july 2014 bulletin

July 2014 Newsletter Volume 6 Issue 1

Contact Information:

Fr. John Kuriakose,

222 Ridley Blvd,

Toronto, ON, M5M 3M6

Tel: (416) 485 7781

[email protected]

Inside the Issue

MCYM Discerning Vocations 2

Reunion (Commemoration of

Mar Ivanios)

4

Saint of the Month 7

Malankara Madness 9

MONTHLY EVENTS

JULY 05 Parish Picnic @ Richard’s Memorial Park 10AM—8PM JULY 06 Sunday School Anniversary JULY 12 Monthly Parish Prayer Meeting @ Babu & Kunjumol’s Home 6.30PM JULY 13 Servant of God, Mar Ivanios Perunaal JULY 26-27 Midwest Regional Family Conference @ Seneca College - Newnham Campus: Residence & Conference Centre

3:00 PM Adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament

4:00 PM Morning Prayers

(Namaskaram) & Confession

4:30 PM Holy Mass (Qurbana)

Catechism will resume on the

first Sunday of September 2014

Sunday Liturgy

© St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church, Toronto

Dear Readers,

A big congratulations goes to the Malankara Catholic Mission

in Toronto, as this officially marks the fifth anniversary of our Bulle-

tin! Summer is finally here and Sunday school has come to an end

having completed a full year of studies and its examinations. This

month we commemorate two important days in our Malankara

Church – St. Thomas Day and Mar Ivanios Day. Adding to the

heavenly host of saints from ‘God’s own country’, preparations have

begun for the canonization of His Grace Mar Ivanios. Additionally,

two other Indians, both from Kerala, have been announced to be

declared saints — Blessed Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Blessed

Mother Eufrasia Eluvathingal of the Sacred Heart. We give thanks to

God and pray for His blessings through the intercession of all these

saints. This past month, our youth were blessed to take part in a day

dedicated to discernment of vocation, on June 28th, to help us discern

what path God has chosen for us to take in our lives, whether it be to

join a religious order or become a spouse through the sacrament of

marriage, or to lead a celibate, ascetic life dedicated to God. Also

last month, our youth boys attended the third annual Malankara

Madness regional basketball tournament in Chicago on June 21st, and

although they were eliminated they had a wonderful experience there

for a wonderful cause. Finally, we take a look inside the life of the

Saint of the month, the first saint from our motherland, St. Alphonsa.

We hope that you continue to support us and keep us in your prayers

during these summer holidays. God bless!

- The Editorial Team

Malankara Catholic Church St. Mary’s Mission Toronto

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

www.stmarysmalankaracatholicchurchtoronto.ca

[email protected]

5th Anniversary

mailto:[email protected]


MCYM Discerning Vocations: An Open Mind and Heart to God’s Call and Signs

For the purpose of discernment in their

vocations, the older youth of St. Mary’s

Malankara Catholic Mission gathered at St.

Eugene’s Chapel, Saturday morning on June

28th. As many of the MCYM members are

progressing into a new phase of their life, it

was appropriate to dedicate a day to recollect

on the discernment process to lead a certain

vocation. We had talks from a priest from the

Archdiocese, our own senior youth, Sebin,

and had discussions among our youth, Rajesh

Jacob, our youth animator, Br. Jobin and Fr.

John on the relevant topics. We concluded the

the event with Adoration of the Blessed

Sacrament. The whole day was an opportune

time to seek the intercession of

Mar Ivanios, the Servant of God,

with his approaching commemoration on July

15. By seeking heavenly help from above,

and also those whom God gave us

on Earth, we can better answer God’s call.

Coming to provide insight on

discernment using the church’s wisdom and

his own experience was Fr. Thomas Lim.

Before beginning to share, Fr. Thomas invited

us to keep an open mind, not only as the

means to fully understand what he about to

tell us, but also the key to understanding

God’s plan. After instructing to be open to the

possibilities of one’s vocation and way of life,

Fr. read an excerpt from the Gospel of John,

from Chapter 14. From verses 1 to 6, Jesus

tells his disciples that they should not be trou-

bled and believe in Him. God has prepared a

place for us in His house, where He will re-

ceive us. Jesus was also speaking to us, and

he speaking about heaven. This passage re-

minds us of our purpose in life and with a pur-

pose, we find meaning and then, direction.

Continued on next page...


Continued...

Using this faith, Fr. Lim explained that

our life on Earth is a journey, the Church pro-

vides assistance on our journey and that the

Father’s house is our destination. Whether we

answer the vocation from God will determine

if we are on the right path to Him. And for

this, we need to open our senses, our mind,

and soul to the path He made for us. Fr. Lim

went to tell us what his journey was till now.

As an immigrant boy from a poor family, he

was shown worldly signs, as well as, signs

from God. For the first part of his life, he

followed the vocation of the world seeking a

life of wealth. Leading an unfulfilling life,

through regular attendance of Sunday Mass

and one Sunday Mass and one homily, he

came to a turning point and began recognizing

and responding to the signs from God. He

answered his vocation from God, which was

to become a priest. He has served in the

Church as a parish priest, studying Canon Law

and working in the Church’s marriage tribunal

and soon, he will be living, working and help-

ing form seminarians.

