Page 3 - Faith Connections Issue 2

ISSUE 2 JULY 2021

Message from our Vicar,

Rev. Fr. Antony Pullukattu (Fr. Tony)

How amazing it is that we are Christians today because St. Thomas

came to Kerala in 52 A.D. to proclaim the Good News. Our Christian
faith, and the opportunities it presented, helped us to become better

human beings with great core values that were imparted by Jesus from

the way he taught his disciples.
Wherever a Malayalee Catholic went, he/she carried their faith and
made all the efforts to keep it strong in their family. This is why our

Syro-Malabar rite is spreading around the world. In our America, land of

opportunities, when there was a great demand for health care
workers and Indian IT professionals during the turn of the 20th century, many parents of our parish

migrated here. A good percentage of our parish families (more than 95%) are first generation
migrants. The faith and the family values they brought along with them helped to establish a good

and vibrant diocese and our parish.
In today’s world, where the intellectual mind questions the existence of God, it is the strong faith

that is propagated by such families that will counter and make a difference. As students of the CCD
program, you have a greater responsibility to first understand and love God and share that

knowledge to your friends through your way of life. Let us understand that faith is a gift to be
accepted with openness. May the good values that our faith brings forth as well as what you get

from your families and our parish community be your core strength.

On July 3rd we celebrated Dukrana and Independence day on 4th of July. May the independence we
enjoy be used to its fullness by remaining deep rooted in our core values and bettering ourselves in
this country which we have made ours. Like St. Thomas who courageously witnessed Jesus in a

different land, we have a big responsibility to give back to the country, and may that be through

great spiritual leadership that you all will get to exercise now as well as when you grow into adults.
May the Love of Lord Jesus be with you all always with God’s protection and guidance of the Holy

Spirit.

Yours in Christ

Achen

PAGE 3 FAITH IN OUR COUNTRY EDITION | ISSUE 2