St. Stephens Bulletin

- St. Stephen’s Knanaya Catholic Forane Church, NY ST. STEPHENS CHURCH BULLETIN INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Vicars Desk 1 All Saints Day Reflections 2 CML Updates 4 Infant Ministry Updates 4 Upcoming Events 5 VICARS same protection in this pandemic crisis. Let us travel DESK with HIM to practice his virtues in our life. Dear beloved members in Christ Jesus, Our coordinators for the various KOODARAMS, the Parish Council, the Media Team, the CCD, the Holy We are passing through the HOLY WEEK, and so we Communion, the Infant - CML- Teen & Youth minis- need to be more vigorous in Prayer and Fasting as tries are showing excellence in their respective these two are the two wings of our Christian life. ZOOM line classes and meetings. We have to appre- Prayer, we know is both in personal and in commu- ciate them in their great endeavor and sparing their nity. In this SARS-CoV-2 situation we give more em- valued time with which they could have utilized for phasis to personal prayers which help us to walk their relaxation and leisure timings. . Let us all bene- with the LORD. Now our heightened fear is slowly fit in those classes and meetings and always be with evading when all of us are receiving COVID- 19 vac- them in whole hearted support. cines. There is no doubt that this pandemic crisis has made us closer to the Almighty God. Let us meditate in the suffering of Jesus carrying a cross of 150 Kg with so many as 5480 bruises on His Pope Francis has led us in this year under the spe- body. cial protection of ST. JOSEPH. Joseph, as the head of the HOLY FAMILY is a model of obedience, When all are vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine, let suffering to the core of life and dependence on the us all hope to return to our normal services in the providence of God. As God gave Blessed Virgin church with having regular CCD for our children at Mary and child Jesus under the strong protection the church. St. Joseph, Pope has also led his faithful under the May the RISEN LORD be with you at all times……. Fr. Jose Tharackal Page 1

St. Stephen’s Knanaya Catholic Forane Church Bulletin How would Saints react to the events of today? By CCD 9th GRADE from the way they lived their lives and apply it to how we should react in certain situations. We chose St. Francis Taylor, “As a class, studying the various aspects of our faith, we St. Joseph, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Sebastian, St. Stephen, thought it would be interesting to analyze how some saints and St. Thomas.” would respond to current events. We hope to glean advice Page 2

St. Stephen’s Knanaya Catholic Forane Church Bulletin How would Saints react to the events of today? In loving memory of Mr. Thankachan Mathai Enchanattu Mrs. Annamma George Thayil Mr. P. A. Joseph Puthenpurayil Page 3

St. Stephen’s Knanaya Catholic Forane Church Bulletin CML UPDATES Over the last two months, all the St. Joseph essay competition which took place for participants of the Cherupushpam sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. The participants Mission League have worked hard all did their best to create beautiful essays on their and participated in many activities given topics. The meetings end with a small prayer and meetings. Our meetings are and the members are given a certain amount of held through zoom once every bible chapters to read for the bible quiz that will month so that all the members can join together take place during the next meeting. All the partici- and participate in many activities. We start off the pants have worked very hard and are always pre- meetings with a prayer followed by attendance. pared when coming to the meetings. Let us contin- During the meetings, the members participate in ue working together to make the Cherupushpam activities such as bible quizzes and present short Mission League a successful program. paragraphs or speeches on certain saints and other topics. Another important activity we did was the - Alissa Puthenpurayil (President - CML) INFANT MINISTRY UPDATES The Infant ministry team met virtually every month on the first Saturday. We are happy to see the participation and liveliness of every members amidst the pandemic. It is truly an encouragement to the parish to come up with different topics that benefit the children of this generation. During the month of January, we learnt about the and Lent preparation. The kids learnt what the ash- customs and traditions practiced when a boy baby es mean and how the ashes are prepared in the is born among the Jews during the time of Jesus church. The importance of prayer, fasting and and we compared that to the birth of Jesus. We almsgiving were emphasized. We discussed about figured from google map that the walking distance why God wanted his own beloved son to be cruelly from Nazareth to Bethlehem was exactly the dis- killed and nailed on the cross and why God let the tance from our church to Orient point, Long Island. It as an eye opener to know that it takes 3 days to travel 90 miles on feet. The month of February was all about Ash Monday Page 4

St. Stephen’s Knanaya Catholic Forane Church Bulletin sinners free of punishments. Different types of egg hunt this year, the children wanted to decorate fasting and ideas on what to give up during the lent Easter eggs at home. They understood that the were also discussed. The children were made to ful- Easter egg represented “New life” after death. ly understand the Lord ’s Prayer “Our father” every time it was recited. Jesus who taught us this prayer We would like to thank all the parents for letting very well knew what his father in heaven had their children participate in the meetings. The chil- planned and wholly agreed to die on the cross. dren’s excitement is clearly seen in their eyes and that is definitely a true motivation to all of us. This We learnt about the Holy week in March. We learnt little fun facts and stories they learn will stay with facts about Palm Sunday, palms, singing Hosanna them forever and will definitely enable us to mold and even why Jesus rode on a Donkey. We learnt them better. Please ask the children what they that the new commandment “Love one another” learnt and have a conversation about them during was taught during this week. Every one pretended your family time together. to be our Achan and acted on the Transubstantia- tion after learning that the Holy mass or Holy Wishing you all a very Happy Easter! May God con- Qurbana was first started during the Last supper. tinue to bless us all. The Stations of the Cross and the story were briefly discussed. The children were all excited about the - Jiffy Thadathil & Diana Thadathil Easter egg hunt every year. Since we cannot do an (Infant Ministry Coordinators) UPCOMING EVENTS St. Stephens Festal Celebrations HOLY COMMUNION 2021 MAY MAY JUNE 14,15,16 08, 29 05 SSKCFC Bulletin Fr. Jose Tharackal, Vicar EDITORIAL BOARD Anoop Mukalel, P.R.O. www.sskcfc.org/Bulletins Abraham Thervalakattayil, Secretary Amanda Saji Elavumkuzhippil Page 5