Category Archives: newsletter

Back from holidays…?

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Although many of you are already back from this year’s holidays, I am just planning to go for it. While we all know what the holidays are for, I still find it interesting that we have certain days in the year dedicated to some very positive principles in life: love, caring, reverence, gratitude, family, fellowship and spirituality. What a concept the society has made it acceptable for us to take some time off work to remember what is important in life. Take some time for yourselves, your loved ones and your life.

There is a particular reason for me to choose this time of the year for my holidays in my homeland. That is to take part in the harvest festival of Kerala (my homeland) called “Onam” which is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities.
Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. It is said that Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Mahabali.

Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of this dynamic festival.

The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day long festival. It is indeed a treat to be a part of the grand carnival. People of Kerala make elaborate preparations to celebrate it in the best possible manner.

The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand dinner prepared on the main day. It is a nine course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. It is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal. You are cordially invited to take part in Onam together with me this year.

(Partially taken from internet)
Fr.Tomy 

Saying sorry

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A few people have asked me about the various Acts of Contrition for Reconciliation or Confession. As a child I remember learning the “Long” and the “Short”. In Ireland I think the “I am heartily sorry” one was popular. In recent decades the “Veritas” one became common in schools and has spread to adults too. The actual words are not so important, and nowadays many use their own words to express the essentials – that we are truly sorry, particularly for having offended God, and that with God’s help we will try better. Here are these four common Acts of Contrition.

LONG O my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins. I detest them above all things, because they deserve Your dreadful punishment, because they have crucified my loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, and most of all, because they offend Your infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of Your grace, never to offend You again, and carefully to avoid the occasions of sin.

SHORT O my God, because You are so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against You; and, by the help of Your grace, I will not sin again. Amen

IRISH O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest my sins above every other evil because they displease You who, for Your infinite goodness, are so deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve by your holy grace never more to offend You and to amend my life. Amen

VERITAS O my God, I am sorry for all my sins, for not loving others, and not loving you. Help me to live like Jesus and not sin again. Amen.

Fr Matthew

The Pope in Albania

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News came this week that Pope Francis is going to pay a one day visit to Albania on September 21st. Flying out at 7.30am he will be greeted at Tirana airport by the Prime Minister, and go on to meet the President, and other authorities. At 11am Francis will celebrate Mass in a square, and this will be followed by the Angelus. Lunch will be with the bishops of Albania, and then he will greet leaders of other religions and denominations. At 5pm Pope Francis will celebrate Evening Prayer (Vespers) with priests, religious, seminarians and members of lay movements at the Cathedral, and go straight on to visit a children’s hospital, flying back to Rome at 8pm. Now, two things occur to me about all this. First, I don’t know about you, but I feel exhausted just reading the schedule of this 77 year old man. And not only will he be moving around all day from place to place, but he will have all that attention on him, and speeches to make at the relevant times. Phew!

But also, what an amazing choice of destination. Albania must be one of the least known countries of Europe. By going there, Francis continues his policy of visiting the least obvious places. While it’s true that Francis is not the first Pope to visit – St John Paul went there too – it’s fascinating that he chooses Albania ahead of France or Germany or the great cities of Italy itself… On a holiday in Corfu 20 years ago, I took a boat trip across to Albania just for the day. It was pretty horrifying – very, very poor and depressing. We must remember that Albania is the only country to have banned all religion. All signs of Christianity were completely removed. Our guide showed us a battered wrought iron cross on a ruined church, proudly telling us that “they missed that one”. That was already five years after the Berlin Wall came down, but Albania was only just starting to emerge from its darkness… Now the population is 10-16% Catholic – somewhat higher than Wales, and they have five dioceses. Still beset by the effects of its appalling regime under Enver Hoxha, it is slowly getting there.

They are particularly proud that Mother Teresa was ethnically Albanian, and it will be at Mother Teresa Airport that Pope Francis lands on 21st September. And at Mother Teresa Square that he celebrates Mass. What a journey Albania has made and is continuing to make. From an atheistic state to a papal visit. For indeed nothing is impossible to God.

Fr Matthew