NEWSLETTER VOL. XLV NO. 10 stthomasmtcny.org October 2025 Vicar: Rev. John Philip [[email protected]] Secretary: Mr. Sunil M. Varughese [[email protected]]
2 Dear Parishioners, Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Let's thank God for the blessed month of September and welcome October. The month is very blessed with the visit of our former vicar Rt. Rev. Zacharias Mar Aprem Episco- pa. God willing, Thirumeni will celebrate Holy Commun- ion on this 5th Sunday and thereafter Felicitation meeting will be held. I request your prayerful participation in all events honoring Mar Aprem Thirumeni. Our annual Re- treat will also be held this 9th evening to 11th afternoon at our Church, our Aprem Thirumeni will be the main speaker in the retreat, I request your pres- ence throughout the retreat. Our Sunday school regional talent fest was held at Long Island church. Our Sunday School were able to win the overall championship in the competition. I congratulate our students who participated in the fest and appreciate all the teachers who trained our kids. I remind you that we must also pay due attention to Sunday school academics. We observe the first Sunday as Voluntary Evangelistic Association day and med- i t a t i n g o n P e o p l e o f G o d : C o n v e y o r s o f G o d ' s l o v e . M a y G o d g r a n t u s t o l i v e in our lives with the conviction of we are called to be practitioners of God's love . Second week we observe as day of the differently abled. We meditate on Honour the Difference. Let us respect and care for all God's different crea- tions. Third Sunday we observe as Youth Sunday. We meditate Youth in Christ style. I pray that may all our young people spend and nurture their youth with Christ. Parents are requested to encourage youth to attend youth fellowship and Yuvajana Sakhyam. Fourth Sunday we observe as Christian family dedication day. May Lord bless our families to be replica of kingdom of God and space of experience pure love. I really appreciate you for your prayerful participation in the annual convention held last month. We are approaching the final months of the year and are reminded to special attention to pay all we owe and pay on time. May God bless us all with His mer- cy. With Prayers and Love, Rev. John Philip Vicar’s Message
3 Date Parish Retreat Program w/ Thirumeni Thu, Oct 9 6:00 PM Parish Retreat - Day 1 (Evening Session) Meals: Dinner Fri, Oct 10 9:00 AM Parish Retreat - Day 2 (Full Day Session) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner Sat, Oct 11 9:00 AM Parish Retreat - Day 3 (Morning Session) Retreat will conclude with Holy Communion Service Meals: Lunch
4 Date Time Worship Sun, Oct 5 9:00 AM English Holy Communion Service First Holy Communion Rt. Rev. Zacharias Mar Aprem Episcopa Voluntary Evangelist’s Association Day - People of God: Conveyors of God’s love Sun, Oct 12 9:30 AM Praise & Worship English Holy Communion Service Youth Chaplain: Rev. Jason Varghese Day of the Differently Abled – Honour the Difference Sun, Oct 19 9:30 AM Praise & Worship Malayalam Holy Communion Service Youth Sunday: Youth in Christ style Sun, Oct 26 9:30 AM Praise & Worship Malayalam Holy Communion Service 13 items Special Collection Christian Family Dedication Sunday – Family: Place of pure love Worship Service Schedule Lectionary Date Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Epistle Gospel Sun, Oct 5 Jer 1:1 - 10 2 Cor 4:1 - 6 1 John 4:7 - 12 Luke 10:25 - 37 Sun, Oct 12 Exod 4:1 - 17 Acts 9:32 - 35 Acts 3:1 - 10 John 5:2 - 9 Sun, Oct 19 Dan 6:1 - 10 Acts 6:1 - 6 1 Tim 4:7 - 16 Matt 19:16 - 22 Sun, Oct 26 Job 1:1 - 5 Acts 10:1 - 8 1 John 2:7 - 11 Mark 3:31 - 35
5 Area Date Location Manhattan/ New Jersey Sat, Oct 4 No Prayer Bronx / Yonkers South / West Sun, Oct 5 No Prayer Upper Westchester/ Connecticut Thu, Oct 9 11:00 AM Cheruthone & Gracey Mathai 10 Lilan Ln, Danbury, CT Aprem Thirumeni plans to attend Queens/ Long Island Sun, Oct 12 6:30 PM T.P. & Mary Jacob 1 Duke Dr, Manhasset Hills, NY Yonkers North Sat, Oct 18 No Prayer Rockland Sun, Oct 19 6:30 PM Mathew & Marykuty Varghese 280 Cottage Rd, Valley Cottage, NY Aprem Thirumeni plans to attend Yonkers East Sun, Oct 26 6:30 PM Sam & Jessy Kuruvilla 28 Balmoral Cres, White Plains, NY Aprem Thirumeni plans to attend Area Prayer Meetings Message from the Trustees • 8 months accounts was e - mailed and posted on bulletin board, please review and let Trustees know if any discrepancies. • 3rd Quarter has closed, please submit subscription dues. Send money via Zelle to: [email protected] Trustees
