Vicar: Rev. John Philip [vicar@stthomasmtc.org]
Secretary: Mr. Sunil M. Varughese [secretary@stthomasmtc.org]
2025
November
stthomasmtcny.org
NEWSLETTER VOL. XLV NO. 11
2
Dear Parishioners,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Let's thank God for the blessed month of October and wel-
come November.
I thank God for the blessed visit of Rt. Rev. Zacharias Mar
Aprem. I express my sincere joy and gratitude to the Church
for all the wonderful arrangements. I truly believe it was a blessed and grace-
filled time for our Parish. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to
everyone who attended the Parish Annual Retreat. A special word of thanks to
the conveners, Mr. T. P. Jacob and Mr. Sunil Varughese, for their dedicated
efforts in organizing this meaningful event. I believe it was a time of enriching
fellowship and valuable spiritual discernment for all who participated.
I request your wholehearted cooperation to the special programs in the month
of November. This 22nd we will have our Family Night of Sevika Sanghom, I
hope everyone has purchased the tickets for the same. It is a month of great
celebration of Thanksgiving and I pray that this celebration will truly glorify our
God who provides us all the blessings and it should be a time of extending a
helping hand to the poor and needy. This 29th, our Youth Fellowship will be
hosting the Regional YF Meeting at our church. We kindly request your whole-
hearted support and cooperation in all the arrangements.
November 1st is celebrated as All saints day. It is most necessary for us to re-
member all the faithful who taken heavenly abode and follow their blessed faith.
First week we observe World Sunday School Day, all our kids should grow up in
the Word of God. Parents are requested to take care that their child attends the
Sunday School. Our children should be participants in the ministry of kingdom
of God. Renewal is about deepening our relationship with God, it is very essen-
tial for the growth of the church. This is the month of preparing for Advent
season, Annunciation to Zechariah and Virgin Mary reminds us that God wants
always human participation in His plan for the salvation. Virgin Mary and Zech-
ariah challenge us to be submissive to God's plan. This is very important that
the last two year onwards, our church is decided to observe the fourth Sunday
of November as Diaspora Sunday. As we are a diaspora community in this land
we should thank God for all the privileges and blessings we enjoy here. We are
obliged to this land and at the same time to our motherland. As we are getting
ready for a season of celebrations of advent season and Thanksgiving may God
bless our celebrations.
With Much Prayer,
Rev. John Philip
Vicar’s Message
3
Youth Chaplain’s Corner
Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- One True God! Amen!
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Last month, our Church celebrated Christian Family
Sunday with the theme “Family: Place of Pure
Love.” It was a beautiful reminder that our family is
meant to be more than people we cohabitate with; ra-
ther family is a space where faith begins, love grows,
and grace becomes real. As we now enter the season of
Thanksgiving, that same spirit of gratitude we share
around our family tables reminds us that thankfulness
is the natural language of love.
Family Sunday reminded us of how a lasting legacy is not about wealth or recog-
nition, but about remembering God through every generation. From Job’s faith-
fulness, Cornelius’s obedience, John’s call to love, and Christ’s redefinition of
family, we learned that when God's love and faith guide us, our families become
more. Thanksgiving deepens this truth. Every act of faith and every prayer be-
comes an offering of gratitude towards God.
We still must ask an important question though this month: What will our chil-
dren remember about our faith? Many of us live faithfully but quietly. Yet faith
cannot survive in silence. It needs to be seen, spoken, and shared. Gratitude gives
voice to faith. When we go to God together, for daily bread, for prayers, for each
other, we pass on a wonderful testimony that says, God has been with us. And
through it all, He gently reminds us: “I am with you.”
As we move forward in this season of family, food and rest, let’s make our homes
places of prayer, compassion, and gratitude, where Christ’s love is practiced daily.
May every meal, every conversation, and every shared moment become a reflec-
tion of His presence and grace. In this season of Thanksgiving, let us remember
that grateful hearts shape faithful homes, and our homes will build a lasting legacy
of family and church.
