Syro-Malabar Mission of Boston

The Syro-Malabar Mission of Boston is under the jurisdiction of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago [St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago] . The Syro-Malabar Mission of Boston is located at the Fernald School Chapel, 10 Chapel Road, Waltham, MA 02452. On June 12, 2004 Rev.Fr.Varghese Pereppadan was appointed as the first Director of the mission by Mar Jacob Angadiath. The new mission was officially inaugurated on June 12, 2004 by His Excellency Mar Jacob Angadiath,bishop of St. Thomas Syro Malabar diocese of Chicago. On March 22, 2006.Rev. Fr. Kuriakose Vadana was appointed by Mar Jacob Angadiath as the mission director.

History

Before becoming the Saint Thomas Syro-Malabar Community in Boston, the community gathered for their cultural mass and liturgical activities in Malayalam. Formerly known as the Kerala Catholics of New England [ [http://malayalamchurchboston.com/default.aspx Syro-Malabar Mission of Boston ] ] .The official inauguration of the mission was conducted on June 12, 2004 by His Excellency Mar Jacob Angadiath bishop of St. Thomas Syro Malabar diocese of Chicago at the presence of a large gathering of members under the guidance of Rev.Fr. Varghese Perappadan. Fr.Varghese Pereppadan was the first appointed director of the mission. Rev. Fr's. Joseph Karamullil, Mathew Thengumpallil, Jose Kandathikudy, Tom Chillikkulam, Varghese Pereppadan, Paul Pudusserry and other priests used to celebrate Sunday Mass and other liturgical activities.

ANNUAL REPORT (2004-2005)

By: Michael Mathews (Secretary)

The past year was a turning point in the history of the Syro Malabar Catholics in the Boston area of New England. Though the mission was started as a prayer group in the early 90’s, we never resolved to become an official organization until His Excellency Mar Jacob Angadiath, Bishop of St. Thomas Syro Malabar diocese of Chicago, conducted the official inauguration on June 12, 2004 in the presence of a large gathering of members under the guidance of Rev. Father Varghese Pereppadan.

In April 2004 the general body decided the name of the parish as The “St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Church of Boston”. During the same meeting the general body elected the new parish committee. We unanimously re-elected Mr. Jose Puthanpurackal as President, Rajesh Mathew as Secretary, and Paul V Paul as Treasurer of the parish. The other committee members included Shanty Mathew, Smitha Paul, Alice Kuttichery, Mary Thomas, Elsie Vidhayathil and Varghese Yohannan . It was decided that the new committee would take charge on the St.Thomas day of 2004. During the past year the committee, under the leadership of President Mr. Jose Puthanpurackal, did a tremendous job of navigating the parish through its infancy.

We continued to celebrate mass every Saturday. To give spiritual direction to our younger generation we started CCD for the pre-school and kindergarten children under the leadership of Kunjumol Joseph. Participation of youth is very vital to the success of any organization and we introduced youth ministry under the leadership of Lisa Jose. Lisa and team conducted many youth programs including youth retreat by the Jesus Youth group and they participated in the major youth convention held at New Jersey on December 26- December 28, 2005. In January 2005 we introduced a prayer group for the parish under the leadership of Mrs. Philo Varghese. The prayer group meets on every first Saturday of the month for one hour before the start of the Holy mass.

During the last year we had gone through many crisis. In July 2004, Fr. Varghese Pereppadan had to step down as director of the parish. As we struggled to find a new priest we received the support from Fr.Tom Chillikkulam in celebrating our weekly mass and we are indebted to him for his timely support. In the mean time God send us another shepherd to guide us. On September 18, 2004 Fr. Paul Pudussery, took over as the new director of the parish. Under the new leadership of Fr. Paul and the great coordinator Mr. Puthanpurackal, the parish took on a renewed life of its own and continues to prosper.

On December 18, 2004 Fr. Paul lead the day of recollection. Same day the general body elected Mr. Michael Mathews as the new secretary to replace Mr. Rajesh Mathew as he resigned for personal reasons. We celebrated Christmas and New Year masses. On January 15, the general body approved the constitution of the parish. On January 31, 2005 we officially registered St.Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Church of Boston (A.K.A SMCB ) as a non-profit organization under the laws of the state of Massachusetts.

In the month of February Fr.Paul was hospitalized and we extended our sincere thanks to Father JimChichetto, Fr.Kevin Spicer, Father Emmanuel Kallarackal, and Fr. Thomas Puthiyodom for their invaluable support. On March 12, Fr. Paul returned from surgery with new vigor and led the Way of the Cross before mass during Lent as well as the services during Holy Week, which included the traditional Kalukazhukal. Palm Sunday was a nostalgic and prayerful event celebrated with Palm leaves. Easter vigil was a memorable mass with Easter candles. On April 5 Father Jim led our community in the ecumenical Community Prayer for the victims of the Tsunami. We also elected Mrs. Marry Ellen as our new youth coordinator as Lisa Jose was unavailable due to personal reasons.

