Pastoral Course for the Deacons and New Priests of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church concluded

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Pastoral Course for the Deacons and New Priests of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church concluded

The Pastoral Course for the Deacons and New Priests of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church concluded at 01.00 p.m. on 30 November 2013.

His Excellencies Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios, and Rt. Rev. Mannikarott Geevarghese Corepiscopa celebrated Holy Qurbono on 26, 27, 28 & 29 November respectively and gave messages to the participants. His Excellency Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC, (Postulator of the Cause of Canonisation of Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios) with the participants of the course celebrated Holy Qurbono at the Tomb of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios and the other venerable prelates of the Church, on the concluding day. His Excellency invited the participants to take to their hearts the Cause of Canonisation of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios and to encourage the Faithful of our Church to imbibe the blessings of intercession to the Servant of God. His Grace Most Rev. Dr Thomas Mar Koorilos, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla, took the class on the “Ongoing Formation of Priests in Faith and Wisdom”. His Excellency Most Rev. Dr Vincent Mar Paulos, Bishop of Marthandom, took class on the Fellowship of Clergy. His Excellency Most Rev. Dr Jacob Mar Barnabas, Apostolic Visitator to ETRI, took the class on the missionary role of priests in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and mission in ETRI.

Very Rev. Dr. Jose Mariadas OIC (Superior General of the OIC), Very Rev. Msgr Mathew Manakarakavil (Syncellus, Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum), Very Rev. Sr. Karunya SIC (Provincial Superior, SIC Trivandrum), Very Rev. Dr Kuriakose Thadathil (Chancellor, Archieparchy of Tiruvalla), Rev. Dr Antony Kakkanatt (General Secretary of the Suvishesha Sangam), Rev. Fr. Thomas Parakkel (Finance Officer, Major Archiepiscopal Curia), Rev. Fr. Thomas Mukalumpurath (Director, Faith formation, Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum), Very Rev. Fr. John Areeckal (Director, Dalit Apostolate), Rev. Fr. Mathew Vadakkekuttu (Director, MCCL, Archieparchy of Tiruvalla), Adv. Johnson Abraham (KPCC Joint Secretary), Prof. Abraham George (Rtd Prof. Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira), Prof. Thomaskutty Panachakkel (Rtd Prof. Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira), Prof. George Onakkoor (Rtd Prof. Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira), Prof. Thomaskutty Kaimalayil (Rtd Principal, St. John’s College, Anchal), Sri. Jacob Punnoos IPS (Rtd DGP, Kerala State), Mr Pradeep (President, MCYM), Prof. Shaji Thelappurath (President M C A, Archieparchy of Tiruvalla), Prof. Jacob V. J. (Rtd Prof. Govt Arts College, Trivandrum), Prof. Pushpa Augustine (Rtd Prof. St Xavier’s College, Trivandrum), Prof. Shyla Joseph (Prof. Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum), Prof. P. C. Aniyankunju (Principal, St Aloysius College, Edathua), Mr. Paulose Bar Itho Kashiro and Mr. Raju Mathew (Senior Sub Editor, Malayala Manorama, Kollam) took classes on various subjects.

The course approved by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleems and the Holy Episcopal Synod is conducted by the Major Archiepiscopal Curia under the leadership of Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios, the Chancellor of the SMCC and managed by Rev. Fr. Thomas Parakkal, the Finance Officer of the Curia. His Beatitude the Catholicos conveyed his blessings to the participants of the course and His Beatitude issues the Certificate of the course.

Pastoral Course – 2013 Started

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Pastoral Course – 2013 Started

Pastoral Course for the Deacons and New Priests of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church started at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom at 9 p.m on 24 November 2013. The course was inaugurated by His Excellency Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC, Curia Bishop and Chancellor of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

The course is aimed at the formation of new pastors of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church with a comprehensive vision of the various pastoral ministries within the Church. The course is exponential and participatory in its content and style. It envisages to share the vision, the methods, the prospects and challenges the Syro-Malankara Catholic pastors face in the various fields. More than theoretical aspects, the course is focuses on the practical dimension of our apostolate.

