March 2021 | Vol. 01 | Issue 08 | a Syro-malabar Major Archiepiscopal curia newsletter

PATRIS CORDE WITH A FATHER’S HEART Editor’s Desk

In the Apostolic Letter entitled Patriscorde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. During the course of this year, special graces and indulgences are granted to our prayers calling on the intercession of Saint Joseph as a way to both celebrate Saint Joseph but also ‘to perpetuate the entrustment of the whole Church to the powerful patronage of the Custodian of Jesus’.

We, in this season of Lent, are meditating on the passion narratives of Jesus Christ which in turn help us reflect on and live through the Covid-19 Pandemic with a sense of trust in the providence of God the Father. "Lent is a time for believing, for welcoming God into our lives and allowing Him to ‘make his dwelling’ among us", the Pope writes in his Lenten message for 2021. “In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who ‘humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross’”.

Let the courage and grace of Sister Ann Rose Nu Twang from Myanmar motivate us in confronting crucial moments in our social as well as personal conflicts with faith and valour in Jesus our Master. Elections are declared and democratic rights are to be ensured to have the right leadership in our states fulfilling the great ideals of the founding fathers of our Nation. We pray for peace and prosperity of our beloved mother land.

FR. ALEX ONAMPALLY SECRETARY, MEDIA COMMISSION INSIDE STORIES

MOUNT VISION MARCH 2021 | VOL.01 | ISSUE 08

A SYRO-MALABAR ’s MAJOR ARCHIEPISCOPAL CURIA NEWSLETTER Episcopal Silver Jubilee Begins 04

CHIEF EDITOR Vibhoothi Thirunal 05 FR. ALEX ONAMPALLY SECRETARY, MEDIA COMMISSION Syro-Malabar Vision Release 06 COPY EDITOR DR. GEORGE MADATHIPARAMBIL Reception for Bishop Varghese Thottamkara, Ethiopia 07 CONSULTORS

MAR SEBASTIAN New Secretary for the Doctrinal Commission VANIYAPURACKAL CURIA BISHOP, MEMBER, MEDIA COMMISSION New Chairman for the Appellate Safe Environment Committee 08

MAR JOSEPH PAMPLANY Reception for the Municipal Chairperson CHAIRMAN, MEDIA COMMISSION Reception for the Ward Member 09 MAR PAULY KANNOOKADAN MEMBER, MEDIA COMMISSION Reception for the New Priests (MST) 10 DR. VINCENT CHERUVATHOOR CHANCELLOR St. Joseph’s Song Release 11

DR. ABRAHAM KAVILPURAYIDATHIL MST General and Team Visit the Curia VICE-CHANCELLOR, PRO 12

FR. SEBY KOLANGARA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNET MISSION Books Releases 13

SYRO-MALABAR MEDIA COMMISSION MOUNT ST. THOMAS, P.B. NO. 3110 CURIA NEWS KAKKANAD P.O., KOCHI - 682 030 Email: [email protected] Reports of the Commissions & Affiliated Offices 14 Phone: +91 9946162280 Website: www.syromalabarmc.in Major Archbishop’s Diary 15 Curia Bishop’s Diary 16 DESIGN & LAYOUT JOSEMON VAZHAYIL Events, Feasts & Birthdays 16 MUMBAI MOUNT VISION | 04 | MARCH 2021

|| MAJOR ARCHBISHOP’S EPISCOPAL JUBILEE BEGINS

The inauguration of celebration of the Silver Jubilee was held with Holy Qurbana celebrated by the Major Archbishop at the Chapel. Curia Bishop Mar Sebastian Vaniapurackal and the priests concelebrated with the Major Archbishop. The sisters and the staff working at the Mount were present for the Holy Qurbana. The Curia Bishop offered the greetings of the Jubilee to the Major Archbishop.

