On the occasion of the announcement of the Beatification of Martydom of Sr. Rani Maria FCC, the first woman Martyr of the Catholic Church in India, a thanksgiving Holy Mass was celebrated on 04 November 2017 at 10 am at St. Paul’s High School ground, Indore. His Eminence Angelo Cardinal Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints at Vatican, was the main celebrant of the Holy Mass. His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the President of the CBCI and the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, His Beatitude George Cardinal Alenchery, Major Archbishop of Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Archbishop Giambattista Diquatro, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX Secretary General, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, Most Rev. Dr. Chacko Thottumarickal, together with around 50 Bishops concelebrated the Mass.
MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTION OF POPE FRANCIS FOR NOVEMBER 2017
The Pope’s prayer for the month of November is for Asia: “Let us pray that Christians in Asia may promote dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding, especially with those of other religions.”
New Chaplain for the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, UK
The Holy Episcopal Synod of Syro Malankara Catholic Church appointed Fr John Alex Puthenveedu – Mavelikkara Diocese- as a new chaplain for the Region of United Kingdom. Fr. John arrived here in England on Tuesday 24th October 2017. Fr John was greeted by several members of our church along with our Special Pastor and Cor-Ordinator, Rev. Fr Thomas Madukkamoottil.
Rev. Fr John Alex Puthenveedu belongs to the diocese of Mavelikkara and ordained as a priest on 27th December 2010. He served many parishes in the diocese and worked as the Manager of the Vimala Central School, Kalluvathuckal and Notary for the Eparchial Curia.
In UK he will be based at the diocese of Nottingham Diocese while he will be carrying out services for the Malankara Catholic community in the neighbouring areas.
It is a great honour to have welcomed yet another priest to our rapidly growing Syro Malankara Catholic Community and moreover prayerful wishes to Rev. Fr John Puthenveedu, our new Chaplain.
Farewell Greetings to Most Rev. Philipose Mar Stephanos
Most Rev. Philipose Mar Stephanos, the Bishop-desginate of the Eparchy of Queen of Peace USA & Canada, celebrated the Holy Qurbano at the Tomb of the Servant of God Mar Ivanios on 23 October 2017 at 7.00 pm. Around 50 Priests from the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla concelebrated in the Holy Qurbano. A parting supper was arranged at the Catholicate Centre. Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Theodosius, the Curia Bishop, felicitated His Excellency. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mannikkarottu Corepiscopo decked with a Shawl. Mar Stephanos shared his appreciation and gratitude. Sri. MM Mani the Minister for Electricity of Kerala was present during the farewell supper. More than 50 priests, 10 sisters 5 Seminarians and 10 lay faithful participated in this farewell gathering.
Mar Stephanos started his Mission journey to USA on 24 October 2017 at 4.15 am with Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios and Very Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Thadathil, by Quatar Airways.
IVANIA’17 -1st Youth Convention, Surat
Theme: Youth the Follower and Evangelizer,
The first youth retreat, ever after, the formation of St. John Chrysostom Diocese of Gurgaon was held in St Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church, Surat from 19th to 21st October, 2017. The pioneering attempt to gather together as the promising future of our Mission Diocese was attended by over 200 youths from Bhopal, Delhi and Odisha regions. The blessed event was marked by the presence of our patron, His Excellency Dr Jacob Mar Barnabas, Vicar General Most Reverend Monsignor Shaji Manikulam and over 15 priests of Gurgaon diocese, sisters, animators and MCYM regional and unit executives as well. The three-day event started with the inaugural session, which was solemnized by His Grace Dr Stanley Fernandez, Apostolic Administrator of the Baroda Diocese. The resource team for the convention comprised of the vibrant Salesians of Don Bosco from Mumbai comprising of Rev. Fr Mcenrone Lopes, Rev. Fr Leon Rodriguez and Mr. Richardson and Mr. Carson Medonza.
Sessions were also taken by the Mr. Saji Daniel, animator of MCYM, Gurgaon Diocese and Mr .V. A George on the uniqueness of our Mission Diocese and how to answer the call to our vocation by youths who comprise the now that is the present of the diocese. With sessions on exploring the practical dimension of youth as follower and evangelizer and putting it to optimal use through social media, the importance of mission followed by adoration and the critical importance of confession to prepare ourselves for our vocation, Ivania 2017 was a blessed and a truly holistic experience for all due to the eclectic mix of cultural events and sports as well to facilitate our brotherhood in Christ in a healthy competitive manner. The event concluded with open senate meeting where the regional and diocesan level half yearly reports of MCYM were presented followed by open discussion where executives from MCYM Central Secretariat shared their experiential wisdom on the role of executives and the importance of senate meeting in MCYM. Ivania Youth Convention 2017 ended on 21st Oct around 1 p.m. but the fire and passion it has ignited in the minds of the young will continue to burn to give light to the Mission Diocese of Gurgaon.
