St. Thomas Forane Church
St. Thomas Forane Church
Jalahalli, Banagalore, Karnataka 560 013

PARISH DIARY – JAN’25

ST. SEBASTIAN’S FEAST – 17th to 19th JAN 2025

St. Sebastian, an early Christian saint and martyr, is venerated in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. According to tradition, he survived being shot with arrows during the Diocletianic Persecution but was later martyred by being clubbed to death. His feast day is commemorated on January 20th, and he is the patron saint of archers, pin-makers, athletes, and a holy death.

 

The Feast of St. Sebastian was celebrated with great devotion and splendor at St. Thomas Forane Church, Jalahalli, from January 17th to 19th, 2025. The church was beautifully illuminated and adorned for the occasion, with fireworks displays being a highlight of the celebrations.

Day 1 – January 17th, 2025

The festivities began with the flag hoisting ceremony by our Parish Priest, Rev. Msgr. Sunny Kunnampadavil CMF. The Holy Qurbana was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Manoj Kandathinkara CMF, Director of Claretian Publications. This was followed by Ladeenju and Ambedukkal, adding spiritual depth to the day’s events.

Day 2 – January 18th, 2025

The main celebrant for the Holy Qurbana on this day was Rev. Fr. Martin Vithayathil CMF, who delivered a thought-provoking and inspiring homily. The day’s proceedings included Ladeenju, Amedukal, and a grand Roopam Ezhunallipu procession, reflecting our vibrant faith and tradition.

Day 3 – January 19th, 2025

The feast culminated in a grand manner with the Presudenthi Vazcha. The main celebrant of the Holy Qurbana was Rev. Fr. Jithin Pulpel, MCBS. This was followed by Ladeenju and a Solemn Festal Procession around the church. The procession featured the carrying of the cross, statues of saints, and traditional ceremonial decorative umbrellas, providing a silent yet powerful proclamation of our faith and traditions to the wider community.

 

The celebrations concluded with the Vadhya Mela Aswadanam and a spectacular fireworks display, marking the feast as a truly memorable event for all who participated.

 

CATECHISM

Animation Visit on 12th January

On January 12th, the animation team comprising Mr. Ajith Salvin, Mr. Fernandes (St. Mary’s Church, Bylakkare), Ms. Rani Treasa Joseph, and Ms. Bishi George (St. Francis De Sales Church, Jakkur), visited our catechism classes. During their visit, they reviewed our classes, assessed records and activities, and interacted with the students.

 

Ms. Sarita Biju, the admin team lead, provided detailed explanations of the records and paperwork. Before the special catechism Holy Qurbana, Fr. Joseph Thoompanal extended a warm welcome to the animation team.

 

A meeting was then held at the Presbytery, presided over by Parish Vicar Msgr. Fr. Sunny Mathew and Assistant Vicar Fr. Mathew. During this session, the teachers and the animation team were briefed by Headmistress Ms. Sunie Paul, who shared an overview of the accomplishments and activities of the catechism department during the past academic year.

 

The meeting concluded with a sumptuous lunch and a group photo session. The animation team acknowledged the dedication and hard work of the catechism department of St. Thomas Forane Church, Jalahalli, in fostering faith formation. They expressed their heartfelt appreciation for every teacher’s commitment and devotion.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Activities – December 2024

  1. Visit to Akashaparavakal Thirumugham Ashram (1st December 2024)
    As part of the Year of Care Programme, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, along with Class 9 catechism students and SSVP conference members, visited the Akashaparavakal Thirumugham Ashram in Lakshmipura.

Support Provided:

  • Monthly groceries worth ₹25,000 were donated.
  • An additional ₹10,000 was contributed by the society.

Activities Conducted:

  • Adoration at the chapel with the students.
  • Entertainment programs were organized and performed by the students for the residents.
  • Students served lunch to the residents and shared a meal with them afterward.

This visit made a significant impact, offering the students a meaningful and enriching experience.

  1. “Unnikkoru Gift” – Visit to Infant Jesus Children’s Home (29th December 2024)
    Seven members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society visited the Infant Jesus Children’s Home in Kothanur, which provides care for children affected by AIDS.

Support Provided:

  • New clothes, donated by parishioners during the Christmas season, were distributed to the children under the Unnikkoru Gift initiative.
  • Cakes were gifted to the children.

Activities Conducted:

  • Members spent time interacting with the children and the caretaker Sisters.
  • They enjoyed lively performances of songs and dances presented by the children.

