February 2009

Dearly beloved in Christ,

I am sure that all of us have met our new Diocesan Bishop during the parish visit and attended the Parish day celebration. Let us uphold our Thirumeni in our daily prayers. By the Grace of God we could celebrate the Parish Day. This is the day for us to look back and praise the Lord for the way He has led us. Though we have done it as a parish I am sure every individual has contributed to our growth and success. Thirumeni was able to meet all the organizations except for the Choir. Thirumeni was happy with our outreach works especially done by our Youths. Thirumeni is a good scholar and his books on Reform Movements in Kerala and their impact on Socio-Economic and Religious Life of the People have made a mark in academic circle. Hope Thirumeni’s visionary and spiritual leadership will help us to grow more and flourish in the days to come.

We Christians are not to be conformed to this world. Consciously or unconsciously, we are also beset by the worldly propagandas that makes us indifferent to our responsibilities. Only attending the Holy Communion is not enough. Along with that we have to do many more things. If we have to keep the membership with any organizations we have to give a subscription. Keeping a membership is not enough. We have to participate in all the activities of that organization. Then only we will become a live member. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom:12:2). I hope, with a new spirit of oneness and a new vision we will move forward and grow in 2009.

I am personally thankful to each one of you who have wished me and prayed for me on my birthday in January. I experienced three births. First, I was born to my parents, second I was reborn to my Saviour Jesus Christ, and thirdly I got my life back after I met with an accident in Karnataka. The local people spread the news that “Padiri Sathu Hodaru.” (Achen passed away.) I got back to life after one day at Medical College Hospital in Manipal and for ten days I was half conscious and for several months I needed physical help for day to day life. My head injury caused some eye problem which resulted in double vision for which there is no treatment. But God healed me. Now God has expanded my life span and brought me to another year. Praise the Lord. Thank you very much for joining with me that Sunday for my birthday celebration in the church basement. Please continue to remember me in your prayers.

Yours in His Service,

Babu Achen

Rev. P. E. Mathew

Rev. P. E. Mathew (Vicar)

We are blessed to be under the pastoral guidance and leadership of Rev. P. E. Mathew as Vicar of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church NY. Achen's native place is Kallooppara and Laly Kochmma is from Varikkadu, Tiruvalla. They have one son, Eby, who is finishing his BSc in Mangalore.

Achen and family had been in the Karnataka Missions Field (Hoskote, Mundugod, Sirsi Sankeshwar, Kunta) for several years and then served in Kerala. The last parish they ministered at was in the Sultan Bathery and Nilambur area.

email Rev. P. E. Mathew at
babuachen@yahoo.com 

Vicars of the Past Quarter Century
(including Vicars of the Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York)

Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York

Rev. Oommen Koruthu

(Student Achen later elevated as 
Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilus)

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

St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, New York

(Late) Rev. M. V. Benjamin

Co-Chairman Ad-hoc Committee Church in formation   

Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981

Vicar                                     

 Jan. 1981 - May 1981

(Late) Rev. K. J. Philip

Co-Chairman  Ad-hoc Committee Church in formation

 Oct. 1980 - Jan. 1981

Associate Vicar                    

Jan. 1981 - Aug. 1981

Rev. N. M. Cherian

Vicar of all Mar  Thoma Congregations in New York

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 - April 2007