With Gratitude,
Rev. Jason Varghese Achen
Northeast Regional Youth Chaplain
The Mar Thoma Church, Diocese of North America
4
Date Time Worship
Sun, Nov 2 9:30 AM
Praise & Worship
English Holy Communion Service
Rev. Jason Varghese
World Sunday School Day-Children: Participants in the
Ministry of the Kingdom of God
Sun, Nov 9 9:30 AM
Praise & Worship
English Holy Communion Service
Rev. Moni Mathew
Festival of the unity of Communion of Churches in India
[CSI, CNI- Mar Thoma]
Sun, Nov 16 9:30 AM
Praise & Worship
Malayalam Holy Communion Service
Annunciation to Zechariah: God who gives promises of
possibilities
Sun, Nov 23 9:30 AM
Praise & Worship
Malayalam Holy Communion Service
Annunciation to Mary: Willingness to be the will of God;
Diaspora Sunday
Sun, Nov 30 9:30 AM
Praise & Worship
English Holy Communion Service
Meeting of Virgin Mary and Elizabeth: Celebration of
Hope: From dishonour to honour
Worship Service Schedule
Lectionary
Date Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Epistle Gospel
Sun, Nov 2 Prov 3:1-8 1John 3:1-12 3John 1-12 John 6:1-14
Sun, Nov 9 Josh 22:21-29 Eph 4:1-7
1Cor 12:12-
27
John 10:11-18
Sun, Nov 16 Judg 13:2-14 Rom 10:9-15 Heb 6:9-12 Luke 1:5-23
Sun, Nov 23 1Sam 2:1-11 1Cor 1:26-31 Gal 4:1-7 Luke 1:26-38
Sun, Nov 30 1Sam 1:9-20 2Cor 1:3-10 Heb 11:1-12 Luke 1:39-45
5
Area Date Location
Manhattan/
New Jersey
Sat, Nov 1
No Prayer
Bronx /
Yonkers
South / West
Sun, Nov 2
6:30 PM
via Zoom
Meeting ID: 935 0649 9316
Passcode: 703734
Elections will be held
Upper
Westchester/
Connecticut
Sat, Nov 8
10:00 AM
Mr. & Mrs. Kochumman Geevarghese
288 Fisher Ave, White Plains, NY
Elections will be held
Queens/
Long Island
Sun, Nov 9
6:00 PM
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Oommen
313 Old Westbury Rd
East Meadow, NY
Elections will be held
Yonkers East
Sat, Nov 15
6:30 PM
Mr. & Mrs. K.G. Varghese
2 Amherst Dr,
Yonkers, NY
Elections will be held
Rockland
Sun, Nov 16
6:30 PM
Mr. & Mrs. Sunny P. Ninan
128 East Philips Hill Rd,
New City, NY
Yonkers
North
Sun, Nov 23
6:30 PM
via Zoom
Meeting ID: 935 0649 9316
Passcode: 703734
Area Prayer Meetings
Message from the Trustees
• Only 2 more months until accounts are closed for 2025, please
submit subscription dues and other contributions.
Send money via
Zelle
to:
stmtctr[email protected]
Trustees
6
Date Location
Every Friday
10:00 AM
Via Zoom
Zoom Meeting ID: 935 0649 9316
Passcode: 703734
Sevika Sangham & Edavaka Mission
Senior Citizens Fellowship
Sunday School
Date Location
Thu, Nov 6 & 20
6:30 PM
Via Zoom
Zoom Meeting ID: 935 0649 9316
Passcode: 703734
Program / Location
• November 2, 2025 - World Sunday School Day
• Sunday School Every Sunday after Worship Service!
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Youth Chaplain Housekeeping
Monthly Parish Youth Fellowship Meetings
Our regular Parish Youth Fellowship Meetings continue to be wonderful occasions for us
to deepen our faith and friendships. Parents and youths, If you need further information
about dates, times, or activities, please reach out to your Parish Youth Fellowship Secre-
tary, who will have the details. Parents and Children let us make the most of these gath-
erings and encourage one another to grow in faith and unity. Please arrange carpools so
we do not miss out in meetings.
NERYF Bible Study
Our next biweekly Bible Study gatherings will be held on Wednesday, November 12,
2025, at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., both at the Youth
Chaplain’s Parsonage. The first session will be led by Ms. Jasalin Manoj of St. John’s
Mar Thoma Church, Queens. These evenings continue to provide a space for reflection,
prayer, and conversation as we explore how Scripture speaks into our daily lives. We
also take a moment to express our gratitude to Mr. Rohit Varughese of Epiphany Mar
Thoma Church, Ozone Park, who, during his recent visit home, led a deeply meaningful
session on the theme of Baptism.
NERYF Fall One-Day Retreat 2025
The NERYF Fall One-Day Retreat 2025 will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at
St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Yonkers. As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, this
retreat offers an opportunity for our youth to pause, reflect, and renew their faith. The day
will include times of worship, teaching, and fellowship centered on encountering God in
community. It will be a chance to step away from our routines, listen for God’s voice, and
find encouragement together. Please contact your Parish YF Secretary for more infor-
mation
NERYF Fifth Sunday Holy Qurbana
On Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., we will gather for the NERYF Fifth Sun-
day Combined Holy Qurbana and Youth Fellowship at Long Island Mar Thoma Church,
2350 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. The Holy Qurbana will be celebrated by Rev.
