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A Letter from Rev. Joseph K. Kalladan, Pastor


Sunday Bulletin - September 2, 2007


Dear Parishioner,

On September 8th, Saturday, the Church celebrates the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Birthdays are special days in our lives when we look at ourselves who we are as unique persons and thank the Good Lord for all His blessings that He lavishes on us. When I celebrated my 68th birthday just recently, I did have an opportunity to thank the Lord for all His manifold gifts and blessings that were showered upon me over the years, the people who have been an integral part of my life, the people of God that I have the opportunity to serve etc. On the occasion of birthdays, those who love us are happy to celebrate our birthdays and show their appreciation and love for all we are to them.

Jesus has given us Mary as our Mother. She is the Mother of the Church. Hence it is most appropriate to celebrate her yearly Birthday as a feast day of the Church, thanking the Lord for her and for what she has been to God’s Church down through the centuries. God, in His infinite plan, deigned that His Church needed a Mother, as we all need an earthly mother in our lives. Jesus fulfilled this plan of God at that supreme moment on Calvary when He gave His Mother as our mother: “Behold your Mother” and “Behold your Son”. These most memorable words of Jesus, as the Fathers of the Church attest, have deep significance for the Church He founded and to every one of us as members of God’s Holy Church. What a privilege for us to have as our Mother, Jesus’ own Mother!! Mary has consistently proven to be a truly devoted Mother to her children throughout the centuries.

As we are preparing to celebrate her birthday on this Saturday, it is good for us to ask ourselves if we cultivate a special love and devotion to Mary, as our Mother. STA offers many opportunities, apart from individual and family devotions, to grow in the love and devotion of Our Blessed Mother like the Legion of Mary, special novenas to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on Wednesdays, the First Saturdays, Masses on Saturday mornings, weekday rosaries, etc.
St. John Bosco, who cultivated and promoted a filial and loving devotion to Mary, made a memorable statement at the end of his long life which was a true reflection of his whole life: “Have devotion to Mary and you will see what miracles are”. Yes, his life was indeed a true attestation to his statement.
Let us also nurture a true love for Our Mother Mary.

Fr. K.K.

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