March 2013

© St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church, Toronto

EDITORIAL

MONTHLY EVENTS MARCH 2013 Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 9

March 8th-10th

Parish Lenten Retreat

March 16th

Women’s prayer @

6.30pm Babu & Suma’s

Residence

March 22nd

Fortieth Day of the Great

Fast Service

@ 7.30pm

March 24th

Palm Sunday Service @

3.00pm

March 27th

Holy Thursday Service

@ 8.00pm

March 29th

Good Friday Service

@ 8.00am-1.00pm

March 31st

Easter Sunday Service

@ 5.30am

Contact Information Fr. John Kuriakose,

222 Ridley Blvd,

Toronto, ON, M5M 3M6

Tel: (416) 485 7781

[email protected]

Malankara Catholic Church St. Mary’s Mission Toronto

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

www.stmarysmalankaracatholicchurchtoronto.ca

Dear Readers,

Along with the winter season that has come and continues to

plunder in Toronto, the season of Lent has begun and faithful all

around the world continue to strive in abstinence, charity, faith and

prayer. Globally, faithful are also striving to keep up with the day-to-

day news of our then Holy Father’s resignation and the matters of

assigning our new Head of Church. St. Mary’s expresses tremendous

appreciation for all of His Holiness’ works for the church and prays

earnestly for the electors and election of the Christ’s new Vicar. Also

as Holy Week approaches, one could see this as a sort of “silver

lining” of his Holy Holiness’ resignation and the appointment of the

new. With the most joyful and essential feast for the Church, Easter,

fast approaching the election of the new pope would give that much

more happiness in the hearts of Catholics, during these times. In a

troubled world with one’s soul under attack daily, it is necessary to

retreat and dedicate a few days for its renewal. During the Great

Fast, St. Mary’s is hosting a three-day retreat, “Noimbukala

Naveekarana Dhyanam”, led by Rev. Dr. Mathai

Mannoorvadakkethil, pastor of Washington Malankara Catholic

Mission. Fr. Mathai, being a truly wonderful speaker, guides the

faithful in asking questions and giving the answers needed for our

soul’s renewal, especially during this Lenten Season. All are invited,

just as all are invited for all endeavours of our parish, such as the

Musical Concert hosted by St. Mary’s for the noble cause of building

a house of worship.

Just as Christ rebuilt

the temple in three

days for the glory of

God and salvation of

mankind, help us

continue in His

ministry. May God

continue to bless us all!

Sunday Liturgy

2:30 PM Sunday School

3:30 PM Song Practice

4.00 PM Namaskaram &

Confession

4.30 PM Holy Mass

INSIDE THE ISSUE SPOTLIGHT: Noimbukala

Naveekarana Dhyanam 2

SHOWCASE: The Core of Christianity

3

Great Fast and Holy Week, Today

4-5

SAINT OF THE MONTH: St. Cyril of Jerusalem

6

KIDS KORNER 8-9

Table of Editors Editors ————- Tom Mathew

Neil Thazhamon

Layout-------------- Deepak Wilson

Chief Editor------- Amit Mathews

Advisor------------- Rev. Fr. John Kuriakose

Got Feedback? Please address to Amit Mathews

(Chief Editor) at [email protected]

Letters will be published in the next issue of the bulletin

mailto:[email protected]


‘SPOTLIGHT’ : CHURCH HIGHLIGHTS

Malankara Catholic Church

-


Easter is a very important occasion in the life

of a Christian since the resurrection of Christ is the

core of Christianity. As Paul said about the

resurrection of the dead, “if there is no resurrection of

the dead, then Christ has not been raised, then our

proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been

in vain” (1Cor 15:13-14). God rebukes sin. But he

disciplines us for our good; since he loves us

(Prov 3:11-12). To make us pure God let us to go

through many trials and tribulations. Jesus says I am

the true vine, and my father is the gardener. He cuts off

every branch in me that bears no fruit.

When faced with challenges in life, many

people lost in faith starts to complain against God.

Even Peter denied Jesus in front of the people. But we

can see the faithful Job remained as he was not ready

to deny God even though he lost everything that he

had, his wealth was taken away and his sons were

dead, even when his wife told him to deny God.

Jesus teaches that we do not always suffer

because we have done something wrong, instead this is

the way to make us more pure. God sent his Son to

earth to save us from sin and He put him Ito great

suffering. We can see it clearly in Gethsemane, the

humanity in the face of

God. So understand

that suffering is humane.

