Rev. Sr. Grace DM, member of Daughters of Mary Congregation of the St. Joseph Province Marthandam called to eternal rest in a car accident at Valakom, near Kottarakkara on Tuesday 11 October 2011. The accident took place while she was travelling to her hometown, Pala with her younger sister Sr. Marita DM. Sr. Grace died in the spot and Sr. Marita was taken to hospital in a critical condition.The funeral of Sr.Grace took place at DM Provincialate Marthandam.
May her soul rest in peace
The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated the 17th commemoration of Late Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. The celebrations started with the Holy Qurbono. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis was the main celebrant. His Excellency Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom delivered the homily during the Holy Qurbono. Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Most Rev. Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Mar Irenios, Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos and many Rev. Priests concelebrated in the Holy Qurbono. It was followed by the Dhoopaprarthana. The Celebrations concluded with the message and the apostolic blessing by His Beatitude. Religious and faithful participated in the celebration.
The First Major Archiepiscopal Assembly of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church has concluded with the Valedictory address of His Beatitude Baselios Cleemis Cathoilcos. The three day meet was attended by 175 members from all over the globe. The assembly deliberated on the strategies to be adopted in the next 5 years in order to make the Church more efficient in its testimony. The recommendations of the assembly were handed over to the Major Archbishop Catholicos to be considered by the Holy Episcopal Synod starting on the 24th
The main recommendations are:-
1. Spiritual renewal of the members of the Church and rededication to the cause of nation building.
2. The Church will raise Rs 100 Cr in the next five years for social welfare projects.
3. The Church will take a strong stand to root out corruption in our society.
4. The institutions run by the Church will have greater communication of its transparency.
5. The Church will seek out the hungry and homeless in the areas of its presence and rehabilitate them.
6. The growth, happiness and peace attained by the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church following Reunion with the Universal Church will be shared with its sister Churches.
7. The Church, its institutions and families will reduce extravaganza and accept simplicity as hallmark.
8. The Church will interact more with people of various faiths in a spirit of unity to foster communal harmony.
9. The Church will mobilize its resources to get the rights restored to the Dalit, Nadar brethren who are an integral part of its existence.
10. Strong awareness and rehabilitation programmes addressing social evils like alcoholism and drug abuse will be organized.
11. The homes and institutions of the Church will adopt green technologies to protect the fragile environment
The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church celebrated the 81st Re- Union day on 21 September 2011. The celebrations started with the Holy Qurbono. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis was the main celebrant. His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius delivered the homily during the Holy Qurbono. His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Koorilos, Most Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas, Most Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Julios, Most Rev. Dr. Vincent Mar Paulos, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius, Most Rev. Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Anthonios, Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Mar Irenios, Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos and Rev. Priests concelebrated in the Holy Qurbono. It was followed by a public meeting. The Key note address was given by Mrs. Lisy Jacob IAS, the former Chief Secretary of Kerala. The Celebrations concluded with the message and the apostolic blessing by His Beatitude. Many religious and a large crowd of faithful participated in the celebration.
The newly constructed Catholicate Centre was blessed by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos. It is the headquarters of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. During the blessing ceremony all the bishops of our Church were present. During the programme, His Beatitude thanked and congratulated all those who labored for the completion of the work and all benefactors who had given the financial support. Many priests, religious and faithful were present during the function. The Blessing was concluded with agape.
Trivandrum: The First Major Archiepiscopal Assembly of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church will be held from September 21 – 23, at Catholicate Centre, Pattom. 180 representatives from all eparchies, exarchate, extra territorial will participate in the Assembly. The registration and inaugural prayer services will begin at 3.30pm. The inauguration meeting will be held at 6pm. The delegates will discuss on the theme “Suvisheshakayaya Malankara Suriayni Catholica Sabha” (The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church–the Evangeliser). The Holy Episcopal Synod that will be held immediately after the Assembly will make deliberation on the suggestions of the Assembly.
21st Malankara Suvishesha Convention of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Started on Sunday 18 September 2011, at St. Mary’s Cathedral Pattom. The convention began with the evening prayer. His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church inaugurated the convention. Rev Fr. Sebastian Kurishinkal OCD preached the Word of God. After the convention His Beatitude consecrated the new Nithaya Aradhana Chapel and there was Eucharistic Adoration.
Trivandrum: The Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is organizing the 81st Reunion day celebrations at the Catholicate Centre, Pattom, Trivandrum, on 18-21 September, 2011. The Malankara Catholic Convention will be held on the first three days. The main celebrations will be on 21 and the Holy Qurbono will begin at 8.30am at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom. His Beatitude Morn Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos is the main celebrant and all the bishops of our church will concelebrate in the Holy Qurbono. It will be followed by the public meeting and the blessing of the Catholicate Centre. The celebrations will end with agape at noon.