6 Date Location Fri, Oct 3, 24 10:00 AM @ Church 34 Morris St, Yonkers, NY 10705 Fri, Oct 17 10:00 AM Mr. & Mrs. N.J. Mathai 201 Shonnard Terrace, Yonkers, NY 10701 Fri, Oct 31 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, Oct 2, 16 6:30 PM Via Zoom Zoom Meeting ID: 935 0649 9316 Passcode: 703734 Program / Location Sunday School Every Sunday after Worship Service! Date Location Sat, Oct 4 4:30 PM Monthly Meeting @ the residence of: Aanya Thomas 5020 Goodridge Ave, Bronx, NY 10471 Youth Fellowship
7 Youth Chaplain ’ s Corner Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - One True God! Amen. Dearly Beloved in Christ, Psalms 131, reads: “My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great mat- ters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope In the Lord both now and forevermore.” And for us, we know that faith does not sustain itself. It must be cared for, guarded, and nourished. Left unattended, it weakens and fades. Just as a painted post exposed to the weather soon begins to crack and decay, so too does a neglected faith lose its beauty and strength. That is why the Church, in her wisdom, gathers us week after week for the Holy Qurbana — so that our faith may be renewed, our hearts pruned, and our lives rooted again in the grace of Christ. Recently, I watched the lawn care crew at the parsonage as they went about their duties. When they began pruning the bushes, at first glance it looked destructive, almost like the plants were being mutilat- ed. But the truth is the opposite: pruning prepares the plant for life, for strength, and for the season ahead. Psalm 131 functions in much the same way for the believer. It works as a psalm of pruning, a psalm that cuts away what looks impressive but can damage the soul. Two things are addressed: unruly ambition and infantile dependency. In our world, both are often celebrated. Ambition is praised as drive. Dependency is mistaken for humility. Yet, if left unchecked, both will prevent maturity in Christ. Our Lord reminds us in John 15:2, “Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” The pruning of the Spirit may seem painful, but it is always purposeful. And the result? The psalmist points us to a posture of quiet contentment: “I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child with its mother.” This is not the cry of an infant demanding to be fed. It is the peace of a child who has learned to rest in the presence of the parent. In the same way, God calls us to rest in Him — not striving, not clinging, but trusting. Psalm 131 reduces the distance between our restless hearts and the roots of our faith in God. It teaches us humility, dependence, and hope. “Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” Yours in Christ, JVarghese Achen
8 Youth Chaplain Housekeeping Bible Study and Reflection will be held at 7:30pm on Wednes- days: October 8 and 22 at the NE Region Youth Chaplain’s Parson- age. All are welcome to join for a time of prayer, study, and fellow- ship. Light refreshments will be provided. College Visits: Students, this October is a chance to grow together, share life, and encourage one another right on your campus. Wheth- er you need a break from studies, a little encouragement, or simply a space to connect, want to get a cup of coffee these visits are for you. If you would like me to come to your campus, please let me know — I would be glad to join you where you are. Sunday School Talent Festival Congratulations! Our Sunday School children won the overall championship at the North East Region Talent Festival on Saturday, September 27th! Special thank you to our dedicated Teachers and Parents who in- vested their time and energy to prepare and train our children, allowing them to showcase their talents for the Glory of God!
9 Bible Quiz Answers 1. Egypt (17:16) 2. Don’t cut yourselves or shave the front of your head (14:1) 3. The Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. (16:16) 4. offer of peace (20:10) 5. Levites (12:19) 6. Mount Ebal (11:29) 7. At the end of every seven years (15:1) 8. blood is the life (12:23) 9. any other foreigner(14:21) 10. Sons of Eliab the Reubenite(11:6) Deuteronomy :11 - 20 Bible Quiz Winners 1. Mariamma A Mathew 2. Mercy Rajan 3. Saramma Thankachan 4. Annamma Mathew 5. Sosamma Abraham, Yonkers 6. Susan John 7. Sherly Vaidyan 8. Mariamma Thomas 9. Sosamma Varghese 10. Thankamma John Date Parish Retreat Program Thu, Oct 9 6:00 PM Parish Retreat - Day 1 (Evening Session) Meals: Dinner Fri, Oct 10 9:00 AM Parish Retreat - Day 2 (Full Day Session) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner Sat, Oct 11 9:00 AM Parish Retreat - Day 3 (Morning Session) Retreat will conclude with Holy Communion Service Meals: Lunch Parish Retreat Please contact Retreat Convener, Mr. T.P. Jacob for registra- tion and more details. Registration fee is $100 per adult.