Fr. Alencherry was appointed the Bishop of Thuckalay when he was the Vicar General of the Archeparchy of Changanacherry by Pope John Paul ll in 1997. He was consecrated the Bishop of Thucklay on 2 February 1997 by Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil. The ceremony of installation was done by Mar Varkey Vithayathil. He worked there MAJOR for 14 years, building up the Eparchy from scratch before he was elected the Major Archbishop. He ARCHBISHOP’S was installed on 29 May 2011 as the Major Archbishop. While at Thuckalay, he mastered Tamil language so well that he was able to win over the EPISCOPAL hearts of the faithful by his fluency in Tamil. He was later appointed the Cardinal on 18 February JUBILEE 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. He participated in the Consistory for the election of Pope Francis. He is also working as the President of the KCBC and the begins President of the Inter-Church Council of Kerala. MOUNT VISION | 05 | MARCH 2021

VIBHOOTHI IS A REMINDER OF RECONCILIATION

|| VIBHOOTHI THIRUNAL

“Vibhoothi Thirunal is a reminder of reconciliation and the renewal of a new beginning to Lent”. Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar , the Head and Father of the Syro-Malabar Church, gave the homily while celebrating the Holy Qurbana on 15 February 2021, Ash Monday at Mount St. Thomas, the headquarters of the Syro-Malabar Church. Priests, Sisters and other members of the staff working at the Curia participated in the celebrations. MOUNT VISION | 06 | MARCH 2021

|| SYRO-MALABAR VISION RELEASE Syro-Malabar Vision has been published

the Church officiated at the release of the new newspaper by handing it over to Curia Bishop Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal. The new newspaper is published by the decision of the Bishop’s Synod. Major Archbishop said that the new newspaper serves to bring the Church members into greater unity and to give a timely direction to the pastoral and missionary activities of the Church. The Syro-Malabar Vision, under the auspices of the Church's Media Commission, presents the general activities of the Church, the activities of the Eparchies, Congregations, ‘Syro-Malabar Vision’, the official communities, organizations, institutions and newspaper of the Syro-Malabar Church was movements of the Syro-Malabar Church as released at a function held at Mount St. well as the news of the global Church. The Thomas, the headquarters of the Church on Secretary of the Media Commission 24 February 2021. Major Archbishop informed that this newspaper will be Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Head of available online every month. MOUNT VISION | 07 | MARCH 2021

|| RECEPTION FOR BISHOP VARGHESE THOTTAMKARA

RECEPTION FOR BISHOP VARGHESE THOTTAMKARA, ETHIOPIA

Bishop Varghese Thottamkara C.M., Vicar Apostolic of Nekemte, Ethiopia visited Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry at Mount St. Thomas on 22 February 2021. He hails from Thottuva, . The Major Archbishop and the Curia Bishop heartily welcomed him along with the Curia Members at the Mount. He shared the mission experience in the Nekemte region of Ethiopia. MOUNT VISION | 08 | MARCH 2021

NEW SECRETARY FOR THE DOCTRINAL COMMISSION || NEW SECRETARY FOR THE DOCTRINAL COMMISSION

Rev. Dr. Sebastian Chalackal was appointed the new Secretary to the Syro-Malabar Doctrinal Commission. The appointment was made by the Chairman of the Doctoral Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church, Mar Tony Neelankavil with the approval of the Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry and the Permanent Synod. The objective of the Doctrinal Commission is to study the matters of faith of the Church and to assist the Syro-Malabar Synod through interventions from time to time. The Doctrinal Commission Secretary of the Syro-Malabar Church has been appointed for a period of three years.

New Chairman for the Appellate Safe Environment Committee

|| NEW CHAIRMAN FOR THE APPELLATE SAFE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

The Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry with the consent of the permanent synod, constituted the Appellate Safe Environment Committee in the Syro-Malabar Church with effect from 23 February 2021. He appointed Dr. Thomas Adoppillil the Chairman, Justice Abraham Mathew Kandathil, Rev. Dr. George Thekkekara, Mrs. K.V. Reethamma, Sr. Dr. Sibi CMC, Sr. Biji Jose CMC, Adv. Sr. Saumy SJC, Sr. Dr. Jessiya MSJ as Members and Rev. Dr. Shijo Chiriyankanadath as the Secretary of the Appellate Safe Environment Committee which was promulgated on 23 February 2021. MOUNT VISION | 09 | MARCH 2021 Reception for the Municipal Chairperson

|| RECEPTION FOR THE MUNICIPAL CHAIRPERSON

The Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry received Mrs. Anitha Thankappan, recently elected Chairperson of the Thrikkakkara Municipality on 12 Feb 2021 at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad.

