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"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world"- (Isaiah 12:4-5)
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will over shadow you"- (Luke 1:35)
"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world"- (Isaiah 12:4-5) The above is absolutely true and my husband and I praise and Thank God for all the wonderful miracles he has worked in our lives. As a newly wedded couple way back in 2000, having good and stable jobs in India, we wanted to start a family immediately. There was no shortage of finances and starting a family was primary as we both loved children. In 2001 however, our papers for Canada came through and my husband and I decided to move. The big change to this country, no job security and having no support system in terms of not having any family did not deter us from our plans of starting a family. However, there was one roadblock after another. We went to the best of the doctors in Toronto in the attempt of trying to conceive and trying to get to the bottom of the cause. However due to negligence of a good doctor, I literally lost my ovary due to ovarian torsion and was rushed to emergency at Mt Sinai Hospital in 2003. The doctors there managed to save my ovary – Praise God! But mentioned that due to my condition of PCOS (Poly cystic Ovarian Syndrome), the possibility of conceiving naturally would be absolutely close to zero. But inspite of this, somewhere deep below we always knew that ‘In his time – all things are possible’ – we will just have to wait on the Lord! In 2004 we were told by one of our neighbors about Gethsemane Ministries and I was completely crestfallen and did not want to attend any prayer group as I had become bitter and skeptical wrt everything/person in my life. I remember very clearly that at that time the doctor tried to tell us about IVF – however my husband and I were not convinced. This friend told us to go talk to Br. Suresh. After much reluctance I went for my first prayer meeting and something strange happened&ldots;.. there was a pull every Friday for me to go for that prayer meeting. That year we went for our first Live In retreat at Jackson Point and that was a life altering retreat. Thereafter, we had a counseling session with Br. Suresh and he did mention after deep prayer quoting from the bible ‘ You will be blessed with a son’.. we claimed the promise. But now I was getting very impatient in terms of when will that promise be fulfilled?? But I guess at that time both my husband and myself needed a lot of inner healing. It took us 2 yrs of completely trying to transform our prayer life. We attended the retreat with Fr. Manjackal in 2006 and when he prayed over us he said that God is blessing us with a child. A week later, I came to know that I was pregnant!! Praise the Lord.!!! But Satan has a unique way of stealing the joy from your heart&ldots; I was nervous if this pregnancy would come to light and was always scared – even though I had so many people praying for me.. I still doubted Gods mercy and glory.. However, our God is an awesome God and on July 1st 2007, I delivered a beautiful baby boy – Nathanael !!! Praise God!!! Everything was beautiful and I had a normal delivery. We were back at the prayer meetings thanking and praising God for this wonderful gift and were so happy with one child. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think that we would become parents again. In 2010, Fr. Mathew Naickoparambil and his group were at Jackson Point conducting the retreat and we were also present. At that time my husband asked Fr. Mathew to pray over us that we might be blessed by another child. At that time Fr. Mathew asked us if we wanted just one more child OR more children – to which my husband responded of course more children. Fr. Mathew prayed over us and said your prayers will be answered. Shortly after that all of us attended the retreat at Rosa Mystica in the US. During the exposition of the blessed Sacrament I felt as though there was a cool gust of wind sweeping through my head in the early hours of the morning in the chapel. I opened my eyes to see if the windows were open.. but all the windows were shut.. I kept praying and could just see the eyes of Mama Mary – looking down at me. It did not make anysense and I just kept this experience to myself. As soon as we came back from Rosa Mystica, I was not feeling too well and my husband told me to do a pregnancy test. I laughed it out and said that is silly as I would have known if I was pregnant. But due to his insistence, I did the pregnancy test and it came positive. I was so nervous and did not believe till the doctor did a blood test. When that too came positive I was so ecstatic that I immediately called