The visit was a heartwarming and memorable experience, fostering joy and connection between the society members and the children.

PITHURVEDHI

Christmas Celebration
In connection with Christmas, the Stars Pithruvedhi organized a crib competition. Prizes for the winners were distributed on Christmas Day. Additionally, the Pithruvedhi prepared a beautiful crib in the church, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Vocation Promotion Class
On January 14th 2025, under the leadership of the Stars Pithruvedhi, the Mandya Pithruvedhi conducted a vocation promotion class at St. Thomas Church, Jalahalli. The event witnessed participation from 80 children from various parishes in the diocese.

  • Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath interacted with the children, offering spiritual encouragement and inspiration.
  • Parish priest and diocesan vicar general, Rev. Msgr. Sunny Mathew, delivered a special message.

 

MATHRUVEDHI

As part of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, the members gathered together, cut a cake, and exchanged gifts for the Christmas Friend initiative.

At the vocational camp organized by the Diocesan Pithruvedhi, Mathruvedhi President Sonia Thampi and Forane Animator Susan Sunny led the sharing sessions.

During the parish feast procession, the members participated by carrying the statue of the Blessed Mother, bearing witness to the proclamation of faith.

ജാലഹള്ളി  സെന്റ് തോമസ് ഇടവക പിതൃവേദിയുടെ കഴിഞ്ഞ ഒരു മാസത്തെ പ്രവർത്തന  റിപ്പോർട്ട്‌  ജനുവരി 2024

 ക്രിസ്തുമസ്ആഘോഷം

ക്രിസ്തുമസ്സിനോട് അനുബന്ധിച്ചു സ്റ്റാർസ് പിതൃവേദിയുടെ നേതൃത്വത്തിൽ പുൽക്കൂട് മത്സരം സംഘടിപ്പിക്കുകയുണ്ടായി. ക്രിസ്തുമസ് ദിനത്തിൽ വിജയികൾക്ക് സമ്മാനങ്ങൾ വിതരണം ചെയ്തു. കൂടാതെ പിതൃവേദിയുടെ നേതൃത്വത്തിൽ പള്ളിയിൽ മനോഹരമായ ഒരു പുൽക്കൂട് ഒരുക്കുകയും  ചെയ്തു.

 

ദൈവവിളി പ്രോത്സാഹന ക്ലാസ്സ്‌

 

ജനുവരി 14ന് സ്റ്റാർസ് പിതൃ‌വേദി നേതൃത്വം നൽകി മണ്ട്യ പിതൃ‌വേദി ഒരു ദൈവവിളി പ്രോത്സാഹന ക്ലാസ്സ്‌ ജാലഹള്ളി സെന്റ് തോമസ് പള്ളിയിൽ വച്ച് നടത്തുകയുണ്ടായി. രൂപതയിലെ പല ഇടവകകളിൽനിന്നായി 80 കുട്ടികൾ ക്ലാസ്സിൽ പങ്കെടുത്തു. ബിഷപ്പ് സെബാസ്റ്റ്യൻ എടയന്ത്രത്ത് കുട്ടികളുമായി സംവദിച്ചു. ഇടവക വികാരിയും രൂപത വികാരി ജനറലുമായ സണ്ണിയച്ചൻ സന്ദേശം നൽകി.

 

Mathruvedhi

ക്രിസ്മസ് പുതുവത്സര ആഘോഷങ്ങളുടെ ഭാഗമായി അംഗങ്ങൾ ഒരുമിച്ചുകൂടി കേക്ക് മുറിക്കുകയും ക്രിസ്മസ് ഫ്രണ്ട് നുള്ള സമ്മാനങ്ങൾ കൈമാറുകയും ചെയ്തു.   രൂപത പിതൃവേദി ഒരുക്കിയ വോക്കേഷൻ ക്യാമ്പിൽ  മാതൃവേദി പ്രസിഡന്റ്‌ സോണിയ തമ്പിയും ഫോറോനാ ആനിമേറ്റർ സൂസൻ സണ്ണിയും ഷെയറിങ് സെ ഷൻസ്  കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്തു.

ഇടവക തിരുന്നാൾ പ്രദക്ഷിണത്തിൽ അംഗങ്ങൾ മാതാവിന്റെ തിരുസ്വരൂപം വഹിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് പങ്കെടുക്കുകയും വിശ്വാസപ്രഖ്യാപനത്തിന്റെ സാക്ഷികളാകു കയും ചെയ്തു.