Jesus Christ is risen Haleluah ! "Why do you seek the living one among the dead?"
In a couple of hours Easter festivity begins in India. Let me take you to my home parish in India, which is Ascension Church, Metha Nagar Parish, Chennai diocese, located in Choolaimedu, Chennai. The parish priest is Rev. Dr. Fr. Paul Bharathi, who is learned theologian, who obtained his theology doctorate from Rome. Youthful priest, who is full of zeal for spreading good news. Great scholar, administrator, and a passionate pastor yet simple in appearance and in lifestyle. In his pastoral care the parish has become computerized in every parish activities, he has established perpetual adoration chapel, he renovated the church with classic interior decorations, and added additional building to the church. He has mathematics and science background. I remember an occasion when there were two choices placed in front of him, when he was a new priest, to choose from, either to continue education in teaching field or to continue education in the theological field. I still hear the words of this young priest saying, there are many great teachers in the secular field, I have come to serve the Lord, I will equip myself with theology, which would help to minister to the souls. Recollecting this brief conversation we had then many many years before, I see the fruits of his decisions to follow God's call whole heartedly all along his ways. I thank God for this priest. Once he obtained doctorate in theology from Rome, he again chose to serve his people as parish priest full time and he also teach seminarians as part time. Great priest, accessible, available for his people any time and he is known for his strictness in directing people to adhere to the church teachings. Ascension church and the parish is cared by the Vincentian priests, currently the provencial of this religious congregation is Rev. Fr. Dr. Wilson, who is an English scholar, brilliant scholar, owns many gold medals, and a great administrator. Very youthful in mind and in actions. He has served in this church as an associate pastor for many years.
The Ascension church stands majestically decorated with lot of lights and flowers all around the church today. The magnified attractive, and spectacular painting of Ascension of Jesus Christ in the church steeple welcomes people with loving extended arms. This painting and the extension of the church was done by Rev. Fr. Antony, when he was parish priest. This church was sanctioned, built, and commissioned, when he was the provincial of this congregation. Later he became the parish priest of this church and he built catholic higher secondary school, adjoined with this church. He is an exemplary priest in every aspect, I will write about him in another separate article. Great priest I am wordless to describe the majesty of priesthood he portrays to the world. There are special lightings all around the church building for the occasion, makes the festivity palpable.Altar is decorated with silk cloths and jasmine flowers, with special care, which looks brilliant. Loud speakers are on both sides of the church special fittings for the festival. Hundreds of chairs are arranged outside the church, for the outdoor mass, which is special, as church will be filled with multitudes of people today.People are very particular in following the Easter festival.Yesterday hundreds of people stood outside the church, while it was raining heavy, under open sky, listening attentively to the gospel reading, with out making any fuss or without running to the shelter during reading, because the flash summer rain started during the reading, which is beyond the forecast. Fr. Paul was moved by people faith after the gospel reading he asked the people to get inside the church and basement, where he had accommodated mothers with children and elderly, with huge LCD TV forecast. Good statement of faith I thank God for the thirsty souls. Today there is a gentle breeze and clear sky prevail over chennai city, which would be nice for outdoor mass.
It is a tradition, every body get to wear new cloth to church today. people will appear their best today with their family irrespective of their economical status. Good Friday is a state holiday in India, where only 3 % of Christians approximately live, which is a minority population, which may be an example for other christian countries to follow from. After the Easter mass, which will be some time after 2am, it is a tradition that we carry the Easter candle lighted from the church to the house and carry some holy water from the church. It is also another tradition that we sprinkle the house with the Easter water and add some portion of the Easter water to the Easter rice cooking. So to serve to this need there are huge vessels filled with water ready to be blessed. The speaker plays the Easter songs. Choir is busy in their last minute reharsal. Altar boys are attired and they look very busy and bright ready to act as choirs of angels. Visiting priest is the main celebrant for the occasion, he uplifted people faith last three days through his sermons and he is getting ready for the mass. Some of his statements on Good Friday are highly noteworthy to include here. he said, " people do not fear, do not lament, do not doubt, do not cry, because Jesus has done that for you in Calvary. You be joyful because you are delivered from the bondage and death comes from sin and you became the children of god again. So celebrate your salvation today. Very true and this sermon is worthy of saving millions of soul.People are looking forward to hear him today.
