Feast Day 5th July 2015

St Thomas Feast was celebrated in St Thomas Church, R K Puram, New Delhi on 5th July, 2015.  Fr George Manimala designed a set of posters, one for each day of celebrations.

Youth day mass.  See the beautiful pattern the roof lights have made.  Our church is wonderful.

The day for inter religious.  Visible harmony.  Communion of communities. God's children, brothers and sisters.

Women of St Thomas Church in the entrance procession.  The  Church, the carpet, the sarees, the blouses, the hand held fans - all matching.  

Con-celebrated Mass.

Short cultural programme which included dance by North East Fraternity,

 Skit by St Thomas Association of Youth.  

The school toppers were felicitated and given a memento

Distinguished Parishioner of the Year award given to Dr Daisy Panna (Female) and Mr Rafaiel (Male)

The St Thomas Annual 2015 released

The whole community enjoyed a meal together.  Chicken biryani, vegetable raita, pickle and a banana.  The congregation satisfied both spiritually and physically thanked the Lord and St Thomas.  PRAISE THE LORD MY GOD

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Youth day for St Thomas Feast 2015

St Thomas feast falls on 3^rd July and this year we at St Thomas R K Puram Parish celebrated the feast on 5^th July being Sunday.   Let me borrow from what St Shimi wrote about St Thomas. 

“In the Gospel, THOMAS, the apostle DOUBTED that Jesus had RISEN because he did not see nor touch Jesus. 
Do we also doubt JESUS’ LOVE AND CARE for us when we are going through TRIALS that are very TRYING And TRAUMATIC? If we do not RELY ON Jesus, our trials will be overwhelming. 
Let’s pray for the GIFT OF WISDOM of the Spirit.
HAPPY FEAST to ALL... may ST THOMAS intercede for ALL of US.”

We are human and doubt we will, but it’s OK.  I remember Fr Mathew PJ sermon on the day for the Youth.  He said because St Thomas doubted we got further convincing evidence with Jesus proving himself to St Thomas.  It’s OK to doubt but remove it and remove it for others like He (St Thomas) did for us.

As part of the feast celebrations 3^rd July was youth day and the over all coordination was the responsibility of STAY members.  It was decided to invite Fr Mathew PJ, Parish Priest of Dharuheda, Haryana (who was earlier in RK Puram as APP), as the main celebrant. He is vibrant and popular with all the parishioners and especially the youth.  We all remember him with fondness.  He is a bundle of enthusiasm, energy and positive conviction.  Fr Mathew very rightly pointed out that the youth of today is saddled with worry and fear.  For success in exam, for a good job, for a good companion.  They don’t have the benefit of support group as the earlier generation had.  

    

Mr Alexander Daniel, retired IPS officer was the guest speaker for the evening.  The youth of our parish had gathered and organised the short function.  Mr Alexander urged our youth to do well to have any impact, as Christians are a minuscule minority in India.  We have to be known by our righteous living. Sanctified families leading to sanctified religious. In Kerala the proportion of Christians is more and it may be easier to reach out,  to be seen as a community which is different.  In the north where the numbers are less, where you may be just one family in the area, one student in the class or one employee in the whole organisation, it is difficult to leave an impression or even be known to your neighbours.  It is, therefore, imperative to do well in life and not remain one in the crowd with no identity.   Mr Alexander stressed the need of strength of character.  He urged our youth to listen to Ted talks which can teach us a few things.  Touching upon the excessive attachment to social media he mentioned that during the last lent church had declared cyber fasting for the last week of lent.  I am sure most of us would find that very difficult or even impossible.  He also mentioned that Prayer can be an anchor and stabilising factor.  Pray when ever you can.   You need not fix a time or take out time for prayer.  It can be said everywhere any time.  It will make you feel good.   Have a grateful heart.  We have received many blessings but fail to feel grateful. 

