JUNE 2021 | Vol. 01 | Issue 11 | a Syro-malabar Major Archiepiscopal curia newsletter Editor’s Desk

The month of May witnessed an unexpected surge in the Covid-19 cases and death rate, in its second wave in India. The observed a day of prayer and fasting on the 7th of May in the context of the rapid spread of Corona cases as exhorted by the CBCI. The month of May was dedicated to the Rosary Devotion responding to the request of Francis.

The feast days like Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity, and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary were commemorated with great devotion in the month of May. The members of the Curia gave special attention to spending time devotedly before the Blessed Sacrament during this month.

It is unavoidable to maintain and follow May the Pentecost experience of the the Covid-19 protocol at this time of the outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit pandemic! Many priests and nuns enlighten us to live a life of responsibility breathed their last fighting against and true spirit. May the Spirit enlighten Covid in their mission areas at the our hearts and minds to serve the earth upsurge of the second wave. Many and the universe with trust and doctors, nursing staff, health workers, reverence. We are the stewards of the and other professionals are still universe! combating the Covid pandemic. We shall also remember the students who Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed! are struggling with the imperfections of online schooling for the new academic year. We hope that the extended lockdown would bring down the covid positivity rate so that the people can FR. ALEX ONAMPALLY return to daily life as normal. SECRETARY, MEDIA COMMISSION INSIDE STORIES

CARDINAL GEORGE ALENCHERRY COMPLETES A DECADE OF MOUNT VISION PASTORAL LEADERSHIP JUNE 2021 | VOL.01 | ISSUE 11

A SYRO-MALABAR MAJOR ARCHIEPISCOPAL CURIA NEWSLETTER 04

CHIEF EDITOR FR. ALEX ONAMPALLY SECRETARY, MEDIA COMMISSION

COPY EDITOR DR. GEORGE MADATHIPARAMBIL The Pentecost Celebration 05

CONSULTORS Memorial Qurbana 06 MAR SEBASTIAN Silver Jubilee of the First Profession 07 VANIYAPURACKAL CURIA BISHOP, First Holy Communion of Maria 07 MEMBER, MEDIA COMMISSION Vestition of Bro. Joby Panachickal 08 MAR JOSEPH PAMPLANY Bro. Alex VC Renewed Vows 08 CHAIRMAN, MEDIA COMMISSION

MAR PAULY KANNOOKADAN PRESS RELEASES MEMBER, MEDIA COMMISSION The Extension of the Territorial Jurisdiction of the DR. VINCENT Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne to the Whole of Oceania 09 CHERUVATHOOR Cardinal Mar George Alencherry Completes a Decade CHANCELLOR of Pastoral Leadership for the Syro-Malabar Church 10 DR. ABRAHAM Tony Chittilappilly Appointed the New Laity Forum Secretary 11 KAVILPURAYIDATHIL VICE-CHANCELLOR, PRO The Catechetical Faith Formation Academic Year FR. SEBY KOLANGARA of the Syro-Malabar Church Inaugurated 11 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNET MISSION CURIA NEWS SYRO-MALABAR Reports of the Commissions & Affiliated Offices 12 MEDIA COMMISSION MOUNT ST. THOMAS, P.B. NO. 3110 Major ’s Diary 13 KAKKANAD P.O., KOCHI - 682 030 Email: [email protected] Curia Bishop’s Diary 14 Phone: +91 9946162280 Website: www.syromalabarmc.in Events, Feasts & Birthdays 14

DESIGN & LAYOUT JOSEMON VAZHAYIL MUMBAI MOUNT VISION | 04 | JUNE 2021

CARDINAL MAR GEORGE ALENCHERRY COMPLETES A DECADE OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

|| CARDINAL MAR GEORGE ALENCHERRY COMPLETES A DECADE OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

Cardinal Mar George Alencherry completed ten years of service as the of the Syro-Malabar Church on 29 May 2021. The Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry celebrated the Holy Qurbana in the Mount Chapel along with the Curia Bishop and the priests working at the Curia. The sisters and other staff working at the Curia participated in it. The Major Archbishop cut the Cake while the inmates of the Curia greeted him with songs and compliments in the refectory. The Curia Bishop greeted the Cardinal on a special day offering bouquets of flowers. MOUNT VISION | 05 | JUNE 2021

|| THE PENTECOST CELEBRATION THE PENTECOST CELEBRATION

The feast of the Pentecost was celebrated on 23 May 2021 at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. Curia Bishop Mar Sebastian celebrated the Holy Qurbana with the other priests at the Curia. The Sisters and Staff working at the Curia participated in it. MOUNT VISION | 06 | JUNE 2021

|| MEMORIAL QURBANA

MEMORIAL QURBANA OF THE PRIESTS & NUNS IN INDIA WHO LOST LIFE TO COVID

A special Qurabana for the departed souls of the priests and nuns due to the Covid was held at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad on 28 May 2021. The Curia Bishop Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal was the main celebrant along with other priests at the Curia. Fr. Alex Onampally gave the homily. The Sisters and Staff working at the Curia participated in it. The office for the dead was offered at the end of the ceremony in the Mount Chapel. MOUNT VISION | 07 | JUNE 2021

SILVER JUBILEE OF THE FIRST PROFESSION OF FR. SEBASTIAN MUTTAMTHOTTIL MCBS

|| SILVER JUBILEE OF THE FIRST PROFESSION

The silver jubilee of the first profession of Rev. Fr. Sebastian Muttamthottil MCBS is celebrated at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad on 17 May 2021. He is the Secretary of the Commission for Evangelization and Pastoral Care of the Migrants (CEPCM), Commission for Vocation, Commission Institutes of Consecrated Life, Committee for Major Archiepiscopal Assembly.

