Aug 02

 

                                            மனதில் பதிக்க...

Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house'. Mt 13:57

இயேசு அவர்களிடம், “தம் சொந்த ஊரிலும் வீட்டிலும் தவிர மற்றெங்கும் இறைவாக்கினர் மதிப்புப் பெறுவர்” என்றார். மத் 13:57

 

                                            மனதில் சிந்திக்க...

Our mission is to recognize God's presence in everyone we meet everyday. We strive to see Him more clearly by over looking others' faults and weaknesses. That is how we celebrate His greatness. 

 

நாம் தினமும் சந்திக்கும் ஒவ்வொருவரிடமும் கடவுளின் பிரசன்னத்தை காண்பதை நோக்கமாக கொண்டுள்ளோம். மற்றவர்களின் தவறுகள் மற்றும் பலவீனங்களைக் கடந்து, அவர்களை தெளிவாகக் காண முயல்வதன் மூலம் கடவுளின் மகத்துவத்தை உணர்கிறோம்.

-- 17th week - Friday

Aug 01

 மனதில் பதிக்க...

Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel (Jer 18:6)

 குயவன் கையிலுள்ள களிமண்ணைப் போல இஸ்ரயேல் வீட்டாரே, நீங்கள் என் கையில் இருக்கின்றீர்கள் (எரே 18:6)

மனதில் சிந்திக்க...

As the potter shapes up the vessels, God is shaping us every day. This is so encouraging. All we have to do is to let Him shape us. 

குயவன் மண்கலசத்தை வடிவமைகப்பது போல, கடவுள் ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் நம்மை வடிவமைக்கிறார் என்பதை அறிவது மிகவும் ஊக்கமளிக்கிறது. நாம் செய்ய வேண்டியது எல்லாம் அவர் நம்மை வடிவமைக்க அனுமதிப்பது மட்டும்.

-- 17th week - Thursday

January 2018 Anbiyam Topic and Reflection

Psalms 23:

 [0] A Psalm of David.
[1] The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
[2] he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
[3] he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
[4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.
[5] Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Reflections:

1.     How does God guide us? 

2.     What do you think about God’s house and table he sets for us will be in your opinion here on earth?

3.     What we need to be aware of and prepare ourselves to eat at that table? 

4.     Share about some incidents in your life, where you felt God consoled and protected you

5.     Do you think God is really your Good Shepard through your Dad, Mom or a friend?

Psalms 51:

 [0] To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
[1] Have mercy on me, O God,
according to thy steadfast love;
according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
[2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
[3] For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,
and done that which is evil in thy sight,
so that thou art justified in thy sentence
and blameless in thy judgment.
[5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
[6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
[7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
[8] Fill me with joy and gladness;
let the bones which thou hast broken rejoice.
[9] Hide thy face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
[11] Cast me not away from thy presence,
and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
[12] Restore to me the joy of thy salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
[13] Then I will teach transgressors thy ways,
and sinners will return to thee.
[14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
thou God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance.
[15] O Lord, open thou my lips,
and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
[16] For thou hast no delight in sacrifice;
were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased.
[17] The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
[18] Do good to Zion in thy good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
[19] then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on thy altar.

Reflections:

1.     Have you felt guilt feelings when you did something wrong?

2.     Have you felt sorry for what you have done?

3.     If you are sorry have you made effort to go for confession?

4.     Have you felt your sins have been forgiven and what is the sign you get from Him?

5.     Have you shared that you are being forgiven with others and try to help others from their wrong doings?

6.     What do you think is the best, sacrifice to God?

October 2017 - Anbiyam topic and reflection from Rev. Fr. Peter Chinnappan

Anbiyam reflection for October

Themes: 1 Our Lady of Rosary; 2. Bearing Good fruits as Christians.

You may choose any of the two or both themes for your reflection

1. Our Lady of Rosary: In 1571 The Turkish army wanted to invade Holy land. There was big battle at Lepanto, where the Turks were defeated because Pope Pius V asked the Christian defenders to say the Rosary devotedly. The result was theTurks had to flee. Thus. Pop Pius stated this feast. 
2. For your reflection: Do you say Rosary everyday with your family?
3. Do you encourage your family to say?
4. Have a discussion within your Anbiyam about Mary's role in the life our family

Bearing Good fruits

Scripture Mt. 21: 33-43

What are the possible good fruits of our lives - virtues?