Br. Suresh and gave him the good news. At my first ultrasound everything was fine and so was the baby. But when I went back in 2 weeks for my second ultrasound, the radiologist asked me if I was on any fertility drugs and if there was a history of multiples in the family. I thought these were just routine questions and I said ‘No’ to both questions. I asked why she was asking me all these questions and she said that I was not carrying 1 baby but 2!! Praise the Lord!! This was a true miracle. But contrary to last time, I had a peaceful hand on my chest throughout this high risk pregnancy telling me that everything was going to be ok. I had all the possible complications this time around, thyroid problems, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (high blood pressure) – but I just lifted everything to the Lord. To make matters worst, my parents could not come over to help me and we knew based on talking to the doctor that this would be a c-section delivery due to the position of one twin. Everyone in the intercessory prayer group at Gethsemane prayed for me and on Nov 19,2010, we were blessed again with twin boys who we named Mikhael and Gabriel. God is so good that even though we did not have any help, I did not require a c-section and the boys were delivered normally without even a stitch. My recovery was so fast by Gods Grace. My dear friends and couples who are going through the same problem of infertility that we went through, our only advice to you is completely trust in the Lord! HE is an awesome God and even though he might appear to take time to answer to your prayers,&ldots; he will give u nothing but the best. Our family would love to thank Gethsemane Ministries Intercessory Prayer Group and in a very special way Br. Suresh who have been a source of inspiration for our prayer life. Attend the prayer meetings and you will experience the awesome wonder of God – the way we did!! God Bless, Mark and Susan Vaz, Toronto - 28 Mar., 2011
I had a knee surgery on Nov 9th and I was taking rest. During my rest time, I was focusing more on prayers. Even after 5 weeks I did not feel any change on my knee. I had to go back to work soon but I wasn’t that comfortable to go to work. So, I requested Brother Suresh to pray for me and he did a short prayer through telephone. From the next day onwards, I felt much better and was able to walk freely. Praise and thanks to God. Jessy Cherian - New Jersey, USA - 20 Jan. 2011
Dear Br.Suresh, I want to thank you and all the others who have been praying for me and my problems. I received a job offer and will be signing my papers in the next week. God bless you all. Indira Brako - Toronto, ON., Canada - 28 Oct. 2010
Dear brothers and sisters, with great joy ,I would like to inform that I have been selected by the Durham Catholic School Board. Thank you for all your prayers and support. I praise God Almighty for his great mercies. God Bless you all, Lavina - Ajax, ON., Canada - 24 Sept. 2010
In spite of having lot of obstacles which human beings cannot overcome, because of your prayers God made impossible possible for my daughter and she could travel abroad for an assignment.Thank you Lord Jesus for answering our prayers. Sherly John - Toronto, ON., Canada - 3 Sept. 2010
Praise the Lord, Ave Maria : Dear brothers and sisters, In the month of Feb of this year when I had gone to India, I fell sick and developed a small growth on my left wrist bone joint , I showed it to Br. Suresh during the lift Jesus Rally and he prayed for me. We kept this in our prayers and the Gethsemane intercessory Ministry too was praying for my recovery. During the retreat at the Rosa Mystica 'house of prayer' I claimed the healing and when I returned home the growth had vanished. I give all praise and Glory to our gracious Lord and to our Blessed mother and I thank all those who prayed for me. God Bless, Lovina - Ajax, ON., Canada - 27 May 2010
My name is Danute Ungerson. I am a widow and have two married daughters. For long time I am suffering from depression and am taking pills. I was also worried about my daughter who got married but had no kids and was getting depressed. I am a catholic but did not like to go to church for many reasons. One day when I went to volunteer, Mrs. Roy, who is my boss, told me about Gethsemane ministry prayer meeting that has helped a lot of people. She invited me to join the Saturday full day prayer meeting on May 8th. At first I was very nervous and said-"O my god how will I sit for 8 hours just praying", however since I love Mrs. Roy and said I will come. I went to the prayer meeting and I liked the prayer meeting very much. All people are friendly and everyone is happy and everybody dress simple. This is different from my church. I use to smoke a lot when I