First Holy Communion

of Maria || FIRST HOLY COMMUNION OF MARIA

Maria, a working staff at Mount St. Thomas who hails from Orissa received the First Holy Communion at the feast day celebration of Pentecost on 23 May 2021. She could not receive the First Holy Communion from her native village. The sisters in the Curia helped her to complete the preparation for the First Holy Communion. MOUNT VISION | 08 | JUNE 2021

Vestition of Bro. Joby Panachickal

|| VESTITION OF BRO. JOBY PANACHICKAL

The vestition of Bro. Joby Panachickal at Mount St Thomas, Kakkanad was held on 13 May2021. Bro. Joby is the personal secretary of the Curia Bishop, Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal and belongs to the Eparchy of Idukki. He joined the Curial Staff in the month of May 2021 for the one-year regency before his theology formation.

|| BRO. ALEX VC RENEWED VOWS BRO. ALEX NEENDOOR VC RENEWED VOWS

Bro. Alex Neendoor VC renewed the vows of his first profession at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, during the Eucharistic Celebration on 21 May 2021. Bro. Alex is the personal Secretary of the Major Archbishop who belongs to the Vincentian Congregation. He joined in the month of May 2021 for the one-year regency before his theology formation. MOUNT VISION | 09 | JUNE 2021

PRESS RELEASES

The Extension of the Territorial Jurisdiction of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne to the Whole of Oceania

the approval of the very successful pastoral ministry of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne in the last eight years of its existence. He conveyed his gratitude to the Holy Father and also to Cardinal Sandri, the Prefect of the Oriental Congregation. He conveyed his appreciation and congratulations to Mar Bosco Puthur and offered his best wishes and prayers for a successful pastoral ministry for the whole of Oceania in the coming years.

Kakkanad: Holy Father has extended the territorial jurisdiction of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne, Australia to the whole of Oceanic countries. The decision was announced during the interview granted to Cardinal , the Prefect of the Oriental Congregation by the Holy Father on March 29, 2021. The Oriental Congregation issued its proclamation on that day itself. It was intimated to the Archiepiscopal Curia at Mt. St. Thomas and to the Melbourne Eparchial Centre in Australia.

The Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne was established on 23 December 2013 for the Syro-Malabar Catholics of Australia. Mar Bosco Puthur, the then Curia Bishop, was appointed its first Bishop. He was also appointed the Apostolic Visitator to New Zealand. The of the Syro-Malabar Church made a request to the for the extension of the jurisdiction of the Melbourne Eparchy to the entire region of Oceania in order to offer pastoral assistance to the Syro-Malabar Catholics in those countries. The Holy See has made this decision of extension of the territorial jurisdiction by taking into account the appeal of the Synod as well as of the requests of the Bishops’ Conferences of these countries . The Major Archbishop, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, expressed his happiness at the extension of the jurisdiction and stated that this DATE:6 MAY 2021 extension of the jurisdiction was an indication of PRESS RELEASE: MEDIA COMMISSION MOUNT VISION | 10 | JUNE 2021

PRESS RELEASES

Cardinal Mar George Alencherry Completes a Decade of Pastoral Leadership for the Syro-Malabar Church

Kakkanad: Cardinal Mar George Alencherry completed ten years of service as the the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church on 29 May 2021. It was on 14 May 2011 that the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church elected him as the Major Archbishop when he was the bishop of Thuckalay, after the passing away of Cardinal Mar . He took charge as the Major Archbishop in the holy ceremonies held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Archeparchy of - in the presence of the Bishops of the Synod, and of the representative of the Vatican on 29 May 2011 as the third Major Archbishop.

