OFM Franciscans - India

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Serving With Joy: a Journey of Faith and Community at St. Theresa of Child Jesus Parish

          Andrew Thomas OFM

From 2024 to 2025, I have the privilege of serving in Sunday ministry at St. Theresa of Child Jesus Parish, Singasandra, Bangalore. It is a joy to be part of this loving parish community, where I serve alongside Br. Nelson and five other brothers, making a total of seven of us engaged in different ministries. Though small in size, the parish is vibrant, welcoming, and full of faith, embracing us with warmth and making us feel at home.

A Pastor Who Inspires Our parish priest, Rev. Fr. Clement Deep, is a simple, kind, and deeply knowledgeable leader. He cares for us with great dedication and is an inspiring preacher who delivers his homilies with passion and devotion. His generosity and wisdom have guided us in our ministry, and our time with him has been truly enriching.

My Ministerial Responsibilities

1. Catechism Instructor for 10th Standard

Every Sunday, I teach catechism to 8-10 children. Their faith and eagerness to learn inspire me. Teaching them is not just about sharing knowledge; it is a journey of learning together. Their questions challenge me, and their insights deepen my own faith.

2. Music In-Charge for the Youth

I guide the youth in music ministry, encouraging them to participate in Mass and other parish events. Music helps them grow in faith and brings them closer to God.

3. Spiritual Mentor for the Youth Along with Mrs. Arun Pinto, I help guide the youth in their spiritual journey. We have meetings every second Sunday, and when she is away, I take full responsibility. Being part of the core team, I help plan events that strengthen their faith and sense of community.

4. Communion Distribution to the Sick & Family Visits

After catechism, I visit the sick to bring them Holy Communion. These visits have deepened my love for the Eucharist and taught me the importance of compassionate presence. One special visit was to an elderly couple who, despite their struggles, had strong faith and gratitude. Sitting with them, listening to their stories, and praying together reminded me of the power of faith and love.

Lessons from My Journey

Serving in this parish has been a beautiful experience that has taught me many valuable lessons:

Joy in being present – Small acts of kindness bring deep happiness.

The importance of ministering to the sick – Bringing Christ to them strengthens their faith and ours.

Learning from the children and parishioners – Their simple yet deep faith is a great inspiration.

Active involvement in parish life – When we serve with joy, faith grows stronger.

My time at St. Theresa of Child Jesus Parish has been a journey of faith, service, and personal growth. I cherish this opportunity and look forward to continuing to serve with love and joy.

 

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS

ST. FRANCIS

FRIARS' BIRTHDAY (November)

 Date 

 Name of the Friars 

 Events 

 Year 

 01 

 Charles Mathew Kolanchery 


 Birth 


 1947 


 02 

 Joseph Raj M. 

 Birth 

 1975 

 03   Bl. Helene Enselmini, OSC 
 1242 

 04 

 St. Charles Borromeo, OFS 

 Bl. Teresa Manganiello, OFS 

 Charles Bernard 

Birth

 1584 

 1876 

 1963 

 05 

 Lawrence Simon 

 Bala Marneni 

 + Thomas Thannikary 

 + Bernard D’ Silva 

 Birth 

 Birth 

 Home 

 Home 

 1949 

 1962 

 1996 

 2010 

 06 

 Bl. Marguerite deLorraine, OSC 

 Singarayar A. 

 Salvador D’Souza 


 Birth 

 Birth 

 1521 

 1970 

 1979 

 07 

 St. Didacus of Alcala, OFM 

 Bl. Raynier of Arezzo, OFM 

 Hemant Xess 

 Birth 

 1463 

 304 

 1975 

 08   Bl. John Duns Scouts OFM 
 1308; 

 09 

 Bl. Gabriel Ferreti, OFM 

 Saji P. Mathew 

 Birth 

 1456 

 1975 

 10 

 Bl. Louis Guanella, OFS 

 Augustine Pinto 

 + Wilbert Smit 


 Birth 

 Home 

 1340 

 1936 

 2003 

 11 

 Bl. Mary Crucifixa, OFS 

 Fulgence Ekka 

 Basil S. Lobo 


 Birth 

 Birth 

 1826 

 1964 

 1971 

 12   Bl. Giovanni della Pace, OFS 
  1433  
 13   St. Didace d’ Alcala, OFM 
 1463 

 14 

 Franciscan Martyrs of Palestine 

 + Mark O’Rourke 

 Salvador Drego 


 Home 

 Birth 

 1391 

 1974 

 1984 

 15 

 Bl. Sebastian de Jesus OFM 

 Bl. Mary of the Passion FMM 

 + Anthony Almeida 


 Memoria 

 Home 

 1734 

 1904 

 1970 

 17 

 St. Elizabeth of Hungary 

 Patroness of the OFS 

 Bl. Jeanne de Signa, OFS 




 1231 


 1307 

 18 

 Bl. Salome of Cracow, OFS 


 1268 

 19 

 St. Agnes of Assisi, OSC 

 Bl. Maria Milagros, OSC 

 Thomas Joseph 

 +Kamal Ekka 




 Birth 

 Home 

 1253 

 1936 

 1962 

 2008 

 20 

 Franciscan Martyrs of Spain 

 Irudayaraj Fernando 

 + Bonaventure Davis 

 + Bishop Ambrose Y 

 +Jesu Irudayam  


 Birth 

 Home 

 Home 

 Home 

 1936 

 1966 

 1971 

 1997 

 2009 

 22 

 Franciscan Martyrs of Armenia 

 +Joachim Tinneny 



 1895 

 2009 

 23 

 Bl. Marie de Jesus, Third Order Regular 

 + John C. O’Dowda 

 Maria Ratheesh Jenive  


 Home 

 Birth 

 1902 

 1982 

 1999 

 24 

 Bl. Timothy Trajonowski, Conv 

 Rajesh Praveen Kumar 


 Birth 

 1942 

 1994 

 25 

 All Deceased of the Seraphic Order St. Humilis of Bisgnano, OFM 

 Bl. Elizabeth of Reute, Third Order Regular 

 Carlos Dias 

 Tojy M. 



 Birth 

 Birth 

 1637 

 1420 

 1959 

 1970 

 26 

 St. Leonard of Port Maurice, OFM 

 Balthazar Pinto 

 Feast 

 Birth 

 1751 

 1960 

 27 

 St. Francis Anthony Fasani, Conv 

 Johnson M. V. 

 Feast 

 Birth 

 1742 

 1969 

 28   St. Jams of La Marca, OFM   Feast   1476 

29

 All Saints of the Seraphic Order Dependent Custody 

 Foundation,North East. 

 Amaladass Manickam 

 Feast 

 Erection 

 Ordination 


 2008 

 1985 

 30 

 Bl. Antoine Bonfandini, OFM 

 Prasad Papabathuni 


 Birth 

 1482 

 1970 

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