Off the deacons participating in the course 7 from the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum, 4 from the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla, 2 from the Eparchy of Bathery, one from the Eparchy of Mavelikara, one from the Eparchy of Marthandum, 6 from the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta, 3 from the Eparchy of Muvattupuzha and 5 from the Order of the Imitation of Christ. They studied in various Major Seminaries in India and abroad. Fr. Devasia Kuthirakallil, the only new priest participant, is from the ETRI.

Meeting of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Suvishesha Sangham 2013

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Meeting of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Suvishesha Sangham 2013

The fourth ongoing formation programme of Church level Suvishesha Sangham was held at Catholicate Centre, Pattom from 23 to 24 November 2013. At the beginning, Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Chairman of the Suvishesha Sangham, and Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios , Curia Bishop gave the benedictory addresses.

Fr Antony Kakkanatt, Executive Secretary of the Suvishesha Sangham, Sr Namitha SIC, Sr Mary Prasad DM took classes on the theme, “Preaching of Gospel – its Practical Methodology ’.

Leaflets prepared on the theme ‘Home Prayer Groups’ and ‘Visit to Sick People in Hospitals and at Home’ explained to the members of the Suvishesha Sangham practical tips of the ministry.

The sharing was an inspiring moment for every participant and it helped them to do their service more fruitfully. Eucharistic adoration on the occasion of the conclusion of the Year of Faith, confession, Holy Qurbano, etc., were part of the programme.

Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Fr Antony Kakkanatt, Sr. Francina DM gave leadership in organizing the meeting.

Meeting of the Synodal Commission for Family

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Meeting of the Synodal Commission for Family

A meeting of the Synodal Commission for Family was held at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom, at 10 a.m. on 23 November 2013. His Excellency Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Chairman of the Synodal Commission for Family, presided over the meeting. The meeting started with Bible reading by Ms Sheela Abraham and prayer by Most Rev. Mar Yoohanon.

Fr Chacko Thadathil, Secretary of the Synodal Commission for Family, welcomed the members to the meeting. Eparchial Directors, Animators and representatives from the Eparchies attended the meeting.

Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom gave the introductory address. Rev. Fr Chacko Thadathil, in his key note address, shared his views on how the family life has to be founded on the Word of God and the sacramental life of the Church.

Then, Eparchial Directors presented the report of their respective eparchial family apostolic activities. It was followed by a discussion on challenges in the family apostolate and tried to search together for the solutions.

It is decided that the next meeting of the Synodal Commission be convened on 20 May 2014 and it will be hosted by the Family Apostolate, Bathery.

With the concluding message and blessings of Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom the meeting was ended.

Year of Faith Celebrations Concluded in the Exarchate of USA

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Year of Faith Celebrations Concluded in the Exarchate of USA

The Year of Faith celebration of the Exarchate was concluded with an adoration to the Blessed Sacrament on November 23 at the St. Vincent de Paul church, Elmont. During the adoration Rev. Dr. Mathew Manakattu, former President of the Paurasthya Vidyapeetam, Kottayam shared reflections on how we have to carry forward the spirit of the Year of Faith. After the Holy Hour, prizes for the winners of the Year of Faith Bible Quiz competition were distributed. His Excellency Thomas Mar Eusebius officiated the prize distribution ceremony. The newly prepared English translation of the Sunday Prayers was released by His Excellency and the copy was given to Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery. On this occasion, the 70th birthday of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery and the 60th birthday of Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Mangalath also were celebrated. His Excellency Mar Eusebius, Rev. Dr. Sunny Mathew and Mr. Philip John (Secretary, Pastoral Council) offered felicitations. The celebration concluded with agape.

