BISHOP ANGADIATH OFFICIALLY APPROVED TEN KNANAYA MISSIONS

     Ten Knanaya Catholic Missions in the United States have officially become part of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath sent his acceptance letter of missions to the mission directors on October 29, 2003. All the directors in the respective missions shall continue their service in the missions.

    In his message to the community read in the missions, Bishop Angadiath says, "Our Holy Father Pope John Paul II has done a great favor to our Syro-Malabar Church through the establishment of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago and the appointment of me as its first bishop. This shows the concern of the Catholic Church for the pastoral care of our particular church and community. Through the formation of our new diocese, the pastoral care of all the Syro-Malabar faithful, including the Knanaya Catholics, living in the USA and Canada, comes under my jurisdiction."

    He continues: "So hereby I am glad to recognize all the Knanaya Catholic Missions, in accordance with the mind of the Church as missions of this St. Thomas Diocese of Chicago. Through our common efforts, we need to grow from Mission to parish. The procedure rules of our diocese are to be implemented in every Mission."

    Bishop Angadiath has stated that each mission "will consist of all the Knanaya Catholics" living in the assigned boundary of the mission. Bishop has requested the priests to care for the faithful entrusted to them with diligence and dedication. He continues: "My dear brothers and sisters of the Knanaya Mission, please give generous support to our priests through your love and cooperation. Without your help, the priests cannot function well for the spiritual growth of our community."

    "I do appreciate the good will and concern of His Excellency Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry, the bishop of Kottayam and His Excellency Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, the co-adjutor bishop of Kottayam for the unity of our people and growth of our Syro-Malabar Church in this new world."

    "We are the chosen people of God, united with the bishop, we become a church. Let us remember the words of St. Paul: 'all belong to you and you to Christ and Christ to God.' (1 Cor 3:22-23)."

            The following are the missions officially approved for Knanaya Catholics:

1.       Brooklyn Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of Knanaya Catholics in Rockville Center and Brooklyn Diocese in New York. Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil was the director. When he left to India, Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Thomas Animmoottil as the director of this mission from January 15, 2005.

2.       Chicago Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of Knanaya Catholics living in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Fr. Philip Thodukayil was the mission director. When he left to India, Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Abraham Mutholath as the director of this mission from July 1, 2004. The mission bought St. James Church in Maywood from the Archdiocese of Chicago on September 22, 2006. Fr. Abraham Mutholath, mission director offered the first mass of the mission in the new church on Friday, September 1, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. He, along with the parish council members inaugurated the new church on Sunday, September 3, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath elevated the mission as a Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Parish on Sunday, September 24th at 10:00 A.M. and appointed Fr. Abraham Mutholath as its first pastor (vicar).

3.      Dallas Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of Knanaya Catholics in Dallas Fort worth & northern part of Texas. Fr. Joseph Manappuram is the director.

4.     Houston Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of Knanaya Catholics in Galveston-Houston Diocese and Southern part of Texas. Fr. Joseph Manappuram is the director.

5.  Los Angeles Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of Knanaya Catholics in Southern California. Fr. Thomas Mulaanal is the director.

6.    Newark-New Jersey Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of state of New Jersey and Staten Island. Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil was the director. When he left to India, Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Thomas Animmoottil as the director of this mission from January 15, 2005.

7.       Philadelphia Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of Knanaya Catholics living in the state of Pennsylvania. Fr. Thomas Vattothuparambil is the director.

8.       Rockland Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of Knanaya Catholics in Rockland County, Upstate New York, and Connecticut. Fr. Abraham Kalarickal is the director.

9.       San Jose Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of Knanaya Catholics in Northern California. Fr. Dominic Madathilkalathil is the director.

10. Westchester and Bronx Knanaya Syro-Malabar Mission comprising of Knanaya Catholics in Westchester County and Bronx County. Fr. Abraham Kalarickal is the director.

At the request of Bishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry, the American Latin diocese had established most of these missions. With the establishment of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese in March 13, 2001, the Knanaya community has come under the pastoral jurisdiction of this diocese. Now all these missions have officially become part of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago.

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Last modified: 02/08/10