My dear Derebail Parishioners. My blessings to all of you. May you be powerfully sanctified by our Lord and Master. Let us raise our hearts and minds to God for the abundant blessings we have received in the month of March. It was a month overflowing with His graces and benedictions.

The Roof Repair of the Church: We had undertaken the major task of roof repair. Initially, it was planned as a minor job, but as the work began, we realized the need to extend and do additional repairs. God has been benevolent towards us, as there were no delays or accidents. Everything went according to the planned schedule. May all the workers who labored in the scorching Sun be blessed.

I wish to highlight the tireless efforts of the many men and women parishioners who came to clean, clear, and assist in the final hours of the work. Their generosity and goodwill were remarkable. Many spent their entire day helping, ensuring everything was in order. May they all be generously rewarded.

The 24-Hour Adoration: The entire parish was filled with joy and elation as we surrendered ourselves at the feet of our Divine Master for 24 continuous hours. No one showed fatigue or tiredness, even at midnight. We were all touched by the power and presence of our Lord. Everyone felt that sitting before Lord brings peace and happiness.

Visit to the Sick and Elderly: Fr. Kevin and I visited all our sick brethren, blessed them, and helped them receive the Sacrament of Confession and Holy Communion. It was a healing moment. Our elderly parishioners are a blessing to us; their prayers strengthen our families and parish life. May the Lord protect them.

The Devotional Evening: It was a superb display of our talent and devotion. The three-hour program was thrilling, featuring melodious singing, soothing music, and creative dances. The participation by the children, youth, and senior men and women showcasing their talents and skills was a delight. The entire programme was superbly orchestrated with talent and precision. I appreciate all those who took the lead and all those who participated. May the Lord bless them in plentiful.

The Month of April

April is a month for the immediate preparation for the Easter celebration. We will be living the Holy Week with utmost surrender to the Lord. Let us spend extra time in prayer with our families and in the church before the Lord.

Our Annual Retreat: The Retreat will begin on Monday 31st March. Retreat is another God-given opportunity for us to grow into wonderful individuals and devoted disciples of the Lord. It is moment to come together as Parish family and surrender ourselves and our parish at the feet of the Lord. May this retreat bring in spiritual rainfall on us all.

Our children are on holiday. Yes, they need rest and amusement. It is a wonderful custom in this parish that many children attend daily Mass during their holidays. I encourage parents to send their children for daily Mass, either in the morning or evening. Let us direct our children towards Jesus.
As we approach a warm summer, let us take care of our elderly at home by providing them with regular meals and care. We should also visit the sick in our wards and ensure they are well taken care of. As the Lord says, "I was hungry, thirsty… and you visited me." The elderly and the sick are the faces of Jesus.

In the month of March, we have lost some of our dear parishioners. I extend my sincere condolences to their families. May the Lord grant them eternal rest.

Fr. Kevin and I wish you all a joyful, happy, and grace-filled Holy Week and Easter. May the Risen Lord bless all our parishioners here and abroad with happiness, health, and heavenly blessings.

Pope Francis’ Message for the Holy Week

“During these holy days, let us draw near the Crucified One. Let us place ourselves before him … to take an honest look at ourselves, removing whatever is superfluous. Let us let Jesus regenerate hope in us,”

“This is needed: to go back to the heart, to the essentials, to a simple life, stripped of many useless things, which are substitutes for hope. Today, when everything is complex and we risk losing the plot, we need simplicity, to rediscover the value of sobriety, the value of renunciation, to clean up what pollutes the heart and makes us sad,”

“Brothers and sisters, we too are wounded — who isn’t in life? And many times, with hidden wounds that we hide out of shame. Who does not bear the scars of past choices, of misunderstandings, of sorrows that remain inside and are difficult to overcome? But also of wrongs suffered, sharp words, unmerciful judgments?”

“God does not hide his wounds, that pierced his body and soul, from our eyes. He shows them so we can see that a new passage can be opened with Easter: to make of our own wounds, holes of light.”
By offering forgiveness and love from the cross, Jesus “converts evil into good” and “sorrow into love,”

“So today, let us look at the tree of the cross so that hope might germinate in us, that we might be healed of sadness … It takes a little hope to be healed of the sadness we are sick with, to be healed of the bitterness with which we pollute the Church and the world.”

Rev. Fr Joseph Martis

Parish Priest