St. Michael Prayer Group was formed by Shiju Thomas with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, obeying the commandments of Our Lord Jesus Christ with a view to promote the World Evangelisation. This Prayer group is the outcome of the encouragement and enthusiasm of several families who are in constant support for intercessory prayers, which is a boost up for the periodical growth of St. Michael Ministry. As all these families are hailing from Syro-Malabar, Syro- Malankara and Latin rites, it is needless to say about the ecumenical nature of St Michael Ministry. The Prayer Group was formed in the year 2012 and since September 2013 we have started to gather permanently at the residence of Shiju and Sherry. Our usual prayer meeting is held on every Saturday from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. We are spiritually guided by Benedictine Fathers at Guildford and Vincentian Fathers at Ramsgate, Kent. Recently St .Michael Prayer group has been registered as a charitable organisation and renamed as St .Michael Ministry.
The main vision and Mission of St.Michael Ministry is to strengthen and enlighten the people with the power of the Holy Spirit to train the younger generation on the necessity to grow in deep Christian faith, to surrender to the will of God, to trust in His great providence, to deepen their prayer life especially the prayer of intercession for sick, suffering, down-trodden and marginalised, to create a feeling that we are the children of God who are the members in the mystical body of Christ.
St.Paul says: ‘woe to me if I don’t preach the Gospel’ (1 cor 9:16). Every baptised person is called to preach the word of God and to bear witness to it. The members of St.Michael Ministry is quite aware of this call and the commandment of our universal saviour, Jesus Christ who revealed in the very beginning of the formation of this ministry. This revelation is ever echoing in the hearts of the members of this Ministry. ‘He said to them.”Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).We are striving hard both day and night tirelessly to fulfil the dream and commandment of our Lord by leading a word of God centered life.
The charism and focal point of this ministry doing justice to the vision of our Lord Jesus Christ are based on the Sacraments, Eucharistic Celebration, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament known as Parish English retreat,Night Vigil, Study of the Holy Scripture, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Encyclicals of the Holy Fathers and Marian Devotion etc… This goal is being achieved to work under the guidance and Authority of the local Parish Priest and working with parish community for the glory of God and to build up the kingdom of God.
The discipline to be followed by the members of this ministry is as follows: Regular participation at the Holy Mass and practice of Sacraments especially the sacrament of confession.
Family prayer with recitation of Holy Rosary. Participation at the Eucharistic adoration. Engage in charity works and share our having with the have not: poor, needy and marginalised. Allot time to help the parish church by associating with the parish priest. Participate regularly in the intercession prayer.
Christian life is a call to face the challenges of this world. Jesus said a parable to the disciples “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (Jn 12:24). Let us face the challenges as Christians by not restricting our lives with lame excuses but follow the hidden message of the parable of grain of wheat. Let us be conscious of our superior call given by our Lord Jesus to re-evangelize the world by being yeast, salt and light of the world (Mt 5:13f; 13:33).
God bless you.
Shiju Thomas
Founder & Chairman
ST.MICHAEL MINISTRY. UK