Fr. Thomas Lim began and ended, with

the same theme throughout his talk —

keep an open mind and heart for

what heaven has in store for us.

As those who profess the faith, we must

listen to His voice for what God needs us to

do.

- Neil Thazhamon


Reunion: How do I fit in?

We are all familiar with the recent

events of how the tomb of Servant of God Mar

Ivanios was reopened and mortal remains were

examined as per canonical rules in the process

towards canonization of this great soul. The

vast number of faithful who turned up from

different parts of India, and even state

dignitaries present later during the day, who

paid their respects, was a testimony to the

legacy this holy soul has left behind.

However as a Malankarite of the present

millennium I would like to pause for a moment

and ask myself, the following:

How does the ‘Reunion’, that happened

around 75 years ago, influence my faith,

my life and my upbringing in North

America?

Though I have not met this holy soul,

how does his vision, and his spiritual

practices shape the way I practice my

faith?

It was not long ago, that I emigrated from

Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, the

prominent city that beholds the seat of the

Catholicos and the Catholicate Center for the

Syro-Malankara Catholic church. The city

providentially disposed to embrace the tomb of

Mar Ivanios Pithavu. Growing up in this city

little did I realize the bountiful resources of

faith the church had to offer.

But as I became miles and miles away from it,

I realized all the more, the richness of the soil

that I was brought up in, the bounty of the

liturgy, that my grandmother so painstakingly

made sure that I learn, a tradition and way of

spiritual life that my ancestors were proud of.

If it was not for the ‘Reunion’ would I have

been able to enjoy being a part of this liturgy

and yet be part of a church that is universal?


Commemoration of Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the Servant of God

July 15


Continued...

Till very recent years, to me the Reunion

Movement was a thing of the past for which I

was grateful for, but I felt no appreciation or

sentiments for the people who sacrificed and

worked relentlessly for it. In my diary of

events, Mar Ivanios Pithavu was a bishop of

the past. I feel deeply grateful to God that in

the recent years, God in his mercy has opened

my eyes to the spiritual insights and prophetic

vision Mar Ivanios Pithavu has had for our

church and the generations to come.

‘Girideepam’ - a honest, illustrative and

exhaustive autobiography of how a devout and

spiritual man surrenders all his worldly desires

and aspirations, but trusts in God alone to build

and establish what God asks for, will inspire

anybody who reads it with an open mind.

Likewise the narrative account of his

contemplative meditations before the Holy

Eucharist, and exhortation about the Holy

Qurbono, ‘Vishudha Qurbana – Oru Dhyana

Padhanam’ and other didactic writings on the

sacraments of the church and a collection of the

daily prayers he recited are all eye-openers to

the holy and rigorous spiritual life Mar Ivanios

Pithavu has lead and paved as a path to follow.

It often helps me to experience a personal

relationship, that I have built with him, and he

in turn prays for me and guides me to God.


First Bethany Ashram at Mundanmala

‘Nagari Kanikkal’ — The funeral procession of then Archbishop Mar Ivanios


Continued...

I would want to conclude with this prayer,

recited by Mar Ivanios Pithavu:

“O God we are yours. We have been called out

from this world, and consecrated for you, so

that you may use us according to Your will. O

most loving Father in heaven, instruct us to

love You with all our heart, mind and strength.

Instill in us the grace to renounce any selfish

desire and surrender ourselves to You.

Teach us to do Your holy will and to suffer for

You no matter how much it might hurt us. Let

us not calculate how much we have to spend

for You. The only gain we ask of You is the

conviction and knowledge that we are doing

Your holy will. Give us the grace to love You

and glorify You by leading a life as per the

design You have intended it to be in

Your abundant love for us. Amen.”

(Not an official translation)

- Rajesh Jacob

After the Opening of the Tomb of Servant of God Mar Ivanios

with the Major-Archbishop Catholicos and all Bishops of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and 20,000 faithful present


‘Dukhorono’— Feast of St. Thomas July 3

St. Thomas, who cried out the faith, pray for us!

‘God’s Own Country’ —

Two Indians, from Kerala, to enter Sainthood On November 23rd, Pope Francis

has declared that Blessed

Kuriakose Elias Chavara and

Blessed Eufrasia Eluvathingal,

among four other Blesseds, will

take the next step and enter into

Sainthood. Let us thank God for

for blessing Kerala, India, and

the world. To read more: http://

www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/two-

indians-among-six-new-blesseds-approved-

for-canonization/ Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara of the

Holy Family, Indian priest and

founder of the Congregation of the

Carmelites of Mary Immaculate

Blessed Eufrasia Eluvathingal

of the Sacred Heart, Indian

professed religious of the

Congregation of the Mother of

Carmel

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/two-indians-among-six-new-blesseds-approved-for-canonization/





Saint of the Month — St. Alphonsa

St. Alphonsa is the first native saint from

India. She was named Anna Muttathupadathu

and born on August 19, 1910. Her mother died

when she was very young and so she was

raised by her maternal aunt. Anna was educat-

ed by her great uncle, Fr. Joseph Muttathupa-

dathu. In 1916 Anna started school in Ar-

pookara.

