RESET SPIRITUAL LIFE

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

As we approach the end of the year 2025, we give thanks to God for His countless blessings and guidance throughout this journey. The month of October holds a special significance for us as we observe Family Sunday. This year is particularly meaningful in the history of STMTC, as for the very first time, we are organizing a parish-wide Family Retreat.

Our theme for the retreat is “Prophetic Living in Christ.” This invites us to reflect deeply on what it means to live prophetically at a time when the world around us feels fragmented, noisy, and uncertain. Prophetic living is not only about proclaiming God’s truth, but also about embodying His presence, offering hope, and being signs of His Kingdom in our daily lives. It calls us to live under the Lordship of Christ, renewed and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that this retreat will inspire and empower our faith community to live more meaningfully and faithfully in Christ.

The month of November brings its own richness to our liturgical life. It marks the beginning of the new liturgical year with Kudosh Itho the consecration of the Church. The first Sunday of November is also celebrated as World Sunday School Day. I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to our Sunday School ministry for their blessed work, especially their initiative in the Mexico Mission VBS 2025. My sincere thanks to our Achens, Sunday School superintendent, teachers, worship team, parents, and volunteers who contributed to this mission.

On November 27, we observe Thanksgiving Day. While it began as a harvest festival in the 17th century, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it as a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Since 1942, it has been officially observed on the fourth Thursday of November. For us as God’s people, it is a call to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, which is the very essence of true worship. May God enable us to celebrate Thanksgiving meaningfully, with grateful hearts.

As we move into the Advent season, we are invited to meditate on the profound mystery of the Word becoming flesh the Incarnation. This event not only reveals the wonder of God’s ways, but also reshapes our understanding of greatness, power, and love. The birth of Jesus in a humble manger reminds us that:

God is so great that He became small; so powerful that He made Himself vulnerable, coming to us as a defenseless child, so that we may love Him.

True greatness, therefore, is not about worldly power, prestige, or grandeur, but about humility, self-giving love, and accessibility to others. May this Advent lead us to embrace this Christ-like way of living.

Finally, as we prepare to welcome the New Year on December 31, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all our parishioners for your prayers, support, and fellowship throughout this year. I especially thank the Executive Committee members for their dedication and service to our parish ministry. May the Almighty continue to bless your lives, families, and ministries abundantly.

With prayerful wishes for a blessed retreat, a meaningful Advent, and a joyful New Year.

In Christ’s Love,

Rev. Sonu Varughese

Vicar