| Hey everyone, So I'm back from California. I'd like to just say I'm planning to stay in Jersey for the forsee-able future and help out in any way I can. Also, people might want to check out the website http://mcymnj.blogspot.com (note: one of the nice features of the site is that I can email postings onto it, hence this message is going straight to the site, if you have anything you'd like to get up there, but don't want to learn the software and such, just email me at bobofmoondust@yahoo.com or johnzachariahthomas@gmail.com), I gave it a revamp, although I might make future changes to make it more user-friendly and useful. But down to business: So the MCYM North America has been putting some requests on the missions in preparation for the conference. Given the number of people we're sending, I don't think we can be expected to provide the same amount of support as say the Queens Mission or the Chicago Mission, but we should try to give what we can. Given that, I'm passing along some requests from Daniel Philip, President of the Toronto mission. In essence he wants 2-3 people (again given the 4 people we're sending, I think it's fine to fall short of his requests) from our mission to altar serve, I can say that I'll do it, I know my brother probably won't, but I'm wondering if you'd be up to it Dollin. Also, he wants 2-3 girls to bring Thallipolli saris, essentially, Jocelyn do you want to bring a Thallipolli sari. I'm not going to be pressing anyone too hard with these requests, but I'm throwing them out there if anyone can do anything. I also have below, the emails he sent me for reference. Anywho, I hope this email sees everyone well. God Bless, John Thomas President of the MCYM NJ Mission, 2008 This is his first email, sent last week (sorry I didn't forward to it you guys earlier, Cali trip-logistics have been keeping me busy): Hey everyone, In addition to the altar servers email I sent out yesterday, I'd ask that you also remind any girls from your respective missions that have the Thalipolli saris to please bring them for the Conference. There will be inauguration festivities that we will ask all of them to participate in, so please make sure they bring in the stuff for that. If there are any questions about the altar serving, this email, or anything else please feel free to get back to me. God Bless, Daniel Philip MCYM President - Toronto And here's his second email sent a few days ago: Hey everyone, Following up to the last email I sent out about the Thallipolli stuff for Conference, I'd ask that you get 2-3 girls from each of your missions to bring the thallipolli saris (for inauguration). I need each of you to get the names of these individuals to me by the end of this week, and please remind them that they need to bring their saris. If there are any questions, please feel free to email me back. God Bless, Daniel Philip MCYM President - Toronto And here's his third email, sent very recently: Hey everyone, Thank you to those of you who have replied with the names of altar servers. For those of you who haven't managed to get back to me yet, I'd ask that you email me the names of 2-3 individuals from your missions that would be willing to altar serve during the masses that will be taking place during Conference by this Friday July 25. All three masses will be in English. Please forward me the names and roles that they are comfortable with for the mass. God Bless, Daniel Philip MCYM President - Toronto |
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Altar Servers and Saris for the Conference
Monday, July 7, 2008
Our history
Courtesy of my mother I'd like to give a quick rundown of the history of Christianity in that little SW corner of India called Kerala.
In brief, the St. Thomas Christians remained pretty much as one group until 1599 (Diampur Synod), when Portugese Bishop did a hostile takeover of Syrian Christians. But Portugese power waned and in 1653, some of the new Christians could not take the loss of traditional worship. They revolted and had a pledge to go back to Orthodox worship and tradition.Thus the Syrian Orthodox Church was formed. My family part of the church remained in Roman Catholicism and revived little bit of old tradition. They are Syro-Malabar church. Portugese missionaries also converted lot of Hindus from 1498 onwards and this group is called Latin Catholics.
The Syrian Orthodox church split into several factions. One faction under the Bishop Mar Evanios re-joined Catholic church in 1930. Achacha' family and our New Jersey church belongs to this group. This is called Malankara Syrian Catholic Church
So remember Roman Catholic Church in Kerala has three groups or independent 'rites' or form of worship. The The Latin rite, Syro-Malabar rite and Malankara Syrian catholic rite. I should say four, if I include the Kananya Church.
The Syrian Orthodox Church that remained away from the catholic church has three other famous factions: One is called the Othodox Church to which belongs Shaji Achacha's family. They have large congregations in the US and Achacha's friend Thankanchan uncle's family also belongs to this one.
Another faction of Syrian Orthodox church is called Jacobite church. Yet another reform resulted in Mar Thoma Church. mary Ann and JOhn, the Epan Family belongs to this Mar Thoma Church. They too have numerous churches in the US. Very devoted people.
Now there are 17 million Catholics in India, 7 million are Syrian Christians, about 500,000 are Malankara Syrian Catholic.
I was for years trying to figure out where these different factions arise and how they are connected. Now it is all easy to find out from Wikipedia.
And that's my mother (Thresia Thomas)!
In brief, the St. Thomas Christians remained pretty much as one group until 1599 (Diampur Synod), when Portugese Bishop did a hostile takeover of Syrian Christians. But Portugese power waned and in 1653, some of the new Christians could not take the loss of traditional worship. They revolted and had a pledge to go back to Orthodox worship and tradition.Thus the Syrian Orthodox Church was formed. My family part of the church remained in Roman Catholicism and revived little bit of old tradition. They are Syro-Malabar church. Portugese missionaries also converted lot of Hindus from 1498 onwards and this group is called Latin Catholics.
The Syrian Orthodox church split into several factions. One faction under the Bishop Mar Evanios re-joined Catholic church in 1930. Achacha' family and our New Jersey church belongs to this group. This is called Malankara Syrian Catholic Church
So remember Roman Catholic Church in Kerala has three groups or independent 'rites' or form of worship. The The Latin rite, Syro-Malabar rite and Malankara Syrian catholic rite. I should say four, if I include the Kananya Church.
The Syrian Orthodox Church that remained away from the catholic church has three other famous factions: One is called the Othodox Church to which belongs Shaji Achacha's family. They have large congregations in the US and Achacha's friend Thankanchan uncle's family also belongs to this one.
Another faction of Syrian Orthodox church is called Jacobite church. Yet another reform resulted in Mar Thoma Church. mary Ann and JOhn, the Epan Family belongs to this Mar Thoma Church. They too have numerous churches in the US. Very devoted people.
Now there are 17 million Catholics in India, 7 million are Syrian Christians, about 500,000 are Malankara Syrian Catholic.
I was for years trying to figure out where these different factions arise and how they are connected. Now it is all easy to find out from Wikipedia.
And that's my mother (Thresia Thomas)!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Registration Form Issue
If you're having problems with the registration form (there have been some) email me at johnzachariahthomas@gmail.com and I will contact the coordinators.
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