get nervous and I thought it is difficult but I only went out to smoke 2 times that day. If I was sitting at home I would have smoked a lot. I felt very happy. The team prayed for me and my family. When I went home I phoned my daughters and said to them that I went for a catholic prayer and sat for 8 hours and feel happy. They also were happy to hear this but very surprised- Mummy you sat for 8 hours in prayer. Then my daughter said- " mummy I want to give good news to you for Mother's day- I am pregnant". I said this is because the Gethsemane team prayed for me. I believe this. Now I do not smoke though sometimes I feel to smoke. Mrs. Roy gave me a Rosary- so when I feel like smoking- she said to say the rosary. Pleae pray for my pregnant daughter. I am leaving Toronto but will see if there is prayer group like this in Saskachewan. I like this ministry. Thank You, Danute Ungerson - Toronto, ON., Canada - 26 May 2010
Dear Friends, further to my last email about my dad's gout problem - I just spoke to him yesterday and the swelling & pain from one leg has miraculously disappeared (Praise God!). The second leg is also healing well and is on its way to recovery. I thank God for his mercy for this great healing and thank you all for your prayers.Thanks and God Bless. Susan - Toronto, ON., Canada - 3 May 2010
Hello brother Suresh! I had requested your prayers for my healing since had to go for a biopsy for a mass in my left breast. I am grateful for your prayers. When I went for the biopsy, however, they could not do it as there was nothing to biopsy as the mass had disappeared. I want to thank our Lord God and our blessed Mother for this beautiful miracle in my life. God bless and thank you very much. In Christ! Peppy - Toronto, ON., Canada - 31 Mar. 2010
Praise the Lord! Six months ago, I was suffering from severe pain in my lower abdominal area. I consulted my family doctor who referred me to a specialist. It was diagnosed as "Hernia" and a surgery was advised. I managed to get a surgery date after a waiting period of four months. I had to undergo a series of pre-operative tests ten days before surgery. I went for the tests and was in for a shocking revelation. The very next day, there was a call from the hospital stating that my surgery will be cancelled as my reports were abnormal and anesthesia could not be administered. As my pain was increasing by the minute I desperately called my specialist about the next course of action. He referred me to a cardiac urgently. The cardiac saw my ECG report and did more tests. After the test he said that my heart was not in the right position and it had moved from its original place. This was a real stunner!! He advised me to go for a Cardiac Ultrasound Test for verification and the test was done immediately. This was on a Friday afternoon. I came home heavily burdened and sent a prayer request to Divine Retreat Centre, Potta, Kerala, India. The same evening I met Nelson D'souza of our Gethsemane Prayer Group. He inquired if all was ok and I opened my heart to him. He assured me of his fervent prayers and put in my intention at the "Gethsemane Intercessory." By our Lord's grace, Br. Suresh was a part of the intercessory that particular Sunday. Nelson called me on Sunday night and said that Br. Suresh had got a message that our Lord will take care of someone who is about to undergo surgery. They claimed it for me. Praise the Lord!! The next day I received a call from the hospital saying that the doctors have jointly decided to proceed with the surgery. I knew that all this was only our Lord's mighty work!! Praise the Lord!!! I went ahead with the surgery at the scheduled time and place. The surgeon had mentioned that a small incision measuring around 3-4 cm will be made and the surgery will take around 45 minutes. I was brought out of the operation theatre after 3 hours with a 15 cm incision. A meshed roll nearly five times bigger than my hernia size was inserted internally. I was suffering from excruciating pain in the back and in the operated area and there was numbness in my right leg. The surgeon said that it would take 90-100 days for recovery. I was advised not to go for long drives and lift anything above 10 lbs for that period. Within a month and half after surgery, there was a "Live in Retreat" headed by Fr. Mathew Naickomparambil V.C. of Divine Retreat Centre, Potta, Kerala, India at Jackson's Point , Ontario. I was initially not keen on attending the retreat because of my medical condition. But at the last moment our Lord enlightened me to go ahead. Praise the Lord!!! On the second day of the retreat, during the "Deliverance mass" celebrated by Fr. Joby, there was a continuous flow of tears running down my cheeks. Then all of a sudden, a gush of cold water splashed across my surgery area (my right side). Then I felt my pain disappear and the numbness was gone. After the Holy mass, when I touched the area, I saw that the meshed roll had dissolved and the entire operated area was healed and became normal with a small red scar. Praise the Lord!!! I give our Lord glory, honor and praise for his mighty healing!!! P. Vincent Pinto - Toronto, ON., Canada - 21 Mar. 2010
