Vicar's Desk
Dear beloved in Christ,
Welcome to Saint Osthathiose Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Horsley. I am happy to welcome you to Wollongong parish, wherever you are in the globe.
John 3.16 says, God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son; those who believe in him will not perish but will have an everlasting life. God has created the entire universe and then humanity out of HIS love. The Son of God, Jesus Himself taught us God’s love. Jesus has taught us to treat everyone as our neighbour and brother or sister, including enemies. It is Gods’ plan for us that, as we sinners, we have to turn from our own ways to the new life of God. Jesus Christ is the symbol of God’s love, forgiveness, salvation; healing, justice and He re-established the right relationship with God through His life, death, and resurrection. This is knowledge is the real wisdom. Man’s ways lead to a hopeless end! God’s way leads to an endless hope!
Church is the place where the Holy Qurbana takes place; Holy Qurbana resembles the Holy sacrifice in Calvary. Inside the Church, Altar is the most Holy place because, that is where the same Holy sacrifices as that of on Cross takes place with every Holy Qurbana. So that Church is the place to worship God. Church is the place where God is present. So, I really want you to understand the great fact that in each Holy Qurbana, Our Lord Jesus Christ really present and renews the sacrifice of the Holy Cross.
A man who fails to go to Church and who fails to love Holy Qurbana, he fails to love The Lord Jesus and goes away from the salvation. All the teaching of Jacobite Syrian Church has we received, directly from Jesus through his disciple St Peter and then followed through our ancestors and Saints. We protect all the teachings of Jesus without an interruption. It is still in the original version.
Therefore, I would like to assure my prayer to you and your family. Our Lord is mighty to comfort you in all your difficulties. Please find the Church timings and join with the Holy Qurbana without fail. If any Jacobite Syrian Orthodox member is visiting Wollongong from India or Middle East or Europe or USA or any part of the world, please visit us. This Congregation is a small growing community. Please pray for me and for our Church. Please feel free to contact for all your prayer requests.
With Prayers
Fr. Joseph Kunnappillil