Cathedral Chimes Aug 2026

Letter from the Pastor’s Desk

Grace and peace to you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we look back on the vibrant weeks of July, my heart overflows with gratitude for the mighty work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. The words of Psalm 105:1 ring true: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” Indeed, we have witnessed God’s hand guiding us through outreach, mission initiatives, and the worship services.

On 1st July, the Early Intervention and Occupational Therapy Centre for Intellectually Challenged Children at CSI Puthuir Special School, Perambur was dedicated and inaugurated by Rev. Dr. Ruben Jayakumar. This meaningful initiative, generously sponsored by the Men’s Fellowship. The centre has been established to provide early identification and support for children with intellectual disabilities. By enabling timely intervention, the centre opens doors to greater opportunities for growth, learning, and holistic development. It stands as a shining example of Christian compassion in action, and we give thanks to God for the vision and generosity that made this ministry possible.

The highlight of this month was the Diocesan Mission Festival 2026, anchored in the powerful mandate “GO TELL” (Mark 16:15). The festival began on Saturday, 4th July, with a deeply moving Inaugural Service led by our respected Bishop in Madras. We were honoured to welcome Thiru. J. C. D. Prabakaran, Honourable Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, as our Chief Guest. The festival grounds came alive with stalls from several churches, institutions, and well wishers from across the city. I extend heartfelt thanks to the Cathedral Youth Fellowship for representing our Cathedral with dedication and joy.

On Sunday, 5th July, the spirit of mission continued with our Cathedral Mission Festival following the 7:30 a.m. worship. Fellowship groups and families who hosted stalls created a beautiful atmosphere of Christian unity. I am deeply grateful to each member who participated and supported the cause.

Another moment of rejoicing came on 9th July, when our Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Paul Francis Ravichandran, dedicated the new Sanaputhur Church. This sanctuary stands as a living testimony to what God accomplishes through a generous and faithful church. This project would not have been possible without the sacrificial contributions of our Cathedral congregation. The seeds you have sown have indeed borne fruit, and today the church rises as a beacon of hope for the people of Sanaputhur. I extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your prayers, offerings, and steadfast support. I also thank the Pastorate Committee Secretary, Mr. Arun David Ambrose, the Treasurer, Dr. Mrs. Mercy Rajasekar, and the dedicated members of the Pastorate Committee, whose commitment and guidance ensured the successful completion of this vision. Together, we have built not just a structure of stone, but a dwelling place for worship, fellowship, and the proclamation of the Gospel for generations to come.

Finally, on Sunday, 26th July, the elections for the office of the Pastorate Committee 2026–2029 triennium. Conducted immediately after the 7:00 a.m. service, the entire process of voting and counting was carried out with transparency and grace. I express my sincere gratitude to Rev. Christopher Ratnaswamy and his team from CSI House of Prayer, Adyar, for overseeing the balloting. I also thank all our congregation members for your cooperation, prayers, and steadfast support throughout this important process. Please join me in congratulating our newly elected committee members. Let us uphold them in prayer as they take up their responsibilities, remembering the exhortation of Colossians 3:23–24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

I take this opportunity to heartily thank our beloved Bishop Rt. Rev. A. Paul Francis Ravichandran for all his guidance and prayerful support in conducting the entire process on Pastorate Committee elections!

As we look ahead, let us remember that our calling is to remain active, collaborative, and deeply committed to the spread of the Gospel.

May His grace sustain you and your families in the days to come.

May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Yours in Christ
Rev. Dr. A. Ruben Jayakumar
Presbyter & Chairman