Holy Qurbana for Feast of Annunciation of St. Mary - Mon., March 24th @ 6:30pm

A Holy Qurbana will be held to celebrate the Feast of Annunciation to St. Mary on Monday, March 24^th at 6:30pm.   We request everyone to attend the special services and pass on this information to others.

Read more on the Feast of Annunciation to the Virgin St. Mary.

Live Stream of Holy Qurbana will be on our Facebook Page.  We request all members to attend online only.  
https://www.facebook.com/stthomasla

Meetings and Events for 3-23 to 3-29

Holy Qurbana Live Stream - Sun., March 22nd @ 9am

We request all faithful to join our live stream of the Holy Qurbana on Sunday, March 22nd beginning with Morning Prayers at 9am.

YouTube Live Stream Link:

https://youtu.be/WWEhP0cWFtQ





Below is a link to view the Holy Qurbana slides to follow along when you watch the live stream today.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1N1L92UTR9elV1Sgp1H4hZ61vEYciBvJDY3Bys9VFRAc/edit?usp=sharing

ONLINE EVENING PRAYER - Sat., March 21 @ 6pm

Please join the evening prayer starting at 6pm by going to the below link.  You can also join by using your smartphones or tablets with the Zoom App. 

Please join with your family and participate!

http://zoom.stthomasla.com

COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE - March 17th

Dear Congregation,

Managing Committee met on March 17th and discussed the COVID-19 situation and its impact to our church family.

We have made a decision to celebrate Holy Qurbana with only a priest and needed acolytes until April 1. In order to adhere to the current guidance of the CDC to keep any gathering to less than 10 people, we request the rest of our faithful to refrain from coming to church until further notice. (This includes all activities i.e. evening prayers and Sunday Service) When possible, we will arrange for live-streaming as was done on March 15th.

For those in need that wish to receive Holy Qurbana, please contact Samuel Achen and he will explore arrangements to come to you.

We will be monitoring the situation carefully and will update everyone on or before April 1. Please continue to adhere to your local health department guidance, as well as the CDC.

Let us continue to pray for all those affected by the virus and those who are assisting to combat this pandemic.

Prayerfully,
St. Thomas LA - Managing Committee 2020

COVID-19 CoronaVirus Update

We request all who are sick, elderly, pregnant or with any health conditions to stay home and refrain from attending any events or gatherings.  We also request anyone who is uncomfortable with these situations to refrain from attending any events or Holy Qurbana. If you wish to receive the Holy Qurbana at your home, please make a request to either of the Achens.

Protection measures for everyone

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Many countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

  

      Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
    
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

      Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

      Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

      Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places  – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.
Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.

Great Lent Week 3 Schedule

Great Lent Week 1 Schedule

Service of Reconciliation - Mon., February 24 at 6:30pm

Feast of Vattasseril Thirumeni & Makarios Thirumeni

Feast Day: February 23rd

St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius Vattasseril

Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius is popularly known as Malankara Sabha Bhasuran (The Great Luminary of Malankara Orthodox Church) which our Church has bestowed on him in recognition of his rich contribution to Malankara Orthodox Church. Vattasseril Thirumeni was a man of prayer, determination and dynamism. He was a saint who never stooped before falsehood.

As our Church pays its profound respects to the sacred memory of Mar Dionysius VI, it should dedicate itself to follow his example and build on what he had begun. May the remembrance of his saintly life be a blessing to the Church as a whole and to its members individually.

H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios

He was instrumental in the growth of our church and have been part of many of our lives.  Let us all pray and remember the great things he has blessed us with on this special day.  May his memory live with us forever.