She interacted with Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, Curia Bishop and with the fathers and sisters at the Curia. Mrs. Anitha thanked everyone at the Curia for the reception. She joined for the tea in the evening after the interaction. The PRO, Fr. Abraham Kavilpurayidathil coordinated the meeting.

|| RECEPTION FOR THE WARD MEMBER Reception for the Ward Member

The Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry received Mrs. Suni Kailasan recently elected Member of Thrikkakkara Municipality 6th Ward on 8 February 2021 at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad.

She interacted with Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, Curia Bishop and with the fathers and sisters at the Curia. Mrs. Suni thanked everyone at the Curia for the reception. She joined for dinner with her husband after the interaction. The PRO, Fr. Abraham Kavilpurayidathil coordinated the meeting. MOUNT VISION | 10 | MARCH 2021

Reception for the New Priests (MST)

|| RECEPTION FOR THE NEW PRIESTS (MST)

The Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry held a reception for the new priests from the MST Congregation at Mount St. Thomas on 8 February 2021. MOUNT VISION | 11 | MARCH 2021

ST. JOSEPH’S SONG RELEASE

|| ST. JOSEPH’S SONG RELEASE

The Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry released a song on St. Joseph in the St. Joseph’s Year on 13 February at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad in the presence of KCBC Deputy Secretary General Rev. Fr. Jacob Palackappilly and KCBC Media Commission Secretary Rev. Fr. Abraham Irimbinikal. The St. Joseph’s Song is written and composed by Rev. Fr. Jose Tharappel who belongs to the Eparchy of Palai and was sung by Kester. MOUNT VISION | 12 | MARCH 2021

MST GENERAL AND TEAM VISIT THE CURIA

|| MST GENERAL AND TEAM VISIT THE CURIA

The General, Rev. Fr. Antony Perumannoor MST and the Councillors visited the Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry on the 53rd Anniversary of the foundation day of the Missionary Society of St. Thomas on 22 February 2021 at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. The General presented a statue of St. Thomas, the Apostle, to commemorate the foundation day of the congregation. The Major Archbishop congratulated the MST team and wished them a great witness to the Lord our Master in their missionary activities. The General offered his thanks on the occasion. They interacted with the Curia members and joined for the dinner. MOUNT VISION | 13 | MARCH 2021

|| BOOK RELEASES BOOK RELEASES

‘A Renewed Vision and Mission for Consecrated Life in the Syro Malabar Church’ The book, ‘A Renewed Vision and Mission for Consecrated Life in the Syro Malabar Church’, written by Dr. Noble Mannarath CMF was released by Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad on 2 February 2021.

‘Paurasthya Suriyani Padana Sahayi’ The book, ‘Paurasthya Suriyani Padana Sahayi’, written by Dr. Raju Parakkott was released by Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad on Denha, 5 February 2021.

‘The Sacrament of Initiation’ The book, ‘The Sacrament of Initiation’, written by Dr. Francis Pittappillil was released by Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad on Denha, 5 February 2021.

‘Dhaivaviliyude Karuth’ The book, ‘Dhaivaviliyude Karuth’, translated by Mr. Shiju Achandi was released by Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad on 6 February 2021.

‘Mruthadheham Dahippikkunnathinu Munpulla Prarthanasushroosha’ The Prayer Text, ‘Mruthadheham Dahippikkunnathinu Munpulla Prarthanasushroosha’, (Text of prayer service to be conducted before Cremation) prepared by Syro-Malabar Liturgy Commission was released by Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad on 24 February 2021. MOUNT VISION | 14 | MARCH 2021

CURIA NEWS FEBRUARY 2021

Reports of the Commissions & A liated O ces

Commission for Ecumenism Syro-Malabar Mission (SyMM)  Received in audience the newly elected Bishop of  Distributed Rs 18,67,000 in the month of February 2021 Central Kerala Diocese of CSI Rt. Rev. Dr. Malayil Sabi through ‘Sponsor a Missionary Priest’ and ‘Sponsor a Koshy Cherian by Commission Chairman and had Missionary Sister’ programmes. A total of 194 brothers discussions on the ecumenical relationship between the and 35 sisters who belong to different mission Eparchies Syro-Malabar Church and the CSI Church. and Congregations of the Syro-Malabar Church undergoing missionary formation benefited from this Commission for Catechesis Scholarship programme.  Conducted Catechism Eparchial Director’s online meeting.  Conducted home visit of the benefactors who support  Conducted an online seminar for Catechism Teachers in the missionary activities of the Syro-Malabar Church. Qatar. 100 teachers participated.