Pope’s Address to Patriarchs of the Oriental Catholic Churches and the Major Archbishops

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Pope’s Address to Patriarchs of the Oriental Catholic Churches and the Major Archbishops

Pope received the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops, Fathers and Heads of the Oriental Churches in the Hall of the Consistory of the Apostolic Palace Vatican. It was the first meeting of Pope Francis with the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of the Oriental Churches. They are in Rome for the Plenary Assembly of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches.

Following is the Pope’s address: I receive you with joy and a spirit of fraternity in this meeting, in which I have the opportunity for the first time to converse with the Fathers and Heads of the Oriental Catholic Churches. Through your faces I see your Churches, and I would like to assure you, first of all, of my closeness and prayer for the flock that the Lord Jesus has entrusted to each one of you, and I invoke the Holy Spirit, so that He will suggest what we must learn together and put into practice to serve with fidelity the Lord, His Church and the whole of humanity.

Our coming together offers me the occasion to renew our great esteem for the spiritual patrimony of the Christian East, and I renew the great esteem for the spiritual heritage of the Christian East, and to recall Benedict XVI’s description of a Church leader in his post-Synodal exhortation “Ecclesia in Medio Oriente”. “You are, he said ‘watchful guardians of communion and servants of ecclesial unity’”. (n. 40). This unity, which you are called to realize in your Churches, responding to the gift of the Spirit, finds its natural and full expression in “indefectible union with the Bishop of Rome” (Ibid.), rooted in the ecclesiastica communio, which you received on the day after your election. To be inserted in the communion of the whole Body of Christ makes us aware of the duty to reinforce the union and solidarity within the various Patriarchal Synods, “fostering always consensus on questions of great importance for the Church in view of a collegial and unitary action” (Ibid.).

In order for our testimony to be credible we must always seek justice, piety, faith, love, patience and clemency, adopting a sober manner of life in imitation of Christ, who embraced poverty so that we might be enriched; with tireless zeal and with the charity, both fraternal and paternal, that the bishops, priests and faithful, especially those who are alone or marginalised, expect of us. I think, above all, of our priests who are in need of understanding and support, also at the personal level. They have a right to receive our good example in things that regard God, as in every other ecclesial activity. They ask us for transparency in the management of goods, and concern for every weakness or need. All this, the committed application of that authentic synodal practice distinctive of the Oriental Churches”.

With the help of God and of His Most Holy Mother, we know we are able to respond to this call. I ask you to pray for me. And now I am happy to listen to all that you wish to communicate to me and, as of now, I express to you my gratitude.

[Translation by ZENIT]

Sunday Prayers in English

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Sunday Prayers in English

Elmont, NY – The Department of the Sacred Liturgy in the Exarchate is happy to announce the publication of the new English translation of the Service Book of the Holy Qurbono with the Sunday Prayers. This new book contains the Sunday prayers of all the seven canonical hours of both the Qyamtho and Sleebo seasons and the Service Book of the Holy Qurbono. This book has been prepared by the Department of the Sacred Liturgy in the Exarchate in conjunction with the Synodal Commission for the Liturgy of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

To obtain a copy, contact Rev. Fr. Abraham Lukose. Exarchial Chancery 1500 De Paul St. Elmont, NY 11003 917-291-0146

Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Mar Ivanios – Eparchy of Muvattupuzha Concludes the Year of Faith

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Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Mar Ivanios – Eparchy of Muvattupuzha Concludes the Year of Faith

Early morning on 18 November 2013 about 1500 pilgrims from the Eparchy of Muvattupuzha led by the Eparchial Bishop Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios, reached the tomb of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom Trivandrum. They were received by Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios, Curia Bishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios Auxilary Bishop of the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum and Very Rev. Fr James Paravilayil, Vicar, St Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom. At 7.30 a.m. the Holy Qurbono was concelebrated by Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios, Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios and the Rev. Priests participating in the pilgrimage. It was followed by the Dhūpaprarthana at the Tomb of the Servant of God. Welcoming the pilgrims Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios and Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios said that the pilgrimage was a historic event. Except the season of the feast of commemoration of the Servant of God, it is for the first time in the history of our Church that such a large number of pilgrims pray at the tomb. It has given a great testimony and witness in our Church and it is a blessing for the pilgrims, their families, the Eparchy of Muvattupuzha and the entire Malankara Church.