How can we produce?

How can we be a witness to bear good fruit?

Can we become a role model foe our children to bear good fruits?

Fr. Peter

A word of appreciation from Rev. Fr. Peter Chinnappan - Novena 2017

My dear Tamil Selvangale,                                                                                                      September 18, 2017

It has been a long desire of writing this note of gratitude; finally I am able to put down few lines of appreciation. First of all I want to thank God and Our Blessed Mother for providing us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni. Without their grace and blessing we would not have done so much.

Certainly it was a team effort to organize and collaborate for smooth executing of all the events during those nine days of Novena and my sincere gratitude to all the coordinators.

Chief and associate Coordinators:  Here, I need to make a special mention to our Chief and associate coordinators for their suggestions and execution.  Both had invited the guest-priests and provided everything for their journey and accommodations.  Mr. Valstan had even provided air ticket to some of them. Mr. Venantius had given lot of his time, in picking them and dropping them to the airport, apart from accommodating them.  Mr. Venantius had also made sure that planned dinners were very well organized. Thank you Mr. Venantius and Mr. Valstan for all that you have done for the wonderful celebrations.

Divine Worship: Mr.  & Mrs. Yule Kingston family had done a lot of good works for the liturgical celebrations. The whole family is involved in organizing music, liturgical aid, providing altar servers each day and accompaniment. Kingston family DTC is indeed indebted to you. I am grateful to all the members of the choir and the instrumentalists: Mr. John Benchman, Agacia, Melina and Anto. I appreciate all the altar servers for your contribution for the processions and liturgical celebrations.

The clergies: Rev. Arputharaj, Rev. Jesudoss Thomas, Msgr. Xavier Pappu, Rev. Lawrence and Rev. Robinson from Tyler Diocese; Rev. Xavier Baleventhiran from Houston Diocese, Rev. John Lawrence from Amarillo Diocese; Most. Rev. Jude Paul Raj from Palayam Kottai Diocese; Rev. M.I Raj & Rev. Gnanasekhar from the congregation of Blessed Sacrament.

 Social and entertainment: A big thanks to Mesmin and her team for organizing Quiz program and dance. I want express my sincere gratitude to all the choreographers and dancers for both the events in August and September.  I want to thank you Mesmin, for bringing and providing food and board to Fr. M. I. Raj.

Saparam Decorations: I want to thank Mr. Philip and Mrs. Jeyanthini and family for volunteering to decorate the Matha Saparam most of the days providing fresh flowers both respect Anbiyam and the Mr. Philip family. 

Anbiyam Coordinator and Anbiyam Leaders: Without your plan and cooperation nothing would be possible to accomplish such a great event. I thank you for shouldering a great responsibility not only for the feast but also conducting Anbiyam meetings every month.

Pall bearers: I want to thank all those carried the Saparam everyday including women folks. A special mention to Alex Nathan and family for providing candles last year and this year.

Meals for the clergy:  A big thanks to all the families who provided dinner every day for our guest-priests.

Thanks to All our families: Without your participation, nothing might have taken place in all aspects of the celebrations: time, talent and treasure. I am grateful to all those contributed for the Vailankanni Matha celebrations.

 If you still think of contributing towards those expenses, you are most welcome. Remember the more we give to God the more we receive.

I hope I have not left out any one on purpose.

I would invite all of you to participate in our General Body meeting which I feel very important to plan ahead for the future of our community.

Thank you and God bless you.

Fr. Peter

September 2017 - Anbiyam meeting topic and reflection from Rev. Fr. Peter Chinnappan

Dear Tamil selvangale,

For the month of September ' to be a true disciple, one has to deny his/her self, take up daily Cross and Follow him. 

Scripture Mt.16:21-27

Denying one self involves sacrifices in our daily life : little discomfort, inconveniences and self control and avoiding or evicting evil tendencies. That needs moral courage and humility. Do we posses that quality?

