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September/October 2004
Dearly Beloved in Christ, Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Our Children are entering into a new academic year after their summer vacation. Congratulations to those who got promoted to the new classes. Many little ones will be introduced to schooling. It is our prayer that God may shower His blessings on them in order to gain wisdom and strength to grow to maturity and to do the will of the Lord. These days, children gain much more knowledge and they supercede their parents. There will come a time when parents feel that they are no more able to teach and guide children because of their insufficiency. Parents need not feel threatened and worried about it. Responsible parents would always seek the help of people who know better. The most serious responsibility of the parents is to help the child in the formation of values and spiritual life. Basic concepts about God, creation other and purpose in life are to be provided at home by the parents. Most of all, the golden gift of sharing is inherited by children only if the parents are a model in sharing life in all its forms. Jesus says, .unless you change and become like children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like the child is the greatest in the kingdom Heaven . All these little ones are very precious to my father. Training a child in the path of humbleness, keeping away from sin are the duties entrusted to the parents and elders. In this modern world, God needs dedicated persons who get reconciled to the realities of life, are courageous enough to give light, comfort and hope to those people who dwell in the darkness of despair and sorrow. Let us give hope for the new generation as the citizen of Kingdom of God. Let us always be happy with the Lord Yours in Christ Love, Jojan Achen |
Rev. Jojan Mathews John (Vicar)
We are blessed to be under the pastoral guidance and leadership of Rev. Jojan Mathew John as Vicar of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church NY. Achen's mother parish in India is Kuttapuzha Varicadu Sehion Mar Thoma Church located inThiruvalla. Achen attended college at Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla; completed his M. Phil. from Bombay and received a Bachelors in Divinity from Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam. Rev. Jojan M. John was ordained as a priest in the Mar Thoma Church on July 6, 1994 and has served as Vicar previously at Trivandram Quillon Diocese (Kovilloor , Mezhacodu, Melpalai and Kuttamala[Kulasekharam Center] ) for five years and Mar Thoma Church Thane, Mumbai for five years. Jojan Achen was the convener for Land for Landless project and council member of the Trivadram Quilon Diocese. He served also as the president of the 35th Western India Youth Conference in 2001, Mumbai. In his many roles Achen has served very well as an administrator, organizer, and is also a talented singer. Achen's wife is Mrs. Susan Mathews John BSc, BEd, and children, Vishakh John Mathews, age 5, and Vrindha Chinnu Mathews, age 2. Achen's father, Rev. V. K. John, is a senior priest of the Mar Thoma Church.
Jojan Achen's Address in India is: Varikkamakkal House Chumathra P.O. Kuttapuzha, Thiruvalla 689103 Phone: 0469-2601424
email Jojan Achen at |
