VANAKAMASAM – 1^ST MAY 2025 TO 31^ST MAY 2025

Mother Mary holds a special and honoured place in the story of salvation and within the life of the Church. Her willing “yes” to God’s call to be the Mother of Jesus makes her our first example of faith, grace, and complete trust in God’s plan. For Catholics, May is traditionally known as “Mary’s Month,” dedicated to honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary through various devotions.

In 1954, Pope Pius XII officially designated May as a Marian month by instituting the feast of the Queenship of Mary on May 31st. After the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, this feast was moved to August 22, while May 31 is now observed as the feast of the Visitation of Mary. May continues to be a season rich in devotion and a beautiful opportunity to express our love and reverence for our heavenly Mother.

At St. Thomas Forane Church, Jalahalli, the month of May 2025 was marked with special evening prayers. Every day at 6:00 PM, parishioners gather to pray the Rosary, followed by Vanakamassam Japam, the Holy Qurbana, and the Litany. Different wards and pious groups such as the Choir, Holy Childhood, CML, and Altar Servers take turns leading the Vanakamassam prayers. This tradition not only honours Mother Mary but also helps to unite the members of the parish, deepening fellowship and community spirit

 

CATECHISM – “AGAPE 2” – TEENS SUMMER CAMP HELD FROM 15TH TO 18TH MAY 2025

Forty-five students from classes 8 to 12, representing the forane level, participated in the four-day residential teens summer camp, “Agape 2,” organized by St. Thomas Forane Church, Jalahalli, and conducted by Jesus Youth Bangalore. The camp was inaugurated on Thursday, May 15, at 4:50 p.m. by our assistant parish priest, Fr. Joseph Thoompanal.

Through engaging games, interactive activities, lively events, and uplifting music, the Jesus Youth team helped the teens experience Jesus’ love and encouraged them to discover Him as their “best friend.” The sacrament of confession provided a powerful moment of healing for many participants, and a special time of Eucharistic adoration was arranged exclusively for the campers.

On the final day, a special session was held for parents, focusing on “Christian parenting” to support families in nurturing faith at home.

Students described the camp as “a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening,” while parents expressed deep appreciation for the program. Our heartfelt thanks go to all the Jesus Youth volunteers and catechism teachers whose dedication made this meaningful experience possible.

 

 

SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Visit to Akashaparavakal Thirumugham Ashram

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul continued its mission of service and compassion through several impactful initiatives during April 2025. On April 6, as part of the Year of Care programme, 10 members from our Conference visited Akashaparavakal Thirumugham Ashram located in Lakshmipura. During this visit, the Society provided monthly groceries worth ₹25,000 along with an additional cash contribution of ₹5,000. The members also shared a fellowship meal with the residents, fostering a sense of community spirit and empathy.

 

Easter Contributions to the Needy

In the spirit of Easter, the Society made special contributions to the needy. On April 6, a used two-wheeler was gifted to Adarsh, a student from one of our adopted families, to support his daily commute to college and aid his educational pursuits. Later, on April 16, as part of our Easter outreach to the adopted village of Andharalli, we distributed 25 bags of rice weighing 26 kg each, along with clothing items for the residents, ensuring essential support during this festive season.

 

CSR Activity and Jubilee Project Monitoring

On April 19, under the CSR initiative of Himalaya Company, eight members of our Conference conducted visits to several centers including Sumanahalli Leprosy and Rehabilitation Center, Infant Jesus Children’s Home which supports children affected by HIV/AIDS, and Asha Bhavan in Malur. During these visits, the team distributed stationery and learning materials sponsored by the company to the beneficiaries. Additionally, they inspected the ongoing Jubilee Project at Asha Bhavan, where the Society is sponsoring electrical and plumbing installations to improve the infrastructure. The work is currently underway and is expected to be completed soon.

These activities reflect the ongoing dedication to serve the underprivileged with dignity, compassion, and a spirit of solidarity.