The Syro-Malabar Church is an Eastern Catholic church based in Kerala, India. The Syro-Malabar Church is an autonomous (sui iuris) particular church in full communion with the pope and the worldwide Catholic Church, including the Latin Church and the 22 other Eastern Catholic Churches, with self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO). The Church is headed by the Major Archbishop Mar George Cardinal Alencherry. The Syro-Malabar Synod of Bishops canonically convoked and presided over by the Major Archbishop constitutes the supreme authority of the Church.

I have been a professional minister for forty years. I spent ten years in education ministry as a campus minister and classroom teacher of religion, English, and history. Since 1991, I have worked in parishes as a DRE, liturgist, and pastoral associate. If Indiana Jones is correct (“It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.”), my ministry has taken me to New Mexico, New York, Louisiana, Colorado, Michigan, Washington, Georgia, and Arizona.

The readings today are especially apt for me to say farewell to you and to express my profound gratitude to all of you.

In the passage from Revelations 21:5, Jesus sits on the throne in heaven and says, “Behold, I make all things new.” He is assuring the disciples that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus wants them to be confident and at peace as they take up his cross for the greater glory of God. By being faithful to his commandments, his teaching and his example, we are part of a grand plan of God to renew the face of the earth. He renews us as people. He renews society. He renews the Church. This message leads us to the words of our gospel today:

There are many changes coming to our parish, and unfortunately, I will be adding another item to that list.

I will be leaving my position of Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Clare of Assisi effective May 12, 2022.

Where is your life headed? Do you feel like you are going in the right direction? We are constantly trying to better ourselves. But what do we ultimately need in our lives for fulfillment?

The Gospels show us the one thing to do that will guide us along the best and right path: following Jesus Christ.