Dr. Pramod Zachariah, Vicar of Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, and the message will be
delivered by Ms. Shannon Thomas, a member of Long Island Mar Thoma Church. We
encourage all youth and families to attend this special gathering of worship and connec-
tion. Please consider carpooling to make travel easier, and parents, we kindly ask for
your support in ensuring our youth are able to participate in this blessed day.
College Visits – Fall 2025 Semester Wrap-Up
As we come to a close to college visits for this semester, I give thanks to God for the
wonderful opportunities to meet, pray, and spend time with many of our students across
different colleges in New York and Connecticut. I am especially grateful to all the youth
who took the time and made every arrangement to make these gatherings possible. The
efforts, hospitality, and willingness of our students to create time for prayer and study
have been a blessing and a testimony for God and the Church.
8
Bible Quiz Answers
1. Mount Ebal (27:4)
2. Widow (24:17)
3. anyone who is hung on a pole
(21:22)
4. wool and linen woven together
(22:11)
5. something to dig with (
(23:13)
6. Fieldstones (
7. the levites, the foreigner, the
fatherless and the widow (26:12)
8. the earnings of a female prosti-
tute or of a male prostitute
(
9. will be defiled(
10. Edomite (23:7)
Deuteronomy 21-27
Bible Quiz Winners
1. Saramma Thankachan
2. Sherly Vaidyan
3. Mariamma Thomas
4. Mariamma A Mathew
5. Sosamma Abraham (Yonkers)
6. Susan John
7. Mercy Rajan
8. Sosamma Varghese
9. Thankamma John
10. Annamma Mathew
Obituary
Mrs. Kunjunjamma Kurien (80), beloved mother of our member Mrs.
Mini Aby Varughese, residing at 2210 Central Park Ave, Yonkers, NY,
was called to her eternal home on October 12, 2025. The funeral services
were held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at St. George Orthodox Cathol-
icate Simhasana Pally, Piralassery, Chengannur.
Mrs. Jolly Rajan (60), beloved sister of our member Mrs. Susamma Sam-
uel, residing at 41 Mark Ln, New City, NY, went to be with the Lord on
Sunday, October 19, in Kerala, India. Funeral Services were held in India.
On behalf of the Parish, we extend our deepest condolences and prayers
to the bereaving families. May the Lord provide peace and comfort dur-
ing this difficult time.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18
9
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1. Who is Lord's allotted inheritance?
2. How near is God’s word?
3. What are the idols made of among the nations?
4. Who lives like a lione?
5. Who is beloved of the Lord?
6. How many ways does it say that enemies who come one direction will flee?
7. To whom did Moses write the Law and give it?
8. How will Lord afflict from head to feet those who do not keep Jehovah’s command-
ments ?
9. How old was Moses when he died?
10. What cities did the Lord overthrew in fierce anger ?
Bible Quiz
Deuteronomy 28-34
10
Bronx/Yonkers South/West
Mrs. Mariamma Mathew 576 ROUTE 304 3
Mrs. Sosamma Samuel 26 Post Street Apt. 4A 3
Mr. Saji Jacob 245 Rumsey Road apt 2L 5
Mrs. Gracyamma Idiculla 245 Rumsey Road, Apt #6G 6
Mr. Mathew George 2786 Bainbridge Ave., Apt. 3E 10
Elisha Mariam Mathew 14 Sunset Dr 10
Mr. V. T. Thomas 5020 Goodridge Ave 13
Mrs. Mariamma George 16 Astor Place 19
Mr. Thomas Chacko 181 Devoe Avenue 22
Mrs. Ancy Thomas 68 Linn Ave, 27
Mrs. Marykutty Varghese 64 Linn Avenue 27
