own. All these are certain practical objectives which we have to obtain. But

more than that you know, strengthening our people spiri-tually, ecclesially and in their commitment to the Christian values, that’s the most impor-tant thing.” NT: “Mhmm, okay. So recently I’ve heard there are many books that are coming out for the American exarchate, Canada and Europe right. Other than books is there anything else we can anticipate in the future for our missions as a whole?” EP: “You mean the liturgical books?” NT: “Yes.” EP: “You see, we live in a coun-try where most people speak English, and our younger gen-eration are formed in this lan-guage. So I personally feel that it is essential that all our litur-gical texts are translated into English. And that is one of our very urgent tasks. All the litur-gical texts, all the sacraments, all the feast days, all the cate-chistical texts, all these need to have English rendering for our youth and children. So, soon we have to set up a commission for liturgy and we have to start functioning on that. That’s what I desire.” NT: “Okay. So, moving on a lit-tle, where do you see the MCYM in a couple of years? Do you

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An Interview with our Beloved Bishop cont inued . . . have anything which we should be looking forward to, again, in the coming years?” EP: “I think the most important part of this church community is the youth community, be-cause the future of our exar-chate, our church in this conti-nent, depends primarily on them, on their ecclesial enlight-enment and commitment. So MCYM, not just for the sake of MCYM, no, not as a formality… but I am happy about the youth in America because, as far as my limited knowledge goes, they’re very earnest people. I think that is also, you know, part of this culture. As I was sharing the other day, young people here are earnest, they’re sincere, they want to be au-thentic. They do something, and they want to do it meaningfully. They want it to be relevant, in their life, in our life. In that way, I think our youth has a lot of resources, positive resources, for a bright future for the church. The only thing you know, they have to be con-sciously kept close to the heart of the church, because... it is

not so easy. The world which we live has a lot of attractions. So in such a world where people can be constantly tempted to go out of the track, it is a Hercu-lean task to keep the people consistently… to think along with the church means to think along the Christian line. So that is an area where we have to spend a lot of energy as a church. And MCYM, I think MCYM and our Sunday school students; they are our core of the church today, as far as the future is concerned.” NT: “Mmm. I was just wonder-ing, how many churches have you gone to so far, to visit them?” EP: “I think in the US, I have visited almost all the churches except… Dallas. All our churches I have visited. Oh, and Detroit. Detroit I am going, the first week of February I am going. Canada I have also vis-ited, only area left out so far is Europe. I didn’t have the time; it’s just three months you know. So I’ve been kept really busy, all these days, traveling and also doing, you know a lot

of deskwork. That also is part of it.” NT: “Mhmm. Besides the great responsibilities that come with taking care of us in North America and Europe, do you think you’d be able to be active in speaking out against injus-tices, say in American culture, as they come along? For in-stance, abortion and euthana-sia, when they come into debate in American law, some bishops say nothing. Would you be able or have time to speak out or speak to the people about this things?” EP: “Taking a stand against in-justice and immorality is essen-tial to my call as a priest and as a bishop. As a Christian also.” NT: “Mhmm.” EP: “It is central to our call. So it is not something special.” NT: “Mhmm.” EP: “I should do. Then, in a country like this you know, we have to see how we are heard. I haven’t yet established myself, you see. So right now I am busy with the most basic infrastruc-tural needs of our church, but

Coffee Sponsors Feb 6 Regi & Jessy

Feb 13 Renish & Rani

Feb 20 TBA

Feb 27 Joshy & Italia

Date Candle 1 Candle 2 Marbahasa 1 Marbahasa 2 Bell Readings Thurible

Feb 6 Samson Neil Christopher Deepak Lynn

Feb 13 Christopher Samson Deepak Neil Sebin Lynn Br. Jobin

Feb 20 MCYM Midwest Regional Conference

Feb 27 Samson Christopher Neil Deepak Lynn Sebin Br. Jobin

Sebin

Altar Schedule - February Continued on Page 7...



An Interview with our Beloved Bishop cont inued . . . at the same time, that doesn’t mean that I should compro-mise, or that I should not take a stand against such injustice, and immoral tendencies. That is part of our mission, there’s no compromise on that.” NT: “Okay. I just wanted to talk about Edmonton for a moment. So there’s some great news that a new mission is starting up in

Edmonton, Alberta, and that a priest will be sent there soon. This is the first time there will be a n o t h e r mission in C a n a d a , and we in

Toronto are very excited. One of your prime reasons for coming over the borders is to visit Ed-

monton once more. I just wanted to ask, how have the discussion been with the Roman Catholic diocese over there in Ed-monton? We know the basics of what has been happen-ing, but can you give us any de-tails?” EP: “For me, again, as far as my limited experience goes, my re-lation with the Latin Catholic bishops in US and in Canada has been the best. Very, very cordial and warm. Whomever I approached for a particular need, they have been extra gen-erous, that’s my experience. So the Malankara Catholic Church must be exceptionally thankful to the Latin Catholic Church in North America. And we have a pleasant arrangement, thanks to their generosity. So, for ex-ample we have this possibility

of starting four more missions in the US, and I met all those bishops. All of them were very positive. And when we wrote to the bishop in Ed-monton, Bishop Smith was very positive. So thanks to Fr. Daiju, who p r e p a r e d t h e

groundwork for opening this new mission, now we have a possibility. I’m going to meet them, the persons concerned in the archdiocese, and we hope in a few months’ time, a priest will be able to come there.” NT: “Okay. This is pretty much my last question. If we ever have question about our faith or liturgy, is there any way to contact you?” EP: “Best way to send me an email.” NT: “Okay, so what would your email be?” EP: “My email address is very simple: [email protected]. Whoever writes, I will see to it that I reply immediately.” NT: “Thank you very much.” EP: “Thank you very much for this interview, I wish you all the best.” NT: “You too.”

- Nisha T.

Liturgical Cycle Ariyippu Kalam Nov 1 – Dec 20

Deneha Kaalam (Elda Kalam) Dec 21- Feb 21

Valiya Nombu Kalam Feb 22 – Apr 11

Kyamtha Kalam Apr 12 – May 30

PentiKosthi Kalam May 31 – Aug 5

Tejaskarana Kalam Aug 6 – Sept 13 Sleeba Kalam

Sept 14 – Oct 31

Malankara

Catholic Church

must be excep-

tionally thankful

to the Latin

Catholic Church

in North

America. Bishop Eusebius

“

”

february 2011

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