A RELIGIO - SOCIO - CULTURAL MAGAZINE
Vol-2 Issue 6 December 2014 - February 2015
PRAYER NEVER FAILS WHAT THE HOLY BIBLE SPEAKS
SOCIAL VOICE
STUDENT’S CORNER
CHRIST TO THE WORLDCRAZE & CRAFT
CULTURAL MISSION
If we want any blessing
from God, we require
faith. Based on the
quantum of our faith,
we can receive small
and big blessings from God. If you
have faith, God will give the
opportunity to increase our faith.
Faith is confidence in what we hope
for and assurance about what we do
not see. When we believe in God's
word without having assurance of
getting it, God will work for you and
will give whatever we want.
When you ask for blessing from God
and if your answer is delayed it
indicates the message that God
w a n t t o g i v e y o u m o r e .
Understanding God's Modus
Operandi is a vital foundation for
discerning His purpose and will for
your life. So faith is important. If
there is any delay in your prayers, it is
a process of God to increase our
faith, so that we are accumulated
into faith.
We can see how Abraham believed
God's word and surrendered whole heartedly. By faith Abraham, when
God tested him, offered Isaac as a
sacrifice. The point was for Abraham
to demonstrate that he trusted God
completely and placed him above all
else, even his own son. "His faith
was made complete by what he
did".
“Afterwards, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country”.
They returned and reported it to the rest
(Mark 16:12-13)
BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. THANKACHAN PANAKKAL
Mr. EDWARD
Mrs. SONIYA ANTONY
Miss. JOMOL JOSEPH
Miss. ALEXANDRIA SHARON
Mrs. ACHAMMA THOMAS
” to be certain of the things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1)To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for,
02
DIRECTOR BOARD
FR. V.P. JOSEPH VALIYAVEETILDIRECTOR & CHAIRMAN
Mr. R. VIJAYAKUMARDIRECTOR, MARKETING AND FINANCE
Mr. YESUDAS ANTONYDIRECTOR, OPERATIONS
Mr. SEBASTIAN VIJU DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION & ART
Mrs. MARY LIYA DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS
Mrs. ASHA YESUDASCHIEF ACCOUNTANT
Miss. MARIA MANAZACHIEF SECRETARY
Let me quote an instance in my life.
When I trusted wholeheartedly to
God, He did wonders. I had a friend,
Jithu, who trades in Black pepper
along with me. Once he came to me
and asked that he want a message
from father that whether the price of
pepper will increase in near future so
that he can stock the loads. I requested
father to give the message but at first
father refused as he won't take
message for business purposes. But I
requested father that my friend is a
non-christian and if he gets some
experience from this incident he may
have faith in God. The message was
clear as it gave the God's message that
the price of pepper will increase. Next
day, Jithu purchased seven loads of
pepper, and stocked it same day. Very
next day, the price of pepper started
declining one rupee per kg. So the
total loss was seventy thousand for
one day. He came to me and told about
the loss. I told him that message from
God never fails. Each day it
depreciated with one rupee and it
continued. In order to keep in faith I
purchased thirty loads of pepper so
that he may feel secured. He regained
confidence. Next day another one
rupee declined. His loss was one lakh
forty thousand and my loss was 3
lakhs. On fearing further loss, my
friend sold out all the loads .But I was
determined not to sell even if it is a loss.
I believed in God's word and stood for
........continued on page 6
CHRIST TO THE WORLD - CRAZE & CRAFT
ED
IT
OR
IA
L
03
THE ANNOINTED VALOUR TO UPHOLD HIS WORDS WITH FAITH
........continued on page 7
Blessings come from a constant
exchange with God. What is the
exchange that you should have with
God? In bank we have 2 types of
exchange (transaction): 1.Savings a/c
2.fixed or term a/c. Savings a/c is
suitable for frequent and daily
exchanges while term account is made
for a fixed period and no exchanges
are made in that period .Hence, the
interest is high.
When it come to God, the ultimate
banker, our love for Him becomes our
savings a/c . The purpose of our love of
God is His glorification. Saints and all
fervent believers glorified God by
loving Him and by leading a virtuous
life abundant with Love of God. This
virtuous deeds i.e. short term
investments must be done on a daily
basis. Like the frequent exchanges
make a client active and important for
the banker, the daily virtuous deeds
will keep us in live and important
alliance with God. This is the benefit of
a virtuous life also known as short term
investment with God. But , what must
one invest to get consistency in the
blessings of God? How do we invest??
There are 2 ways for this :
1.Love / benevolence which is a short term investment.
2.Faith- long term investment.
“And the grace of our Lord overflowed
for me with the faith and love that are
in Christ Jesus- 1 Timothy 1:14. This
love is like a short term investment and
faith is like a long term and fixed
investment. Depending on the value
of our investment we become the
privileged customers for the banker.
