St. Thomas Aquinas Parish                                                                                  Link to Welcome Letter


A Letter from Rev. Joseph K. Kalladan, Pastor


Sunday Bulletin - December 2, 2007

Dear Parishioner,

We are beginning the Month of December which brings to a happy conclusion this eventful year of our Lord, 2007. I believe that the very focal point of this month could well be, both for Christians and Non-Christians, the yearly feast of 'Christmas'. For the world at large, it might mostly be just a holiday season; a lucrative business-making time of the year for some or an occasion for having great parties and other festivities. However, for those who follow the way of Christ, it should indeed be a celebration of the Birth of the Savior of the World when the angelic choirs heralded "peace on earth to men of good will". Yes, we know that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came to establish the true and lasting peace on earth which He alone could give us.
Mankind has, from the dawn of civilization unto our own ultra modern times, been frantically searching for lasting peace which somehow has eluded it. Man has tried every means at his disposal to achieve this vital human commodity, often times by sheer domination and force. Long discussions, consultations, alignment of nations against others, etc. have been tried without true and lasting peace in our world. Novel methods like non-violence, non-cooperation etc. have been tried too with little success of establishing a lasting peace.
Hence, the question could legitimately be asked: “Why is it that man, with his extraordinary intelligence, who is even capable of reaching the moon and beyond, is incapable of establishing a lasting peace in our world?
The answer lies with you and me. We, who are followers of Christ, must look up to Him who came to earth to bring us His Peace which is the only source of lasting Peace on earth. Why did the Angelic Choirs herald 'Peace' at His Birth? Jesus came to earth with a clear Mission to bring the kind of peace that the world had not experienced; a peace that was the gift of His Father in heaven. Wherever He went accomplishing His saving mission on earth, he brought to those who sought Him that Peace which He alone could give. Just imagine, even at the supreme moment in the midst of the excruciating pain on the cross, he brought peace and reconciliation to the repentant thief who turned to His Lord for compassion and mercy.
If we are to establish lasting peace in our world, every one of us must strive to be at peace with God, ourselves and with our neighbor. Just like that good thief, we need to accept Christ into our lives and allow Him to transform us as he did to millions through the ages. Consider for a moment if all the billions of Christians of our world did that, how the world could be transformed. But we need to remember, it must start with you and me.
May the forthcoming Celebration of the Birth of Jesus inspire us to look up to Him and to prepare ourselves to be the peace of Christ in ourselves and the world around us. This could be the very best Christmas gift we could all prepare for Jesus, at His Birth.

Prayerfully,

Fr. K.K.
Back to Pastor Letters Page

St Thomas Aquinas Parish       Catholic Website© 2001-2007 All Rights Reserved