Redwood,California

Went with Sovi Philip to see the Redwood trees in San Jose area.Trees as old as 2000 years are there.

Christmas,Louisville, Kentucky

Christmas celebration at Louisville Kentucky. The mass was said at 10 a.m. at the Assumption Cathedral, Louisville, Kentucky .There was a cutting of the cake after the mass. Later, every one went to a nearby Indian restaurant and had a Christmas Dinner.
The children enjoyed the gathering .Returned by the evening flight with a stop over in St.Louis.A couple of hours of waiting at St.Louis airport. Reached Chicago by 9p.m. It was snowing in Chicago.

Christmas Celebration,Indian Embassy,Dec.13,09

Christmas Message,Indian Embassy,D.C.

Gave the Christmas message at the Indian embassy,Washington D.C.The new Ambassador Ms.Meera Shankar was present.Also the Deputy Ambassador.Mr.Siby George,Counsellor,Commerce, was the M.C.The Ambassador in her welcome speech mentioned the origin of the Christian faith in India through the Apostle .Siby gave the welcome speech.He mentioned the arrival of Christian faith in India through the preaching of St.Thomas the Apostle.The function was beautiful.Carols were sung by the Members of the Miso group,the Goan choir and the German Music School.Before the Carols , the message was given.It was well appreciated.Congratulations came from a lot of people.Benoy Thomas gave the vote fo thanks.Met a lot of people

December,09

The picture is that of Cardinal Baum of Washington D.C. at St.Matthew's Cathedral on Christmas night ,1979.
Present at the first Friday Adoration at the Church at Bellwood. Very few people were there. Also was a very cold night. In the evening the members of the Elmhurst Ward came here to begin their Christmas Carol.The crowd was small.
Now Christmas songs--http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifngs are played in my room.

Thanksgiving,09

After spending four days in Philadelphia, left for Fishkill, Ny to spend the Thanksgiving Day with Jogy. It was a relaxing day with no trips or visits.
At Philadelphia Syro-Malabar church, said the two Sunday masses on Nov.22. and in the afternoon , went to Hershy to say the mass there at 4p.m. Returning from Hershy late at night. On Nov.23, Monday, visited with Anna and blessed her house.
On 24th morning, took the US Air Regional flight to Newburgh and Jogy was there to pick me up.

Atlanta,Nov.2,09

Visited Atlanta Syro-Malabar church. Spent three days at the new rectory.A very spacious building.
Met the CCD teachers on Saturday at 12 noon. Gave them power-point presentations on Safe Environment and Methods of Teaching.Well-attended.
John Koikara and Tessy were in charge of the organization of the meeting along with the Vicar,Fr.Johny Puthiaparampil.
Visited Tomy and Mini , Robert and Angel and John and Tessy at their houses.
The stay went OK.

Regional meeting,Dallas,oct.17,09

The Regional meeting of the parishes in Texas went off on a good start.It was well attended.Bishop Mar Lawrence Mukkuzhi gave a nice talk on the integral constituve elements of the church based on the Acts of the Apostles.Bishop MarJ.Angadiath inaugurated the meeting and celebrated the mass.The afternoon workshop sessions were organized well.I had to wrap up the session.
Fr.Joji and Josey and Salichan along with Prof.Mathew etc did a good job in making preparations for the meeting as well as preparing the material of the Conference.

Friends and alumni,LA,Aug.09

San Diego,Aquarium,Aug.20,09

Visit to the Aquarium was enjoyable. It was raining on and off on that day. Seeing the Red flamingos, sea lions,etc was very interesting.
Dayalu and Justin were there for the visit.

Bobby Elapunkal,Aug.21,09

It was great meeting Boby Elapunkal and thefamily. It was a reunion of classmates after our graduation in 1960.Did celebrate our birthdays too there in the house of Boby.
Shared memories of the college days.

Freemont,Au.30,09

Went to Oakland and stayed with Fr.Kurian at Freemont. Met the CCD teachers and the members of the new Parish Council. Addressed the parents and teachers before the Sunday mas. Talked to the CCD teahers on the Safe environment and Internet Security. Spoke about the Concept of servant leadership to the memebrs of the new parish council.
Very much impressed by the large presenc eof Software engineers who are actively involved in the different parish programs.

Santa Anna,Aug,22,09

Went to Santa Anna in connection with the Baptism of Dan, son of Dayalu and Nimmy.It was also an occasion of meeting some of the former students of SB. Had a chance to go to San Diego.Visited the Aquarium there. Went to the house of Mathew Vachaparampil, Jose Padupurackal etc in the company of Dayalu and Justin.
Met the CCD teachers of St.Thomas Church , Santa Anna.
George Yohannan,Jomy Joseph,Dr.Thomas Thannikal etc gathered at the house of Jomy and threw a birthday party.it was very kind of them to have done that. May the Lord bless them.
In a way, felt fortunate to have the birthday celebration in such an intimate setting of former students and their families.

