Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Warm greetings to you and your families from the Parish of the Annunciation. May God bless each of you abundantly. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to share something with you that I have been quietly observing over the past couple of months. Please understand that what I share comes with great love and care for our parish community and our shared space of worship. Our church is a sacred place of prayer, a house of God, where we come to encounter His peace and presence. While it is beautiful to greet one another with a handshake or a smile when we arrive, I kindly ask that we avoid long conversations inside the church, especially before Mass and other prayer services. Often, some of us arrive early to pray and prepare our hearts quietly, and ongoing conversations can unintentionally disturb others in prayer. If you do need to talk or catch up with someone, please feel free to do so outside the church, in the hallway, or in Gabriel Hall before or after Mass. This way, we can preserve a peaceful and prayerful atmosphere for everyone. This small act of awareness makes a big difference, and this request applies to both weekday and Sunday Masses and all the other prayer services. Secondly, I would like to gently mention something about the Sign of Peace during the Mass. I’ve noticed that some of us may still feel hesitant to shake hands, likely due to the lasting effects of the pandemic. But now, as we move forward, I encourage us to rediscover the beauty of this gesture—to simply extend a hand, look the person beside us in the eyes, smile, and say, “Peace be with you.” It is not necessary to walk around too much during this time. A handshake to those near you—left, right, front, and behind—is more than enough. When we do this with sincerity and reverence, we continue to build a warm and respectful spirit of unity in our parish family. These reminders are not corrections, but gentle invitations—to keep our church a sacred and welcoming space for all. We are one family, walking together in faith. Let us help one another grow in love, in reverence, and in the joy of being together in God’s house. Thank you for your understanding, your kindness, and your openness. May this week be full of grace and peace for you and your loved ones. And may we continue, with small but meaningful steps, to make our parish a true home of prayer and communion. With gratitude and blessings, Fr. Jomon Joy Pastor – Annunciation Church
Pastor's Word - March 23, 2025
My beloved parish family in Christ, I greet you with joy and gratitude, knowing that we are blessed to be part of this beautiful Annunciation parish family. As we approach March 25th, we prepare our hearts for a celebration that is not just another feast, but a deeply personal and spiritual moment for all of us—the Feast of the Annunciation. This is our feast day, our patronal celebration, a time when we remember and honor the moment when Mary said "yes" to God, opening the door to salvation for all humanity. Mary's "yes" was not just a word—it was an act of complete surrender, trust, and love. She did not hesitate, even when she did not fully understand. She gave herself entirely to God’s plan, believing that His love would guide her. And today, she invites us to do the same—to trust, to surrender, and to open our hearts to His will. That is why I am personally and warmly inviting each one of you to be part of this great celebration—a Solemn Mass on Tuesday, March 25th, at 7:00 PM in our parish church. Your presence matters a lot to us. This is not just an event—it is an opportunity to come together as a family, to rejoice, to pray, and to renew our faith. We will also continue our joy after the Mass with a festive gathering in the school hall, sharing a meal, laughter, and fellowship. It will be a moment to celebrate not just a feast, but our bond as a parish community, united in faith and love. I urge you from my heart—do not miss this special day. Let us come together, let us honor Our Blessed Mother, let us ask for her intercession, and let us be inspired by her humility and faith. Let this feast be a time to renew our commitment to God, to strengthen our faith, and to embrace His call with love and trust, just as Mary did. I eagerly look forward to celebrating with all of you. May this feast fill our hearts with grace, peace, and the deep love of our Mother Mary. With all my prayers and blessings, Fr. Jomon Joy
Pastor's Word - March 16, 2025
Hello, my dear faithful, I hope you are all doing well and feeling blessed. As we journey through this sacred season of Lent, I would like to extend a personal invitation to each of you for our Lenten Retreat at Annunciation Parish, which will take place from Thursday, March 20th to Saturday, March 22nd, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This retreat will be a precious time of reflection, renewal, and grace. Each evening, we will spend one and a half hours in reflection and spiritual talks, followed by the opportunity for confession, and we will conclude with Holy Mass at 7:30 PM. Now, I know what you might be thinking… "Father, I have work!" "Father, I have school!" "Father, I’m too tired in the evenings!" Well, let me tell you something—the grace of God waits for no one, but we often find excuses to delay receiving it!That is exactly why we have scheduled the retreat in the evening—so that everyone, whether working, studying, or busy with daily life, has a chance to pause, breathe, and make space for God. We all need this time to step away from distractions and reflect on our hearts, our faith, and our relationship with God. Lent is not only just about giving up chocolate or social media—it is also about giving up the things that keep us from hearing God’s voice. This retreat is a perfect opportunity to do just that. So, here is my challenge for you: No excuses. No delays. No “maybe next time.” This is your moment. This is your invitation. Come, bring your family, invite your friends, encourage the young and the old—let’s prepare our hearts for Easter together! I personally count on each of you to be part of these three sacred days. May this retreat help us open our hearts to grace, renew our spirit, and draw closer to God. I will see you there! With love and blessings, Fr. Jomon Joy