Tag: Editorial

My dear young friends in Jesus Christ, I remember when I came to England from India a couple of years ago. I was introduced to a new culture, new people, and a new language too. I was not sure how to fit into the new land and was worried whether I could achieve the mission I was called for. At that time, Jesus reminded me to call on the Helper – the Holy Spirit. I began to pray to the Holy Spirit and ask for comfort and guidance. The Holy Spirit responded to me saying, “I will evangelise this nation through children.” This brought immense joy and comfort to my soul. Soon the Holy Spirit began his work. Jesus touched the hearts of many young children and teens and brought about a transformation in their lives through retreats and conventions.

Dear children, this Holy Spirit is freely available to each one of us. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,  will teach you all things and remind you all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) It is the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes to Jesus and makes us believe in him more and more. The Spirit makes us realise how much the Father loves us and knows our needs and cares for us.

The Holy Spirit loves children very much. The Lord promised, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” (Joel 2:28) In the Old Testament, when the time came to choose the next king of Israel after Saul, God sent the Prophet Samuel to Jesse’s house. Out of his eight sons, Samuel noticed that the first son of Jesse, Eliab was the best among them. But God chose David, the youngest of all who was serving in the fields, as the anointed one. When Samuel looked at David, he was perhaps not as strong as Eliab, but what was important was that he was the anointed one of the Lord. The Lord used David in a powerful way – defeating the giant Goliath, conquering various enemies to regain the lands which were promised to Israel, living a life of worship and praise, such that the Lord said of him, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will.” (Acts 13:22)

In the New Testament, Jesus accomplished the miracle of feeding five thousand people because one little boy from the crowd offered the little that he had – five loaves of bread and two fish. At Fatima, Mother Mary appeared to three small children, Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco to reveal to the world the importance of prayer, the Holy Rosary and eternal life in Christ.

The call to holiness and sanctity begins at the time of our Baptism. So do not be afraid to call on the Holy Spirit. Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, who can make us holy and bring purpose to our lives. I pray that each one of you will be led closer to Jesus through the Holy Spirit and be powerful witnesses for Christ.

Written by fr soji olikkal

Welcome to the third issue of Kingdom Revelator. I hope and pray that it is helping you to develop in your faith and discipleship and that through it the Holy Spirit is revealing more of God’s Kingdom to you.

This month we look at how young people can live the Christian life, the difficulties that they face and how the Holy Spirit can help them. We continue our series about the Sacraments with a look at what happens when a baby is baptised. We have been greatly blessed by the wonderful articles, drawings and poetry that young people have sent in and are very grateful for all your contributions. Without your help producing this magazine would not be possible.

I was recently struck by some words of wisdom from Pope Francis. He was speaking about families and said that there are three important words that are essential to a happy family life. The first word is ‘please’. We say this so as not to be forceful and it shows consideration for other people, “May I please do this?” The second word is ‘thanks’. It is so easy to forget to thank our parents and brothers and sisters and to take them for granted. “Thank you for your love” are powerful words that bring joy and harmony to the family. The last word is ‘sorry’. We all make mistakes and it’s very easy to offend or hurt someone. Sometimes harsh words are spoken but the Pope says that we should never let the sun go down without being reconciled. Every day we may need to say “please forgive me” and then we can start to live in peace and harmony again. Remember those three little words – Please, thanks, and sorry.

If you have a testimony or faith story that might help other young Christians in their journey of faith then please e-mail your article or story to kfkmag@gmail.com. If you would like more copies of Kingdom Revelator to distribute in your school or parish please contact us at kfkmag@gmail.com and we will be happy to discuss your requirements. When you have finished reading this magazine please don’t put it into the recycling bin but pray about who you can pass it on to at your church or school. This will allow God to use you to pass on the Good News to someone else – it’s an easy way to evangelise.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will touch your heart and your mind and increase your faith as you read this magazine.

Written by June Palmer

My dear children in Jesus Christ, This is my first letter from Sehion Ministries; I am sending it to you with a jubilant heart as a gift to my UK children for the month of June.

When God called me to start Sehion Ministries, I discovered that the Lord loves children. Whenever I pray for a child, I see that they are blessed abundantly and graciously by the Lord.

The Gospel of St Matthew 19:13-14 says “Little children were being brought to Jesus in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray for them. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them.” In those days, thousands of years ago simple people knew that their children needed God’s blessing; they brought them to Jesus so that he could pray for them. The disciples discouraged them, but Jesus wanted the children to come to him and told the disciples not to stop them. In this passage Jesus shows us that children need God’s blessings

Dear children, you need Jesus’ blessings. Christopher, a young man from Cochin in Kerala, scored a high grade in his final exams but he could not get a good job. This is his story. “I am Christopher Joseph and in 2012 I passed my B Tech exams with high marks. In May I started looking for a job but over the next six months I failed to get one. Then in December I went to a Retreat organized by Sehion Ministries and the very next day I got an invitation to attend an interview at a technology park. By the grace of God I was offered the job, started work the following Monday and I am still working there. Thanks be to God.”

Everything for our good is by the grace and mercy of God. The following words of God confirm it; “His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner”. (Psalm 147:10) “The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save. Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love”. (Psalm 33:17-18)

My dear children I appeal to you all, do not miss your family prayers, if your family do not pray together regularly then please try to start today, this very day. Also if you don’t go regularly to Mass in your parish, please start going to Sunday Mass without fail. Another way to get nearer to Jesus and get his blessing is to read the word of God daily, read a Bible passage personally and meditate over it for a few minutes. Again, it will be a real blessing if you can go to a residential retreat for young people or any retreats that may be conducted in your parish

I bless you all in the name of Jesus from Sehion Ministries Central Office and I hold a long cherished desire and prayer in my heart that you may all become saints and witness to Jesus Christ, where ever you are.

May the Lord our God bless all children. Amen

Written by Fr Xavier Khan Vattayil

director of the sehion retreat centre, kerala, india

Dear Readers St. Don Bosco was the spiritual guide of St. Dominic Savio. Every morning after Mass, the boys would go to attend school. On one occasion, Don Bosco did not find young Dominic at school. Curious to know where he had gone, Don Bosco went to the chapel to find St. Dominic Savio lost in the love of Jesus with both hands on his heart. On enquiring, Don Bosco realised that Dominic had spent four hours with Jesus without even realising it! This is what happens when the Holy Spirit comes into our life. He instils in us a deep desire to love Jesus.

I am very happy to introduce our new magazine for children and teens –‘Kingdom Revelator’. The meaning of the word ‘Revelator’ is – the one who reveals. When we are young we have many questions and doubts regarding our faith. The Word of God says that the mystery which has been hidden throughout the ages and generations has now been revealed to his saints (Colossians 1:26). Who will reveal to us the mysteries of God? It is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will teach us everything we need to know. The Holy Spirit will reveal to us the love of God and the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. Romans 14:17 says, “the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Our Lady of Lourdes told St. Bernadette that true joy cannot be found in the world. True joy is found in heaven which is our real home. In other words the moment we invite the Holy Spirit, He will fill us with heavenly joy.

May the exemplary life of St. Dominic Savio of purity and holiness inspire all young people all over the world. I pray that as the Holy Spirit revealed the love of Jesus to St. Dominic Savio, may the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit flood our hearts and soul.

Written by Rev. Fr. Soji Olikkal