Ms. Renju Joseph 24 Leroy Place 29
Mr. Thomas Varughese 115 Alder St 30
Meppurathu
Manhattan/New Jersey
Mr. Samuel Easo 257 Bradley Ave. 14
Mr. Aleron Bryse Varghese 1758 W 5th St 18
Mrs. Aleyamma Ninan 707 Cottage Place 19
Timothy Samuel Ninan 829 Derius Drive 26
Queens/Long Island
Dr. Jerry Thomas 19 Richfield St 2
Mrs. Sherly Thomas 313 Old Westbury Road 3
Mrs. Mincy Thomas 12 Nassau Drive 14
Mr. Sunil George Abraham 1421 Alpha Street 18
Mr. Thomas Oommen 313 Old Westbury Road 22
Mr. Jason Thomas 12 Nassau Drive 22
Mr. Jonah Jacob Thomas 8 Locust Lane 26
Rockland
Ms. Alisha Rose Philip 29 North Park Terrace 3
Mrs. Mariamma Shaji 2 Tiffin Lane 10
Ms.Sheena Mammen 2 Tiffin Lane 11
Mrs. Shyja Oommen 104 W Erie St 12
Savanna Grace Price 3517 John Paul Jones Lane 14
Mr. Varghese E. Oommen 6 Mayfield Street 17
November Birthdays
11
Elaina Faith Philip 29 North Park Terrace 18
Dr. Marilyn Mathew 20 Corinthian Drive 19
Mr. John Abraham 5 Allison Cir 20
Mrs. Susamma Koshy 86 Susan Drive 20
Mr. Suraj Micah Varughese 24 Reginald Drive 20
Dr. Joselyn Thomas 2 Huffman Dr. 21
Ms. Sneha Mary Monzy 10 Edison Court, Apt G, BLDG 1 24
Mrs. Marykutty Rajan 5 Lester Drive 24
Mrs. Mariamma John 144 Brewery Road 25
Mrs. Rosamma K. Mathew 37 Headden Drive 29
Mr. Aaron Daniel 72 Old Middletown Rd 30
Mr. Austin Daniel 72 Old Middletown Rd 30
Upper Westchester/CT
Mr. Saji Kochumman 288 Fisher Ave 4
Milan George Nireesh 368 Pine Brook Blvd 6
Melissa Flores 23 Khakum Wood Rd 7
Dr. Kurian Thomas 10 Dartmouth Terrace 8
Mrs. Susan John 1 Cayuga Ct. 10
Mr. Mohan S. George 114 Chase Hollow Lane 12
Mrs. Valsamma Thomas 1526 River Oaks Road 15
Ms. Kayla Aley-Susan Kurian 20 Paradise Dr 19
Mrs. Bhuvan George 114 Chase Hollow Lane 20
Mr. Tanner Philip George 18 Bayberry Lane 21
Mr. John Mathai 135 Linn Ave 21
Mrs. Soosamma Mony-Lal 60 Valley View Rd 23
Ms. Alyssa Grace Cherian 288 Spring Rd. 27
Jonathan Mathew Abraham 6 Glen Avenue 30
Yonkers East
Dr. Varghese Abraham 138 Candlewood Drive 9
Mrs. Sosamma Joseph 1026 Pitch Pine Street 15
Mr. Jeff Joseph 189 Round Hill Drive 20
Mr. K. G. Varghese 2 Amherst Drive 20
Dr. Wilson John 35 Linda Lane 22
Mr. Kevin John Varghese 214 Grandview Blvd 24
Ms. Karen Rachel Varghese 214 Grandview Blvd 24
Mrs. Ani Thankachen Chacko 9 Dugan Lane 26
November Birthdays
12
Yonkers North
Mr. Ryan David 1532 Nepperhan Ave 3
Mrs. Soumya Ann Mathews 15 Bretton Road 14
Mr. Babu David 1532 Nepperhan Ave 25
Silas Shyam Mathai 194 Osmun Place 25
Mr. Robin V. Yohannan 10 Hudson view Drive 26
Mrs. Joelle Zacharia 11 Lake View Ave 26
Mr. Mathew Varghese 15 Bretton Rd 28
November Birthdays
Youth Fellowship
13
Bronx/Yonkers South/West
Mr. Aju Joseph & Mrs. Bincy Joseph 12
755 Delano Rd
Mr. Varghese Philip & Mrs. Sarala Philip Varghese 21
16 Astor Place, #31N
Mr. George V. Mathai & Mrs. Santhamma George 28
396 Beleuve Ave
Mr. Varghese George & Mrs. Molly Varghese 30
221 Rumsey Rd. Apt 2A
Manhattan/New Jersey
Dr. Cecil Mathews & Mrs. Sara Mathews 28
10 Freeman St
Rockland
Mr. John Abraham & Mrs. Elizabeth Abraham 2
4 Trotters Trail
Mr. Saju V. Mathew & Mrs. Sara Susan Cherian 11
79 Eagle Ridge Way
Mr. Domy Philip & Mrs. Susan Philip 19
29 North Park Terrace
Mr. Jube Daniel & Mrs. Elsy Jube 26
21 South Cranford Road
Upper Westchester/CT
Mr. Mathew Paulose Jr. & Dr. Deepti Paulose 1
1 Walnut Ave
Mr. Mathew Abraham & Mrs. Annamma Mathew 14
6 Glen Ave
Mr. Christin Kurumthodathil Mathews & Ms.Kripa 25
Abraham
18 Bradhurst Ave
