The Malayalam Edition of the First Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith) was released by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, by handing over the first copy to His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Mar Andrews Thazhath, President of KCBC on 5 August 2013 at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkandu. It is the official Malayalam translation of the Encyclical published by KCBC. His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarakal, the Vice President of the KCBC and His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Koorilos, Secretary General were present during the function.
Meeting of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Suvishesha Sangham
The Meeting of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Suvishesha Sangham was held at Catholicate Center, Pattom on 24 July 2013. The meeting was presided over by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis. Twenty three participants, including Vicar Generals, Directors of the Suvishesha Sangham from various Eparchies attended the meeting. His Excellency Jacob Mar Bernabas, Chairman of the Church level Suvishesha Sangham, Rev. Fr. Antony Kakkanattu General Secretary, Sr. Namitha SIC, Sr. Franseena DM organised the meeting.
In the meeting an evaluation of the activities of Suvishesha Sangham was held and decisions were taken for the effective execution of the follow-up program. It is emphasized that renewal of the Church through the life based on Word of God and for the same the life of the Servant of God Mar Ivanios is a great model.
Rev. Sr. Anunciatta D.M is called to eternal rest
Rev.Sr. Anunciatta D.M of St. Mary’s Province of the Daughters of Mary Congregation is called to eternal rest on Saturday, 21 July 2013. She was 75 years old. She belongs to Vadakken family, Pala. She served in various convents such as Pongummoodu,Venniyoor, Santhinikethan, Chempanaruvi,Elanadu, Shanthinilayam, Mundakkayam and Anchal. Funeral service was held on Sunday 22 July 2013, at Pongummoodu Convent. His Excellncy Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios, Auxiliary Bishop of Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum, officiated the funeral service.
May her soul rest in peace!
Mar Ivanios Day in Dubai
Dubai Syro- Malankara Catholic Community celebrated Mar Ivanios Day on Friday, 19 July. The program started at 6.00 pm with a prayer followed by study class on “The teachings of Archbishop Mar Ivanios and its importance on the growth of Syro- Malankara Catholic Church” by Mr. George Mathew.
The Padayatra was organized by MCYM and more than hundred persons in Saffron-clad participated holding the traditional Vallikurishu, MCYM Flag and Holy Bible. The Padayatra, was received by Fr. Mathew Kandathil at Mini Hall. It was followed by the Holy Qurbono and Dhoopaprathana celebrated by Fr. Mathew Kandathil. The celebrations were concluded with the distribution of Nercha. The members of MCYM unit, Dubai made all the arrangements with the spirit of prayer, fasting and alms.
60th Feast of Commemoration – Theerthadana Padayatra by UAE Community in Trivandrum
The Syro Malankara Catholic faithful, residing in various emirates in United Arab Emirates, participated in the celebrations of the 60th Feast of Commemoration of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios. As scheduled, the members of MCYM in UAE, who are on vacation gathered at St. Aloysius Minor Seminary, Kuravankonam, on 14 July. Following the inauguration by His Excellency Vincent Mar Paulos, the Chairman, MCYM & the bishop of Marthandom, the Padayatra started towards the tomb of Mar Ivanios at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom at 3.30 PM. Rev. Fr. Mathew Kandathil and the office bearers of MCYM, UAE lead the Theerthadana Padayathra. The Padayathrees were received at the entrance of the tomb chapel by Very Rev. Fr. James Paravila, the parish priest of the Cathedral. It was followed by special prayers at the Tomb of Servant of God. It is for the first time the UAE community organizes a padayathra in Trivandrum and for the majority of the participants it was a new experience. About 100 people participated in it and they hope to continue in the coming years. Most of the members stayed back and had attended the functions on 15th July. The members of MCYM in UAE lead by Mr. Shaju Baby and Mr. Xavier Mathew, had done all the preparations for the padayathra.