Taking up our cross means accepting daily challenges either at home or in the work place or with the people whom we have trusted but betrayed. How are we going to react to those persons. Diligently dealing with family program and keeping them with the family and within our community. Avoiding gossips and uncharitable thoughts, words or actions. Can we accept that we could be a cross for others, no t only in the family but also in the work place. Many disappointments, many failures etc.,

Do we accuse someone who is not even aware of the accusations?

Follow him does not mean one else a week or month. It has to be daily devotional practices, which involves family prayer where Christ becomes center of the family and each member. Totally trusting God even if things do not go in the right directions. 

Please discuss in your Anbiyam.

Make a critical evaluation of the celebrations 

How can avoid unpleasant situation in the Anbiyam meeting and even in our community celebrations instead of criticizing, can we make a constructive plan?

How can we celebrate this feast in a better way.

Make you go for confession before coming for anointing

Fr. Peter

August 2017 - Anbiyam Topic and reflection from Rev.Fr.Peter Chinnappan

Anbyiam reflection for the month of August 2017

Scripture Reading: Mt. 14:22-33

This passage speaks about Jesus walking on the water and Peter sinking into the water. There is a very strong faith Jesus has in His Father, while Peter could not believe that he is actually walking on the water. When he doubted about his faith in Jesus he sinks into the water and then cries for help. Jesus calls him man of little faith.

Reflection: when storms of life approach us, how do we react? Like Peter or Jesus?

When realities of life engulf us, do we sink? Do we Cry for help? Have absolute faith in God? Rely upon our own strength which sometimes coming from our own selfishness? 

Do we really face the difficult, unethical and negative approach or Do we rely on God's abundance of grace that flows from the kind and compassionate heart of the Father and the Son?

It has been 11 years, since we found DTC. How does DTC help you to understand our culture and deepen your faith? What do you expect from DTC? How can you support DTC to grow strong in unity, and build a faith-filled community? How much can you involve in our community-building: when meet new family approach them warmly and make them feel at home with our community. I have a feeling that new members are left with their own family during fellowship. I would appreciate if old member could greet them sit with them make them feel comfortable instead of having your own small groups. This is a concrete step for building our community. 

On 1st September, we will start our annual celebration of novena and conclude on 9th.

Give you suggestions to our leadership team

God bless you

Fr. Peter

July 2017 - Anbiyam meeting - Topic and reflection from Rev. Fr. Peter Chinnappan

Matthew 10:37-42

Jesus said to his apostles: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."

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Reflection:

A poor boy would always pass by a store in their neighborhood to ask for food that he could bring home to feed his sick father. He would always do this every day for the simple reason that the store owner was kindhearted.

After a few days had passed the store owner was wondering how come the boy was not passing by his store anymore. So he asked the people around the neighborhood about the boy and he was told that the boy’s family transferred to the city to stay with a relative.

After twenty years the store owner was now old and sick thus he already closed the store because no one would tend to it anymore. One day a young rich man was looking for the man who owned the store. So the young man was brought to the former store owner.

There he introduced himself to be the boy who would ask for food that he could bring to his sick father. The eyes of the sick man glowed and he asked: Why are you here? The rich man said: “I am here to give back your goodness.” He therefore brought the sick man to the hospital, paid for all of his hospital bills. When he was discharged he invited the old man to stay with him for good.

In the gospel, Jesus talks about giving back to ‘those who do good’ to his followers. What does this mean? This simply means that whatever good that we do to those who follow Jesus, will receive back a hundredfold.  

Of course we all know that Jesus doesn’t want us to limit our acts of goodness to His followers only. Jesus wants us to do good to anyone who is in need: To the poor loitering in the street, to the beggar asking for alms, to a relative who ask for help and the like. ‘We do good not because we want something in return someday’. We do good for the simple reason that we simply want to obey Jesus and share our blessings with others.       

When was the last time “you did good to somebody in need”?

Yes, some of you helped one of our families and hundreds lepers who you have not seen.

1. Are you interested to continue to help if any person is in need whom you seen or not seen?

Your reward will be great.

2. Do you encourage your children to be charitable with their savings if any? Toys? Food?
3. Do you expect that whenever you do something for others, you will be repaid?
4. Take some concrete steps to accept you painful moments every day and offer for the conversion of others.

Rev. Fr. Peter Chinnappan