Page 8 of 9
The Stream
From Around the Diocese
Remembering a Holy Man .....cont'd from p. 1
Although His Grace did not speak with the eloquence of a typical convention speaker, his meditative and devotional
speeches came through to the audience and soon many were familiar with Thirumeni. As everybody knows,
Thirumeni was of small stature but commanded attention and respect when he spoke.
My family and my brothers’ families had the honor of hosting Thirumeni numerous times in our homes. Thirumeni
had a strict regimen of prayer, discipline of a monk and was very loving. I accompanied him in his daily walks, which
he never missed. I spoke to him about many subjects and Thirumeni always had direct and sensible answers that
were well anchored in Christian thought. Thirumeni was never keen to discuss church politics, rumors or
speculations. He avoided sarcasm and in a way he truly lived by the words of Christ – (St. Matthew 5:37: “All you
need to say is Yes or No, anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”) He also preferred simple meals and always
insisted on having his meals with the whole family including women and children. Thirumeni stayed with us and
comforted us during a very difficult time in our lives, when my mother was ailing due to old age. While her
condition was critical, Thirumeni visited us and provided us with consolation, comfort and advice. I last met with
Thirumeni on March 14th, 2012 at San Joe Hospital in Perumbavoor; He recognized us and recited a short prayer.
The passing of Thirumeni saddened us deeply but we take solace in knowing that he rests with God and we pray
that he receive the crown of Glory and Grace from God Almighty. I end this memoriam with prayers and memories
of the late lamented His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas. Let us pray that His Grace's soul may rest in peace and seek
His Grace's intercession for all of us.
Reflections from Edmonton.....Cont'd from p.1
However, this conference proved to me again that God’s Spirit inevitably works among groups that gather to learn
and meditate on His words regardless of where it is held or who attends it. The session started with Rev. Fr. Rajesh K
John striking the keynote of the conference - having peace in our life is contingent on having a pure and holy mind.
For the remaining two days we explored the ways of having a holy and pure heart through several study sessions
offered throughout the conference. Most Respected Thirumeni instilled a new perspective on women’s role in
church, family and society. Considering our family as a miniature version of God’s Kingdom and women being the
chief celebrant of the Sacrament of Marriage bestows a whole new plethora of responsibilities with women. These
responsibilities are not about having more authority in the family but are more of being embodiments of love, grace
and care, setting ourselves as role models for our children and leading the family through the path God has lain
before us. Rev. Fr. P. C. George’s study sessions on the MMVS theme verse was inundated with knowledge nuggets
from all over the Bible. Considering the magnificence of God’s creations, it is pertinent to remember that human
beings were created in the likeness of the Almighty and thereby we are obliged to maintain Holiness in our lives so
that we can reflect His likeness in its entirety. Respected Achen correlated the theme verse with several sections of
the Holy Bible and delved into the importance of sanctification thorough the Holy Sacraments. Peace can only be
pursued by loving each other. If we don’t love each other we are just being like dead bodies. The session on
preparation for Holy Confession was perhaps an apt ending for the study sessions as it took advantage of our
transformed minds thus adding more meaning to the core requirements of confession.
Apart from the study sessions, the health classes, choir sessions, cultural programs and talent competitions were
also equally entertaining. Above all, the hospitality of Edmonton Church members was really applaudable. As a
participant of the conference I have been deeply moved by the efficiency with which the conference was organized
and conducted. Without doubt this was the Lord’s doing and we were mere instruments used by the Almighty to
make the conference a success. But as Rev. Fr. P. C. George reminded us, a speech is successful only to the extent
which it is implemented in the lives of the listeners. I am earnestly praying to the Almighty that all attendees of the
conference will continue to strive to make the conference a success by sharing our learnings with our fellow sisters
and transforming our own lives to be holy and peaceful.