The annual retreat for the members of the parish was conducted during the weekend of May 21 - 23, 2005. The retreat, led by Rev. Father Jose Mulangattil, was greatly appreciated by the members of the parish. At that time, the general body decided to establish family units in order to enhance the active participation in the membership of the church. Nine family units were thus created and leaders were nominated at the inauguration. These units will be conducting prayer meetings as often as possible and are responsible for the duties of the church on assigned weekends. On May 28, the parish council decided to celebrate the anniversary and St. Thomas day on June 25 2005 at 3 pm.

The election for the new members to the parish council for the next two years was held on June 11, 2005 after mass. We elected Mr. Paul V. Paul as the new president, Mrs. Kunjumol Joseph as the new secretary and Mr. Biju Jose as the new treasurer. The newly elected parish council shall assume their office at the General Body meeting held on St. Thomas Day.

We gratefully acknowledge all those who contributed for the well being of the community, specially we remember Fr. Tomy Kariyilakulam and Fr.Jos Kandathikkudy. We thank God for all the blessings that is showered upon us and we continue to seek His guidance and blessing through the intercession of St. Thomas, our patron.

Mary our mother pray for us.

History of the Syro-Malabar Church

The Syro-Malabar Church is an Apostolic Church which traces its origin to the preaching of St. Thomas who according to tradition landed in Craganore in 52 A.D. It is believed that he founded Christian communities at Palayur, Craganore,Kokkamangalam,Kottakavu(Parur),Quilon,Niranam and Chayal. It is one of 22 sui juris Oriental Catholic Churches. St. Thomas Christians shared the same liturgical, spiritual and other eccelesiastical traditions of the East Syrian Church. At the same time St. Thomas Christians kept their distinctive character especially in the matter of the administration of the Church and their spiritual practices. In the 16th C. with the arrival of the Portuguese, a new era began in the life of this Church because of the introduction of some of the elements of the Latin Rite. In 1887 the St.Thomas Christians were re-organized under two vicariates, Kottayam and Trichur. In 1896 , with the appointment of Indian Bishops, the administration of the Church was further organized into three vicariates viz. Trichur, Ernakulam and Changanacherry. On Dec.21,1923, the Syro-Malabar Hierarchy was established with Ernakulam as the Metropolitan See and Trichur, Changnacherry and Kottayam(established in 1911 for the Southists) being constituted as suffragan dioceses.

On Dec.16,1992,Pope John Paul II raised the Syro-Malabar Church to the status of a Major Archiepiscopal sui iuris Church with the title of Ernakulam- Angamaly. Mar Antony Padyara, the Archbishop of Ernakulam was appointed the first Major Archbishop. In Dec.1998,Archbishop Varkey Vithaythail was appointed the Major Archbishop after the retirement of Cardinal Antony Padiyara. In February 2001 Archbishop Vithayathil was made a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

At present there are five Archdioceses, ten eparchies within the proper territory of the Major Episcopal Church and twelve outside.

Mass Schedule

"Saturdays"11: 00 a.m. : Holy MassNovena to Mother of Perpetual Help

"Sundays"04:00 p.m. Faith Formation Class for Children (No Classes Between June and September for vacation)05:00 p.m. Holy Mass in Malayalam

During the first Sunday of every month the Mass consists of both English and Malayalam.

"First Fridays"07:00 p.m. Holy Mass in MalayalamHoly Hour (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)

New Members are always welcome

Committee

2007-2009 "Director:"Fr Kuriakose Vadana"President:"01. Jimmy Valliyara (Kaikkaran/Trustee)02. Sino Sebastian Ottalankal (Kaikkaran/Trustee)03. James Kutticherry04. Paul Mecherry05. Paul Varapadavil (Teelar)06. Mathew Thomas Peralakkattuchalil07. Kunjumol Joseph Munthiringattukunnel08. Varghese Yohannan09. Joyce Mundackal10. Liju George (Sony)11. Joboy Manalel12. Suni John Mundackal13. Louis Mechery14. Laly Thomas Paduthuruthy15. Arppana George16. Chackochan Mannancherril

2005-2007 "Director:"Fr Kuriakose Vadana"President:"1.Teelar Paul"Vice President:"2. Joseph Joseph (Raju)"Secretary:"3. Jose Varghese"Treasurer:"4. Biju Jose"Litergy Ministry:"5. James Kuttichery6. Sajith Thomas"Litergy Co-ordinator:"7. Sino Sebastian Ottalankal"CCD Incharge:"8. Jose Sebastian"Youth Leaders:"9. Annie Malanakarottu10. Ranjith Thomas"Youth Advisor:"11. Mary Ellen"Music Ministry:"12. Varghese Yohannan"Usher:"13. Sherly Jose"Agape:"14. Alice Kuttichery

References