Similarly, if we know the method to
increase the value of our faith which is
a fixed term investment , we can
become wealthy in faith like the brave
martyrs and saints. Jesus reminds us to
become wealthy before God. – Luke
12:21. We are now introspecting
about maximizing the value of our
faith. There are ways for this- the most
important being Roman 4:20. “No
distrust made him waver concerning
the Promise of God, but he grew
strong in his faith as he gave glory to
God. Now, it is clear that we can grow
in faith by glorifying God through the
realization of simple and substantial
Words of God. Now, we have walked
over to the second method of faith
upgradation – realization of the simple
(minor) and substantial (major) Words
of God. For instance, let us see the
experience of the leper Naaman.
Through Elisha, the Word of God
asked him a very simple thing- “Elisha
sent a servant out to tell him to go and
wash himself seven times in the river
Jordan and he would be completely
cured of his disease.” 2 Kings 5:10.
Though it was the servant who
brought the instruction to Naaman, it
was still the Word of God. But
Naaman gave more importance to
what was said – to wash himself in
Jordan- than who said it. He was
infuriated. He said, “Aren’t the rivers
Abana and Pharpar back in Damascus
, better than any river in Israel ?”-
2Kings5:12. Besides, he thought
that Elisha would come out to him,
pray to the Lord his God, wave
his hand over the diseased spot and
cure him.”- 2 Kings 5:11. Those who
expect incredible interventions from
God can be annoyed by His silent acts
like Naaman. Here, Naaman’s
servants corrected him. Corrections,
regardless , of who gives it, must be
accepted .His servants said, “ Sir, if
the prophet had told you to do
something difficult , you would have
done it.Now why can’t you just wash
yourself as he said and be cured?”- 2
Kings 5:13. Naaman listened to this,
dipped himself in Jordan as Elisha had
instructed and was completely cured.
Yes, you should always consider
‘who says’ rather than ‘what is said’
when you encounter the Word of
God. Your reasons and experiences
should not have any place here.
TESTIMONIALS
04
“My grace is all you need, for my power is
strongest when you are weak”
2 Cor 12:9
I was suffering from intermittent
fever and there was no change
in that condition. I went to
hospital and tested blood and it
was found that I had
Leptospirosis (field fever).I called
Fr.Joseph and sought his prayer
help. Father told me that "there
will not be any problem and
everything will become normal".
Then I prayed and promised
Jesus to glorify the healing at
Kreupasanam if I am relieved and I
kept the pathrika under my bed.
At noon doctor came ,checked
and told that now there is no
possibility of Leptospirosis .Later
on, I had no fever. After that
doctor ordered for checking
blood count for confirmation
and when the result came it
was normal.
Ben Joseph,Valiyara House, Aroor
-Blessen, Kandakadavu
On 7th July of 2014, when I was having gruel in the morning, part of dried fish’ bone got caught in my foodpipe and I suffocated and fainted. My body became cool and yellowish in colour. Then I was admitted to the hospital. There, I suffered from severe pain and was not able move independently without any help for more than ten hours. On the next early morning we planned to go to Medical Trust Hospital and there they shifted me to the observation room. At night I called up one of my cousin for arranging funds for the treatment. On that night he brought Kreupasanam Pathrika and blessed honey instead of money. We prayed together and I took the the blessed honey. Then I was covered with Kreupasanam pathrika and lied on the paper.I continued my prayer by praising the Lord till morning and I woke up with good healing before 5 am.
-Biyatrees Johnson,Arackal
MIRACULOUS HEALING WITH KREUPASANAM PATHRIKA
“For the Mighty One has done great
things for me.”Luke 1:49
OEDEMA AND PAIN HEALED "With your hand save me from men, Oh Lord from men of the world , who have their portion in this life."
RECOVERED FROM LEPTOSPIROSIS
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” Acts 16:31
I had inflammation, pus and pain at the back of my left ear because of blockage in salivary gland. Physician advised for surgery with a post operative risk of twitching of the lips. We read the Kreupasanam Newsletter with complete trust and decided not to do surgery.Fr Joseph put his hand over my head and prayed. After that I have not yet experienced that disease.
PUS ON THE LEGS HEALED
"In God I put my trust, I will not be afraid".
(Pslsms56:11)
After I had Chiken guinea my left leg became swollen and was infected with pus. Suturing can be done only after pus and swelling subside .I was also suffering from severe pain. During this time, one day some strangers gave me Kreupasanam Newslettler to the one who stands by me in hospital. I covered my leg with that paper the entire night. The next day my leg's infection subsided.
-Anitha Anthappan,
Mararikulam.
05
Translated by , Jomol Joseph, Marian Manaza
WHAT THE HOLY BIBLE SPEAKS
This is a relevant question because
many people have this thought
though it is not expressed openly.
They think that repentance can
guarantee you refuge/ salvation from
all your sins, so why not live out ones
interests on earth whether it is drink,
fornication,offense etc. However,
Holy Bible reveals that all men in
Paradise are not of the same
stature.This is because every man’s
worth is decided based on his good
deeds. Likewise, his heavenly gifts
too. Revelation 22:12 says, “ Listen!
Iam coming soon! I will bring my
rewards with me, to give to each one
according to what he has done”.