The pilgrimage was organized to mark the concluding celebration of the Year of Faith in the Eparchy of Muvattupuzha. It was a two-day ‘Faith Pilgrimage’. After due preparations, the pilgrims in groups gathered in the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Muvattupuzha. Chanting prayers they visited the tomb of St Alphonsa at Bharanagnanam. The pilgrims then came at the tomb of our Bishops in St. John’s Cathedral, Tiruvalla. There, they were welcomed by Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla. He joined the pilgrims in their prayers. From there, the pilgrims continued their journey to the tomb of Mar Ivanios.

After venerating the tomb of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the pilgrims proceeded to the places blessed by the martyrdom of Blessed Devasahayam Pillai in the Eparchy of Marthandom and the Diocese of Kottar. One thousand four hundred and twenty faithful including Priests, Sisters and Laity participated in the pilgrimage. They travelled in 27 buses from Muvattupuzha to Marthandom and Kottar. The participants shared that the pilgrimage was a wonderful experience of the blessings of God. It was also an occasion to visit the holy places and to venerate the saints of our land. It was an inspiring finale to the year of faith.

New Pastor for the Houston Parish

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New Pastor for the Houston Parish

On November 17, 2013, Rev. Fr. John S. Puthenvila assumed charge as the Pastor of the St. Peter’s Malankara Catholic Parish, Houston. After the Holy Mass celebrated by His Excellency Thomas Mar Eusebius, Father Puthenvila took charge from the outgoing Pastor Rev. Fr. Job Kalluvilayil. After the Holy Mass, a small meeting was conducted during which Rev. Fr. Job Kalluvilayil was given a fitting send off and Rev. Fr. John S. Puthenvila was given a cordial welcome. The meeting was presided over by His Excellency. His Excellency thanked Rev. Fr. Job for his meritorious service to the Houston Parish and to the Exarchate during the past five years in his capacity as the Director of the Youth Apostolate of the Exarchate and as the Pastor of the Houston Parish. Special mention was made about the bold initiative and the painstaking service of Fr. Job in the construction of a new church for the parish. Mr. George M. Samuel (Parish Secretary) Mr. Jose C. Mathews (Treasurer) and Mr. James P. Mathew (Sunday School Principal) also spoke on the occasion. The meeting was concluded with the reply speeches by Rev. Father Job Kalluvilayil and John S. Puthenvilayil

Sangamam of the Faithful of SMCC ETRI & Conclusion of the Year of Faith

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Sangamam of the Faithful of SMCC ETRI & Conclusion of the Year of Faith

A Sangamam of the Faithful of the SMCC Parishes, ETRI was held from 2 to 4 November 2013 at St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Bhopal to conclude the Year of Faith. Around 1000 members, including Priests, Sisters and Laymen from the various parishes and missions of ETRI participated in the Convention. His Excellency Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Apostolic Visitator to ETRI inaugurated the meeting. Rev. Dr Antony Kakkanatt, Executive Secretary of Suvishesha Sangam shared the thoughts on the Year of Faith and conducted classes on Evangelization.

The meeting was an inspiring moment for every participant. It imparted a message of the need of a transformation to renew the spiritual life of the Faithful and to strengthen the Parishes, in accordance with the real Indian culture. In addition, they decided unanimously, to launch out social and charitable activities that reach out to people irrespective of caste or creed and to transmit a secularist view of our nation. The meeting praised the united social development activities of the Church and the action plan for the integrated growth of the youth.

Rev. Fr Daniel Kuzhithadathil, Rev. Fr Varghese Mattamana, Rev. Fr Thomas Malancharuvil, Rev. Sr Saumya SIC and Mr. NC Philip gave leadership in organizing the meeting.

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