Sunday, December 28, 2008

Christmas,Staten Island,08

The Christmas gathering at the Blessed Kunjachan Mission at Staten Island was beautiful.The singing in Malaylam during the mass consisting of the young girls in the choir was very remarkable.They sang very beautifully all the songs for the mass.The Christmas pageant, dances and group songs put up under the direction of the youth leaders were very remarkable.Joy Kachappally did a very fine videographic presentation of the songs composed by Fr.Joy Alappat.On the whole, the Christmas celebration was excellent.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Christmas gathering in the evening on Dec.25

In the evening all gathered at the Basment of Dr.Stephen's house for a Christmas party.Just before the gathering, a committee was selected to run the affairs of the mission.It was decided to have a website for the mission.Differnt coordinators were appointed for liturgy,communication,music,finance etc.
The gathering went very well.Singing and dances by the children were organized well.
The next day,Karen came to give a ride to the airport.
Reached NJ in the evening.Joy Chakappan and George were there at the airport.
Went to George and Mary's house for dinner.Their daughter Soniya was home from the college.
Came to the rectory around 6.45p.m. and concelebrated mass for the prayer group.

Christmas,Louisville,08-Cake Cutting

Gathering after the mass.Cutting of the cake to celebrate Christmas at 11.30a.m. at the Louisville Cathedral





Monday, December 22, 2008

Cleveland




The mass at Cleveland on Dec.21. A very cold day.The temp in Chicago was -3.
Cleveland was also cold and windy. Lunch with Chris (Kavilaveettil)and Seema. Mass attended by around 40 people.Went with Joseph Pudusserry and Rosy.Had dinner with them .Their children,George and Gita were present at the mass. came to the airport around 7.40pm. But the flight was delayed for three hours. Reached here around 11.30.Very tiring but felt very relieved when reaching the room.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Ordination Anniversary

Dec.18th.Today is the 41 st anniversary of my ordination.Said mass at the chapel and then went to a Cafe for brekfast with the fathers of the house. Feel extremely thankful to the Lord for his great love and mercy shown through all these 41 years of my priestly life.How beautiful the Lord is. It means that one has to work for the Lord and carry His message of love and forgiveness to all whom one meets in life.
Within a few days,Christmas will be upon us.It should be a time of new beginnings--of a life given over to Jesus, to His mercy and love.
Words are not enough to praise and thank the Lord.How great is the Lord in His mercy.
Spent a little time poring over some of the beautiful Christmas stories.
Louis Cassel's--A Christmas Parable--how a man got a proper understanding of Christmas when he tried to draw the birds that came hitting at his window on a snowy night.
The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry.
The Little Match-Seller by Hans Christian Anderson--how a little girl died of cold on New yer's Eve--lighting her matches and seeing her grandmother in her dream.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Los Angeles,Nov.08







Grand Canyon,08







New Jersey,Dec.14,08

The visit to our Syro-Malabar parish in East Millford .The evening on Dec.13, spent with some of the alumni of S.B. Mr.Thomas Karimattathil came to the airport to receive.Spent the evening with Thomas,James and Rosamma Mukkadan and Aniyan Georger, his wife Cicily and son Kevin.Tom Perumpayil came in the evning and spent the night at his house. Sunday morning, spoke to the CCD students, said the 10 a.m. mass, met with the CML and later in the afternoon spoke to the CCD teachers. The teachers are really very much involved and dedicated in their ministry. Fr.Thomas also did a superb job in bringing all the age groups into a cohesive community.Later Joshi came and spent the time with his family.Went to Lawrenceville school to be present at the school concert where Jamie sang in the group. Monday morning, Sunil Jacob, a former student of mine came to Joshy's place and took me to his house and later to the airport.
Yesterday, Dec.16, was very cold in the morning and later in the afternoon , we received a lot of snow.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Winter,08

Dec.3,08
Returning from the trip to Phoenix and Los Angeles--- greeted with a great blanket of snow on the ground.
The beginning of the 2008 Winter. For the next few days , the temp. will be very low.
The waiting at the aiport at LA was very tiring as the flight was delayed for three hours.
the ride from Phoenix to LA via Grand Canyon was almost thirteen hours with a few stops in between.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Venice


The pilgrim group from Chicago.
The courtyard of St.Mark's cathedral is behind us.

joe


gondola


Picnic


Assisi


Venice


Orange County,Nov.30

Said mass at the Orange county church.Frs.Kattackal and Thurthiyi were concelebrants.The church was packed with people.There was a great sense of fellowship among the parishioners.Later, after their Thanksgiving dinner, got a chance to speak to the CCD teachers.Gave also information about the Safe Environment policy of the diocese. After the mass, returned with Bose and Geena.In the evening George,Tina and Tomy and his family joined for the dinner. Later Johny and Maria from LA came to visit.

Phoenix

Spent Thanksgiving Day with Dayalu and the family in Phoenix. The next day , left for Grand Canyon. It was cold out there.But got a nice view of the rock formation and gorge .The red color of the rocks was seen very vividly.A magnifient view of the Rocks.Dayalu and Justin were there to get the view of the place.