Installation of His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Makarios
The enthronement ceremony of Most Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Makarios, the second bishop of the Eparchy of Puttur, was took place at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Nujibalthala, Karanataka on 30 September 2017. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos was the Chief celebrant. The sunthroniso ceremony or the installation was conducted during the concelebrated Holy Mass. His Grace Archbishop Bernard Moris, the Archbishop of Bangalore delivered the homily. All the bishop’s from the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’sousa (Mangalore), Rt. Rev. Dr. Mar Lawrence Mukkuzhy (Belthangadi), and other members of the Bishop’s Conference of Karnatka graced the occasion. It was followed by a felicitation meeting in which the Chief-Vip of Karnataka delivered the Key Note Address. A good number of political-religious and social leaders were participated in the function.
National Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Walsingham and 87th Reunion Celebration day Celebrations
On the 24th of September 2017, 14 Missions from across the United Kingdom, gathered together to celebrate the 87th Syro Malankara Catholic Reunion and to take part in the Annual Pilgrimage to the National Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. The day began around 12:00PM at the Apparition Ground, located in Little Walsingham with opening prayers led by Rev. Fr. Thomas Madukkamoottil and Rev. Fr. Renjith Madathirambil. This was followed by a procession along the ‘Holy Mile’ way, whilst carrying the Statue of Our Lady and reciting the holy Rosary; an unforgettable moment for all those who stood as spectators of it and this included the locals whom, although they are oblivious to our such religiously cultural traditions, they were reluctant not to appreciate what they were seeing.
The Basilica Pilgrimage Committee welcomed the Syro Malankara faithful as the procession reached its destination, the Walsingham Catholic Minor Basilica. The heavenly atmosphere felt by all was prevalent throughout the Holy Mass presided by Fr. Thomas Madukkamoottil where Fr. Renjith Madathirambil and Fr. Joseph Mathew were concelebrants. Fr.Renjith in his homily reminded the faithful the importance of devotion to Our Lady and urged the families to firmly uphold the Syro Malankara catholic values and tradition whereever they live. As always, we were once again blessed to have heard a few words of gratitude and words of empowerment – from the Basilica Director, Rev. Msgr. John Armitage – to the Syro Malankara faithful. Rev. Msgr. John Armitage explicitly mentioned his appreciation and gratefulness to the Malankara faithful for our willingness towards continuing to uphold our traditions and cultures of the Syro Malankara Church.
We are immensely grateful to Fr. Thomas Madukkamoottil, our Co-ordinator, Fr. Renjith Madathirambil, Chaplain and to the National Council Vice Presiden Mr. Joji Mathew and Secretary Mr. Joseph Abraham for organising this memorable event. However, most importantly, the day couldn’t have been as unforgettable and remarkable without the participation from the rest of the National Council representatives as well as members from their local parish committee. The gathering is a special event – quite undeniably for everyone- solely since it serves the purpose of giving an opportunity for the Malankara families to come together and develop a good relationship between each other.
Inauguration of the Diocese of Parassala and the Installation of His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius
The inauguration of the newly erected eparchy of Parassala and the enthronement ceremony of Most Rev. Thomas Mar Eusebius, the first bishop of the Eparchy, was took place at Nazareth Home School, Balaramapuram on 23 September 2017. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos was the Chief celebrant. His Beatitude Ignatius Youssef III Younan, the Antiochean Syrian Patriarch, Archbishop Giambattista Diquatro, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, Mother Prema, the Superior General of the Sisters of Charity, and other Bishops were given ecclesial reception at the main entrance of the venue. The sunthroniso ceremony or the installation was conducted during the concelebrated Holy Mass. Archbishop Giambattista Diquatro, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, gave the homily. It was followed by a felicitation meeting. Rev. Mother Prema, the Superior General of the Sisters of Charity, inaugurated the public meeting. She showed a special thanks to Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos for taking up Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkota as the patroness saint of the newly erected eparchy and offered prayers and support of the congregation to the new Eparchy. It is the first eparchy in the world which took Mother Teresa of Kolkota as the patroness saint. A good number of political-religious and social leaders were participated in the function.
REUNION DAY CELEBRATION OF THE SYRO-MALANKARA CATHOLIC CHURCH AND EPISCOPAL ORDINATIONS
The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated 87th Reunion Day (Sabha Sangamam) and Episcopal Ordinations from 19 to 21 September 2017 at Adoor under the auspice of Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum. It was an occasion for the Church to remember and to give thanks to the God Almighty for the abundant blessings which he has showered upon this Church during the course of time. The chief guest of the program was His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius Youssef Younan III, the Syrian Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and the other delegates His Excellency Youssef Habash, Bishop of USA-Canada, Archbishop of Egypt- His Grace Youssef Hanoush. All the bishops from the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, number of bishops from the Latin and the Syro-Malabar Church, Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, Malankara Syrian Jacobite Church and Marthoma Church were participated in the celebration. The program was attended by more than twenty-five thousand people including Vicar Generals, Core-Episcopos, Rambans, Priests, Religious and Lay faithful from various parts of the world. There were representatives from the Hindu and Muslim communities and leaders from various political and other social realms.
