Page 259 - page.qxd

Milestones

In the 27 years I have lived in Chicago, I have seen our community go
through good times and bad times. Therefore, I was cautiously optimistic
when we bought the Church in Maywood nearly a year ago. Today, as I wit-
ness the growth of our vibrant Church community, I can only salute the peo-
ple who took the initiative to buy this Church for our community.
What I see at the Maywood Church facility is joy, happiness, and above
all peace. The Church is always overfilled with worshippers who genuinely
come there to pray, just as Jesus would have wanted them to do in His
Father’s house. Though the hallways are crowded, the sounds of friendly
chatter flows through them as the congregation builds their Knanaya unity
and camaraderie. At Maywood, the people are surrounded by love and laugh-
ter without any time to criticize each other.
Every week there are new faces
present at mass. The Church is RAJU KANJIRATHUMKAL
welcoming to all ages: children,
People who do not come parents, and grandparents alike.
Many of them are reluctant to
to Church have no idea leave the church after all the serv- Raju Kanjirathumkal
what they are missing. ices are over. In fact, I often hear evaluates how Knanaya
Some say they are afraid people confess that they are anx- Community has changed
iously waiting for next Sunday to
of the Maywood neigh- arrive so they can attend after church came true.
borhood, some use the Maywood Church once more. The The pain, hard work, and
once dormant Knanaya sneham
“excuse” of endogamy, and oruma are blossoming here in turmoil to build the church
but the truth is that many Maywood. was paid, he believes.
The dedication and hard work
are afraid of their own of our trustees and volunteers This short note draws a
family members and keeps our church running. My sin- picture of how
cere thanks go out to all of you.
friends. As for me, I am There is never a shortage of cof- church- going young
proud of this church and fee, snacks, or food at Maywood children see the church.
what it has done to touch Church. It was a rough start, but
today people are willingly bring-
many members of our ing and sharing bread with their
community. fellow Knanayites.
People who do not come to
Church have no idea what they are
missing. Some say they are afraid
of the Maywood neighborhood,
some use the “excuse” of endogamy, but the truth is that many are afraid of
their own family members and friends. As for me, I am proud of this church
and what it has done to touch many members of our community.
A couple of years ago when Archbishop Mathew Moolakatt visited
Chicago, I asked him how we can establish a Knanaya diocese in North
America. He replied “Without having Churches, how can we have a diocese?
Under the current circumstances in America we should buy Churches”.
Now that we have Maywood church, I only wish that we could have a few
more like this one in our Knanaya Community in North America. Once we
have more churches established, I am confident that the Holy See will grant
us our wish.

ZihÕc kvarXn 259