Mr Alexander felt that the Church needs to train the youth in parenting. Our children brought up on nucleus families have not had any exposure to parenting.  They have not seen grand parents looking after smaller kids, they have not stayed with other families.  They have had no opportunity to learn from nature as a kid would have in the rural areas.  What is learnt is best unlearnt like what we have seen in the world wide web.  Most of it is unreal and even wrong. 

In today’s world everyone looks for ‘what is in it for me’ (wiiifm).  It is not understood or even ridiculous to do something without having or expecting something in return.  We are so engrained with selfishness that no one will appreciate if you do something gratis.  It is not done and many become suspicious.  So much so that people are trying to find a reason for Mother Teresa’s love for the poor.  I think that we Christians will have to have a lot of courage and conviction to do good and be noticed doing good. 

Outreach programme

Outreach programme

       St Thomas Feast is being celebrated on 5^th July, 2015 in RK Puram Parish.  As part of the celebrations a team of parishioners with Fr Jesuraj, Assistant Parish Priest went to Snehalaya, in Palam next to Mahavir Enclave.  Last Sunday we took a second collection in the church to give everyone a chance to contribute for this noble cause.  We left at 9-30 AM from the church.  Fr Jesuraj was very sure of the location but had not gone there himself.  I was happy to have him in my car as there would be no problem reaching our destination. 

2.    Palam is not an easy place.  From the T1 terminal junction we took the road to Dwarka and the other vehicles were following us.  The road climbed up the flyover crossing the railway line and leading to Dwarka.  We however took the left fork and descended to the chaos of Palam/Mahavir Enclave.  Turned left and got lost in the confusion of lanes.  Directions from the well-wishers were not of much use.  Ultimately we switched on the GPS/google maps and let the electronic voice guide us to our destination.  Sisters run the place for the girls and fathers of Don Bosco run the place for the boys.  Both are close to each other.  There were 18 girls going to school from 2^nd standard upto 11^th standard.  It is summer holidays for them.  They sang for us and we played a game with them.  Tania, representing our youth, taught the girls some action songs.  Dr Daisy our Parish Council Vice President had come with her twins.  They became the centre of attraction for the girls.  All of them wanted to carry the kids and surprisingly the kids did not object and rather enjoyed the crowed and the attention.

3.    We crossed to the boys’ home.  They had more than 100 boys.  Some were practicing music, some involved in other activities.  They all go to nearby schools.  The boys are divided into age wise groups.  Broadly they have those upto 18 years of age and another group from 18 to 22 years.  There was a small boy in tears and wanted to go home, a home he was not sure off.  He tearfully wanted to meet his dadi at home.  Fr explained about the requirement of paperwork, the background of the boys, the challenges that are required to be faced and how difficult it is to manage.  Lack of financial resources itself may be a major challenge, but to take care of children, study, food sickness, etc are all daily chores and needed to be attended to with love, compassion and care.     Children might have run away from homes, lost, picked up from railway stations, children of jail inmates, abused, shattered, dejected, suicidal,…..  When you meet them they radiate hope and happiness.  Wonderful job done by our sisters and fathers/brothers. 

4.    When we enjoy good things in life, may be a loving family, a nice home, good food, loving friends we fail to be thankful.  A visit to such a place puts everything in perspective.  I would say that such exposure is needed for us to bring us down to earth, to acknowledge that there are people around, plenty of them, who are not as privileged.  Then let’s appreciate the sacrifice that the religious make.  They too have a loving family, they could also have enjoyed the material world, they could also have gone for a movie or an evening bash at KFC or Dominoes.  But, they left everything and have given that hope and happiness to these children, God’s children. 

5.    Let’s remember these children and their guardians, guardian angels in our prayers during this feast time and whenever we are inclined to grumble when we could be or should be satisfied.  

