Diocesan Day to be celebrated Sunday, June 5th. - Diocesan Day Kalpana & Prayer Attached.
We first and foremost thank God Almighty for the blessings showered upon our diocese since its inception in 2009. We remember the Metropolitans, clergy, and laity, both the living and the departed, who pioneered the growth of our Church in North America through their prayers, labor, and sacrifices. We also take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to each of our clergy, diocesan council & assembly members, and all the faithful who have supported the efforts of our diocese through your prayerful and financial support over the past seven years. Several ministries within our diocese continue to grow to greater heights with the goal of reaching to all the different age groups and spiritual needs of our faithful. We have also recently started the Urshlem Summer Camps for both young men and women in upper grades of high school or college at the Diocesan Center in hopes of providing our children with a firm foundation as they continue to pursue their higher education. We thank all those who have provided and are currently providing leadership to these ministries.
We have seen significant progress and growth within the ministries of our diocese including the development of numerous liturgical resources into English, a project that was undertaken as a major initiative within our diocese in recent years. This project has made a significant contribution to the Holy Church by providing a treasure that will hold great value for generations to come. The release of the new liturgical service book for use in all our parishes is in its final stages and will include the canonical prayers for Sunday, the liturgy, and hymns of special feast days in both English and Malayalam along with the Malayalam transliteration and commentary that aims at teaching and understanding the prayers and hymns. Additionally, the She’hemo Namaskaram has already been completed into English and is in the process for publication.
The annual Diocesan Assembly held in Atlanta in April 2016 reviewed the plans for the development of the diocesan center including the construction of a chapel. The project is pending the final approvals from city officials, and we anticipate construction to begin before September 2016. We again seek the whole hearted prayers and financial support of all our clergy and faithful for the success of this project as it is the first of its kind for the Malankara Orthodox Church in this part of the world. We once again urge all of you to participate whole heartedly in the raffle fundraising project and make it a complete success.
As it is in practice, Diocesan Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday of June, and this year it will be celebrated on Sunday, June 5th. We exhort all our parishes to conduct a fitting celebration at the parish level on this day by remembering our diocese during the celebration of the Holy Qurbana and offering a special prayer for the diocese, its ministries, and all our clergy and faithful. It would be appropriate to have the elected parish assembly member give a brief message along with the Vicar to provide updates on the current projects and initiatives of the diocese. We also urge each family of our diocese to participate in the annual collection by contributing a minimum of $100 from each family within our diocese. It is our hope and desire to see that 100% of our target will be met for this year.
May the intercessions of St. Mary, St. Thomas the Apostle to India, the Holy Fathers of Malankara St. Gregorios and St. Dionysius, and all the righteous ones who pleased God by their lives be a stronghold and a fortress for us all,
Diocesan Day Prayer
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, always, and forever. Amen.
O compassionate and merciful God, we seek Your blessings and guidance as we now celebrate our Diocesan Day. We thank You for the blessings You have showered upon our Diocese throughout these past years. We remember the guidance and able leadership of all the Metropolitans and clergy who led the church in North America, especially those who have entered into eternal rest. We also remember the lay leaders and pioneers who were instrumental in establishing parishes throughout the country, and we uphold them in this prayer as we celebrate the fruit of their ministry.
We pray for His Holiness the Catholicos, Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, all the members of the Holy Episcopal Synod, and especially our Diocesan Metropolitan, His Grace Alexios Mar Eusebius. Lord, continue to grant them wisdom and grace to shepherd Your Holy Church. We pray for all the priests, deacons and seminarians of our Diocese, and praise you for their ministry to our Church. We pray for each and every one of our elders, parents, youth, and children, that they may grow in Your divine grace and wisdom.
We pray for this nation, for our President and our leaders. As an immigrant community, we thank You for giving us the opportunity to freely worship in this country. May we be a witness to this nation by reflecting Your love in everything we do.
O Lord, send forth Your blessings upon all our parishes that they may be filled with Your love and grace. May our parishes and families grow in unity and work together creating bonds of true Christian fellowship. May we not boast in what we do but see Your guiding hand in everything.
We pray for all the ministries of our Diocese, that they may be strengthened and serve to cater to the spiritual needs of Your children. We especially pray for our children and youth. May you direct them in Your holy path and guide them to make decisions that please You. May You raise new leaders from among them that will serve Your Holy Church and work for Your glory and honor.
O Lord, we especially pray for the proposed project the diocese has set forth for a comprehensive diocesan center. Send forth your wisdom and discernment upon us so we may move forward and accomplish the many goals we have for our diocese. We also pray for your blessings upon the upcoming family conference and the committee who continues to plan and prepare for it. May it be a blessed conference that unites as one and instructs us to live according to Your commandments.
Enable us to fulfill our responsibilities as a Diocese and serve as a model for others. May we be a Diocese that is united in one Spirit and work together as one body so that Your Holy Name may be glorified, along with Your Father and Your Holy Spirit, both now, always, and forever and ever. Amen.