In the tales of the Desert Fathers, there's a story about Abbot John the Dwarf. He asked God to free him from all his strong feelings, and God granted his request, leaving him without emotions. When he told one of the elders about this, expecting praise, the elder surprised him by saying, "Ask God to bring back your struggles. Our souls grow stronger when faced with challenges." So, Abbot John prayed for inner conflict. When the trials returned, he didn't ask for them to stop but instead prayed for strength: "Help me, Lord, to endure this battle." [Thomas Merton, The [...]

As we celebrate the dawn of 2025, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the blessings of the past year and the anticipation of a new year filled with hope and renewal. The joy of Christmas lingers in our hearts as we reflect on God’s boundless love, made manifest in the humble birth of Jesus Christ. His coming into the world reminds us that every season of life holds a promise of peace, a gift of renewal, and an assurance of hope. As a parish community, this New Year is particularly special for us. We are not only preparing for [...]

God’s own country! The land, blessed with sunshine, mountains, brooks ,streams, rivers, paddy fields and pristine beaches. The unsung paradise for the nostalgic mind. Hailing from this paradise with a predominant agricultural background, we've witnessed thriving trees, took pride in nurturing them, showcasing our green thumb. In nature, nothing is useless; trees typically flourish and yield fruit. When they bear fruit, their energy is solely devoted to producing for others, fulfilling their purpose. This idea seems applicable to us. As a faith community, we've evolved from a young sapling to a sturdy tree. In St. Mathew’s Gospel we read, And [...]