Hence, the clean and shining linen
that the bride of the Lamb,
i.e.Church, wore to the wedding
feast of Lamb is, in truth, the good
deeds of saints and believers- Rev
19:8. Depending on the abundance
of our good deeds and testimonies,
the grace of our soul varies and they
occupy the foremost place in His Holy
Sanctum. “Jesus said to them, “ you
can be sure that when the Son of
Man sits on his throne in the New
Age (Mathew 19:28) many who are
first will be last and many who now
are last will be first (Mathew 19:30).
This clearly signifies that based on our
deeds/ actions we will be graded as
worthy (front seaters) and less
worthy (back seaters) .The man who
overlooks God and does not take
Him seriously rather take the world
seriously thinking that a final
confirmation/ confession can fetch
him an entry into heaven, then he
belong to the heaven of fools. You
can pass grade X even if you score
210.But is it really useful? Only if you
score B+ or A+ will you get the
higher, special benefits. When
Revelation 19:5 says- Praise our God,
all His servants and all people, both
great and small, who have reverence
for Him!- St.Paul in 1 Corin 15:41
specifically speaks off these ‘ great
and small’. “The sun has its own
beauty, the moon another beauty
and stars a different beauty” – 1
Corin 15:41. As, in the aftermath of
resurrection, there is great variance in
the grace and glory that each man
attains- some shine like sun, others
glow like moon and some others as
stars. Therefore,if you live the greater
share of your life overlooking God
and His virtues, your after- life will be
that of the ‘rich man’ in the parable
of Lazar and the wealthy man’. Lord
told the wealthy man that there was
a gorge between them and him-
another indication of hell experience.
From the verses 1 Corin 15:14 ,which
reveals about our mystic self after
resurrection, explains that the souls
attain the sunshine, moonlight or
starlight based on the grace achieved
in their life on earth. It also mentions
that “even among stars there are
different kinds of beauty.” Those who
deliberately overlook the glory of God
and His virtues and for namesake
make repentance will possibly shine
like dimmer stars contrary to those
who take God seriously and conduct
their life in His way and become
bright stars and suns.
From the verses 1 Corin 15:14 ,which
reveals about our mystic self after
resurrection, explains that the souls
attain the sunshine, moonlight or
starlight based on the grace achieved
in their life on earth. It also mentions
that “even among stars there are
different kinds of beauty.” Those who
deliberately overlook the glory of God
and His virtues and for namesake
make repentance will possibly shine
like dimmer stars contrary to those
who take God seriously and conduct
their life in His way and become
bright stars and suns.
Love is patientLove is kind. Love does not envy, Love does not boastLove is not proud. Love does not dishonor others, Love is not self-seeking,Love is not easily angered, Love keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
(Substitute ……………………..(your name) in the place of Love)examine yourself.
06
PRAYER
06
Asha Yesudas
Examine your conscience
To receive Mother Mary into your life, kindly follow these words and examine yourself.
1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, 6
Please Pray now
it. For ten days, every day on e rupee
declined. My loss was thirty lakhs. I
called father and I asked what is my
gain, as I suffered great loss . Father
told me you have gained your
faith amidst loss that happened
to you. That is enough for you. I
was very happy. I took a decision that
even my total money go in loss, I will
not sell. After two days (when God
found that I have enough faith) the
price of pepper began to increase per
day 5 rupees. Within a week all my loss
was converted to sixty lakh profit. I
told my friend Jithu, only if we retain in
faith, God's power will flow on us. We
often become skeptical when faced
with challenges and our faith begins
to flinch and waver. But it is as a
procedure for gaining faith. Only if we
regain our faith, God can shower
blessings on us. Those persons, who
have unflinching faith in God the
Almighty, can move ahead with hope.
If we place our faith in God, God will
place his faith in us and help us walk in
the right paths. That hope was
converted to faith and God has given
the reward for faith. The negative
situations are given so as to enrich
faith. People become panic and take
wrong decisions and go to the path of
failure. Let anything happen to us, If
you will stand by God, definitely you
will see the victory.
R. Vijayakumar, Coimbatore
” to be certain of the things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1)To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for,
........continued from page 2
07
CHRIST TO THE WORLD - CRAZE & CRAFT........continued from page 3
rise up from her place even when her
Master called. “ Then Martha, as soon
as she heard that Jesus was coming,
went and met him, but Mary still sat in
the house.” –John 11:20. This is the
c a t a s t r o p h e o f t e m p o r a l /
teperamental believers. They will fall
away in temptations and adversities”
– Luke 8:13 and a rise is difficult .