Donna Kurtz,July21,09

It was an unbelievable visit.Visiting Donna and the family for the first time after 1981.Cannot describe the joy and the excitement that came from visiting with the family.What a wonderful experience of Christian family life!The joy,love and faith experienced there are beyond words to describe.Also visited the school which follows a very Catholic curriculum.Who else has followed the Church life so perfectly as this family?Anne took me to the ranch where there are guest houses for visitors too.

Visiting Donna andJohnKurtz,July21,09

Calgary,Canada.SB alumni

A gathering of the former students of S.B. living at Calgary at the house of Ciby.

Calgary,Canada.SB alumni

Calgary,Clara's House,09

The Community mass at Calgary St.Mary's Cathedral.

the Reception at Clara's house.

Fr.Sajo , Dr.Clara Joseph etc are seen here.

Calgary,Canada.

Went to Calgary on June 3rd .A three hour flight.Dr.Clara , one of my students,was at the airport.Stayed at the Cathedral.Fr.Sajo made all the arrangements.Met the Bishop Most Rev.Henry the next day at the Pastoral Centre. Very cordial and supportive. He offered all assistance for Sunday masses in one of the Catholic churches in Calgary. On Friday evening , said mass in the Syro-Malabar rite.Frs.Sajo, George and Nellisserry concelebrated for the mass. The faithful received with great joy the news of the permission given by the Bishop for Sunday masses.
The visit to Banff was very enjoyable.Deepak, Joby,Tomy etc were in the group.The Cable car ride was very lovely.The mountainous landscape was breathtakingly beautiful.
Had a lovely dinner at Clara's residence.On Trinity Sunday,concelebrated mass at the Cathedral. Gave the homily at the mass.
Alumni meeting at Ciby's house.. Met a lot of former students. Had dinner at the house of Joe Sebastian.

San Jose,May 16

Went to San Jose for a meeting of the Asia Pacific Catholic leaders' meeting. Meeting Sovi,Rekha,Neeba at Sovi's house.

The Leaders' meeting lasted for two days.

Atlanta,09

Went to Atlanta on May 8th for the First communion of the children of the parish.Tomy Kizhekethalackal was at the airport to pick me up. Stayed with Tomy and Mini.

12 children were there for the First communion.After the mass, went with Jewel and stayed at his house.

Said mass at the church on Sunday. After the mass, there was a meeting of the SB&Assumption Alumni.A new chapter of the Association was inaugurated.Tomy and Jewel were nominated the President and the Secretary of the Association respectively.

On sunday, stayed with Fr.Johny at the Rectory.Met Fr.Jose Mullakara for lunch.

Returned to Chicago on Monday.

Phoenix,09

Went to Phoenix.Stayed with Robert and Betzy.The stay was very good. Said mass for the community.
Met the VG at the chancery--Fr.David. He offered to finda part-time position for Fr.Mathew.Returned on Monday.
Also vsited Cheriankunju's brother's daughter and her family.
Had dinner with Chackochen Kundera&Preethi.Met there Francis Mathew, Tom,CCD coordinator,and Vinu.Told them to forget the past and to get involved in the new parish.

Holy Week,Florida.

Went to the Coral Springs Church,Florida for the holy week. Was there from Monday affter the Pslam sunday to the Monday after Easter. Had some free days before the hOly thursday and hence could go for walking.From Thursday onwards, the days were busy.
went ot Nadayil's house on the Easter day. met George Vadaparmapil,Davis Pulikal, Joe Kurivial etc. Particiapted in two prayer meetings.
Sr.Jerome who worked in Africa was there.The sisters were very helpful.My voice was very fragile and froggy.Hence difficulty in saying the prayers in a clear voice.

Nimish and Diana--with the Priests

Nimish and Diana-Wedding Pictures

Nimish and Diana

Marriage of Nimish and Diana

Went to Trichur to bless the marriage of Nimish and Diana.The marriage was blessed at the Our Lady of Dolors--Puthen pally.the day before , visited some of the old churches in Trichur--like the Surayi churches etc.Saw that the their prayers at the mass almost similar to the Syro-Malabar Catholic mass prayers.

Leaving for India,09

Today , leaving for India and will return on March 9th.
Chicago is still reeling under cold but within a couple of days the weather will change for the better.
Expecting to meet family and friends during the stay at Cochin.
The contact no. at Ekm is 0484-2394525.

Christmas Tree,Lancaster,08

Standing in front of the giant Christmas tree in the vestibule of the theater.

The Miracle of Christmas,08

Lancaster,Philadelphia,08.

Before the Sound and Lght theater in Lancaster for the show " The Miracle of Christmas".The story of Christmas was well protrayed.The portrayal of Mary was excellent.