As the new Vicar General of Muvattupuzha Diocese, Very. Rev. Fr. Thomas Njarakat was appointed by Muvattupuzha Diocese Bishop Abhiwandya Yohanon Mar Theodosius Metropolitan on 05-03-2023. From December 26, 1990, Reverend Achan served as the Chancellor, Procurator and Northern Region Episcopal Vicar of Muvattupuzha Bhadrasanam. Achan is a member of St. Peter & St. Paul’s Parish, Ernakulam, and this new appointment also makes him the Vicar of St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Parish.
The 27th Holy Synod of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church Concludes
The 27th Holy Synod of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church began on February 27, 2023 and concluded on March 3, 2023. Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos presided over the meeting, which was attended by Archbishop Thomas Mar Coorilos, Secretary of the Synods, Bishops Joshua Mar Ignatius, Joseph Mar Thomas, Vincent Mar Paulose, Samuel Mar Irenios, Philipos Mar Stephanos, Thomas Mar Antonios, Thomas Mar Antonios and Others.
Eparchy of Mavelikkara Bible Convention
The 12th Mavelikkara Eparchy Bible Convention commenced at St. Mary’s Cathedral Church, Punnamoodu, Mavelikkara. Archbishop Joshua Mar Ignatius metropolitan inaugurated the event. Superior Rev. Of Athirumpuzha Caris Bhavan. Fr. Kurian Karikal started meditation under the leadership of MSFS. The convention will be held from February 22 to 24 from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Forty-three consecrated at Suvishesha Sangham Event in Tiruvalla
The commissioning service for 43 members of the evangelistic team Suvishesha Sangam, who completed their training in the third batch of the Thiruvalla Archdiocese, was held on February 14, 2023, at the St. John’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Thiruvalla. The service was officiated by the venerable Thomas Mar Koorilos, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Thiruvalla Archdiocese. The evangelistic team Chairman, the venerable Antony Mar Silvanos Episcopa, and the evangelistic team’s diocesan level Executive Secretary, Rev. Fr. Benedict Moozhikara O.I.C., along with Rev. Sister Mary Prasad D.M, were present. The director of the Thiruvalla Archdiocese evangelistic team, Rev. Fr. Mathew Chirayil, and Secretary Rev. Sister Shoshamma OSS, led the arrangements for the ceremony.
Malankara Catholic Association Global Assembly 2023
The Malankara Catholic Association (MCA) Global Assembly was held at the Shreyas Auditorium in Bathery on February 11-12, 2023. The assembly was inaugurated by His Grace Joseph Mar Thomas Metropolitan, the diocesan bishop of Bathery.
His Grace Dr. Joshua Mar Ignatius Metropolitan, the chairman of the diocesan council, and His Grace Mar Jose Porunnettam Metropolitan, the diocesan bishop of Mananthavady, also addressed the assembly.
The assembly passed resolutions demanding that the government withdraw its moves to undermine the managements, especially minority managements, in the education sector in Kerala. The assembly also demanded that the government restore the powers and rights of the managements, withdraw the unscientific changes made to the syllabus in the name of the new education policy, and end the measures to remove the contributions of Christians to nation-building from textbooks.
The assembly also demanded that the government immediately find a solution to the unscientific determination of the buffer zone, which is aimed at displacing the hill people, and the destruction of crops in the inhabited areas of wild animals, which is a threat to life itself.
Dr. K. M. Francis, the state president of the Kerala Catholic Federation, led a class on innovative perspectives in the education sector, and Dr. Chackokalam Paramba, the spokesperson of the Syro-Malabar Church, led a class on the topic of buffer zone and wild animal attacks. The MCA church council led the preparations for the assembly.
New Vicar General: Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Kayyalackal
His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of Trivandrum appointed Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Kayyalackal as the Vicar General of the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum on 8th February 2023. He took oath of fidelity and took charge of his office on the same day at 4.00 p.m. at St. Basil Chapel, Thirusanndhi, Major Archbishop’s House. His Beatitude gave the official insignia to the new Vicar General. A good number of Priests, Religious and Lay representatives attended the ceremony. Prayerful wishes to Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Kayyalackal!
Episcopal Vicars for the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum
His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos Appointed Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Poovannal as the Episcopal Vicar for Charity initiatives and Very Rev. Fr. Jose Kizhakkedath as the Episcopal Vicar for Missions in the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum
Bishop Stephanos visits St. Philip’s Seminary
On January 30, 2023, The Eparchial Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos and the Chancery Secretary, Rev. Fr. Jobin Thomas visited St. Philip’s Seminary in Toronto.
During the visit, Bishop Stephanos met with the Rector and Dean of the Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Pearson and with Bro. Christopher Thomas. Bro. Christopher is presently enrolled in a two-year Philosophy Program at St. Philip’s Seminary. The Eparchy is grateful to Very Rev. Fr. Paul and St. Philip’s Seminary for the ongoing formation and education that they are providing for Bro. Christopher.
As he strives towards his goal of ordination, let us pray for fortification in his studies, a greater outpouring of the graces of the Holy Spirit, and protection of Our Blessed Mother. Let us also pray also for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
4th Moovatupuzha Bible Convention held
Muvatupuzha Bible Convention was hosted by Muvatupuzha Diocese on 15th, 16th & 17th January 2023. Reverend Daniel Poovannathil Achan led the convention. On the first day of the convention Abhiwandya George celebrated mass from the Syro-Malabar order. On the closing day, Father James Anaparambi celebrated the mass from Latin order. The convention was very blessed.