60th Feast of Commemoration of the Servant of God Mar Ivanios
The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church solemnly celebrated the 60th Feast of Commemoration of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios on 15 July 2013. The Padayatra to the tomb of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios started on Wednesday 10 July from Perunadu. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios, Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC, and Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios gave leadership to the Padayatra. More than 4000 Padayatrees from Trivandrum Major Archieparchy, Tiruvalla Archieparchy, the Eparchies of Marthandum, Mavelikara, ETRI and ETR in UAE joined the main Padayatra and reached the Tomb at 6.00 pm on Sunday 14 July and was received at the Tomb chapel. This was followed byevening prayer and a candle procession that started from the church going through John Paul II gate, Catholicate Centre, and St. Mary’s School and reached the Tomb Chapel through the main gate of the Church. It was followed by Dhoopaprarthna and night vigil.
His Eminence Cardinal Louis Antonio Taglay, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila, Philippines, was the chief guest at the 60th Feast of Commemoration. His Eminence was given a warm reception at the entrance of the Cathedral at 8.30 am. It was followed by the Holy Qurbono. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis was the main celebrant. His Eminence Cardinal Louis Antonio Taglay, delivered the homily during the Holy Qurbono. His Grace Most Rev. Soosa Pakiam,(Archbishop of the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum), His Excellencies Most Rev. Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom. Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Most Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas, Most Rev. Abraham Mar Julios, Most Rev. Vincent Mar Paulos, Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios, Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios and Most Rev. Philipos Mar Stephanos and many Rev. Priests concelebrated the Holy Qurbono.
A public meeting followed the Holy Qurbono. Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios gave a profile of His Eminence Cardinal Louis Antonio Taglay and welcomed him to the gathering. Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos and His Grace Most Rev. Soosa Pakiam delivered a speech of commemoration of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios. Fourth edition of the book “Archbishop Mar Ivanios’’ written by Rev. Fr. Thomas Inchakalody was released by His Grace Most Rev. Soosa Pakiam by giving the first copy to Sri. Philip Kadavil, President MCA. It was followed by the Dhoopaprarthana at the Tomb Chapel. The celebrations concluded with the apostolic blessing by His Beatitude and agape. A large number of religious and faithful participated in the celebration.
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Ormaperunal of Servant of God, Archbishop Mar Ivanios, in Kuwait
The Malankara Catholic Faithful in Kuwait observed the 60th Ormaperunal of Servant of God, Arcbishop Mar Ivanios on Thursday, 11 July 2013 in the Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait. After Evening Prayer in the Grotto of Mary, Mother of God, the Theerthadana Padayathra lead by Yuvajyothi (KMRM) proceeded to the Holy Family Hall, the venue of the celebration of the Holy Qurbono. Carrying Vallikurisu and wearing Kavi colour dress gave the participants the experience of traditional Theerthadana Padayathra in Kerala. Very Reverend Fr. Mathews Kunnelpurayidom OCD, Vicar General, addressed the Faithful and reminded them of their duties in the present age. He exhorted the Faithful that as mark of their reverence to Archbishop Mar Ivanios, the Founder of Reunion Movement in the Malankara, they have to continue his life-mission with renewed vigour. Hundreds of faithful attended the Holy Qurbono and Dhoopaprarthana with devotion. The service which began at 6.45 pm ended with Nerchvilampu at 9.30 pm.
Reverend Fr. John Padipurackal thanked the Yuvajyothi (KMRM Youth wing) members in the name of the Community for their efforts to make the Mar Ivanios Day celebration memorable.
60th Feast of Commemoration of Mar Ivanios, Padayatra
The Padayatra to the tomb of the Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios during his 60th Feast of Commemoration started on Wednesday 10 July 2013 after the concelebration of the Holy Qurbono, from Ranni-Perunnadu, the cradle of Reunion movement. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos, was the main celebrant of the Holy Qurbono. His Beatitude inaugurated the flag-off ceremony by giving the “Vallykurishu” which was brought solemnly from the St. Thomas Ecumenical church, Nilackel, to Mr. Shijo V. Varghese,(MCYM Pathanamthitta Eparchial President), and MCYM flag to Mr. Jessan Mathew, (MCYM Pathanamthitta Eparchial General Secretary).
Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC (Curia Bishop), Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios (Auxiliary Bishop of Major Archieparchy of Trivandum), Rev. Msgr. Jose Chamakalayil (Chief Vicar General, Eparchy of Pathanamthitta), Rev. Msgr. Chacko Thadathil (Vicar General, Eparchy of Pathanamthitta), Rt. Rev. Mathews Ramban, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kizhakethil,(MCYM Pathanamthitta Eparchial Director), Rev. Priests, Rev. Sisters, the leaders of MCYM and many faithful were present during the flag-off ceremony. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, Most Rev. Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC, and Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios, joined the Padayatra reciting prayers.
The Padayatrees from various places will join the main Padayatra and reach the Tomb at 5.00 pm on Sunday 14 July 2013. It will be followed by the Dhoopaprarthana at the Tomb Chapel.
The First Priest for the Apostolic Exarchate in the USA
A day of great jubilation and thanksgiving, on July 6, 2013, Bishop Eusebius ordained the first priest for the Exarchate, Reverend Father Michael Edathil. Father Edathil is the first priest to be ordained by Bishop Eusebius, the first priest of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Apostolic Exarchate in the United States, and the first priest to be ordained for an Indian Catholic community in the United States. The ordination service began with a solemn reception to His Excellency Bishop Eusebius, the visiting bishops (Bishop Brennan of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Bishop Mar Chrysostom of the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta, and Bishop Mar Thomas of the Eparchy of Bathery), and the ordinand. During the celebration of the Holy Qurbono, His Excellency Bishop Eusebius gave an exhortation of the sacrament of orders and what it meant to be a priest, drawing from the wealth of the Catholic tradition and his own experiences.
The solemn service of ordination was conducted after the Service of the Saints. During this service, Bishop Eusebius was assisted by his brother bishops. After the epiclesis and laying on of hands, the Exarchate had its first native priest – a historic and joyous moment. Several hundred people participated in this event, including many priests, women religious and members of the lay faithful. After the celebration of the Holy Qurbono, a message from His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos was read and the visiting bishop felicitated the newly ordained priest. After a welcome from the Vicar General, Msgr. Peter Kochery, Father Michael Edathil addressed the gathered crowd for the first time as a priest, offering thanks to all who participated in bringing him to this moment.
Father Edathil, 28, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip and Rajamma Edathil of the St. Jude Malankara Catholic Church of Philadelphia, PA. He has two sisters, Aileen and Jocelyn, and one brother, John. They ought to be commended for the way in which they fostered the vocation of this young priest. The Exarchate congratulates the family of Father Edathil as well as Father Edathil himself and wishes him well as he embarks on his priestly ministry.
A special word of thanks to the organizers and various committees and persons who helped make this historic event, one of prayer and beauty.
On the Feast Day of St. Thomas, Bishop Eusebius Ordains Brother Jerry to the Minor Orders of M’Samrono-Quroyo
Elmont, NY — On the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle, Bishop Eusebius ordained second-year theologian, Brother Jerry Mathew, to the minor orders of M’Samrono and Quroyo. These minor orders are given to seminarians usually at the completion of their first year of theological studies. The conferral of minor orders took place during the solemn celebration of the Holy Qurbono. Bishop Eusebius was joined by the following concelebrants: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery, Rev. Fr. Sunny Mathew Kavuvila, Rev. Fr. Sathyan Antony OIC, Rev. Fr. Antony Padipurackal, OIC, and Rev. Fr. Gigi Philip. The Vicar General, Msgr. Kochery, preached the homily on the occasion exhorting the faithful to take pride in being the spiritual descendants of the Apostle Thomas, the first to confess that Jesus is Lord and God.