Unfortunately, 90% of the believers
are like this. My friend Vijayakumar
shared an experience in contrary to
this. In Vijayakumar’s parish
,St.Antony’s Church, Coimbatore,
there was a small family of father
,mother and 2 kids. The daughter,
Felicia, was a friend of Nivetha,
Vijayakumar’s daughter. She would
always tell Nivetha , “My father is my
everything. If something happens to
my father ,I will die.” She loved her
father that much. This family always
kneeled on the left front of the altar
and Vijayakumar’s family on the right
front. Last week , there was a sudden
and sad incident in the former’s
family. Felicia’s father passed away
due to stroke . He was taken to
hospital for a severe pain in the left
hand. He died in the ICU. The family
was shattered .In days that followed
the funeral, the family came regularly
and knelt in front of the altar as in the
past, leaving space for their father
who is no more. A sight that brings
tears to any eyes. Vijayakumar who
saw this ringed me up and started like
this “Father , there are believers in this
place also.” When I was told the
whole story, I asked Vijayakumar to
visit that sorrowful family with his
daughter Nivetha and tell them –
“you are like Martha who asserted
her faith even in front of the tomb of
Lazar, her brother who is her source of
.....Had Peter not obeyed the Words
of God based on his reasons and
experiences, he would never have got
that miraculous catch of fish. Simon
Peter tells Jesus, “ Master, we worked
hard all night long and caught
nothing”.- Luke 5:5.
Peter was a native of the coast .Born
and brought up there. Skilled and
occupied in fishing. He was a man of
sea knowing its pristine ecosystem. It
can be presumed that the night was in
the new moon time as Peter claims
that they got no catch even after
working hard all night. During the
new moon time, fishing is done at
night as the water will be very hot
during daytime and fishes remain in
the seabed. At night as there is no
moonlight fishes come to the water
surface and gets caught in the net. But
that night was in the time of scant
marine harvest and they didn’t get
any fish. The sea of Galilee is spread
over a small area of 21*8 sq. km. and
all the marine life in it must have been
nearly exhausted, which is why there
is no fish day and night. This was the
basis of Peter’s rationale and
experience. Peter could have
convinced Jesus about the same and
not attempt any more in the barren
water . Instead, Peter focused on
‘who’ said it rather than what He
said.This gave way to the miraculous
catch. Peter said, “Master we worked
hard all night long and caught
nothing. But if you say so, I will let
down the nets” – Luke 5:5.
What did Peter do? Peter knew that
what Jesus told was unreasonable
and against his experience. Still he
obeyed because he gave more
importance to ‘who’ (Jesus Christ)
than what He said. In the context of
the Word of God, this is the right
approach. To make Word of God
favorable in our life, we have to
believe it giving prime importance to
[God] ‘who’ says it. Hebrew4:2 says
“’but the message which they heard
did not benefit them, because it did
not meet with faith in the hearers.”
Faith is a fixed investment we give
God.
We had seen the 2 investment we
give God. We had seen the 2 virtues
that we should give God 1) Love
2)Faith. Love is a short term
exchange that we give God through
our daily virtuous / benevolent deeds.
But faith is a fixed investment and its
value (wealth) can be increased.
How? By undertaking and realizing
the faith projects that God gives us.
Yes. Faith projects. Let us see an
example of this.Martha and Mary in
Gospel. Mary sat down at the feet of
Jesus Christ and heard His teachings
with love. A typical example of short
term investor because Mary had
temperamental relation to Jesus. 2
kinds of relation are possible with
Jesus 1) emotional/ temperamental
relation 2) Holy Word-based relation.
T h o s e w h o m a i n t a i n a
temperamental relation with God
surrender the faith projects before its
completion when the weather gets
adverse and projects get harder. This
was the fall of Mary. She was keen to
hear the Word of God but when it
came to the realizable level, she
failed as the Gospel narrates.
Lazarus, her only brother who was
their sole source of safety, protection
and care died unexpectedly which
left Mary heart broken. She did not
security. Don’t be disappointed.
Jesus called his death not “death”
but “submission”. When Jesus had
received the vinegar he said, “It is
finished” and He bowed his head and
gave up his Spirit.”- John 19:30.
Vijayakumar went to their home and
conveyed these solacing Words of
God. Cinjel, wife of the deceased,
then spoke with new-found
happiness. “When we took the
Word of God in the hospital,we got
the same verses i.e. John 11:23.-
“Your brother will rise to life”- We
thought that he will be cured . But
now we understand that the Holy
Words meant that my husband will
rise to live with Lord. We will remain
happy here upon this thought. Had
the family had mere emotional love
for Christ, they would have stumbled
down as Mary, sister of Lazarus, in the
event of the death of the father who
is the cornerstone of a family. Mary
didn’t even stand up from her place
when Jesus came in person . Why did
Mary plunge down like this ? Rather,
why do the emotional believers
plummet down like this? Read Luke
8:14. “ The seeds that fell among
thorn bushes stand for those who
hear; bu the worries and riches and
pleasures of this life crowd in and
choke them, and thus fruit never
ripens.” Yes, Mary fell for the miseries
of life. But Jesus overlooked this
temperament of Mary and still
responded gently to her. Mary later
realizes her blunder and does the right
thing as the time goes.. She woke up
early in the dawn of resurrection and
went alone to Jesus’ tomb with self-
made fragrances. But in the event of
Lazarus’death, when Mary receded in
faith, Martha-‘ the worried and
troubled over so many things’ Luke
10:41- scores. Martha exhibited love
based on Word of God.She declared to
Jesus in front of the tomb of her
brother who was her only source of
dependence and security: 1. “If you
had been here my Lord, my brother
would not have died.2. but I know that
even now God will give you whatever
you ask Him for.” Read her first
declaration- ‘had you been here Lord-
this is the declaration of love. The
second – But I know that even now
god will give whaattever you ask – is
the declaration of faith.
