Heartfelt Appreciation to Fr. Raymond

On 28 November, the parishioners of the NBVM SCIC came together for a liturgical celebration followed by dinner to thank Fr. Raymond Raj as our parish administrator for 4 months during the absence of Fr Dominic. Fr Raymond was also treated to an early birthday celebration after mass. He celebrates his birthday on 15 December.

In his homily Fr Raymond touched on the Gospel of Luke 21:5-11, he said that temples and churches are meant to be the holy place of worship and prayer. He said it not the beautiful ornaments or captivating buildings that make a place holy, rather the relationship we have with God. When the people of God congregate to worship and pray with all their heart, mind and soul- God will surely make his dwelling there. Jesus warned that the temple of Jerusalem was going to be destroyed because they forgot that the temple was a place to honour God.

Fr Raymond  quoted that “behind every successful man is a woman and he believes behind every successful parish is a strong community”. He congratulated the parishioners of NBVMSCIC commending them for their strong community that kept the parish going during the absence of Fr. Dom. He personally thanked Jacqueline, the Liturgy Head for her meticulous effort in preparing the liturgy.

During dinner, he shared his vocation story. It was not easy- the journey in the seminary, he said. There was a time when he left and locked himself in his room like Jonah until he received a call from the Rector  to make a decision- to either come back or not at all. Like Jonah he heeded the call to return. Still, bashfully he said when the time came for ordination, he took the longest ever for a seminarian.