As a memorial monument of the 87th Reunion Day Celebrations, the newly constructed Sacred Heart church at Adoor, was consecrated and opened to all on 19 September 2017. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, was the principal Celebrant, and His Beatitude Moran Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, the Syrian Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and the dignitaries participated in it.
On 19 September, after the hoisting of Papal and Catholicate flags at the venue of the celebration there was an International Quiz competition organized by the Malankara Catholic Youth Movement (MCYM). On 20th September there were gatherings of MCCL (children) MCYM (Youth), MCA (Laity) and Mathrusangam (Mothers Association) at various venues. More than thousand Sunday school students and teachers took part in the MCCL meeting and Rev. Fr Bony OFM conducted the orientation class. The gathering of MCYM was inaugurated by Dr. Santhosh Mathew IAS, the Chairman, NCTE. Rev. Dr Jacob Manjaly presented the theme. More than three thousand youth participated in the session. The session of the lay people (MCA) was inaugurated by Dr. Cyriac Joseph, Hon’ Rtd. Justice of Supreme Court. Dr Jacob Punnoose IPS Rtd., DGP of Kerala, delivered the benedictory address. The gathering of the mothers (Mathrusamagam) was inaugurated by Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, and Adv. Grace Lal, Family Councillor, led the session.
Green protocol of the State was strictly observed throughout the celebrations. Hence, Mrs R. Girija IAS, Hon’ District Collector of Pathanamthitta, gave the green protocol certificate to His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos for keeping the entire premises under green protocol of the state. Several charitable acts have been launched during this reunion gathering.
There was a special gathering conducted under the title ‘Addressing of the Church in Fire’ in view of addressing the issues of the persecuted Church in Syria. The chief guest of the function His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius Youssef Younan III, the Syrian Catholic Patriarch of Antioch shared the concerns and anxieties of the people in Syria and Lebanon. As a token of love the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church offered Rs. 65,00,000/- to the persecuted church.
Episcopal Ordinations
The Episcopal Ordinations of His Excellency Most. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Makarios (George Kalayil Ramban) as the Bishop of Puttur and His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Yoohanon Mar Theodoisus (Yoohanon Kochuthundil Ramban), as Bishop of the Major Archiepiscopal Curia and Apostolic Visitator for Europe and Oceania were taken place on 21st September 2017. The Principal celebrant was Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos. His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan, all the prelates of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and other Bishops delegates from various Churches solemnized the ceremony.
Afterwards, the following persons belonging to the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church were awarded for their yeomen service to the society at large: Dr K.M Abraham IAS (the present Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala), Mr John Mathai IAS (Retired, Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala), Ms Lizy Jacob IAS (Retired Former Chief Secretary, Govt of Kerala), Mr Jacob Punnoose IPS (Retired Former Director General of Police, Govt of Kerala), Dr Alexander Jacob IPS (Retired Former Director General of Police, Govt of Kerala), Dr Santhosh Mathew IAS (Chairman, National Council for Teacher Education), Mr Jacob Thomas Kozhimannil IAS (Retired Former Chairman, Cochin Port Trust), Dr George Onakkur (Malayalam Literary Luminary) and Dr Varghese Kurian (NRI Industrialist).
Prominent religious-social-political leaders like Archbishop Maria Soosai Pakiam (Trivandrum), Archbishop Andrews Thazhath (Trissur), Archbishop Joseph Perumthottam (Changanassery), Archbishop Abraham Viruthukulangara (Nagpur), Mar Mathew Arackal (Kanjirappally), Bishop Stanly Roman (Kollam), Mar Alex Vadakkumthala (Kannur), Mar Jose Pulickal (Kanjirappally), Mar George Madathikandom (Kothamangalam), Mar Sebastian Edayanthrath (Ernakulam), Mar Joseph Pandarassery (Kottayam), Mar George Rajendran (Thakkala), Bishop Markos Mar Chrysostomos (the Evangelistic Association of the East at the Monastery of St. Aphrem, the Syrian), Bishop Mathews Mar Thevodosios (Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church), Bishop Abraham Mar Paulos (Marthoma Church) , Rev. Dr. Tony Neelankavil (Bishop-Designate, Trissur), Rev. Dr. Sebastian Vaniapurackal (Bishop-Designate, Syro-Malabar Curia), Rev. Dr. Joseph Plampany (Thallassery) Rev. Fr Boby Alex (Deepika, Chief Editor), Prof P.J. Kurian (Deputy Speaker, Rajya Sabha), Mr M.M Mani (Hon’ Minister of Kerala), Justice Kurien Joseph (Hon’ Justice, Supreme Court of India), K.M Mani, V.M. Sudheeran, Raju Abraham MLA, Anto Antony MP, Kodikunnel Suresh MP, Francis George, Hon’ Rtd. Justice Cyriac Joseph, Kummanam Rajasekharan (BJP State President), were participated in the celebration.
