A Great Celebration and a Marthoma Reunion
Early Saturday morning, Kurian, a friend from college, and Elsie, his wife, took me to their Yoga School to attend a lecture by a Hindu Sannyasini by the name of Sister Poornima on the "Discipline of Tolerance." It was a well thought out and delivered talk. However, considering the time, 6 a.m on a Saturday, I was amazed to see the number of people who came to hear her. I surmise that there is a huge hunger for learning and self-improvement among my contemporaries.
As planned, on Saturday at noon, family and friends of our mom gathered at Navallil House, my sister's home in Chennankary, a village near Alleppey, now frequented by tourists from around the world to enjoy its natural beauty and serene environment. This village can be reached only by boat as it is surrounded by the tributaries of Pampa River, and Vembanadu Lake. People have their homes built on the outer edge of this island village and they raise their crops such as rice, coconut, banana, and cocoa in the shallow fields in the middle. We chose this location for the family reunion and celebration because this was where our mom was born and brought up.
Shortly after everyone had come we boarded the boat and celebration began. After adorning mom with a ponnada by my brother and myself, she cut the cake. I said a prayer of thanksgiving to God for her and my brother spoke, grandchildren and great grandchildren sang a couple of nice lively valla pattu (boatrace song) which depict the life of local villagers. Dinner on the boat was fabulous. All the arrangements for the celebration of this important milestone in the life of our mom was organized by my nephews, Thommachen and Mathachen. This get together gave me an opportunity to see and be with some of my cousins for the first time in forty years. It was intimate and intentional unlike wedding and funeral gatherings.
Following the family reunion, we remained at my sister's home for the night, and on Sunday, we went to the Mar Thoma church in Karackal. My grandfather, the late Rev. M. O Koshy, served this church for many years and was buried here. This was where I was baptized as an infant and attended Sunday School in the early years. It was hugely significant for me to be back here as a priest, a vocation following my grandfather's footsteps. The priest in the church allowed me to assist him in the Eucharist and asked me to preach. As a priest this was the first time I served eucharist and preached in a Mar Thoma Church. It was an awesome blessing!
Early Saturday morning, Kurian, a friend from college, and Elsie, his wife, took me to their Yoga School to attend a lecture by a Hindu Sannyasini by the name of Sister Poornima on the "Discipline of Tolerance." It was a well thought out and delivered talk. However, considering the time, 6 a.m on a Saturday, I was amazed to see the number of people who came to hear her. I surmise that there is a huge hunger for learning and self-improvement among my contemporaries.
As planned, on Saturday at noon, family and friends of our mom gathered at Navallil House, my sister's home in Chennankary, a village near Alleppey, now frequented by tourists from around the world to enjoy its natural beauty and serene environment. This village can be reached only by boat as it is surrounded by the tributaries of Pampa River, and Vembanadu Lake. People have their homes built on the outer edge of this island village and they raise their crops such as rice, coconut, banana, and cocoa in the shallow fields in the middle. We chose this location for the family reunion and celebration because this was where our mom was born and brought up.
Shortly after everyone had come we boarded the boat and celebration began. After adorning mom with a ponnada by my brother and myself, she cut the cake. I said a prayer of thanksgiving to God for her and my brother spoke, grandchildren and great grandchildren sang a couple of nice lively valla pattu (boatrace song) which depict the life of local villagers. Dinner on the boat was fabulous. All the arrangements for the celebration of this important milestone in the life of our mom was organized by my nephews, Thommachen and Mathachen. This get together gave me an opportunity to see and be with some of my cousins for the first time in forty years. It was intimate and intentional unlike wedding and funeral gatherings.
Following the family reunion, we remained at my sister's home for the night, and on Sunday, we went to the Mar Thoma church in Karackal. My grandfather, the late Rev. M. O Koshy, served this church for many years and was buried here. This was where I was baptized as an infant and attended Sunday School in the early years. It was hugely significant for me to be back here as a priest, a vocation following my grandfather's footsteps. The priest in the church allowed me to assist him in the Eucharist and asked me to preach. As a priest this was the first time I served eucharist and preached in a Mar Thoma Church. It was an awesome blessing!
Father Koshy,
ReplyDeleteYou are living the Circle of Life...I am learning so many things about you. I totally get what an awesome moment this must of been for you. Big hug to you!
Lisa C