|
|
February 2007 Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We have entered the Season of The Great Lent. This year the Lent Season, or “Valiya Nombu” begins from February 18th. Lent is an amazing, and in its own way, delightful faith, hope, and charity. That’s pretty much Lent in a nutshell. Lent invites us to remember that what its’ all about in the Love of God and neighbor, the only source of ultimate meaning and purpose.
The Spirit of Lent invites us to “unself ourselves” to become more oriented to the love of God and neighbor.
Lent reminds us that we still have a way to go in accepting the gift of God reconciling love. We prefer to be fearful and anxious. We prefer to cling to our money and possessions. We prefer comfort to freedom. We’d rather have our prejudices and opinions than be open to the truth.
There is no escape clause here. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are absolutely obligated to forgive others, no matter how they may have hurt or offended us. There is just no getting around it. Lent is the ideal time to face up to our failure in this regard. Indeed, this issue has not only personal but social and political implications. Imagine if forgiveness became the priority of the day, everyday. Imagine if “getting even”, “punishment”, and “revenge” became politically incorrect. We can’t change the world, of course. But we can change ourselves.
I pray that this Lent we can take a few more steps towards………..
Let us always be happy with the Lord.
May the Lord’s blessing be with you all. Yours in Christ’s Love, Jojan Achen |
Rev. Jojan M.
John was ordained as a priest in the 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
Jojan Achen's
Address in Varikkamakkal House Chumathra P.O. Kuttapuzha, Thiruvalla 689103 Phone: 0469-2601424
email Jojan Achen at |
|
Vicars of the Past
Quarter Century |
||
|
||
Rev. Oommen Koruthu |
(Student
Achen later elevated as |
May 1975 — Aug. 1975 |
Rev. K. S. Mathew |
(Student Achen) |
Sept. 1975 – Sept. 1977 |
Rev. Thomas P. George |
(Student Achen) |
Sept. 1977 – Aug. 1979 |
(Late) Rev. M. V. Benjamin |
|
Sept. 1979 – May 1981 |
|
||
(Late)
Rev. M. V. Benjamin |
|
Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981 |
|
Vicar |
Jan. 1981 - May 1981 |
(Late) Rev. K. J. Philip |
|
Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981 |
|
Associate Vicar |
Jan. 1981 - Aug. 1981 |
Rev. N. M. Cherian |
Vicar of
all Mar Thoma Congregations in
|
May 1981 - June 1983 |
Rev. Dr. T. Jacob Thomas |
(Student Achen) |
|
|
Assistant Vicar |
July 1981 - May 1983 |
|
Vicar |
June 1983 - Mar. 1985 |
Rev. George Varghese |
|
Mar. 1985 - April 1989 |
Rev. Johnson Varghese |
|
June 1989 - May 1992 |
Rev. Dr. T. P. Abraham |
|
June 1992 - May 1995 |
Rev. P. M. Thomas |
|
May 1995 - April 1999 |
Rev. K. Y. Jacob |
|
May 1999 - June 1999 |
Rev. Thomas P. Chandy |
|
June 1999 – May 2002 |
Rev. Dr. K. A. Abraham |
|
May 2002 - August 2004 |
Rev. Jojan Mathews John |
|
May 2004 - Present |