Dear Suresh, I would like to thank you, other organisers and volunteers of the Lenten Retreat held last weekend. This was my first live-in retreat since coming to Canada in 2002. I have made my retreat at the Divine Retreat Centre in Muringoor in 2002. It was a great joy and privilege to hear Fr. Matthew, Fr. Joby and Sr. Theresa. They were simply wonderful and it is difficult to express my sentiments. Needless to mention, my thanks also goes out to your family and all the families who supported the organisers and volunteers at the Retreat. I have been lifting all of you in prayer time and again. Thank you once again.Praise the Lord ! Marianne Reis - Toronto, ON., Canada - 16 Mar. 2010
Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ, Greeting in the name of the Lord. My name is Saramma Thomas, 87 years old and lives in Hamilton. Recently, I had a strong pain in one of my molar tooth. The dentist who examied my teeth said that the pain is caused by the root of a tooth. I had bypass surgery long time ago. So, the old age and medical history made tooth extraction very difficult. My dentist decided on a root canal procedure and did the first part of root canal work. But I continued to suffer intense pain and needed pain killers every four hours. After the Gethsemane prayer meeting on Friday, I approached Bro.Suresh for prayer. After praying Bro. Suresh gave the message:"Immediately after receiving Holy Communion during Holy Mass on a Sunday, pray to Jesus for healing and comfort and you will not have any more pain." I prayed exactly what Bro. Suresh revealed. The word of God says in Jeremiah 17:14 "Lord, heal me and I will be completely well; rescue me and I will be perfectly safe. You are the one I praise!" I never had toothache ever after. I sleep very well without pain. I claim this as a eucharistic healing. Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus! Yours in Christ, Saramma Thomas - Hamilton, ON., Canada - 18 Feb. 2010
To all my very special friends, I want to greet you all in the loving name of Jesus Christ. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for the spiritual and moral support you all offered my husband Roy and self during the hard days of our life, without which we would have landed in a mental institution. Each one of you helped us in different ways, in various degrees- could be by just holding our hands, giving us a loving pat, or praying with us and offering your shoulders to cry. Everything you did meant a lot to us. Along with this I also want to ask for forgiveness to those whom I have hurt and to those who have hurt me by word or action. Today I can very confidently tell you that with all your prayers, my Lord has given the full support and strength to live a joyful and peaceful life once again. Last Sunday (12th & 13th December) during the set free retreat mass, with the help of Fr. Elias Vella & Diana Mascareneus, I was able to offer my beloved daughter Leyona's departed soul as a loving gift to my most beloved friend Jesus. When Leyona was alive I often use to tell her that she is the most precious gift God gave to us. All the wound and pain that I had been carrying deep in my heart came out and now I feel it's completely healed and I am set free from those pains. I want to thank the Lord again and again. Today I rejoice in the Lord in an immense way and I cannot contain the joy to myself- so thought will share it with all of you who had seen me in the past living like a lost soul. I want to specially thank my spiritual brother Suresh Dominic and the Gethsemane ministry for organizing these wonderful retreats for suffering souls like us. May God bless you abundantly. To those who are grieving or going through sorrows - I have only one great advice to give you- No one in this world can heal you or console you. There is only one person who can and that is our loving Lord Jesus- Just offer all your pains at his feet. He will give you peace. I experienced this & want to share this with everyone- this is all my mission today is - To glorify His mighty name. This is all the purpose of my life today is. He has called me by my name and carved my name on his palm. I am precious to him. Today I live for Him. Nothing can take away this joy from me. Thank you Jesus, Love you Jesus and praise you Jesus. With love and prayers, yours sister in Christ. Jolly Roy - Toronto, ON., Canada - 20 Dec. 2009