Love and faith , the two forms of our
investments. When should man exhibit
these virtues to God? When you stand
atop your shattered and decaying life .
Yes Lord, I love you, though I’m
standing at the tomb of all my
happiness , all my dreams and my life.
Lord will certainly reply to this fervent
believer- Yes, your hopes will bloom
again- Jesus said to Martha, “ your
brother will rise to life” [ John 11:23].
Martha replied with intensified faith “ I know that he will rise to life on the last day”. – John 11:24. From this point on the Love of God began to flow into her. “ If a man loves me, he will keep my word and my father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him.”- John 14:23. Jesus responds to Martha with the biggest revelation in the New Testament . He answers, “ Iam the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live eventhough he dies.” John 11:25. Jesus is inviting Martha to declare more deeply her faith and thus get blessed .He continued , “ Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this ?” John 11:26. She answered “ Yes Lord, I do believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who was to come into the world.” By this declaration , Martha was
apparently raised to the status of an Apostle. In Mathew 16:16, Peter affirms the same – Jesus asked them, “who do you say I am?”. Simon Peter answered “ You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” [ Mathew 16:16].Similarly, Martha was also lifted up gradually by Jesus to the newer heights of faith. This incident reveals the immense scope of a believer to be raised to the status of an apostle. How did Martha ascend the heights of faith? Even when she stood in front of her brother’s tomb with a shattered and insecure life she upheld her hope. Unlike Mary who was temperamentalin love, Martha was an example of Love based on his Holy Words that can break the tomb and breathe life to the dead. Let us wean off our temporal love that doesn’t affirm our faith and glorify God.
Growing up in faith is like dealing in shares. Market your faith to god when it is high priced i.e. when you are in deep distress and tolerance . Then the value of your wealth (faith) doubles.This is what Martha did. We had seen that faith is a long term fixed investment and that its value can be increased .In the case of Sebastian’s family in Coimbatore, though Lord took their father , they declared their faith in Lord and stood to love Him. Their faith was priceless to God in that traumatic situation which made them wealthy in His Sanctum. Let us also present our share of faith in our hardship and receive abundance of grace .
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Fr. V.P.Joseph Valiyaveettil
• Translated by Maria Manaza
0608
0909
A mother who prayed intensively with
a burning heart for her son's
deteriorating faith . She didn't get an
answer. Moreover, Her son plunged
from bad to worse . He fell into love
with a girl; strong affair .He led
careless, God- awful life . When she
came to know the life style of her
son,she prayed even more severely.
She didn't get any answer from her
prayer. Moreover, her prayers seemed
to backfire. The girl Augustine loved
became pregnant. Monica sank but
still but she was resilient in faith. Her
husband, Petricious became an
absolute drunkard . He was not a
Catholic and was a very short
–tempered man.
Now, she added her fervent prayer
with fasting in this second phase for
her husband's repentance by the
intercession of St.Ciprian and went to
his tomb regularly . During this
pe r iod , she hea rd anothe r
catastrophic news . Her only son left
his native place for higher studies.
Nevertheless his mother prayed even
more fervently when the situations
only moved from worse to worst.
Strong prayer with no tiredness
! M o n i c a p r a y e d w i t h t h e
steadfastness of a hyena. If the hyena
sees a prey, it will follow the prey
relentlessly till it is caught , even
several months . The steadfastness of
a hyena means if the hyena sees a
prey it will follow it and will catch it
even after several months, in a
foreign territory. From the life of St.
Monica we can see that she gained
back her odious son with the
s t e a d f a s t n e s s o f a h y e n a
c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t i r e l e s s ,
inexhaustible prayer which is an
inspiring anecdote in the history of
catholic church. Her life proves that
not even a single prayer will be left
unanswered. Now listen dear child of
God, pray without ceasing all your
needs even if it seems unheard in the
short term. That can lift you and the
one you are praying for to the status
of sainthood. This is what St.Monica’s
32 years of unceasing prayer teach
us. St.Monica started her prayer in AD
344 .In AD 370, her husband Petricius
confessed and baptised. In AD 387 ,
Augustine gave up Manacianism and
was baptised. Thereafter, Augustine
joined the clergy, became a priest in
AD 391. Later after 5 year in AD 396,
he became the Bishop of Hippo.
During this period, he wrote 102
books including the theo-classic
Confession. In AD 430, he set forth
for the eternal life and joined the
family of Saints . As in Luke 18:1, let
us also pray without ceasing.
