Cochin,Feb.15,12

Staying at Cochin.
Major Archbishop Cardinal-Elect Mar George Alencherry has asked me to work in the field of Higher Education for the Syro-Malabar Church at St.Thomas Mount and hence I would begin working from there.I hope it would be possible to do some work in this field that is more inspirational and qualitative. The Christian dimension in Higher Education has to be emphasized as we go for more professionalization in Higher Education.

The Catholic colleges should  be encouraged to go in for tie-ups with foreign Catholic Universities.

44th Ordination anniversary,Dec.18,11

The 44th Anniversary of my ordination was celebrated yesterday at St. Martin's church,Palarivattom at 12 noon.All the members of the family were present. Then we all gathered  at the  Renaissance Hotel,Cochin.Mathaichan welcomed the family and then Noby,Josy,Thomaskutty,and Cheriankunju shared their feelings and thoughts. A  cake was cut and all clapped in joy.So one more anniversary has come and gone, giving me an opportunity to  thank the Lord for His great blessings on my life.Every one was given a diary in appreciation.
In  the evening, went to participate in  the 75th birthday celebration of Dr.K.P.Varghese at  the Grand Hotel.

House Boat Trip from Alleppey.

Had a very relaxing trip through the lakes and backwaters of Kuttanad from Alleppey in company with some of the former Professors from the Dept. of English.Profs. K.T.Sebastian. K.K.Matthew,P.J.Devasia,K.V.Joseph.K.A.George and A.J.Francis were on the trip.
The house boats that were were roaming the lakes were hundreds in number.

House Boat Trip,Nov.17,2011.

Singapore

Singapore,Nov.9-14,2011

Staying with Roj and Lisa at Singapore.The flight by Singapore Airlines was very good. Roj was there at the airport when I came down after the immigration check point. After reaching his apartment, we came back to receive his parents,Johnachan and Lelamma who were coming from Bangalore. The four days I spent at Singapore were very relaxing and enjoyable.Singapore is a compact version of any modern city in the West.In planning and organization, it is superb.Visited some of the beautiful malls and restaurants.
Concelebrated mass on Sunday at the Holy Trinity Catholic church at Tampines. It is a very large and beautiful church and it was packed with people at the 9.30a.m. mass. Lisa sang in the choir.Santosh stayed with us for one night before his departure for the States for visits with medical colleges there.
The return journey was also very comfortable.As I got out of the aiport at Cochin, two of my former students in the customs recognized me and came out to introduce themselves. I was happy to see them even though I was seeing them after more than 30 years.It is funny that they still recognize me when they see me in different places.

Cochin,Oct.28,11.

It is more than a month since I have been here in Cochin.By the grce of God, I have got adjusted to the place and am working on different projects.The coming few months will give me time to write and reflect on things and matters dear to my heart. I am getting plenty of time to visit friends and relatives.
Met with Prof.K.T.Sebastian two days ago at Chy and had a very pleasant chat on the current situation of the Church in the educational front.
Prof.K.T.Sebastian is one who has given his whole life and tme for the good of the Church and striven hard to make the voice of the laity heard and respected in the church.As a former member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity , he was the first lay person from India to represent the laity in the International forum and to act as a spokesperson for the millions of the faithful who give vibrancy and srength to the Church in India.
He has authored a book on the role of the laity in the church. It is a well written book dealing with the theology of the laity. Those who viisit him come away with great admiration for his faith and unwavering attachment to the Church. There is a sparkling sense of joy when he discusses the affairs of the Church. More than many rectors and professors, he has been a great mentor to many preists and bishops of the Church in India. I wish him al the blessings of God as he is entering his eighties.