Young Catholic Families to Receive Pastoral Care from New Ministry in Syro-Malankara Church

Thiruvananthapuram: A new pastoral ministry has been launched in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church to support young families. The goal of the Young Family Pastoral Ministry is to provide spiritual, psychological, and social support to couples entering married life for the first ten years.

The ministry was officially inaugurated by His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the head and father of the Syro-Malankara Church, on May 20, 2023, at a conference held at the Catholicate Center, the church’s headquarters.

“Family life is facing many challenges,” Cardinal Cleemis said. “The family is a special calling from God, and to overcome the challenges of our time, we must rely more on God.”

On the occasion, Cardinal Cleemis also launched the logo and e-magazine of the Young Family Pastoral Ministry.

The conference was chaired by Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Yusebios Metropolitan, the chairman of the Young Family Pastoral Ministry. Rev. Fr. Thomas Madukkammoottil, the secretary of the ministry, animator C. Mary Dominic, president of the Malankara Catholic Youth Movement Angel Mary, and Dr. Salomi also spoke at the conference.

Three new corepiscopos ordained for Syro-Malankara Church

Three new corepiscopos were ordained for the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church on April 25, 2023, at the Pattom Cathedral in Thiruvananthapuram. The ordination was led by His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the head and father of the Syro-Malankara Church.

The newly ordained coepiscopos are:

  • Right Rev. Monsignor Dr. Johnson Kaimalayil
  • Rev. Dr. Varkey Attupurath
  • Very Rev. Fr. John Karavila

The ordination ceremony was attended by a large gathering of clergy, religious, and lay people from all over the Syro-Malankara Church.

In his homily, Cardinal Cleemis urged the newly ordained auxiliary bishops to be faithful to their calling and to serve the church with humility and love. He also called on them to be compassionate and to reach out to the poor and marginalized.

The auxiliary bishops will now be assigned to various dioceses in the Syro-Malankara Church to help the bishops in their pastoral ministry.

Abu Dhabi Triumphs in Sixth Sargothsavam Talent Competition

The stage was ablaze with talent as over 460 Syro-Malankara children from across the UAE showcased their skills in the 6th edition of Sargothsavam, the grand talent competition held at St. Francis Catholic Church, Jebal Ali, on April 21st, 2023. From mesmerizing melodies to energetic dance routines, the event saw young performers take center stage in 30 enthralling competitions. After a day of fierce yet friendly competition, Abu Dhabi emerged victorious, cheered on by the enthusiastic crowds. Sharjah and Dubai secured the coveted 1st and 2nd runner-up positions, while units from Mussaffah, Fujairah, Jabal Ali, Ras Al Khaimah, and Al Ain also displayed their vibrant talents. Sargothsavam wasn’t just a competition; it was a celebration of community, faith, and the boundless potential of the next generation. The children’s joyful spirit and unwavering dedication to their art form left a lasting impression on everyone present, reaffirming the strong cultural tapestry woven by the Syro-Malankara community in the UAE.

Rev. Fr. Jobin Thomas Advocates Child & Youth Protection at 2023 Leadership Conference

Rev. Fr. Jobin Thomas, our dedicated Eparchial Safe Environment Coordinator, represented our Eparchy at the prestigious 2023 Child & Youth Protection Catholic Leadership Conference (CYPCLC) held in San Diego, California, from April 16 to 19, 2023. This significant event convened leaders, experts, and advocates from across the Catholic Church to address the critical issue of child and youth protection.

Organized annually by the National Catholic Risk Retention Group (NCRRG) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the CYPCLC aims to provide a platform for Catholic leaders to collaborate, share ideas, and learn best practices for creating safe environments for children and youth within the Church.

In his role as our Eparchial Safe Environment Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Jobin Thomas has been instrumental in ensuring the safety and well-being of all young members of our faith community. His unwavering dedication to child protection and commitment to the principles of justice and compassion earned him this esteemed opportunity to represent our Eparchy at the CYPCLC.

Throughout the conference, attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions, workshops, and presentations led by leading experts in the field of child protection. Participants delved into topics such as the development of comprehensive safe environment policies, abuse prevention, survivor healing, and community empowerment to protect the vulnerable.

Rev. Fr. Jobin Thomas’s presence at this conference underscores our Eparchy’s commitment to prioritizing child and youth safety. His participation allowed him to gain invaluable insights and knowledge while enabling him to share our Eparchy’s experiences and successes in safeguarding our children and youth.

As we look forward to Rev. Fr. Jobin Thomas’s continued involvement in the CYPCLC, we anticipate that his learnings will further fortify our Eparchial Safe Environment Program. These opportunities will empower him to implement the latest strategies and best practices, enhancing the already robust safety measures within our Eparchy.