Yonkers East
Mr. K. Jacob & Mrs. Mariamma Jacob 11
16 June Street
Mr. John Jacob & Mrs. Mini John 20
160 Winthrop Ave
Yonkers North
Mr. Melvin C. Tom & Mrs. Meenu Thadhani 9
45 Sandrock Ave
Mr. Thomas Varghese & Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas 12
107 Westminster Drive
Mr. Mayfield Mathunni Eapen & Mrs. Soni Verghese 23
71 Nimitz Road
Mr. K. C. Thomas & Mrs. Sosamma Thomas 28
360 Edwards Place
November Wedding Anniversary
14
Event / Committee Convener(s) Date / Notes
Organizational Retreat Sunil M. Varughese Sun, April 27th
Graduation Recognition Sajan Abraham Sun, June 29th
Organizational Picnic
(Senior Citizens, Edavaka
Mission, Sevika Sangham)
Organizational
Representatives
Sat, August 16th
Ridge Road Park -
Hartsdale, NY
Parish Picnic
Sunny P. Ninan,
Varghese E. Oommen
Sat, August 30th
Haverstraw Bay Park
Parish Convention John K. Abraham Sep 18, 19, 20, 21
Senior Citizens
Recognition
George M. Varkey October 5th
Parish Retreat T.P. Jacob October 9, 10, 11
Thanksgiving Manoj Mathew Sun, Nov 30th
Christmas Carol
Service
Shirley Thomas,
Sean Thannickal,
Shyju Varughese
Sat, Dec 20th
Christmas House
Caroling
Sunny P. Ninan TBD
Parish Day (2026) Sunil M. Varughese Sun, Jan 25th
Food Committee
Thomas John (Sajan),
John Abraham (Joe)
Prayer Group and Organiza-
tions will be assigned monthly
Ushers
K.C. Thomas,
George M. Varkey,
Aleyamma Varughese
—
Mission
Sean Thannickal,
Shyju Varughese,
Sajan Abraham
—
Audio Video John Abraham (Joe) —
2025 Program and Sub-Committees
15
Executive Committee 2025
Position Name Home Phone
Vicar / President Rev. John Philip (914) 450-3162
Vice President Mr. John Abraham (914) 772-8824
Secretary Mr. Sunil M. Varughese (845) 598-3994
Treasurer Mr. Biju P. Varughese (845) 596-0537
Accountant Mr. Ullas P. Thannickal (845) 300-5810
Lay Leader - Malayalam Mr. M.J. George (914) 924-7774
Lay Leader - English Mr. Sean Thannickal (845) 499-8976
AREA PRAYER GROUP REPRESENTATIVES
Manhattan/NJ Mr. Uthup Varkey (201) 637-5890
Queens/LI Mr. T.P. Jacob (516) 554-1809
Rockland Mr. Varghese Oommen (845) 300-8153
Rockland Mr. Sunny P. Ninan (845) 634-4925
Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Manoj T. Mathew (914) 229-1433
Yonkers East Mrs. Jessy Kuruvilla (914) 582-0710
Yonkers North Mr. K.C. Thomas (914) 374-7180
Yonkers West/South/Bronx Mr. Thomas John (914) 662-7535
MANDALAM & DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES
Sabha Mandalam Mr. Cherian Varughese (914) 316-2439
Diocesan Representatives Mrs. Sherly Thomas (914) 523-0535
Mr. Levan G. Thomas (917) 406-1149
Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) 693 8490
ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Choir Mr. Joseph Oommen (914) 343-4652
Edavaka Mission Mr. John K. Abraham (845) 309-2965
Senior Citizen Fellowship Mr. George M. Varkey (845) 641-4754
Sevika Sangham Mrs. Aleyamma Varghese (914) 572-9173
Sunday School Mr. Sajan Abraham (917) 304-2121
Youth Fellowship Mr. Shyju Varughese (845) 461-4421
Young Family Fellowship Mr. John Abraham (914) 772-8824
Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Jishu Samuel (914) 690-4868
AUDITORS
Mrs. Liza Abraham (845) 641-1050
Mr. Jacob M. Varghese (201) 384-0041
16
St Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY
34 Morris Street
Yonkers, NY 10705
STAMP!
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NEWSLETTERS.
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