Rockville Centre, NY – On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and Bishop Mar Eusebius of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Apostolic Exarchate paid a visit to His Excellency Most Rev. William Murphy of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. His Beatitude and Bishop Eusebius joined Bishop Murphy and his auxiliary bishops for dinner. Also present on the occasion were: Auxiliary Bishops Most Rev. John Dunne, Most Rev. Nelson Perez, and Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan, and retired auxiliary bishops Most Rev. Emil Wcela and Most Rev. Paul Walsh. The Diocese of Rockville Centre has been and continues to be among the strongest supporters of the Exarchate and a strong bond of charity and friendship exists between the Bishops as witnessed through this fraternal gathering.
His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis visits His Eminence Cardinal Dolan
New York – On Monday, May 13, 2013, His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and Bishop Mar Eusebius of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Apostolic Exarchate paid a visit to His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York and President of the USCCB. His Beatitude and His Excellency met with Cardinal Dolan and other bishops of the New York Archdiocese, including Archbishop Emeritus Edward Cardinal Egan. Also present on the occasion was His Excellency Gregory Mansour, Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Saint Maron in Brooklyn. The New York Archdiocese has been a great supporter of Malankara Catholics, especially of the Exarchate.
Exarchate of USA Official Reception to His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos
The Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in USA accorded a very warm and cordial official welcome to the Head and Father of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos as he made his first visit to the Exarchate after becoming a Cardinal of the Universal Church. At 2.00 pm. on Sunday, May 12, 2013, around 700 Malankara Catholic Faithful, priests and religious received the new Cardinal and His Excellency Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius to the Pro-Cathedral of the Exarchate in Elmont. Then the Cardinal, along with Bishop Eusebius and many priests celebrated a thanksgiving Holy Mass. The Holy Mass was followed by a short felicitation meeting. Msgr. Peter Kochery, the Vicar General of the Exarchate welcomed the gathering. Then, His Excellency Mar Eusebius and Mr. Philip John, secretary of the Exarchate Pastoral Council spoke felicitating the new Cardinal. Some of the distinguished guests came forward and conveyed their greetings to His Beatitude. The English translation of the book on Kilileth Chackochan, translated by his great grand daughter, Ms. Jilu Jacob was released by His Beatitude and was given to His Excellency Mar Eusebius. This was followed by the sharing by His Beatitude. Mrs. Jeny Sunil compered the program. The meeting was followed by agape.
The Exarchate of USA to Formally Welcome His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos
New Hyde Park, NY – The Syro-Malankara Catholic Apostolic Exarchate in the USA will formally welcome His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, this weekend in New York. This will mark His Beatitude’s first visit to the Exarchate after his elevation to the College of Cardinals last November.
The Exarchate will formally receive His Beatitude on two occasions. On Friday, May 10, 2013, a special dinner hosted by the Exarchate will be held in honor of the Cardinal at St. Vincent DePaul Church in Elmont, NY . Members of the Exarchial Pastoral Council and other Exarchial Councils along with bishops of the Indian Christian Churches and other dignitaries will come together to share fellowship with His Beatitude The Cardinal. And, on Sunday, May 12, 2013, His Beatitude will celebrate a Solemn Pontifical Holy Qurbono at the St. John Chrysostom Pro-Cathedral at 2:00 PM together with Bishop Mar Eusebius, the priests, religious, and faithful of the Exarchate. A short felicitation meeting will follow the Holy Qurbono.
His Beatitude was created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI on November 24, 2012, and was named Cardinal-Priest of San Gregorio VII. After his visit to New York, His Beatitude will take travel to Rome to take possession of his titular church.
On the occasion of His Beatitude’s first visit since being created cardinal, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Apostolic Exarchate in the United States formally extends greetings and cordial best wishes to the Head and Father of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos. All the Malankara Catholic faithful are encouraged to participate in Holy Qurbono to be celebrated on Sunday, May 12.
CONTACT: Msgr. Peter Kochery, Protosyncellus
(p) 732-446-6311
(c) 732-245-1840
Diamond Jubilee of Priestly Ordination and Silver Jubilee of Episcopal Ordination of His Excellency Geevarghese Mar Timotheos
The Diamond Jubilee of the Priestly Ordination and Silver Jubilee of the Episcopal Ordination of His Excellency Geevarghese Mar Timotheos who served as the fifth Bishop of the Archieparchy of Tiruvalla for one and a half decades, was celebrated under the auspices of Tiruvalla Archieparchy at St. John’s Cathedral on 2 May 2013.
Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church was the main celebrant of the Thanksgiving Holy Qurbono at 8.30 a.m. All the other Bishops of our Church and Priests concelebrated the Holy Qurbono. Most Rev. Mar Andrews Thazhath, President of the KCBC and Archbishop of Trichur preached the homily.