10 1. യഹ ോവയക് കലലുകകോണ് യോഗപീഠം പണിഹയണത ഏത പർവതതിലോണ? 2. ആരുകെ വസ്തം പണയം വോങരുത? 3. എങകെ മരികുനവരോണ ദൈവ സനിധിയിൽ ശോപ്ഗസൻ? 4. എകെലലോം കൂെികലർന വസ്തമോണ ധരികരുതോതത? 5. ആയുധങളുകെ കൂടതിൽ ഉണോയിരിഹകണത എെോണ? 6. യഹ ോവയക് യോഗപീഠം പണിഹയണത എങകെയുള കലലുകകോണോണ? 7. ൈശോംശം എെുത് ആർകകലലോം തൃപതിയോകുംവണം തിൻമോൻ കകോെുകണം? 8. യഹ ോവയുകെ ആലയതിഹലക് ഹെർചയോയി കകോണുവരരുതോതത എകെലലോം? 9. മുെിരി ഹതോടതിൽ ഹവകെോരു വക വിതിടോൽ അതിനകെഎലലോ വിളവും എവിഹെക് ഹേർനു ഹപോകും? 10. സഹ ോൈരൻ ആയതുകകോണ് ആകര കവെുകരുത എനോണ പെയുനത? 1. On which mountain should an altar of stone be built to Jehovah? 2. Whose clothing should not be taken in pledge? 3. Which type of death is the curse of God ? 4. What materials should not be woven together in clothing? 5. What should be included as part of the equipment? 6. What kind of stones should be used to build an altar to the Lord? 7. To Whom should give to eat to their satisfaction with the tithe ? 8. What are some that may not be brought into the Lord’s temple as a vow? 9. If you sow another kind of seed in your vineyard, then what happened? 10. Whom do you say you should not hate because they are your brothers? Bible Quiz Deuteronomy :21 - 27
11 Obituary Mrs. Annamma Abraham (97), the mother of our member Mrs. Sosamma Abraham, residing at 23 Etville Avenue, Yonkers, NY, went to be with the Lord on September 3rd in Vattiyoorkavu, Trivandrum. Funeral services were held at Puthuppally Orthodox Church in India. Mr. Abraham Philipose (82), the uncle of our member Mr. P.T. Thom- as, residing at 10 Carbery Ct, Pomona, NY, was promoted to glory on September 21st in Dallas, TX. Funeral services will take place on Septem- ber 27 in Dallas, TX. Mr. Philipose Yohannan (72) of Angadiyil Puthenveedu, Mulavana, Kundara, the Father of Ashley Kochamma (wife of Rev. Joji Jacob - Ay- roor Sehiyon Mar Thoma Church) and Darly Biju (Mulavana) and brother of our members: Mr. Varghese Yohannan, Mr. Yohannan Yohannan, Mr. George Yohannan, Mrs. Marykutty Rajan, and cousin - brother of our member Mr. K.G. Varghese, went to eternity to be with the Lord on September 24th in India. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, Sep- tember 29th, 11am, at the Perayam Mar Thoma Church Mulavana, led by His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Barnabas Suffragan Metropolitan. 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 Address Change Please note the change in address for our members: Mr. & Mrs. Mampatteth J. George & Celine George 280 Mirth Drive Valley Cottage, NY 10989
12 Bronx/Yonkers South/West Ms. Jessa Ann Thomas 34 Morris Street 8 Ms. Nimmy Varghese 133 Van Cortland Pk. Ave. 9 Ms. Anika Leila Thomas 5020 Goodridge Ave 13 Mrs. Thankamma John 172 Vrendenburgh Ave. 15 Joshua Sawan Mathew 80 Riverdale Ave, Apt #8K 15 Mr. Johan Joy Anuj 24 Leroy Place 29 Mr. Reji Thomas 15 Intervale Place 30 Mrs. Leila Thomas 5020 Goodridge Ave 31 Manhattan/New Jersey Mrs. Michelle Mary Philip 29 High Mountain Dr 3 Mrs. Mini Easo 701 Plympton Street 7 Mr. Shane Abraham Thomas 327 Merritt Drive 8 Mr. Jonathan Andrews Easo 257 Bradley Ave. 20 Queens/Long Island Mr. Jordan Thomas 12 Nassau Drive 11 Talia Marie Varghese 17 Wendell St 17 Amelia Rachel Varghese 17 Wendell St 30 Rockland Ms. Alyssa Cherian 3 Stern Place 3 Mrs. Sruthi Edison Vallikunnal 9 Dade Rd 3 Mrs. Jocelyn Chacko 161 Laurel Rd 6 Ms. Nisha Susan Thomas 30 Phyllis Drive 6 Mrs. Shirley Issac Chacko 51 Alexander Drive 8 Mrs. Anamma John 73 Oakland Place 10 Mr. Sony Mathew Jacob 306 Quidor Court 11 Anaya Ann - Marie Mathew 576 ROUTE 304 12 Mr. Shawn Mathew Varughese 161 Laurel Rd 12 Ms. Soumya Ann Varughese 3 Blithe Ct. 12 Mr. Allen Daniel 72 Old Middletown Rd 13 Mrs. Susan Philip 29 North Park Terrace 14 Mrs. Liya S. Samuel 5 Spruce Drive 14 Mr. Jofy Thomas 248 Betsy Ross Dr 24 Mrs. Lovely Simon 5 Spruce Dr 25 Ms. Sherin Ann Mathew 280 Cottage Rd 27 October Birthdays
