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A Letter from Rev. Joseph K. Kalladan, Pastor


Sunday Bulletin - October 14, 2007


Dear Parishioner,

Several parishioners, together with me as the Spiritual Guide, are on our way to a pilgrimage: "ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL", starting on this Monday, October 15th. I believe we are just around thirty and we wanted to keep the number small on purpose so that we do not have to deal with the hassles that come from having a large crowd. This pilgrimage has been planned for quite a long time with several meetings and discussions, etc. Many of the pilgrims have been studying St. Paul, his three missionary journeys, and the major events connected with this dynamic man of God.

For me personally, this pilgrimage is a dream coming true. I have been to the Holy Land, over the years, three times and they have indeed given me a deep insight into the Person of Jesus, His life, and saving mission that He came to accomplish for us. It was certainly a very graphic and deeply personal experience for me to be in the very places where Jesus walked, worked His astounding miracles, where He celebrated His Last Supper, and later suffered, died and rose gloriously. All the three visitations did serve to deepen my faith and commitment to Him.

During my years of theology as I studied the great St. Paul, I nurtured a great fascination and love for him. I truly believe, after Our Blessed Mother Mary, he was unquestionably, the most perfect Christian. His letters certainly give us a true picture of what kind of a disciple of Jesus he turned out to be. Take for example his one simple statement: "For me to live is Christ". Does it not speak volumes to us even today, we who have chosen to follow the Lord? He not only made this statement, but lived it with such commitment and vigor that he stands out to be the perfect example of being a CHRISTIAN. His whole life, his manifold sufferings, the crosses he endured, etc. bear perfect testimony to what he really was. He was just consumed with his absolute commitment to his Lord and Master. In fact, he attested with frankness that nothing on earth or heaven could ever prevent him from his love for Christ: neither death nor persecution, imprisonment or whatever. This specially chosen Apostle of the gentiles brought thousands upon thousands of non-Judaic peoples of the world into God's Church and nurtured them with love and pastoral care. It would truly be a fascinating and tremendously uplifting experience to walk along the hallowed footsteps of this man of Faith.

As I will be celebrating the Holy Eucharist in those places made holy by St. Paul, I want to assure you that I will have a special memento for you all. Please pray that all of us on this pilgrimage may have a wonderful experience of the holy and return back safe and sound.

Prayerfully,


Fr. K.K.

The parish wishes all the pilgrims a safe journey.

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