Commission for Media Commission for Liturgy  Released the first issue of ‘Syro-Malabar Vision’. The new  Held eight sub-committee meetings for the revision of newspaper is published by the decision of the Bishop’s the English Qurbana Taksa consisting of language Synod. experts and CLC Members.

 Held two Chicago sub-committee meetings for the translation of the Qurbana Taksa into English. Commission for Youth  Released the text of prayer service to be conducted  Held an online meeting of the Diocesan Directors. before Cremation.  Organized an online meet, ‘Vision 2021’ for the aspiring . students who intend to study and find jobs in Canada by Commission for Doctrine Mississauga Eparchy in Collaboration with SMYM Global  Held two Executive meetings of the Commission for team. Around 1500 parents and students participated via Doctrine. Zoom and Youtube Channel.

MOUNT VISION | 15 | MARCH 2021

CURIA NEWS FEBRUARY 2021

MAJOR ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Feb 13 Released a song written and composed by Fr. Jose Tharappel for the St. Joseph’s Year at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. DATE EVENTS Feb 14 Baptized Thomas Vadakel at St. Francis Assisi Church, Feb 1 Celebrated Holy Qurbana and Inaugurated General Synaxis at Kakkanad. SD Generalate Thottumugham. Delivered benedictory address in the online meeting of Kerala CLC training programme organized by Kerala Jesuit Province. Feb 2 Participated in the online meeting of Christian leaders convened by Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Officiated the office for the dead for Mrs. Elikutty Kerala. Thomas Vaikathuparambil at Vallom. Released the book ‘A renewed Vision and Mission for Consecrated Life in the Syro Malabar Church' written by Feb 19 Officiated the final part of the funeral service of Mar Joseph Fr. Noble Mannarath CMF at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. Pastor Neelankavil at St. Thomas Church, Aranattukara.

Feb 3 Celebrated Holy Qurbana on the occasion of Jubilee Feb 20 Inaugurated ‘Kerala Padanasibiram 2021’ organized by Celebrations conducted at St. Joseph's Priest Home, KCBC Laity Commission at POC. Itthithanam. Officiated office for the dead for Vishal Joseph Injodi at the residence. Feb 5 Released the book ‘Paurasthya Suriyani Padana Sahayi’ Inaugurated the meeting of the newly elected leaders of written by Fr. Raju Parakkott at Mount St. Thomas, KCYM at POC. Kakkanad. Feb 21 Participated in the concluding Session of ‘Kerala Feb 6 Released the book ‘Dhaivaviliyude Karuth’ translated by Padanasibiram 2021’ organized by KCBC Laity Mr. Shiju Achandi at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. Commission at POC. Participated in the Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee celebrations of Fr. Jacob Palackappilly at POC. Feb 22 Received Mar Varghese Thottamkara CM, Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nekemte at Mount St. Thomas, Feb 8 Baptized Mathew Arackal at St. Francis Assisi Church, Kakkanad. Kakkanad. Received Mrs. Sunitha Kailasan (6th Ward Member) at Feb 23 Participated in the online meeting of FABC Central Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. Committee with the Offices.

Feb 9 Celebrated Holy Qurbana and inaugurated the public Feb 24 Participated in the online meeting of FABC Central meeting in connection with the Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee Committee with the Offices. and 20th Episcopal Anniversary of Mar Mathew Arackal Launched ‘Syro-Malabar Vision’ the Newsletter of the at St. Dominic's Cathedral, Kanjirappally. Syro-Malabar Church at Mount St. Thomas. Received newly ordained priests from MST at Mount St. Released ‘Text of prayer service to be conducted before Thomas, Kakkanad. Cremation’, a prayer text prepared by Syro-Malabar Liturgy Commission at Mount St. Thomas. Feb 11 Inaugurated Birth Centenary celebrations of Cardinal at St. Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, Feb 25 Participated in the online meeting of FABC Central Changanacherry. Committee.