Prayer never fails
Translated by , Sonia & Alexandria Sharon
10
He gently lowered the lantern, radiant like the sun. ( The mountain peak was leisurely cloaked in twilight, ( Mathew 27:45)when he set ablaze with the quiet chant… light!… light! (John 1:4)“Light of the World’. (John 12:26 )He placed the light on the zenith of Calvary ( John 8:12 )so that those who look at that glorified light ( Psalms 34:5 )will remain in light forever. ( Mathew 15:5 Then the rain drops drizzled over the valley beneath . The golden rain . The rain of new light.The rain of new light drizzled over the valley of death. ( Mathew 4:16)The people who were fast asleep in the valley woke up, ( Mathew 27:53 )drenched in the raindrops of light.He suddenly blew off the lantern he had earlier kept lowered ( Luke 23:45 )and as if recollecting something walked swiftly to the colossal mantleof the ancient temple. ( Mathew 27:51)Raged, he tore off the mantle that men had fabricated –to cover His everlasting Love for them.As a result, the graves opened and earth quaked in labour. ( Mathew 27:52)She cried aloud in pain. The souls that rose from their holy tombscelebrated in New rain of Light. ( Psalms 97:11 )Beheld! The people of the valley witnessed a magnificent sight, through the torn mantle.The ethereal Jerusalem, beyond the miles afar. ( Revelation 21:2)Coming down out of heaven from God as a bride ,adorned for her husband. The perpetual city embellished with billion lamps lit together. outshining the radiance of suns and moons ( Revelation 22:5)Its light- the Glory of GodBy illuminating my way with the Light of truth, ( Isaiah 60:13 )keeping my shadow behind, he walked ahead of me,I followed Him with certainty. Later he allowed me to walk with Him.We sat on the banks on the banks of the milky brook of Light ( Revelation 22:1,2 )Where the holy souls that came off the holy tents bathe. ( Mathew 17: 2, Isaiah 30:26 )Gradually, he put was putting out all the exhaustible lanterns ( Isaiah 13:10 ) one by one. Abrupt I could hear the music of angels , loud as a surge...they sings..’they will not need lamp light or sun light. (Revelation 22:5) The Lord God will be their light. Yes, they not need the light of sun or moon because Lord God will be their light.
Luke 23:44 )
METAMORPHIA
The Love of God, which
dwelled with Adam and Eve in
Edom! Grace us to receive you
with all our worth when You
come to us in the form of Holy
Eucharist. There is nothing in
this universe comparable to
Your Love that we got through
our Christ Jesus. Lord! Forgive
my sins and bless me to remain
in You everlasting Love. All
praises to You, Father!.
Prayer
Translated by , Marian Manaza & Jomol
fishing policy report, saying that "it is harmful to traditional fisher folk in the country''. Suggestions in the report prepared by the B Meenakumari Commission would badly affect the lives of fishermen. He said that the new policies of the Union Government would destroy the fisheries sector.
The recommendation of the committee to create buffer zones was intended to ban traditional fishermen from certain areas and keep these open for foreign trawlers. There is an urgent need to strengthen the fishing sector and review the policy.
recommendations of the Meenakumari committee report would ruin the fishing sector. He said the report was prepared without consulting any fishing sector organisation based on the western coast.
The core area of fishing activity now was at depths ranging from 200 to 500 metres, which had been recommended as buffer zone. A ban on fishing on the “buffer zone” would be tantamount to banning fishing itself, he said.
“The recommendations give rise to fears of a hidden agenda to permit foreign trawlers exploit the marine wealth of the country,” he alleged. He has expressed concern over the deep sea
SOCIAL VOICE
11
Central Government to review the Fishing policy- urgent step to be taken to protect the marginalised
F i s h e r m e n f r o m t h e mechanised and traditional sectors have joined their hands to launch a mass agitation demanding rejection of the ‘B. Meenakumari committee report for comprehensive review of the deep sea fishing po l i c y and gu ide l ines ’ . Fr.V.P.Joseph said that the
N a i t h a l M i s s i o n a t Pallithodu- A Consolation centre for the deprived a n d m a r g i n a l i s e d traditional artists.
For the upl i f tment of marginalised sections of society and for the revival of traditional folk artists, Naithal Mission was established under the leadership of Fr.V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil, which will serve as a Social wing of Kreupasanam. The centre aims to provide medical aid and health welfare programmes and will serve as a nodal agency in
granting pensions for old aged Chavittunadaka Artists. Inaugurated by A.M.Hariff, MLA, the centre visualises overall development of coastal areas, granting pensions, foster social ha rmony and thereby upgrading an ethnic society. The people can directly access the facilities , submit their application forms and
........continued on page 13
12
National Heritage Study Centre Inaugurated
Kreupasanam.The new office of
National Heritage Study centre was
inaugurated by Rt.Rev.Dr.Stephen
Athipozhiyl, Bishop of Alleppey. The
Centre offers Training academy,
Coastal folk art museum, stay home
research centre and library, open
stage. There will be regular shows on
Chavittunadakam and other folk arts.
