Dear sirs,

I am attaching a message from Very Rev.K.I.Philip Ramban. The work at both sites
for the homes for the aged has started. The one at Balagram is called Prathyasa
Bhavan(Home of Hope).

As was the case in the past I am sure ICON members will participate in these
projects also.

Just a few words about the balagram...

The children numbering over 100 are progressing well in their studies. A few of
them will complete their intermediate course this year. If any of you have
suggestions for their future vocations/studies please advise.

The eye hospital is running well eventhough it is yet to be self sufficient.
They are confident of reaching their target of 1000 free cataract surgeries with
over 95 % success rate and no surgical complication at all for 2006 in December.
It is a great achievement for an eye hospital in a rural area.

Isaac Thomas, Hyderabad

=====Attached Message from Very Rev. K. I. Philip Ramban=========
Dear friends,

CHRISTMAS Season has descended on us. CHRISTMAS is an occasion of thanksgiving
for His Great Mercy that sent His only Son to dwell amongst us; a symbol of His
Great love for mankind. Every CHRISTMAS is an opportunity to introspect on the
greatest of all His commandments; “Love thy Neighbour as Yourselves”. May the
joy and peace of Christmas be with all of us.

Economic Development and urban migration have broken up joint families. With
nucleus family as the norm, the aged are often left alone to fend for themselves
with little or no emotional or physical support. Most of our aged brethren
refuse to be transplanted from their social milieu and those who migrate find
themselves in alien environment. The toll on their psyche is heavy. Herein we
have a great challenge, opportunity and task.

Home for the aged is an initiative of St. Paul’s Brotherhood in obedience of His
commandment of Love. St. Paul's Brotherhood is setting up homes for the aged
attached to two of our centers in Puthuppady Ashram in Puthuppady Village in
Calicut District, Kerala, and St. Gregorios Balagram in Yacharam Village, 50 Kms
away from Hyderabad in the R. R. District of Andhra Pradesh. The construction at
both the sites has already started. The projects are to be completed in twelve
months. The combined cost of the two projects is estimated to be around Rs. 2
Crores. Obviously the amount we require is far beyond our means. But we have
trust and faith in Him that He shall provide through His children as He hath
always.

We request you to be a part of this act of love. You can be a part of the
project in ways more than one. You may be able to contribute to the construction
of a room, a whole wing of the building or a portion of a room (a bed space or a
square foot). A room costs Rupees One lakh, a bed space Rs. 2500/- and a Square
foot Rs. 500/-

He has given you myriad opportunities and ways to serve His children and thus to
serve Him. We invite you to a labour of love in His own vineyard.

Wishing you again the Joy and Peace of CHRISTMAS

Yours in Christ

Very Rev. K. I. Philip Ramban
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