Fr James as I knew him.
As I heard of the passing away of Fr James and was thinking of him, two Bible verses flashed across my mind. One was John 1 : 6 – “there was a man sent from God whose name was John” and the other one, Ephesians 4 : 12 – “It is that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for him, building up the Church, the body of Christ,” I write this tribute with much thanks to our Lord for all that I had learnt from Fr James.
I joined St John’s College, Jaffna in the G C E Advanced Level class in January 1962 and left in December 1963. These two years really enriched my life and strengthened my desire to serve our Lord in the Sacred Ministry. I was elected President of the Student Christian Movement and had so much to do in association with Fr James.
He was a voracious leader. He had a set of Bible Commentaries, consisting of twelve volumes (a rare collection) and whole lot of Christian Books. He encouraged me to read some of those which prepared me for joining Bishop’s College, Calcutta for my Theological Training, from 1964 – 1967.
Fr James was a good singer and he encouraged us to develop our singing to the glory of God.
His chanting of the Liturgy, with his good tenor voice, added so much to the dignity of Divine Worship. The Annual Christmas Carol Service, conducted under his leadership, by the Choirs of St. John’s College, and Chundikuli Girls’ College was an annual event eagerly looked forward to by the alumni of both these Schools.
Fr James preached at my Ordination to Priesthood on 24th February, 1969. He chose two verses, Acts 20 : 20 (KJV) “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house” and verse 24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. To this day (even after 51 years – I am 77 years old now) I practise what is said in these two verses and many have been blessed abundantly by the practical expression of these two verses. Thanks be to God for inspiring Fr. James to lay a good foundation for the divine ministry that was given to me.
Later on, he became a member of our family. My sister Indrani and her husband Gnanan, after their marriage, lived in the Chaplaincy Annexe for a while. When the University allotted them quarters, my parents (Late Mr J T Rajamoney and Mrs Lucy Rajamoney) came to live with them. We as a family got to know Fr James and Lathika very closely. During that time my father helped Fr James with the Chaplaincy Accounts.
In 1985 April, I moved over to India with my family and joined the Church of South India, Tirunelveli Diocese. In 1996, I was posted to Indian Missionary Society, Chennai Branch as their Promotional Director. I retired in 2008 and I continue to live in Chennai.
Everything said and done, Fr James was a man sent from God. He was not the light, but came as a witness to Jesus Christ, who claimed I am the light of the world. With the light Fr James bore, he enlightened the lives of many through his ministry wherever he served our Lord. His positive words and simple lifestyle were inspiration to all who came into contact with him. I would say that Fr James helped me to find out why I was placed in a particular place, at a particular time and for a particular purpose. (Rick Warren in his book : Purpose filled life) and to fulfil that purpose to the best of my ability through the strength given by our Lord Jesus Christ.
One of his favourite verses as he started a divine service was from Psalm 122 Vs 1. “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord”. Fr. James has in a sense entered the house of His Lord and Master. There is no doubt that he would have been welcomed at heaven’s gate with much cheering amidst the voice of Jesus saying “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Lathika and the children, you are in my prayers. Hold on to the many memories of a life lived so faithfully and press on to the day when you would be re-united with him – which is our comforting hope.
Fr James, we thank God for the great legacy of faith and the example of a simple Christ like lifestyle that you have left behind for us to follow.
Sam Rajamoney.
28.04.2020
Fr James as I knew him.
As I heard of the passing away of Fr James and was thinking of him, two Bible verses flashed across my mind. One was John 1 : 6 – “there was a man sent from God whose name was John” and the other one, Ephesians 4 : 12 – “It is that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for him, building up the Church, the body of Christ,” I write this tribute with much thanks to our Lord for all that I had learnt from Fr James.
I joined St John’s College, Jaffna in the G C E Advanced Level class in January 1962 and left in December 1963. These two years really enriched my life and strengthened my desire to serve our Lord in the Sacred Ministry. I was elected President of the Student Christian Movement and had so much to do in association with Fr James.
He was a voracious leader. He had a set of Bible Commentaries, consisting of twelve volumes (a rare collection) and whole lot of Christian Books. He encouraged me to read some of those which prepared me for joining Bishop’s College, Calcutta for my Theological Training, from 1964 – 1967.
Fr James was a good singer and he encouraged us to develop our singing to the glory of God.
His chanting of the Liturgy, with his good tenor voice, added so much to the dignity of Divine Worship. The Annual Christmas Carol Service, conducted under his leadership, by the Choirs of St. John’s College, and Chundikuli Girls’ College was an annual event eagerly looked forward to by the alumni of both these Schools.
Fr James preached at my Ordination to Priesthood on 24th February, 1969. He chose two verses, Acts 20 : 20 (KJV) “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house” and verse 24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. To this day (even after 51 years – I am 77 years old now) I practise what is said in these two verses and many have been blessed abundantly by the practical expression of these two verses. Thanks be to God for inspiring Fr. James to lay a good foundation for the divine ministry that was given to me.
Later on, he became a member of our family. My sister Indrani and her husband Gnanan, after their marriage, lived in the Chaplaincy Annexe for a while. When the University allotted them quarters, my parents (Late Mr J T Rajamoney and Mrs Lucy Rajamoney) came to live with them. We as a family got to know Fr James and Lathika very closely. During that time my father helped Fr James with the Chaplaincy Accounts.
In 1985 April, I moved over to India with my family and joined the Church of South India, Tirunelveli Diocese. In 1996, I was posted to Indian Missionary Society, Chennai Branch as their Promotional Director. I retired in 2008 and I continue to live in Chennai.
Everything said and done, Fr James was a man sent from God. He was not the light, but came as a witness to Jesus Christ, who claimed I am the light of the world. With the light Fr James bore, he enlightened the lives of many through his ministry wherever he served our Lord. His positive words and simple lifestyle were inspiration to all who came into contact with him. I would say that Fr James helped me to find out why I was placed in a particular place, at a particular time and for a particular purpose. (Rick Warren in his book : Purpose filled life) and to fulfil that purpose to the best of my ability through the strength given by our Lord Jesus Christ.
One of his favourite verses as he started a divine service was from Psalm 122 Vs 1. “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord”. Fr. James has in a sense entered the house of His Lord and Master. There is no doubt that he would have been welcomed at heaven’s gate with much cheering amidst the voice of Jesus saying “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Lathika and the children, you are in my prayers. Hold on to the many memories of a life lived so faithfully and press on to the day when you would be re-united with him – which is our comforting hope.
Fr James, we thank God for the great legacy of faith and the example of a simple Christ like lifestyle that you have left behind for us to follow.
Sam Rajamoney.
28.04.2020