We may ask, “why this

happened to me?” I spend

much of my time for the

spiritual means; teaching Sunday school students,

participating in every activities at church , I don’t even

miss a single Sunday mass. As humans we have to face

many challenges, so there is a chance to lose our hope

when at the time of our difficulties. Even disciples of

Jesus lost hope when Jesus was taken away. They

scattered and they tried to hide themselves. They

pretended like they don’t even know Jesus, in fear of

death. So try to understand the fact that the absence of

Jesus in our heart and minds make us lost in hope.

However, when Christ was raised, his disciples

were strengthened and they started to preach the Good

News to the world. They were no more fearful about

death or any sufferings, because they saw the truth

with their eyes and had faith in their hearts. So they

wanted to convey it in to the world. As resurrection of

Jesus brought hope into the life of his disciples, I wish

this Easter would bring hope into your life. That the

Risen Christ may showers blessings on to you. In

baptism, we are granted into Jesus. When Christ

appears on the last day, everyone with Him in their

hearts and minds will also appear in glory. Therefore,

say with confidence, “I am convinced that neither

death nor life, neither angels no demons, neither the

present nor the future will be able to separate us from

the love of God that is in Christ our Lord”

(Rom 8:38-39).

- Roy Mathew

‘SHOWCASE’ : SHARING OUR FAITH

The Core of Christianity

“I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels no demons, neither the present nor the future will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ our Lord” Romans 8:38-39



Now with the Church well underway into the

season of Lent, with the sixth of March being the

Middle Day of the Great Fast for Eastern Catholics, the

Gogultho, symbol of Calvary as well as Christ’s

suffering, victory, and our salvation, erected. Likewise,

the faithful strive to

continually raise the spirit

of prayer, penance,

faithfulness, almsgiving in

their lives, as we come

closer to Holy Week.

In light of faith and

charity, our then Holy

Father in his last Lenten

Message focuses on these

two aspects, during this Year of Faith and time of New

Evangelization. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s explains

how contemplation and action must coexist in the

Church, just as Mary Magdalene and Martha display

(Lk 10:38-42). His Holiness explains, “The relationship

with God must always be the priority, and any true

sharing of goods, in the spirit of the Gospel, must be

rooted in faith. Sometimes we tend, in fact, to reduce

the term “charity” to solidarity or simply humanitarian

aid. It is important, however, to remember that the

greatest work of charity is evangelization, which is the

“ministry of the word”. There is no action more

beneficial – and therefore more charitable – towards

one’s neighbour than to break the bread of the word of

God, to share with him the Good News of the Gospel, to

introduce him to a relationship with God: evangelization

is the highest and the most integral promotion of the

human person.”

As one has heard so far from Sunday Gospel

readings, there is the reoccurring theme of Christ curing

the sick and poor. Consequently, those healed are

transformed in both body and spirit as one can see in the

passage of Jesus giving sight to Bartimaeus, because of

his faith, and in turn becomes His “follower” (Mk 10: 46

-52). Thus, His Holiness tells us “Lent invites us,

through the traditional

practices of the Christian

life…and at the same time

to grow in charity and in

love for God and

neighbour, not least

through the specific

practices of fasting,

penance and almsgiving.”


Liturgy of the Month

Week Gospel Readings Epistles Old Testament Readings & Reader

March 3 Mattew 15:21-28

The Faith of a Canaanite Women

1John 2:1-6

Rom 7:13-25

1 Sam 7:2-11

Sir 10:6-18

Isa 55:1-9

Shanjini Mathew

March 10 Luke 13:10-17

Healing of the Crippled Women

1Peter 3:18-22

Gal 5:16-26

Num 14:11-25

Sir 11:7-19

Hos 11:1-6

Renish Thomas

March 17 Mark 10:46-52

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

1Peter 4:12-19

Rom 14:13-23

Deut 32:45-52

Sir 21:1-10

Isa 1:10-17

Christopher Thomas

March 24 John 12:12-19

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

Revolutions 7:9-12

Romans 11:17-24

Gen 49:8-12

Zech 9:8-12

Isa 51:9-16

Jaison Thomas

March 31 John 20:1-10

The Empty Tomb

Acts 2:29-36

1Corinthians 15:1-11

Ex. 40:1-15

Sir 30:21-24

Isa 57:14-21

Sara Shajee

Greatest of Fasts for the Holiest of Weeks

during the one of the most historic of times


Coffee Sponsors March 3 Appukuttan & Jincy

March 10 Retreat

March 17 Santhosh & Ashwathy

March 24 Justin & Leena

March 31 Easter breakfast


The reason behind

this Great Fast lies in the

days that it leads up to. In

our waiting, we purify our-

selves to prepare for the

commemoration of the man-

kind’s salvation. Holy

Week begins with Palm

Sunday we receive and wor-

ship Christ in this same

manner, acknowledging Him as our King and Lord.