Because she was born to a rich family,

she received many marriage proposals. She

had different plans however, and wanted to

dedicate her life to Jesus. In 1923, she had a

major accident in which she burned her feet

and this event left her permanently disabled.

When she was able, she joined the Fran-

ciscan Clarist Congregation. She arrived at the

Clarist convent at Bharananganam, Kottayam

district on Pentecost Sunday 1927.

She received her veil on August 2, 1928 and

took the name “Alphonsa of the Immaculate

Conception”. On August 11, 1931 she com-

pleted the novitiate and took her first vows.

She took her permanent vows in 1936.

It was on June 14, 1939 that she got a

case of severe pneumonia, which left her inca-

pable of doing many things. Her health con-

tinued to decline from this point and she

passed away on July 28, 1946.

St. Alphonsa is attributed to many physi-

cal healings, especially those of the foot.

She is recognized for patience in her life of

suffering. Pope Benedict XVI announced

her canonization of October 12 2008.

Let us continue to ask for her intercession for

blessings in our life and for others,

especially those who may need it the most.

- Jonathan Mani

Feast of St. Alphonsa

July 28th


Malankara Madness Tournament 2014

Toronto MCYM participated in the

Malankara Madness regional basketball tour-

nament hosted by Chicago MCYM on June 21,

2014! This was the 3rd annual tournament for

all Midwest regional teams. Although Toronto

MCYM played with intensity and passion,

they were eliminated from playoff contention.

The 2-time defending champs Chicago Syro

Malabar Warriors won the tournament once

again this year! They will be participating in

the national basketball tournament in New

York on August 16. Even though Toronto

MCYM did not advance to the next round, it

was an incredible experience for them. Teams

from many denominations came together be-

cause of their shared interest in basketball, and

all the participants were able to have a great

time and develop new friendships along the

way!

Malankara Madness is a non-profit annu-

al sports tournament run by MCYM members

of the Malankara Catholic Exarchate,

for the competing teams of the New York,

Midwest, Philadelphia regions, to culminate in

one national event. Running for three years

now, this initiative uses sports, a common

thread among church communities, as a way to

tie together the many denomination in friendly

and brotherly competition. Such tournaments

also bring opportunity to better the body, the

mind, and the soul of the athlete, as well as en-

hance the relationship within and between the

youth and parish communities. All proceeds

are donated to Sneha Veedu. Located in Na-

lanchira, this home provides food, shelter,

medication, counselling and mental rehabilita-

tion to the mentally challenged, the poor, the

aged and the orphans, by the work of Fr.

George John, three Holy Spirit nuns and two

lay people. Let us pray that this event

continue to remain a staple in our

Malayalee Christian communities to

bring forward brotherly love and

witnessing to Christ and the gospel values.

- Lynn Babu

LITURGY OF THE MONTH Date Gospel Reading Old Testament Reading 1 Old Testament Reading 2

July 06

Luke 6:27-36

Saji Elavanal

(Exodus 20: 1-17,

Job 9: 1 - 10)

Ansu Roy

(Isaiah 65: 1 - 9)

July 13

(Servant of God,

Mar Ivanios

Perunaal)

Luke 9:57-62

Simon Plamthottam

(Exodus 25: 1-9,

Isaiah 65: 13 -16)

Nisha Thomas

(Hosea 14: 1 - 9)

July 20

Luke 15:1-7

Lini Jose

(Deutronomy 21: 18 - 21,

2 Chronicles 4: 1 - 22)

Tanya Mamoottil

(Isaiah 43: 22 - 28)

July 27

Matthew 12:22-32

Francis Thazhamon

(Exodus 34: 29 - 35,

1 Samuel 4: 12 - 18)

Divya Mamoottil

(Ezekiel 16: 1 - 14)

Fifteen Days Fast (Nombu) begins on August 1st in preparation for the Assumption of Mary, Mother of God

ALTAR SERVERS SCHEDULE—JUNE 2014 DATE CANDLE

1 & 2 MARUVAHASA

1 & 2 THUBDEN

II & III THUBDEN

IV & V BELL SCRIPTURE

READINGS DEACON

READINGS THURIBLE

July 06 Abin &

Alister

Aliston &

Joel

Alexi Alvin Alvin 1st: Tom (Sarath) (Acts 6: 1 - 7)

2nd: Alexi (1 Corinthians

10: 14 - 22)

Jerome Samson

July 13 Matthew &

Alan

Alexi &

Alvin

Cyrus Richu Aaron 1st: Aaron (Acts 9: 10 - 19)

2nd: Cyrus (Hebrews 13:

7 - 16)

Christopher

Neil

July 20 Abin &

Alexi

Tom (Sarath) &

Aliston

Alister Cyrus Alan 1st: Alan (Acts 17: 22 - 34)

2nd: Alister (1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 26)

Samson Jerome

July 27 REGIONAL FAMILY CONFERENCE

(TBD)


july 2014 bulletin

Documents

malankara church

marys mission toronto

ivanios day

toronto page

blessed sacrament

past month

servant of god

path god