Malayalam –Arabic International Literary Festival
A two-day Malayalam-Arabic
international literature festival was
organised by the Kerala Sahitya
Akademi. Poet and film director
Liana Badr of Palestine, Tamil writer
Salma and Syrian poet Ali Kanaan
presented papers. Egypt poet
Mohammed Eid Ibrahim, Shihab
Ghanem, Oman writer Ashar Ahmed
and V.A. Kabeer presented essays.A
film, ‘Peak Heart’, directed by
Palestine filmmaker Liana Badr was
screened.
The Literary festival was conducted
with the aim of stabilising the
literature and cultural heritage of the
Arabian Gulf countries through the
medium of literature.
Kerala Sahitya Academy president
Perumbadavam Sreedharan said
there was mutual cultural and
literary relations between these
countries even before the Christian
era. Eminent writers in Arabic like Dr
Habeeb Yousuf Sayag, Dr Shihab
Ghanem, Ibrahim Mubarak and Dr
Mariam H Al-Shenasi (UAE), Liana
Badr (Palestine), Ali kan aan (syria),
Mahamoud Saeed i and Asma
Azarooni (Iraq), Mohammed Eid
Ibrahim (Egypt), Azhaar Ahmed
(Oman) , Salim Khalid and Al
Remaidi (Kuwait) have graced the
occasion with their presence
Ghanem was a noted poet in UAE
and had translated several eminent
Malayam poets' work into Arabic.
He delivered a lecture on
' Trans l a t i on expe r i ence on
Malayalam Literature,.Akademi
Member, fr.V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil
delivered vote of thanks. He
highlighted the downtrodden life of
Palestine people who were highly
oppressed and there is an urgent
need for world humanity to stand
for justice and peace.
CULTURAL MISSION
13
Coastal Folk Art Dictionary- A New Beacon to the World Literature
13
1 Theatre
The first theatrical stage in Kerala was for Chavittunadakam performance. It was a Rangakalapeedom for performing arts. Earlier, big stages were used only for high class traditional art forms. It was not given for folk art performance and these art forms were held in temple or kaavu or in front of nalukettu. The audience always form the same group. Decoration of stages were given utmost importance. They used to scoop the floor and besmear the floor with a paste of cowdung. They decorated stages with plantain tree, tender coconut, bunch of fruits. There will be lighted lamp in the stage. A traditional form of worship is done behind the screen before the commencement of play. For some performances, l ike theyyam, kalitheeyattu, etc makeup and costume is done on the stage.
2. Arayankavu: kerala, there will be a sacred grove(Kaavu) for fishermen mainly tribal fishermen. They were addressed as Mukuvan,Vaalan, Mukayan etc. their place of worship is known as Arayankavu.. a number of kaavu can be seen in the coastal shores of kerala. Cheerma(Cheerumba) is the diety in Arayankavu . Bharan i ve la and Cheermapattu are the two important functions related to them.
3. Arappukai: A Kalaripayattu system of Kerala. Kalari Gurukkals of Malabar region in north Kerala trained the students in these system. Arappukai, Lineage was formed by synchronizing four Lineages which include Meythozil, kolthari, angathari, verumkai . this system ,which was once practiced in east of Mayyazhipuzha and west of Vallapattanam river, has now become popular in Kerala.
In the coastal areas of
often prolonged conflict that is carried out by people to solve problems by using weapons. When a issue that cannot be solved by panchayat or Naatukootam, it will lead to a war. This is highly used in Chavittunadakam.
4.War: War is an organized and
get aid for their living. It is near to New voice Junction , pallithodu. Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday , the centre will function from 9 to 2 for providing welfare aid to artists. Naithal Mission Secretary , Lucy Martin will undertake the activities. Every Saturday free medical camp and medical aid is provided. Dr.Shinu Stephen,B.Sc, MBBS, will undertake the medical camp. The centre hopes to conduct PSC Coaching classes,
C o m p u t e r c o u r s e s , embroidery and tailoring classes in future.
– A social mass movement-Marian March was organised by Fr.V.P.Joseph for giving
Social Mass Movement
spiritual confidence to the people who suffer in conflicts, to bring forth strength to marginalised people and to recover the people from drug addiction and thereby attain s p i r i t u a l g r o w t h a n d prosperity. Marian March became a reminder to world humanity , to uphold human vallues and reform the society and restore faith.
Translated by, Mary Liya
........continued from page 11SOCIAL VOICE
Copyright@ Fr. V.P. Joseph Valiyaveetil. All rights reserved.No part of this content may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form orby means of electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Fr. V.P. Joseph Valiyaveetil.
14
S T U D E N T S C O R N E R
“The Angel Child"“GLORY TO GOD, GLORY TO GOD, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST” The angel choir sang in the skies above Bethlehem that very first Christmas night. All of the Shepherds looked on in wonder as they heard from the choir of angels that filled the night sky of the coming of the Messiah, the Christ Child, Jesus who would save his people from their sins.
David watched from the hill not far from the flock and his uncle and dad who were tending the sheep. He had been coming out with his male relatives to learn how to be a shepherd under their care and teaching. They had sent him off to find a lost baby sheep that had wandered off. David knew exactly where the little scoundrel sheep was because he had chased her many times. He had given the sheep a name, Spunky and it had become David's special pet in all the herd.