The Holy Days in between consist of strict observance

of Christ teachings in the Temple and prayer leading

up to Holy Thursday, the institution of the Eucharist;

Christ asks of us to remember Him and take part in

His Body and Blood. Good Friday, being of the long-

est services, commemorates

the sufferings and crucifix-

ion of our Lord with im-

mense lament and gratitude

for the recompense of our

trespasses. Holy Saturday

brings the joy and sadness

intermingled; it is the close

o f t h e s e a s o n

of Lent and penance, and

the beginning of paschal

time, which is one of rejoic-

ing. The happiest time in

the Church finally arrives with Easter Sunday. With

great joy the victory of Christ is fulfilled and life is

promised for all for eternity. This week entailing the

salvation of mankind, is what the Great Fast prepares

us to commemorate and invites us to live in its spirit.

As many of us know, our then Servant of

servants, His Holiness Benedict XVI Pope Emeri-

tus, has stepped down from his service as our shep-

herd so that Church to continue as it must in the

times to come, with the strength and vitality of a

new Vicar of Christ. May he continue the good

work of God in his life. This decision has only been

taken 600 years ago and for it to happen again to-

day means it of great importance and made with

much prayer and contemplation. Likewise, all faith-

ful should keep the appointment of the new pope,

the College of Cardinals involved and all things

surrounding the matter in their most earnest

prayers. In these historic days, the season of Lent

gives us the oppor-

tunity to grow in

faith and charity to-

w a r d s o u r

neighbour, with the

Church, through

God. May He bless

us abundantly in this

Lenten season and

Happy Easter to all!

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07131b.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11618b.htm




Altar Servers Schedule—February 2013 Date Candle 1 Candle 2 Marbahasa 1 Marbahasa 2 Bell Readings Thurible

March 03 Issac Alvin Alexi Cyrus Jerry Neil Lynn March 10 Sarath Aaron Jerome Anugrah Christopher Anil Daniel

March 17 Alvin Alexi Cyrus Issac Samson Deepak Sebin

March 24 Anugrah Sarath Aaron Jerome Neil Manoj Lynn

March 28 Cyrus Alvin Alexi Issac Deepak Sebin Christopher March 29 Sarath Aaron Jerome Anugrah Christopher Manoj Daniel

March 31 Issac Alvin Alexi Cyrus Jerry Anil Sebin

St. Cyril was raised in Jerusalem when a new

kind of life was beginning for Christians. Before

that time, the Church was tortured by the

emperors. Thousands of Christians had been

martyrs and died for their faith in Christ. In 315,

Emperor Constantine declared Christianity as a

legal religion. That was a wonderful thing, but it

didn't end all the problems. In fact, during the

years that followed Christians faced a new

problem. There was confusion about what

Christians believe and don't believe. There were

many false teachings called "heresies." Some priests and bishops became

brave defenders of Church teaching. One such bishop was Cyril of

Jerusalem. When St. Maximus, bishop of Jerusalem, died, Cyril was chosen

to take his place. Cyril was the bishop of Jerusalem for thirty-five years.

Sixteen long years of that time were spent in hiding and exile. Three times he

was run out of town by influential Arian people who wanted him removed.

They were trying to force Cyril to accept false teachings about Jesus and the

Church. But he would not give in. In 361 when Julian became emperor, he

decided to rebuild the famous Temple of Jerusalem. He wanted to prove that

Jesus was wrong when he said that the Temple of Jerusalem would not be

rebuilt. So he spent much money and sent all the materials for a new Temple.

Many people helped by giving jewels and precious metals. Yet St. Cyril

faced the difficulty with calmness. He was sure that the Temple could not be

built, because Jesus, who is God, had said so. The bishop looked calmly at all

the materials and said, "I know that this will fail." And sure enough, first a

storm, then an earthquake, then a fire stopped the temple from being built.

The emperor finally gave up the project. St. Cyril died in 386 when he was

around seventy. This gentle, kindly man had lived in times of confusion and

sadness. But he never lost his courage because it came from Jesus. He was

faithful to the Lord all his life. Cyril was heroic in teaching the truth about

Jesus and his Church.

- Issac Mathew


St. Cyril of Jerusalem Feast Wishes

HIS GR ACE M OS T R E V. DR .

TH OM AS M AR K OOR I LOS

Th e M etr opo l i t a n Ar c hb is ho p o f T ir u va l la

Fe a s t Da y M ar c h 18 t h



To buy tickets online for this rare opportunity or sponsor this noble endeavour please visit our

website or use the link below:

http://www.stmarysmalankaracatholicchurchtoronto.ca/concert.html

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March 2013

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