His Beatitude, Moran Mor Baselios Catholicos, pater et caput of the Malankara Catholic Church, who arrived in the International Airport, Kuwait on Monday 5th September 2011, was given a warm welcome by His Excellency Camillo Ballin, Vicar Apostolic of Northern Arabia, Rev. Dr. John Padipurackal, Mr Binu K John, President of the Kuwait Malankara Rite Movement (KMRM), Office Bearers and Celebration Committee of the KMRM, the Kerala Malayalee Catholic Association (KMCA), the Syro-Malabar Cultural Association (SMCA), and the Kuwait Knanaya Catholic Assoication (KKCA) and several Malankara faithful.
The visit of His Beatitude, which was in response to an invitation from His Excellency Camillo Ballin, Vicar Apostolic of Northern Arabia, was a time of blessing for the Malankara Catholic Faithful and other Catholics in Kuwait.
On 7th September His Beatitude made a visit to His Grace Petar Rajic, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, in the Vatican Embassy. His Beatitude had official discussions with the Excellency Camillo Ballin, Vicar Apostolic of Northern Arabia, on 6th and 8th September concerning the pastoral care of the Malankara Catholic Faithful in Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat and other places in the Gulf Region.
A lunch was hosted in honor of His Beatitude in the Bishop’s House on 8th September by His Excellency Camillo Ballin. His Grace Petar Rajic, the Apostolic Nuncio, Very Rev. Fr. Mathew Kunnepurayidom OCD, Vicar General, Kuwait, Msgr. Ionut Paul Strejac, Secretary, Apostolic Nunciature, Kuwait and all the priests serving in Kuwait took part in the Lunch.
During his stay in Kuwait office-bearers of various Catholic Associations such as Kerala Malayalee Catholic Association (KMCA), Syro-Malabar Cultural Association (SMCA), and Kuwait Knanaya Catholic Assoication (KKCA) visited His Beatitude and had discussions with him. The Kuwait forum of AMICOS also had a session with His Beatitude, who is the Patron of Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum.
Among those visited His Beatitude includes prominent persons like Mr. A Ramesh (Country Head, Gulf Mart Group of Super Market), Mr. Ajay Kumar (General Manager, Zenith International) Mr. E. D. Titus (General Manager, Baharain Exchange), Mr. Jose Thomas (Commercial Manager, Bahrain Exchange), Mr. Raghunathan Nair (General Manager, Al Aswar Technology Group) and Mr. Johnarts, Kalabhavan, who presented His Beatitude a caricature of him.
On 6th September there was a media conference at Abbassiya. Representatives of various media such as Malayala Manorama, Madhayamam Daily, Indians in Kuwait, Asianet, Amruta, Jai Hind and Kairali interviewed His Beatitude. Topics of the interview varied from Development issues in Kerala to the recent satyagraha of Anna Hazare.
His Beatitude visited and spent time with the seven Prayer Groups of the Malankara Catholic Community in the various parts of Kuwait from 5th to 7th of September. Prayer sessions were arranged in these Prayer Groups as part of Ettu Nombu. He found time among his busy schedule to visit a few sick persons and pray for them and their families. On 6th September His Beatitude offered Holy Qurbono in St. Daniel Camboni Parish, Abbassiya, one of the five parishes in Kuwait, for the faithful.
On 8th September, Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Mother of God, solemn Holy Qurbono was offered in the Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait City by His Beatitude. His Beatitude and His Excellency Camillo Ballin were received in to the Cathedral by Very Rev. Fr. Mathew Kunnepurayidom OCD, Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Gaspar, Parish Priest of the Cathedral and Rev. Dr. John Padipurackal after the solemn liturgical procession. Five boys were blessed and officially received to the sanctuary for service of the Holy Qurbono. After the Holy Qurobono, His Beatitude presented a memento His Excellency Camillo Ballin as a sign of appreciation for his generous care and concern for the faithful in Kuwait and other places. Nerchpayasam and Snacks were distributed after Holy Qurbono. Nearly 2000 faithful took part in the Holy Qurobono and Madhyastha Prarthana to Mary, Mother of God and received blessings.