As the Angel Choir finished, David heard Spunky baa not far from where he was sitting. Spunky liked a little cove where some sweet herbs grew and only she knew about them. But she must have gotten caught in the brambles. Sure enough, there she was, all caught up and very unhappy.
“Oh Spunky, you get in trouble every time you come up here. What would you do without me?” David said happily, as he helped her get loose and she began to play about his legs and feet.
“Wow, is that a sheep?” David heard the small voice not far off.
“Who's there?” He said nervously. As he looked around, a child, seemingly a few years younger than him stepped from the shadows. She was dressed all in white. But what really stood out is that she had wings on her back and a ring glowing on her brow, not like a headband, slightly above her brow and her whole gown glowed in the dark. “Who are you?” David said but he found he was not afraid so he approached her.
“Shhhh, I slipped out of the choir. I wanted to see what it was like, you know, here.” She said and she ran to Spunky and started petting her.
“The choir? You mean, in the sky?” David gasped.
“Yes, wasn't that pretty? I sang a while but I can't really do much so I slipped out.” She said her angels wings spreading as she played with the lamb.
“Hello, my name is David.” David politely introduced himself. “You're an angel?” He said and he knelt down and looked at her face.
“Yes, my name is Shauna. You're a human?” She said and for a moment, they just stared because neither had ever been this close to someone like that. Suddenly David jumped up and laughed.
“Then let's play!” He declared running to a tree and jumping to the branch for a catapult.
“YAY!” Shauna giggled with
delight and before she knew it, her
wings carried her to the tree
limb and she looked down and
teased her new friend from her perch.
“No fair!” he declared but no time to fuss. The
new friends, an angel girl and a shepherd boy ran and
laughed and played for what seemed like hours in the hills just outside of Bethlehem, not very far from where the Baby Jesus was just born.
David ran ahead followed closely by Spunky and then Shauna who took flight from time to time and then landed, running as fast as she could to keep up when David splashed into a cold running stream laughing and slinging water back at the lamb and the angel. “Tag” David teased Shauna, “You're it.”
15
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Fr. V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil awarded D.Litt ( Doctor of Letters) by The International Tamil University, USA
‘Mazhakottu'- compilation of 6 stories by Fr. V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil published by Current books. The book was released by Dr. Babu Paul IAS.
Kreupasanam Kochi Division- Inaugurated.Kreupasanam Marian Media Mission was established in Kochi, which was inaugurated by Rev. Fr.V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil. The God’s message “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those
KREUPASANAM
NEWS
Prayer
Loving lord cover me
with Your holy presence,
fill in me the spirit of
Your Wisdom, the spirit of
your knowledge and
counsel. Jesus, My Lord!
give me the grace to trust
inYou with all my heart .
Holy Spirit be the guard of
my soul from all sinful
passions and I remain
protected in Your
presence. Amen.
Shauna was laughing and ducking enjoying every second because so much of this she never experienced in Heaven. Suddenly a sound like a .....trumpet was heard in the sky not far from where the Angel Choir sang its heavenly songs.
“David, I have to go home now. We all have to go back to Heaven now.” Shauna said sadly.
“But I don't want you to go. You are my friend, can I go with you?” David begged.
“No David. I am an Angel. My job will be to do God's Will in heaven. I will praise him and help people when He sends me to help them.” She said lifting slightly into the air on her small wings.
“But I like those jobs. Maybe I can be an angel.” David objected.
“You have an even more important job David.” The Angel Child told him. Down in Bethlehem the Christ Child has been born. You must take the news of His salvation to everyone. Go to the valley and see Him David. His name is Jesus and only you, a human boy can tell other human boys and girls about Jesus. So go. I will always be near you because now that we have met, I will be your guardian angel.” And then she mysteriously disappeared.
“How will I know you are near by?” He shouted at the sky.
Just then, a big splash of water flew up from the stream and hit him in the face. He heard her voice near the stream. “Tag.” She said with a giggle. “You're it.” She said. David laughed and turned and started to run to Bethlehem to see the miracle of the Christ Child, the Miracle of Christmas.
on whom his favor rests.”(LK 2:13) paved the guiding light to establish the office. The office will serve as the Director’s office of Marian Media Mission. Cultural activities , IT related matters will be handled in this office
FR.V.P.JOSEPH VALIYAVEETIL
FOUNDER DIRECTOR, KREUPASANAM, KALAVOOR
ALAPPUZHA, KERALA, SOUTH INDIA
PH:- 9447285400, ,0478—2860595, 9847481587
[email protected],[email protected],
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A RELIGIO - SOCIO - CULTURAL MAGAZINE
Vol-2 Issue 6 December 2014 - February 2015
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Printed and published by R.Vijayakumar, Coimbatore for Kreupasanam, Design and Layout: Sebastian Viju (www.leemation.com), Printed at Vianni Printers, Kaloor, Kochi.