Feb 12 Received Mrs. AjithaThankappan (Thrikkakkara Municipal Feb 27 Inaugurated the online Eparchial Evangelization Chairperson) at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. Conference of the Eparchy of Great Britain.

MOUNT VISION | 16 | MARCH 2021

CURIA NEWS FEBRUARY 2021

February 10 Blessed the Marriage of Ajo Narikkattu & Ajitha Kunnamkottu CURIA at Our Lady of Dolours Forane Church, Mundakayam. BISHOP’S KCBC Family Commission Online Meeting. February 11 Vestition of Sr. Maria Francis ASMI at St. George Church, DIARY Thalayolaparambu. February 12 Officiated the funeral Service of Mr. Joy Keezhanjaly at Panavally. DATE EVENTS Participated in the function honoring the Municipal February 02 Vestition & Silver Jubilee Celebration of CSN Sisters at CSN Chairperson Mrs. Ajitha Thankappan at Mount St. Thomas. Mother House, Edakunnu. February 13 First Holy Communion at Holy Family Church, Participated in the function of releasing the book entitled ‘A Mudiyoorkara. Renewed Vision and Mission for Consecrated Life in the Syro Malabar Church’ by Fr. Noble Mannarath CMF, at Mount St. February 14 Holy Qurbana and the inauguration of State level Lenten Thomas. Campaign, Sahrudaya Fest & Carbon Fasting Programs at St. Mary’s Forane Church, Tripunithura. February 03 Holy Qurbana at SD Generalate, Aluva. February 15 Holy Qurbana at Sanjo Bhavan Cloister Convent, Karukutty. Participated in the KCBC Family Commission Meeting at POC. Officiated the funeral service of Sr. Germain FCC at St. February 04 Holy Qurbana & Silver Jubilee Celebration at Preshitharam Thomas Provincial House, Podimattam. Generalate, Kalady. February 18 Participated in the Holy Qurbana offered for the repose of February 05 Release of the book titled ‘Paurastya Suriyani Padana Sahayi’ the soul of Bishop Joseph Pastor Neelankavil CMI at CMI by Fr. Raju Parakkottu at Mount St Thomas. Devamatha Provincial House, Trichur. February 06 Ordination of Dn. Jose Punnassery CMF at St. Thomas Church, Attended Seminar on ‘Enjoying Synodality: Unlearning and Olive Mount, Mookkannoor. Relearning Necessitated by the New World’. February 07 Ordination of Dn. Paul Meledath CMF at Holy Family Church, February 20 Celebrated Holy Qurbana at Sacred Heart Church, Kattappuram, Koratty. Valamangalam on the occasion of the 1st death anniversary February 08 Participated in the function honoring Municipality Ward of Fr. Paul Karathuruthil. Member Mrs. Sunitha Kailasan at Mount St. Thomas. February 23 Celebrated Holy Qurbana for Late Mr. Mathew Pandackal at February 09 Concelebrated in the Holy Qurbana on the Occasion of Jubilee Vijnanamatha Church, Thodupuzha. Celebration of Bishop Mathew Arackal at St. Dominic’s February 27 Inaugurated ‘Fr. Abel Smruthi Sangeetha Sandhya’ at POC. Cathedral, Kanjirapally.

EVENTS, FEASTS & BIRTHDAYS

DATE DAY EVENTS, FEASTS & BIRTHDAYS 2 Tue Episcopal Ordination day of the Major Archbishop (Beginning of the Silver Jubilee Year) 5 Fri Monthly Recollection (Sisters) 11 Thu Birthday of Fr. SijuAzhakath MST 15 Mon Ash Monday (50 days Lent begins) 22 Mon Birthday of Fr. Joseph Tholanickal 25 Fri Bl. Rani Maria Monthly Recollection (Priests) MOUNT VISION - A SYRO-MALABAR MAJOR ARCHIEPISCOPAL CURIA NEWSLETTER SYRO-MALABAR MEDIA COMMISSION, MOUNT ST. THOMAS, P.B. NO. 3110, KAKKANAD P.O., KOCHI - 682 030 Email: [email protected] | Phone: +91 9946162280 | Website: www.syromalabarmc.in