6.    We then went to St John’s Church, Mahavir Enclave.  One of the cars took a wrong turn and ended up on the flyover towards the airport and back to church.  We went into the church.  Parking is very difficult in the narrow front lane of the church.  Father gave us a glass of cool drink and biscuits.  Our growling stomachs and parched throat welcomed the offer.  Suddenly we realised that Dr Daisy’s kids were in the car that has already left and mother Daisy was with us.  We bade farewell and headed home, deeply satisfied.  Praise the Lord.

  

Sr. Shimi Varghese farewell

Father announced during Sunday Mass that Sr Shimi Varghese has been transferred and that she will be  leaving for her next posting the coming Saturday.  Since I had shifted to St Thomas Parish I had been seeing Sister as a permanent face, a picture of confidence and always wearing a warm smile.  The news that she is leaving us must have touched many hearts in this Parish.  How many would really get a chance to thank her, have the time and opportunity to come up and say bye is not known.  The St Thomas Association of Youth however thought of organising a farewell get-to-gather.  It was Akhil who gave the idea but we missed him on the actual day.  We decided to have the informal function on Friday i.e 19^th July, 2015.  With no holidays in between the arrangements were discussed over ‘Whatsup’ and SMS.  Someone bought a token parting gift, someone got the cake and someone the cool drinks.  So it was a real team effort.  With so many, whose heart sister had touched around, there were many volunteers. 

After Mass we all descended to the hub or the den of the church, the nerve centre, the control room, the board room, the activity place – it is simply called the basement.  But, everything that happens in the entire parish whether it is the church or the 25 odd SCCs, the feast, the holy week services, Christmas celebrations, passion play, choir, rosary, Legion of Mary, Vincent de Paul, catechism, altar service, etc etc., all get planned in this humble place simply called the basement.  Members of STAY and choir were there to bid farewell.  We had planned a meeting of Laxmibhai Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and Netaji Nagar SCCs with STAY for the 3^rd July function for the youth.  So we had leaders of Netaji Nagar Unit also joining.  All were given a chance to share what they feel about sister, about her leaving us.  Surprisingly all mentioned about sisters ready smile.  A smile can do wonders to your day, to your neighbour’s day, so why not.  Many of us are misers when it comes to offering a smile.  Sister has been ever giving and we would miss that bit of rainbow in the church. 

Another quality that got mentioned about was her unique way of reciting the first few words of a hymn during mass.   The recitation made us think of the words, its meaning and then its singing became more meaningful.  This rendered the entire singing a prayerful feel.  It is universal truth that a good choir, its singing, the hymns, the music all add to the solemnity of the celebrations.  It helps the congregation to get involved in the celebrations and leads them to be part of it.  It cuts of the outside world, its worries, distractions and brings the persons in to the church both body and spirit.  Sister’s such initiatives added further to the prayerful atmosphere and all of us acknowledged that sisters way of reciting the words of the hymn was a great help.  She also sang the responses many a times instead of just reading them.  Every individual is expected to join in the response.  Everyone may not sing along with the choir.  But sisters singing solo or leading everyone to sing the response helped in bringing the people together.

Choir of St Thomas Church has a quality, it is hesitant, does not over-ride the Mass.  It does not always sing with full gusto and confidence.  Sr Shimi, if present, the confidence of the choir increases.  When she sang, others joined without any inhibition, without fear or doubt.  She has been the source of several new songs and tunes.  When a person joins with conviction, with confidence, with the purpose to carry through with the work or responsibility, come what may, a leader is born.  Sr Shimi has shown the way.  I am sure that our young generation will follow her example. 

Sister came in 2009 but before that she was a hosteller at Prabatara for more than 4 years.  Then she was working in Bikaji Cama Place.  Her family is at Faridabad and parishioners of Sector 5 Church. She has been posted to a town near kalka, around  25 km away.  It’s an industrial town with very few Christians.  She will be involved in the Non formal education ministry there.  Sister has been and will continue to keep each one of us in her prayers and we also promise to pray for her and her ministry.  May God Bless.

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