From the Pastor February 16, 2025

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am so pleased to announce the two beautiful devotions that we will be introducing in our parish this March. The devotion to Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. The Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—provides us with a perfect model of love, faith, and trust in God. As we walk in their footsteps, we can seek their intercession for our own families, asking them to guide and protect us in our daily lives.

Devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is cherished by Catholics worldwide. Through her intercession, many have found hope in times of difficulty, healing in moments of pain, and peace in troubled times. The sacred image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help beautifully captures the depth of Blessed Mother’s love for Jesus and for each of us. As she gazes at her Son, holding Him close in her arms, we are reminded of her unwavering compassion and her constant readiness to assist us in our needs. The presence of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, holding the instruments of Christ’s Passion, calls us to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation.

We will begin this devotion on the first Saturday of March and will continue to pray together every Saturday after the morning Mass. May I invite you to join us in honoring Our Blessed Mother and entrusting our cares to her loving hands.

Devotion to St. Joseph

St. Joseph is a shining example of faithfulness, humility, and trust in God. Scripture describes him as a "just man" (Mt 1:19), and his holiness is an inspiration to us all. As the guardian of the Holy Family, he is also a powerful intercessor for our own families, fathers, workers, and for a happy death. Throughout history, devotion to St. Joseph has grown tremendously, leading Pope Pius IX to declare him the Patron and Guardian of the Universal Church in 1870. His steadfast obedience to God, his protection of Mary and Jesus, and his hard work as a carpenter make him a role model for us today.

On March 19th, the Feast day of St. Joseph, we will celebrate with a special concelebrated Mass at 7.00 p.m. to inaugurate this beautiful devotion in our parish. I am delighted to announce that Rev. Fr. Jim Zettel, the secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature, will be our main celebrant and homilist, joined by other guest priests. We will also offer a special blessing for all fathers and grandfathers during this Mass. Starting 6:30 p.m. there will be opportunity for confession.Following this special celebration, we will continue the devotion to St. Joseph every Wednesday after the 7:00 p.m. Mass. I encourage you to come and seek his intercession, trusting that he will watch over us just as he lovingly cared for Jesus and Mary.

Come and Be Blessed!

I invite each of you to take part in these powerful devotions. Whether you seek strength in challenging times, protection for your family, or simply a deeper relationship with Christ, these devotions will be a source of grace for all of us. Let us come together as a faith-filled community, drawing closer to Jesus through the loving hearts of Mary and St. Joseph.

I look forward to praying with you and growing in faith together!

Yours in Christ,

 Fr. James Cherickal