FIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION

December 2nd, 07 was a very important day in the annals of Saint Thomas Syro-Malabar Church in Boston. The first batch of of children received First Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Our Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath was given a very warm welcome.

The whole program was conducted at Saint Mary's Church, Waltham. We express our indebtedness to Rev. Fr. Michael L. Nolan, the Pastor of Saint Mary's Church.

The Children entered the Church in procession while the congregation sang
“Oru nimisham manamuyartham ...”

Rev. Frs. Cyriac Mattathilanickal, Kuriakose Vadana and John Karuvelil assisted Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath in the Sacred Liturgy.

The group to receive the Sacraments was presented by Mr. James Kutticherry, the Director of Religious Education.

The Candidates for First Communion and Sacrament of Confirmation lined up in front of the Altar to make their promise, with their parents and sponsors.

The sacred moment of receiving the Holy Spirit.

The First Communicants offering their life and praying for a fruitful life ever in the presence of God.

Receiving Jesus for the first time.

Receive the Body and Blood of Jesus and be transformed into his own ... It means a lot.

The First Holy Communicants with the Bishop and the celebrants.

The whole group who received the Sacraments.

The reception therafter was initiated by a prayer song by Jerlin and Jenson Kaithamattam.

Prizes of different competitions conducted during the year was given away by the Bishop. Mr. Jimmy Joseph, receiving the trophy from the Bishop.

"I have left these young ones behind me." Mr Mathew Thomas Peralakkattuchalil receiving the trophy.

The Ladies' Team who won the 'Tug of War'.

It seems, the Men's team was less organised.

On Dec. 3rd, Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath visited Cardinal Sean O'Malley at the Chancery of the Boston Archdiocese. The Cardinal assured the representatives of the community to find a better place for Worship and gathering. His Eminence expressed his happiness at the growth of the community.

Sr. Mary Corripio, Secretary to the Ethnic Apostolate Ministry of the Archdiocese is looking into different possibilities of granting a proper place of worship for the Syro-Malabar community. Sr. Mary has great appreciation for the traditions of Syro-Malabar Church.

On Dec. 4th, the Bishop visited the SABS Convent in Danielson, Connecticut and celebrated Holy Qurbana in the convent chapel.

"Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament" (SABS), also known as "Adoration Congregation " is an indeginous religious congregation for women, of Pontifical Right, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church.The members of the congregation bear witness to the Eucharistic Lord by professing the public vows of obedience, chastity and poverty.

The Congregation of the sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS) was founded on 8th December 1908 at Champakulam in Kerala.It had its origin in the personal experience of the Eucharistic presence of the servant of God Thomas Kurialacherry (1873-1925) the first bishop of Changanacherry.

Now there are a total of 4369 professed sisters in the congregation. The Centenary Year will be inaugurated by His Beatitude Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church on Dec. 15th.

The Bishop also visited the La Salette Marian Shrine in Attleboro and offered his prayers.