|
|
|
|
Religious Education Program A mile stone in the history of Knanaya Catholics of Chicago Over 25 years of its existence, the Knanaya Catholic Mission of Chicago, under the leadership of great priests has been a major factor in the overall growth of the Knanaya Catholic Community of Chicago land. The immense growth and the accomplishments of our Mission during the last three years deserve special mention. Elevation of the Knanaya Catholic Mission to the Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Parish and the acquisition of the Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church are the major achievements of this period. Our people have grown spiritually to a greater extent, and many are making remarkable contribution to the development of their parish. Thanks to Rev. Fr. Abraham Mutholath for his efficient leadership and for his determined effort with which we have accomplished so much. It is through the expansion of our Religious Education program that our people began to realize the need for a church of our own, and this change of attitude was the major key to all our success and accomplishments. History and Background Although the Knanaya Catholic Mission of Chicago has existed for more than 25 years, it was only in the year 2000 it was able to start its own Religious Education Program. In the year 2000 Rev. Fr. Philip Thodukayil, the then Director of the Mission, opened a Religious Education School of our own. It indeed was a major accomplishment. Also it marked a major turning point in the history of the Knanaya Catholic Mission of Chicago. The classes were officially begun in September of that year at the Knanaya Catholic Community Center. The classes were taught by a group of high school and college going youth from our community on Sundays following the Holy Mass at 10 A.M. The school year ended in May with a common celebration of the Fist Communion, a tradition set forth by Fr. Simon Edathiparambil a decade ago. This system continued in the following years, and it was beneficial to many families who had easy access to the community center. Expansion and Restructuring In July 2004, when Fr. Abraham Mutholath became the Director of the Knanaya Catholic Mission, he proposed the idea of expanding and reorganizing our Religious Education Program so that it would be beneficial to all Knanaya Catholic children in Chicago and suburbs. In consultation with the Trustees of the Mission, Fr. Mutholath decided to operate our Religious Education Program at two locations: on Sundays at I.H.M. School in Chicago at 4:00 P.M. followed by Holy Mass at I.H.M. Church, and on Saturdays at 3.45 P.M. at St. Mary’s Church, North Lake followed by Holy Mass. The school year extended from the second weekend of September 2004 to the third weekend of May 2005. In that school year, 130 children attended I.H.M. School and 75 children attended North Lake School. Religious Education Faculty at the Marthoma Sleeha Syro-Malabar Parish helped us in training our Religious Education Teachers. In September 2005, the Schools were relocated to OLV School in Chicago and St. Joseph’s School in Addison, with the same class schedule from the previous school year. In 2005-‘06 school year, there was a considerable increase in the number of registrations. In that School year, 200 children attended OLV School and 120 children attended St. Joseph’s School. The 2005-‘06 school year ended on the third weekend of May 2006. In September 2006, after the acquisition of the Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church in Maywood, it became our parish church and the center for the Religious Education Program. Considering the convenience of many families from north suburbs, the parish decided to continue the Religious Education School at OLV church. The schools were named Sacred Heart School and St. Mary’s School respectively. In school year 2006-'07, 230 children attended Sacred Heart School and 130 children attended St. Mary’s School. The school year extended from the second Sunday of September 2006 to the second Sunday of May 2007. At St. Mary’s School, the class schedule remained the same as the previous year. At Sacred Heart School, the classes were held on Sunday mornings immediately after the Holy Mass at 10am. In school year 2007-'08, 305 students attended Sacred Heart School and 130 students attended St. Mary’s School. The school year extended from the 2nd week of September 2007 to the 2nd week of May 2008. The students at the Parish School had the opportunity to attend the English Mass in Syro-Malabar rite after their religious education class during this school year. Curriculum The curriculum for our Religious Education Program is designed in such a way that it is not only focused on the faith formation of our children but also it gives them an insight into the traditions and values of our community. It is required that the children attend Holy Mass before or after their classes. In addition to the regular class room activities, children participate in monthly spiritual programs organized by the various ministries. For convenience they are divided into children, teen and youth ministries based on their age. Once or twice a year the children along with their young teachers will be given classes based on the history and traditions of the Knanaya Community. Religious Education Festival The high light of the school year is the Religious Education Festival, which is a 3-4 hour performance including dances and skits with themes based on the Bible and the Knanaya Culture by the children and the young teachers. It is part of the school’s curriculum. Knanaya Kudiyetta Ballet, a dance performance based on the historical origin and formation of the Knanaya community caught the attention of many, a theme proposed by Fr. Mutholath. The songs for the ballet were taken from the album Knanaya Kudiyetta Ganangal, written and composed by Rev. Fr. Martin Varikkanickal and produced by the Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Parish of Chicago. These songs give great insight into the evangelical origin and formation of the Knanaya Community and their contribution to Christianity in India, a truth often ignored by many. Thanks to Mrs. Mary Thomas Alumkal for assisting Fr. Martin with the production of the album and directing the Ballet. Faculty The faculty consists of Directors and Assistant Directors, Secretaries, and Coordinators of children, teen and youth ministries and the Catechists, functioning under Fr. Abraham Mutholath, the Vicar. These are a group of very dedicated individuals who with their valuable service brought us success. Another highlight of our Religious Education Program is that 95% of the Catechists are high school and college going youth from our community. Not only the children love them but also they feel at home in their presence. It is great to see them participating in various activities of the parish in addition to teaching, and staying in the mainstream of the community. Over the years we have been fortunate to obtain the valuable service of Tony Pullappallil, Tomy Kunnasseril and Saji Poothrukkayil as Directors, Brenda Edukkutharayil, Tissy Njaravelil, Josmy Edukkutharyil, Maneesh Kaimoolayil, and Bino Machanickal as Asst. Directors, and Femia Puthenpurayil, Tesa Thannikkari, Ann Kulangara, Veena Kaniayali, Gipty Chakkalathottiyil, Abeena Karickal, Merril Idiyalil, and Neethu Kuruppanparmabil as Secretaries. These individuals, along with the coordinators of various ministries and the catechists, work as a great team under our Vicar Fr. Abraham Mutholath, rendering a remarkable service to our Parish and to our Community. I thank the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus for being a part of this great team, and I am grateful to Fr. Mutholath for giving me that opportunity. May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Bless our Parish and our Community. Johny Thekkeparmbil Coordinator |
|
Send mail to
mutholath2000@yahoo.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
