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knanayaregion.us
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KNANAYA CATHOLIC MINISTRY (MEN MINISTRY AND WOMEN MINISTRY) Knanaya Catholic Region WHAT IS KNANAYA CATHOLIC MINISTRY? Knanaya Catholic Ministry (KCM) is the official lay association of Knanaya Catholic Missions and Parishes in the Knanaya Catholic Region of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago. It will be the branch of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Congress, the lay association of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago, subject to the approval of SMCC and the bishop of the diocese. In order to give equal opportunity for men and women in the parish and region activities, Knanaya Catholic Ministry will consist of Men Ministry and Women Ministry with various roles and activities. WHY WE NEED KNANAYA CATHOLIC MINISTRY? The second Vatican Council gives importance to the ministry of laity. Lay people have the knowledge, talents, opportunities and resources to serve the church in various capacities. Lay people can contribute much in the building up of and development of the parish (mission). Organized voluntary service and group activities can be a great asset for the parish and the people. We need laity organizations in parishes (missions) recognized by local bishop to represent our community in different levels in the church for our community needs. We need to address church-related community issues and family issues on time. Priests need the support of laity for such activities. FUNCTIONS OF MEN MINISTRY AND WOMEN MINISTRY Both Men Ministry and Women Ministry will be supporting organizations of the parish to facilitate the pastoral activities of the parish. So they have to work in collaboration with the vicar and trustees of the parish or mission. Both the ministries can take up separate or combined activities in the parish. Examples of Men Ministry activities: Celebration of Mother’s Day, Fund raising program for the parish, Barbeque at church premises, Fun activities in the church compound, Exterior decorations for special occasions, Defend the Knanaya and Catholic integrity of the parish, carrying statues during church feast procession, serving as volunteers for public functions, and help in various functions and celebrations of the parish or mission. Examples of Women Ministry Activities: Celebration of Father’s Day, Fund raising program for the parish, Food service after Holy Mass, Catering to bishops and priests after special church functions, seminars for women, Interior decorations in the church and hall for special occasions, holding decorative umbrellas for feast procession and receptions to bishops, and help in various functions and celebrations of the parish or mission. Examples for combined activities of Men and Women Ministries: Entertainments for Parish Day, Parish Anniversary, and Main Feast. Pilgrimages, outdoor activities, Christmas Carol, Seminars on topics related to family, social issues, and formation of children. Knanaya Catholic Ministry programs are designed to meet regional and local Knanaya Community needs through organized activities and programs. Every KCM unit focuses and fosters spirit, mind and body of children, teens, youth and families; and makes its community vibrant. They teach Christian values of love, compassion, care, honesty, respect, and responsibility by offering seminars, debates, camping, retreats, family counseling, substance abuse prevention, technology and media abuse prevention, peer pressure prevention, and more. KCM intends to promote traditional values of the Knanaya Catholic Community and also the traditions of the Syro Malabar Church that is the patrimony of the Knanaya Community from the Chaldean Church from where our ancestors came from. KCM shall represent North American Knanaya Community in different hierarchal levels of the Catholic Church for the time to time needs. MISSION STATEMENT Knanaya Catholic Ministry that consists of Men Ministry and Women Ministry of parishes (missions) in the Knanaya Catholic Region will be a supporting service wing of the parish (mission) committed to organize programs that benefit the functions and development of the parish (mission) and that are beneficial to the members of the ministry and all others. GOALS Establish Men and Women Ministries in all missions and parishes of the Knananya Catholic Region. Train and empower these ministries to function for the good of the parish (mission) and for the members of the parish with special focus on family life. To function as support group for the vicar (mission director) in his pastoral service. To be witnesses of Christ in the parish and do maximum voluntary service for the parish (mission). To organize seminars on family, community and church related issues. ACTION PLAN Formation of a resource team in the region level to send facilitate the program in the parish (mission) level. The resource team will have teleconference once in a month and whenever necessary to discuss the activities, share the progress, and to make further plans. Seminars shall be conducted in local, zonal, and regional level for leaders or members of the KCM. Family meet can be organized in local, zonal, or regional levels. Retreats can be organized in all the three levels. Representation in parish council for the general coordinator of men ministry and women ministry of the parish. COST PLAN As a general policy the ministry shall function in missions and parishes as self-financing. That means it shall generate money for its own expenses so that the ministry shall not be a financial burden for the parish (mission). If a resource person is invited from the region, it is recommended that the ministry shall meet the air ticket cost. If the ministry in a parish (mission), cannot afford it, the region shall meet the ticket expense to the resource person provided the ticket is reserved with prior permission from the region director. EXPECTED OUTCOME The parish will become active with more lay involvement. The parish priest will get men and women support groups for various pastoral activities. The ministries shall provide programs on issues facing families and children. |
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• Please send feedback to Fr. Abraham Mutholath at mutholath2000@yahoo.comCopyright © 2003
Knanaya Region US
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