New Vicar General of Pathanamthitta Diocese, Rev. Fr. Varghese Kalayil Vadakethil

Rev. Fr. Varghese Kalayil Vadakethil has been appointed as the new Vicar General of the Pathanamthitta Diocese. On April 12, 2023, Rev. Fr. Varghese took his oath of office in the presence of the respected Samuel Mar Irenios, the Metropolitan of the Pathanamthitta Diocese, and the former diocesan head, the venerable Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom Metropolitan.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Prabheesh George Assumes Office as New MCYM National Director

Rev. Fr. Dr. Prabheesh George was sworn in as the new national director of the Malankara Catholic Youth Movement (MCYM) on April 11, 2023, in the presence of His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the head and father of the Malankara Catholic Church.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Catholicate Centre Chapel in Thiruvananthapuram. The ceremony was attended by His Grace Mathew Mar Polycarpos, chairman of the Youth Commission, and His Grace Samuel Mar Irenaeus, the diocesan bishop of Pathanamthitta.

The previous national director, Rev. Fr. Abraham Meppurath, the national council president, Angel Mary, the diocesan director of the Thiruvananthapuram Major Archiepiscopal Diocese, Rev. Fr. Joseph Thottankalkadayil, the assistant diocesan director of the Parassala Diocese, Rev. Fr. Vimal Vincent, the national general secretary, and the Parassala Diocese president, Sharath Lal, were also present.

In his homily, Cardinal Cleemis urged Rev. Fr. George to be a faithful shepherd to the youth of the church. He also called on him to be a servant leader and to work for the unity of the church.

Rev. Fr. George is a graduate of the Pontifical Seminary of Kottayam and holds a doctorate in canon law from the Catholic University of America. He is also a member of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council.

His appointment as national director is a significant event for the MCYM. It is a recognition of his leadership and his contributions to the church.

New National Director for MCYM

Rev. Fr. Dr. Prabeesh George was sworn in as the new national director of the Malankara Catholic Youth Movement (MCYM) in the presence of His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the head and father of the Malankara Catholic Church, at the Catholicate Center Chapel in Thiruvananthapuram on April 11, 2023.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the MCYM Youth Commission, His Grace Mathews Mar Polycarpos, and the Metropolitan of the Pathanamthitta Diocese, His Grace Samuel Mar Irenaeus.

The former national director, Rev. Fr. Abraham Meppurathu, the national council president, Angel Mary, the director of the Thiruvananthapuram Major Archiepiscopal Area, Rev. Fr. Joseph Thottathilkadayil, the assistant director of the Parassala Diocese, Rev. Fr. Vimal Vincent, the national general secretary, Subin Thomas, and the Parassala Diocese president, Sharath Lal, were also present.

In his address, Fr. Prabeesh George said that he was committed to working with the youth of the Malankara Catholic Church to build a better future for the church and society. He also expressed his gratitude to His Beatitude for the opportunity to serve the MCYM.

Fr. Prabeesh George is a priest of the Pathanamthitta Diocese. He holds a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. He is currently serving as the assistant director of the Parassala Diocese.

Pathanamthitta Diocese Welcomes Four New Corepiscopa and the Promotion of Fr. Jose Chamakkalayil to Ramban

In a momentous event, the Pathanamthitta diocese witnessed the consecration of four distinguished priests as corepiscopas. This remarkable announcement, alongside the elevation of an existing corepiscopa, Fr. Jose Chamakkalayil, to the revered position of Ramban, was made by the esteemed Bishop Samuel Mar Irenios. The momentous occasion unfolded during a gathering of dedicated priests at Perunad on a significant Tuesday.

Meet the newly consecrated corepiscopas, who will undoubtedly play a vital role in the spiritual life of the diocese:

  • Fr. Augustine Pulimuttathu
  • Fr. Joseph Kurumbilethu
  • Fr. John Thudiyath
  • Fr. Sebastian Ambasseril

This noteworthy event not only marks a significant milestone in the spiritual journey of these four priests but also brings fresh perspectives and energies to the Pathanamthitta diocese. It is a testament to the growth and progress of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and we look forward to the guidance and leadership these priests will provide.

Source: Malankara Catholic TV

Training For The Third Batch of Eucharistic Ministers held

The training of the third batch of Eucharistic Ministers of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church was held on 14th March 2023 at the Catholicate Centre. Pathanamthitta Diocese Bishop Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios gave the introductory speech at the training program. 134 sisters from various congregations attended the program. The Synodal Secretary of the Liturgical Commission, Fr. Dr. Isaac Parrapalli took the lead. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos delivered the benediction sermon and gave a certificate, vestment and prayer cards to the sisters appointed to the ministry. Bava Thirumeni personally blessed each one and appointed them to this ministry.

Source: Malankara Catholic TV

Two New Corepiscopas and Two New Rambans in the Trivandrum Major Archdiocese

His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, raised Rev. Fr. Dr. Varkey Attuppuram and Rev. Fr. John Caravilla to Corepiscopa positions, while at the same time, raised Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Nediyath and Rev. Fr. Philip Dayanand to Ramban positions in the Major Arch Diocese of Thiruvananthapuram. Prayerful wishes to the new appointees.