The Thiruvonapulari, 9th September 2011, was a very significant day in the history of the Malankara Faithful in Kuwait. The 81st Anniversary of Reunion Day, 17th Anniversary of KMRM and Thiruvonam were celebrated in the Carmel School, Khaitan. The day began with a lively competition of Pookalam arrangement by the various Prayer Groups. Along with the dignitaries – His Grace Petar Rajic, the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Camillo Ballin, Very Rev. Fr. Mathew Kunnepurayidom OCD, Vicar General and Msgr. Ionut Paul Strejac and Office Bearers of the various Catholic Associations –His Beatitude was received with Chendamelam and flowers by the KMRM Office Bearers, KMRM Celebration Committee and the thousands of Faithful. The traditional Pulikali, Thiruvathira, Onappattu and Vallamkali and a Fusion Dance by the children added coulor to the celebration. His Grace Petar Rajic, the Apostolic Nuncio and His Excellency Camillo Ballin delivered the Benedictory Address and Key Note Address respectively. Both expressed their appreciation of the Malankara Community in Kuwait and wished God’s graces for the Reunion Movement and the Malankara Catholic Church. His Beatitude lighted the lamp to mark the inauguration of the meeting and delivered the Inaugural Address. His Beatitude exhorted the faithful of their responsibility to renew the spirit of unity in the context of evangelization. Mr Binu K John, President, KMRM, made the Presidential Address. Mr. Joseph K Daniel welcomed the gathering and Rev. Dr. John Padipurackal made the Introductory Speech and Binoy Varghese (Joint Convener, Celebration Committee) proposed the vote of thanks. Felicitation speeches were made by Rajan Thottathil (Advisory Board Chairman, KMRM), C. A. Joy (General Convener, KMRM Celebration Committee) and K. K. Babu (Vice President, KMRM). Mr Babuji Bathery, versatile Artist and Theatre Director, who was Awarded Pravasi Puraskar by Jeevan TV was honoured with Ponnada during the meeting as sign of the Community’s appreciation for his achievements. Mr Thomas Varghese and Mr Koshy M John, who were leaving shortly to India after their remarkable presence in Kuwait, were given mementos as sign of the Community’s gratitude. His Beatitude was presented a memento and Sneha Santhwana Fund by Mr. Isaac Kadakampally (Treasurer, KMRM) and K.O. John (Convener, Snehasanthwana) respectively.
Onasadya, the traditional lunch of Thiruvonam day, was served on banana leaves for all those who attended the program. In the interview to the various Indian Channels during the Thiruvonam day, His Beatitude explained the relevance of celebrations like Onam. They are but effective and practical means to create sense of unity and fraternity among people
His Beatitude met and addressed the faithful in groups such as Yuvajyothi (MCYM of Kuwait), Liturgy Class Teachers (Catechism), Friends of Mary (Mathruvedi of Kuwait) and the Office bearers and former Office Bearers of KMRM after the celebration. He gave the paternal advise to carry on earnestly the mission of bringing together the faithful of the Church living in the various parts of the country. The full day extravaganza concluded with Ganamela led by Shyju Pallipuram, Neelima and Team.
His Beatitude was given a cordial fare well in the Kuwait International Airport by His Excellency Camillo Ballin, Rev. Dr. John Padipurackal, Office bearers and Celebration Committee Memmbers of KMRM and several Faithful.
Political and Ecclesiastical leaders visited the vandalized Syro-Malankara Catholic church in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, bringing hope to a tiny battered Syro-Malankara community.“We are very happy with the visit of ministers and bishops and the co-operation from state officials,” said Father Felix Thondalil, pastor of the Syro-Malankara Catholics in the southern city. Police had guarded Mother Mary Malankara Catholic Church after unidentified vandals torched its altar on Aug 25. The church serves some 110 families of the Catholic Oriental Church.
Archbishop Thumma Bala of Hyderabad, head of the Catholic Church in Andhra Pradesh who visited the church, expressed anguish at the “bad treatment” given to Christians who “participate in the nation building through education, health and social services.”The prelate promised to resolve the problem through advocacy, dialogue and legal methods.
Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas, Apostolic Visitator for the Syro-Malankara Catholics in India, and state textiles and handlooms minister Shankara Rao were among the visiting group. Bishop Barnabas said that the Syro- Malankara Catholic Church Church was looking forward to resolving the tension amicably. Minister Rao condemned the incident and said the government has asked the police to find the culprits. He also promised the government would pay to renovate the church and get permission to build a proper church in place of the current asbestos-roofed building. Earlier, local MP Sri Anjana Kumar Yadav donated 500,000 rupees ((US$11,400) towards the church renovation.
The parish priest complained that neighbors divert rainwater to the church compound, have closed a public road behind the church, play music at the time of church services and turn loudspeakers towards the church. Fr Felix Thondalil said when he went to negotiate with the neighbor who plays the music, she retorted, “Even if you go to court, we are not afraid, as we are the majority, we are the authority.”
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