13th of March, 2016 became a remarkable day in the history of the Exarchate of St Ephrem, Khadki-Pune. On this blessed day, the first new Malankara Catholic Community in the Exarchate was formally inaugurated in Goa, centered around the Chapel of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cortalim, by the Apostolic Exarch His Excellency Thomas Mar Anthonios. It was the fulfillment of a dream cherished by the Exarchial Pastoral Council held on 11 June 2015.
The day began with the solemn concelebrated Holy Qurbono in the Malankara Catholic rite by the Apostolic Exarch in the Chapel of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cortalim. After the Gospel reading, the announcement regarding the erection of a new Parish in Goa was made by the Exarchial Chancellor Rev. Fr. George Mathew OIC. The new Parish is named ‘St. Ephrem Malankara Syrian Catholic Church’ after the heavenly Patron of the Exarchate, St. Ephrem. Following this, Fr. Varghese Valikkodath, whose relentless efforts made this dream a reality, was officially declared as the founder Vicar of the new Parish.
After the Holy Qurbono, an Inaugural Meeting was held in the Chapel with the distinguished guests and Malankara Catholic faithful from Goa, Pune, Mumbai and Kerala, who had participated on this consecrated day. Fr. Varghese Valikkodath, the appointed Vicar of the Parish welcomed the gathering. The meeting was chaired by V. Rev. Msgr. Varghese Mattamana, the Vicar General of the Exarchate. His Excellency Thomas Mar Anthonios formally inaugurated ‘St. Ephrem Malankara Syrian Catholic Church’, Goa by lighting the lamp and delivering the Inaugural Address. Later on, Fr Vijayanand SJ, Fr Mathew Varikkatt, Sr. Pradeepthi SIC, Exarchial MCA President Mr TM Johnson, Exarchial Mathrusangham President Mrs Lizy Koshy, Pune District MCYM President Mr Libin Oommen, Suvisesha Sangham Co-ordinators Mr VA George and Mrs Rosamma Rajan felicitated the new community. The meeting was concluded by a vote of thanks proposed by Mr VA Eapachan to all who have been part of the inaugural day.
After the inaugural meeting, all those who had come, partook in the Agape, a meal of love arranged by the community.
The first General Body Meeting of the Parish was held in the presence of the Apostolic Exarch. He reminded the community of the two main responsibilities of the Church; reunion and evangelization. He conveyed the decision to conduct regular Sunday Holy Qurbono and other important liturgical celebrations in Goa and the possibility of appointing a full-time resident priest for catering to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the community.
The following members were elected to the Parish Committee:
Trustee
Eapachan VA
Secretary
Benny George
Members
Thomaskutty Daniel
Wilson Varghese
Kunjumon Mathew
Tinky George
Jose EV
Benny K George
Laly Mathew
Jose K
Jose Daniel
The Apostolic Exarch appointed the following persons as in-charge of various Pious Associations:
Teacher-in-Charge of Sunday School : Mrs. Mary Eapachan
Leader of MCA : Mr. Benny George
Leader of Mathrusangham : Mrs. Laly Jose
Leader of MCYM : Ms. Jeena Jose
The General Body Meeting concluded with prayer and Blessing from the Apostolic Exarch.
Earlier in the day, the Apostolic Exarch presented the official vestments of the Altar Servers to five members of the community; Eapachan VA, Benny George, Subhash Varghese, Prince Joy and Shibin Benny. MCYM members from Pune District deserves a special mention for their active participation in the inaugural day.