13 Ms. Naomi Beth Chacko 137 Lake Region Blvd 28 Mr. Jerry John 7 Oak Lane 28 Ms. Anisha Varghese 6 Mayfield Street 28 Mr. Snehith Thomas Abraham 8 Birret Drive 30 Mrs. Dhanya James 833 Concorde Cir Unit 5202 31 Mr. P. M. John 73 Oakland Place 31 Ms. Meena K. Mathew 37 Headden Drive 31 Mr. Mampatteth Mathews 14 New Holland Village 31 Upper Westchester/CT Mrs. Elizabeth Chacko 52 High Street 3 Naina Rose Jacob 181 Weed Ave 4 Mr. Ethan Joseph Kurian 20 Paradise Dr 5 Aaron Thomas Abraham 6 Glen Avenue 9 Dr. Sam G. Cherian 288 Spring Rd. 17 Mrs. Suja E. George 18 Bayberry Lane 20 Elise Lilly Thomas 19 Drake Lane 20 Mr. Chris Skariah Niresh 368 Pine Brook Blvd 21 Mr. Cheruthone Mathai 10 Lilac Lane 22 Ms. Abigail Abraham 4 Salk Dr 24 Dr. Premila Abraham 20 Harriman Keep 27 Mr. Bejoy Chacko 52 High Street 28 Mrs. Saramma Thomas 131 Harvard Drive 29 Mr. Manoj T. Mathew 5 Wayne Way 30 Vicar Mr. Aarush Phil John 34 Morris St 16 Yonkers East Mr. Varghese A. Thomas 108 Cook Avenue 3 Mrs. Mary Varghese 108 Cook Avenue 19 Mr. Josen Joseph 189 Round Hill Drive 20 Ms. Neethu Kuruvilla 28 Balmoral Cress 21 Mr. Albin Eapen Shaji 70 Juana Street 25 Yonkers North Ms. Saramma John (sister) 201 Shonnard Terrace 1 Mrs. Sunitha Varghese 7882 Crescent Park Dr. 11 October Birthdays
14 Mrs. Mary Joseph 149 Greenvale Ave. 17 Mr. George Yohannan 105 Midland Terrace 19 Mrs. Mariamma Mathunni 71 Nimitz Road 21 Mr. Thomas Varghese 107 Westminster Drive 23 Mrs. Sosamma Thomas 360 Edwards Place 31 Bronx/Yonkers South/West Mr. Nithin M. Varghese & Mrs. Jessy Varghese 6 1086 Walnut Woods Pl Mr. Joseph Oommen & Mrs. Molly Joseph 23 30 Post Street. Apt 5G Queens/Long Island Mr. Thomas Oommen & Mrs. Sherly Thomas 4 313 Old Westbury Road Rockland Mr. Samuel John & Mrs. Mariamma John 5 144 Brewery Road Mr. Abey Cherian & Mrs. Libby Cherian 16 3 Stern Place Mr. Abraham P. Jacob & Mrs. Cecily Abraham 20 5 Allison Cir Mr. K. M. Thomas & Mrs. Annamma Thomas 21 26 N De Baun Ave Unit 308 Mr. Michael Price & Mrs. Listy Price 23 3517 John Paul Jones Lane Mr. George Byju Koshy & Mrs. Sruthi Edison Vallikunnal 26 9 Dade Rd Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Pallickal Easo Koshy & Mrs. Mariamma Koshy 9 7 Bonnie Meadow Rd Mr. John Mathai & Mrs. Timble M. Mathew 19 135 Linn Ave October Birthdays October Wedding Anniversary
15 Yonkers East Mr. Thomas V. Varghese & Mrs. Susan Thomas 25 1055 Dobbs Ferry Rd. Yonkers North Mr. Raju George & Mrs. Annie Raju George 3 194 Osmun Place Mr. Abraham George & Mrs. Sosamma Abraham 12 23 Etville Avenue Mr. N. J. Mathai & Mrs. Aleyamma Mathai 14 201 Shonnard Terrace October Wedding Anniversary
16 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
17 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
18 St Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY 34 Morris Street Yonkers, NY 10705 STAMP! THANK S FOR PICKING UP NEWSLETTERS. YOU ARE HELPING THE CHURCH SAVE. EVERY PENNY COUNTS.