The Holy Qurbono was followed by a public meeting. It started with a prayer song. Very Rev. Fr. Jose Mariadas OIC (Superior General of Order of the Imitation of Christ) presented the profile of the Jubilarian. His Grace Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos (Metroplitan Archbishop of Tiruvalla) made the Welcome Speech. Sri G. Karthikeyan (Speaker, Kerala Legislative Assembly) inaugurated the public meeting which was presided over by Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos. The Key-note Address was given by Most Rev. Philipos Mar Chrysostom ( Marthoma Metropolitan), and Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Athipozhiyil (Bishop of Alapuzha). Jubilarian was felicitated by Sri. P. T. Shaji (President, MCA) and Mother Giovani SIC (Mother Provincial). Then the Jubilarian delivered the Reply Speech. His Excellency Most Rev. Philipos Mar Stephanos expressed a few words of gratitude to all. An agape was arranged for all the participants.
Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI returned to Vatican
Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI returned to Vatican on May 2, to take up residence in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery building. The former Pope, who has been staying at Castel Gandolfo after his resignation on February 28 returned to Vatican by helicopter. He was met at heliport in Vatican Gardens by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State; Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the dean of the College of Cardinals; and Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, the president of the Vatican city-state governorate. Pope Francis then greeted his successor at the door of the Mater Ecclesiae building.
Benedict XVI will be living in a building that has housed several communities of cloistered religious. It has been renovated to accommodate the former Pontiff. His new quarters include a library—with all his books, arranged exactly as they were in his personal library before his election to the papacy—and a piano. The residence includes a guest room that will be available for visits by Benedict’s older brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger.
Gathering of Priests and Religious of the Catholic Church
A combined one day gathering of the diocesan Priests of the Archieparchy of Thiruvananthapuram, Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram zone of Changanacherry Archdiocese, Religious Priests of Bethany, Jesuits, Carmelites, OFM, CMI, Vincentian, MCBS, and nuns of all Congregations from Thiruvananthapuram and neighbouring places was held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom on 30 April 2013. This gathering was in continuation of the “Ananthapuri Catholic Bible Convention” in connection with the observation of the Year of Faith. This is the first time that this kind of a gathering including the diocesan priests, religious priests and religious sisters is arranged.
The meeting began with a prayer followed by the welcome speech of Msgr. Eugine Perera. An introductory address was given by Rev. Fr. Santhen Charuvil. Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis (Major Archbishop Catholicos, Syro-Malankara Catholic Church) inaugurated the function. His Grace Soosa Pakaiam (Archbishop, Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum), gave the benedictory address. A Key-note address was given by Mar Raphael Thattil (Auxiliary Bishop, Trichur). Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios (Auxiliary Bishop, Archieparchy of Thiruvananthapuram) and Msgr. John V. Thadathil (Vicar General, Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum) made the felicitation speeches. Rev Fr. Sony Mundunadakkal expressed a few words of gratitude to all.
The gathering was concluded at noon with the Adoration of the Holy Eucharist and the sharing session of the participants. More than thousand priests and nuns participated in the gathering. An agape was arranged for all the participants.
Blessing of Central Cross for the New Houston Parish Church
Houston — On Sunday, April 21, 2013, His Excellency Bishop Mar Eusebius celebrated the Holy Qurbono at St. Peter’s Malankara Catholic Parish in Houston. After the Holy Qurbono, His Excellency blessed the central cross of the new church building which is under construction. On this occasion, His Excellency also met with the parish committee and the church construction committee to discuss the progress of the building project.
Detroit Parish Establishment
DETROIT – On Sunday, April 07, 2013, His Excellency Bishop Mar Eusbius raised the St. Joseph Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission of Detroit to the status of a canonical parish in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in the USA.
Inaugurated in 2000, St. Joseph’s Parish is the newest parish of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Apostolic Exarchate in the USA. The pastor of the newly-established parish is Rev. Fr. Saji G. Mukkoot. His Excellency read out the Decree of Establishment after the Gospel Reading and handed it over to the Pastor Fr. Saji, Dr. Cherian Idicheria (Secretary), and Mr. Jose T. Abraham (Treasurer).
In his remarks, His Excellency recalled with gratitude the leadership given by the former priests and the lay leaders of this small community. The parish community, along with the women religious of the Daughters of Mary convent and Br. Jerry Mathew, joined His Excellency and Father Saji on this auspicious occasion.
Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mannikkarottu Corepiscopo and Rev. Dr. Mathew Manakarakavil are appointed Vicar Generals
His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the Father and Head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and the Major Archbishop of the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum appointed Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mannikkarottu Cor-episcopo and Rev. Dr. Mathew Manakarakavil as the Vicar Generals of the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum on 25 March 2013.
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Geevarghese Mannikkarottu, until now the Episcopal Vicar of the Archdiocese and Rev. Dr. Msgr. Mathew Manakarakavil, until now the Proto-presbyter of the Ecclesiastical District of Kazhakkoottam and the former Principal of the Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum took oath before the Major Archbishop-Catholicos.
During the function at Major Archbishops House, Pattom the new office bearers of the Curia also took oath. Very Rev. Fr. John Vilayil and Very Rev. Fr. Bosco Chalarackal took charge as the Finance Officer and Assistant Finance Officer respectively. Rev. Fr. Joshua Kochuvilayil is appointed as the Office Secretary of the Major Archbishop-Catholicos and the House Minister of the Major Archbishops House. Rev. Fr. Anoop Thomson is the newly appointed Personal Secretary of the Major Archbishop-Catholicos.
The simple and solemn function was witnessed by many Rev. Fathers and Religious along with His Excellency Samuel Mar Irenios, the Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum.