Dear brother Suresh and my brothers and sisters of Gethsemane, I want to say a big "Thank you" to all of you for organizing the "Set Free" retreat this past weekend.You could tell how much of work went into all of the details, that made the retreat such a success. You make Gethsemane Minstries so very special, by every thing you do. Fr. Vella's teaching was excellent in that the inspiration that we gained was so unique. He could read the real meanings of so many of the verses that we read again and again, but have still not fully comprehended. He is such an anointed priest - a great gift to us. Among the many insightful teachings, one can specially recall what he said about rejoicing in sufferings. "Although we cannot be thankful for all things, especially for our sufferings and hard times, because Christ himself suffered and thus knew what suffering really was, we are called upon to rejoice in all things, because the Lord is drawing good out of all of this." That Jesus knew what it was to fear, be angry, be accused unjustly, for a thief (Barabbas) to be preferred over Him who was the Son of God, to be sad and weep, to be lonely - all these feelings that we ourselves as human beings encounter and agonise over. Still He set us an example when He thanked God in all these things. Among many other things, I also liked Father's explanation of the Baptisms of water, fire and blood. The story about the bamboo tree was a good example of how God can use us in our sufferings, for the greater good. Sister Diana's teachings were coming from the heart of a woman, wife and mother and thus were so practical in every way. For example her teachings about the expectations we have of our children, and to what lengths we would go to fulfill our own desires and ambitions through them and also about the healing of our innermost fears and anxieties of the present and also the past, were very real and we could relate to them in our own lives. I liked her openness in stating her own experiences in family life too, so we know that we are not alone. Thank you again brothers and sisters for the hard work that must have gone into all of these preparations. I now look forward to the next retreat, which I am sure will be as insightful and special as this one was. A big "thank you" also to all those who went out of their way to assist with giving rides to those who had no other means of transport to travel that distance to Jackson Point. You are all doubly blessed!!! May the God of love reward you all abundantly for all your good work, which makes being a member of Gethsemane Ministries such a heart-warming, consoling, loving and fulfilling experience. Gethsemane is truly the best place to be in, every Friday night! Love and God bless you all. Indira Rodrigo - Toronto, ON., Canada - 16 Dec. 2009
Dear Br. Suresh: this is to thank you and your group for praying for Suzanne who was ill with lung infection. She was critically ill and has been admitted to the ICU of Brampton Hospital. Her condition was deteriorating last week. Her condition has stabilized and is now at home. She and her family have conveyed their thanks too. Thank you once again. All praise to Jesus, the Son of the Living God. Brinnel - Toronto, ON., Canada - 29 Oct. 2009
Praise the Lord. I cannot wait to tell you what the Lord has done. 3 weeks ago my associate Manager's Grandfather (86 years old) suffered massive heart attack and be was brain dead 2 weeks ago they removed him from life support as he mentioned he was just a vegetable but the grandfather started breathing on his own (still in coma) was admitted to a nursing facility. In the mean time the grandmother couldn't take the stress and last week she had heart failure. On Friday 5th the grand father comes out of coma completely recovered and starts talking to everyone not only that his grandmother is out of coma and out of ICU. Isn't Jesus wonderful. The petitions were put in the intercessory for the last 3 weeks at one point I did pray for his happy death but our God proved he can do beyond that. Psalm 89: 1-2 I will sing of His loving kindness forever. Please pray this miracle will bring the entire family to believe in God and his son our Lord Jesus Christ.Thank you Jesus Praise you Jesus. Deena Pais - Brampton, ON., Canada - 08 Jun. 2009
I thank Br.Suresh, Gethsemane prayer group, for powerful intercession and for the support. My son had his scrotum swollen with pain. Doctor told me to do some scans in Sick Kids hospital. I asked Br.Suresh to pray for him and immideatly he got healed in front of my eyes. I thank Jesus who is a perfect doctor. Thank you Jesus Praise you Jesus. Jenevieve Lobo - Toronto, ON., Canada - 12 Feb. 2009
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