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Milestones
OUR CHURCH IS LIKE

A BIG FAMILY

It truly is a blessing to be here in unfortunately were not able to do.
front of all of you sharing my thoughts Through this parish church, I see the
about this wonderful parish church of growing unity of our community, under
ours. In my case, I have a special circum- God. I am proud to say that I am a part of
stance in which not only was I a student this parish and a part of the children’s
turned teacher for this parish, but I also lives in their faith. I think this parish has
had experienced Religious Education at brought so much happiness and advan-
the Latin Church. For my 8th and final tages to our community. It has brought us
year of formal religious education, I closer to each other and closer to God.
attended both the Latin Church and the The parish has given me opportunities
Knanaya Missions. I knew I had to that I never had before which have been
choose where to receive my provided by the Youth Ministry of our
Chrismation, but that was an easy choice. parish.
At the Knanaya mission, I had built The Youth Ministry held overnight
strong friendships with my classmates retreats and whole day seminars for us Merril Idiyalil
and I was always excited to come and teens to grow in our spiritual lives as Former RE Secretary
learn from people of my own communi-
ty. I chose to have my confirmation with
my fellow Knanayites and I still remem-
ber it to be one of the best choices How religious life, CCD,
because it was so special to be hearing and outlook of the
mass in Malayalam in our own, Syro
Malabar rite and receive the Holy Spirit Knanaya Community
with my good friends.
Although attending and teaching changed after a summer
CCD at the Knanaya Missions were
rewarding, there were still some disad- in 2006? Merril Idiyalil
vantages of not having our own church.
But then came the summer of 2006, writing about that magic.
where we found out the wonderful news An inspiring article.
that we were finally going to have our
own parish! The wait was long overdue
for such an event, but it was finally here
thanks to the hard work and determina-
tion by Father Mutholath. Also, thanks to well as understand our Knanaya heritage institution. I see more Retreats, more
the hard work and time spent by the better. The retreats that were held in seminars, and most important, more
many volunteers at this parish, it is the Rockford were life changing experiences involvement of the youth and young
beautiful place today. This church runs that encouraged all of us to grow in our adults of our Knanaya community in our
because of the dedication that the people Knanaya unity and our spiritual faith. I church. But I believe that this can all be
who attend display. This parish has not learned ways to get closer to God and be achieved even on a wider scale by the
only become a church to come and pray a better Christian and Knanayite. Also, as building up of more parishes in our com-
and grow in our spiritual lives, but it is a teacher, I had the privilege of preparing munities. Not only are there positives in
also where friends have become family. for and participating in annual Religious continuing setting up more parishes here
Every Sunday morning, everyone would Education festivals to portray this spiri- in Chicago, but also spreading this joy
come to church, attend CCD, and then tual growth. Students and teachers were and blessing to the rest of the nation.
eat lunch together, just like a big family able to show the parents and community One day, I would love to see a
would. that the Religious Education schools and Knanaya Diocese here in the U. S. More
Being a part of this big family is a the parish made differences in their lives parishes set up much like ours here can
really important aspect of this parish through these shows. help this happen in the future. I know the
church to me. Coming to mass every Not only are these just a few things Lord’s blessing is with us all through this
Sunday morning and seeing my former the parish has brought to our lives, but endeavor. Again, thank you goes to first,
and current students with big smiles on it’s only the beginning. I see so much the Lord in everything that he has
their faces and waving ‘hi’ to me have more good to come in the future of our brought us, then to Father Mutholath for
brightened every Sunday. I see them community and our parish. The construc- his dedication, and to all the volunteers
making friendships that will last their tion of the Youth Center will bring better for making this parish be the blessing it
whole lives and I see them grow in their things to our parish and to the youth who is in my life.
religious lives together, some things I will reap the full benefits of such an

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