Parish priest Fr. Paul Bharathy is very busy walking up and down looking for order organizations,and synchronization of the function.In few minutes the church will be filled with multitudes of people and the choir will sing Glory to God in the Highest to their maximum ability and Hallelujah to the maximum resonant way, which will echo the Chennai with good news of Easter. Loud bells and fire works will declare the message of Jesus Christ is risen Hallelujah !Parish people hearts will be filled with joy, peace, and prosperity of Easter blessings and salvation. Hindus and Muslim brethren, who witness these observation join and share in the festivity of Easter!
Jesus Christ is risen Haleluah ! "Why do you seek the living one among the dead?"
The Ascension church stands majestically decorated with lot of lights and flowers all around the church today. The magnified attractive, and spectacular painting of Ascension of Jesus Christ in the church steeple welcomes people with loving extended arms. This painting and the extension of the church was done by Rev. Fr. Antony, when he was parish priest. This church was sanctioned, built, and commissioned, when he was the provincial of this congregation. Later he became the parish priest of this church and he built catholic higher secondary school, adjoined with this church. He is an exemplary priest in every aspect, I will write about him in another separate article. Great priest I am wordless to describe the majesty of priesthood he portrays to the world. There are special lightings all around the church building for the occasion, makes the festivity palpable.Altar is decorated with silk cloths and jasmine flowers, with special care, which looks brilliant. Loud speakers are on both sides of the church special fittings for the festival. Hundreds of chairs are arranged outside the church, for the outdoor mass, which is special, as church will be filled with multitudes of people today.People are very particular in following the Easter festival.Yesterday hundreds of people stood outside the church, while it was raining heavy, under open sky, listening attentively to the gospel reading, with out making any fuss or without running to the shelter during reading, because the flash summer rain started during the reading, which is beyond the forecast. Fr. Paul was moved by people faith after the gospel reading he asked the people to get inside the church and basement, where he had accommodated mothers with children and elderly, with huge LCD TV forecast. Good statement of faith I thank God for the thirsty souls. Today there is a gentle breeze and clear sky prevail over chennai city, which would be nice for outdoor mass.
It is a tradition, every body get to wear new cloth to church today. people will appear their best today with their family irrespective of their economical status. Good Friday is a state holiday in India, where only 3 % of Christians approximately live, which is a minority population, which may be an example for other christian countries to follow from. After the Easter mass, which will be some time after 2am, it is a tradition that we carry the Easter candle lighted from the church to the house and carry some holy water from the church. It is also another tradition that we sprinkle the house with the Easter water and add some portion of the Easter water to the Easter rice cooking. So to serve to this need there are huge vessels filled with water ready to be blessed. The speaker plays the Easter songs. Choir is busy in their last minute reharsal. Altar boys are attired and they look very busy and bright ready to act as choirs of angels. Visiting priest is the main celebrant for the occasion, he uplifted people faith last three days through his sermons and he is getting ready for the mass. Some of his statements on Good Friday are highly noteworthy to include here. he said, " people do not fear, do not lament, do not doubt, do not cry, because Jesus has done that for you in Calvary. You be joyful because you are delivered from the bondage and death comes from sin and you became the children of god again. So celebrate your salvation today. Very true and this sermon is worthy of saving millions of soul.People are looking forward to hear him today.
Parish priest Fr. Paul Bharathy is very busy walking up and down looking for order organizations,and synchronization of the function.In few minutes the church will be filled with multitudes of people and the choir will sing Glory to God in the Highest to their maximum ability and Hallelujah to the maximum resonant way, which will echo the Chennai with good news of Easter. Loud bells and fire works will declare the message of Jesus Christ is risen Hallelujah !Parish people hearts will be filled with joy, peace, and prosperity of Easter blessings and salvation. Hindus and Muslim brethren, who witness these observation join and share in the festivity of Easter!
Jesus Christ is risen Haleluah ! "Why do you seek the living one among the dead?"
Comments
Post a Comment