The tenth anniversary of his assumption of office will have no public celebrations. He will offer holy Although as the Major Archbishop, he is the Head Qurbana at the Mount St. Thomas Chapel, of the Syro-Malabar Church consisting of 35 Kakkanad. Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, the Curia eparchies in and outside India, with a membership bishop and the priests of the Curia will join him in of 50 lakhs people, he is also the Archbishop of con-celebration. Ernakulam- Angamaly archeparchy. He is working at present as the President of the KCBC and the With his assumption of office as the Major Inter-Church council. He is also the Chancellor of Archbishop, the Syro-Malabar Church began to the Pontifical Institute, Alwaye, the Paurastya experience a great renewal and revival. New Vidyapitham, Kottayam, and Vidya Kshetram, eparchies were created and the boundaries of Dharmaram, . jurisdiction of many eparchies were extended. With the establishment of the eparchies of Shamshabad As a Cardinal, he takes part in the Conclave that and Hosur, Pope Francis has allowed the elects the Pope. He is also a member of the Syro-Malabar Church to engage in pastoral work Congregation for the Oriental Churches, of the over the whole of India. This was a long-cherished Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, of the dream of the Syro-Malabar Church. The pastoral International Council for Catechesis and of the ministry of the Church was expanded on a wider Pontifical Council for promoting Christian Unity. scale with the establishment of the eparchies of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of the Faridabad, Melbourne, Mississauga, Great Britain Congregation for Oriental Churches, Secretary and the Apostolic Vicariate of Europe. Under his Abp. George Gallora and the Vatican Nuncio, guidance and leadership, a new centre to Leopold Girelli offered their greetings to the coordinate the activities of the Church in Cardinal. was made available. The extension of the jurisdiction of the eparchy of Melbourne to the whole of Oceania by Pope Francis on 21 March 2021 was a recognition of the pastoral ministry of the Syro-Malabar Church. All these decisions strengthening the pastoral ministry of the Syro-Malabar Church were possible because of the care and attention given by Mar Cardinal DATE: 28 MAY 2021 Alencherry to the Church. PRESS RELEASE: MEDIA COMMISSION MOUNT VISION | 11 | JUNE 2021

PRESS RELEASES

The Catechetical Faith Formation Tony Chittilappilly Academic Year of the Appointed the New Syro-Malabar Church Inaugurated Laity Forum Secretary

Kochi: Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Kakkanad: Tony Alencherry inaugurated the Catechetical Faith Chittilappilly, a member Formation academic year of the Syro-Malabar Church. of the Kuriachira St. He said that the church aims to nurture the knowledge Joseph's Parish in the of the faith and deepen it in the sacramental life through Archeparchy of , faith formation. He reminded that the objective of faith has been appointed as formation is to grow in the personality of Jesus, to be the Secretary of the trained in the life of prayer and to enable children to Synodal Commission for bear witness to Christ in society. the Laity Forum of the Syro-Malabar Church by Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Chairman of the Commission. The new appointment is in the vacancy of the late Adv. Jose Vithayathil.

Tony Chittilappilly, who holds a postgraduate degree in Business Management, has worked abroad for a long time and later became head of the Shalom Sofia publishing department. He is active in In a message, Archbishop Mar George Njaralakkad, the media world as a Christian thinker, Chairman of the Catechetical Commission, said, writer and TV presenter. He gained "Through faith training, we are enabling children to popularity through his books on Pope witness to Jesus in their personal lives by sharing the Francis. Tony Chittilappilly, author of several word of God." He said it was commendable that books has won the Daniel Academy Literary Catholic TV channels were also taking on this Award, the Bishop Makil Foundation Award, responsibility in the Covid situation. Fr. Thomas, the and the Mary Vijayam Poetry Award. Wife: Commission Secretary informed that the classes Jinu. K. Joseph (Assistant Executive prepared by various Eparchial Catechetical centers in Engineer, KSEB, Muthuvara). children: Kerala will be telecast on Catholic television channels in Joanna, Isabella, Rebecca, Johan and Amy. the context of Covid-19. Catechetical textbooks from Kids section to 12th class are prepared in video format.

Orientation classes will be held for parents and teachers of Catechetical faith formation students. Catechetical classes will also be telecast on the Goodness, Shalom and Shekinah TV channels at different scheduled timings. English Catechetical Classes will begin airing on 21 June.

Rev. Dr. Thomas Melvettath, Media Commission Secretary, Fr. Alex Onampally, Sr. Jislet MSJ, Sr. Pushpa MSJ, Br. Alex VC and Mr. Kuriakose Thomas cordinated the program.

DATE: 31 MAY 2021 DATE: 20 MAY 2021 PRESS RELEASE: MEDIA COMMISSION PRESS RELEASE: MEDIA COMMISSION MOUNT VISION | 12 | JUNE 2021

CURIA NEWS MAY 2021

Reports of the Commissions & A liated O ces

Commission for Catechesis Commission for Doctrine  Catechetical year 2021-22 Inaugurated online by the  Conducted a meeting of the Theology Forum online. The Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry. orientation talk was on the ‘Message of Fatima and its  Basic catechism teachers course began on the online Interpretation’ which highlighted certain anti-ecclesial platform. trends prevalent nowadays and few notes to correct them. Commission for Liturgy  Conducted a meeting of the Special Committee of eight Commission for Evangelization and bishops for the revision of the Peshitta version online. Pastoral Care of the Migrants (CEPCM)  Conducted six Committee Meetings for the language  Collaborated in the Virtual Conference on Evangelization correction of the Peshitta version of Psalms with all the organized by the Eparchy of Thuckalay in connection . with its silver jubilee.  Conducted two Special Committee of Eight Bishops  Initiated the process of formally establishing the including the Major Archbishop for the modifications in the Syro-Malabar Association in Japan. Anaphora of Mar Nestorius to get the final recognitio from Rome.  The Chairman and the Secretary participated in online  Conducted Sub-Committee Meetings of the CLC members meetings with migrant communities. for the scrutiny of the Ordo of the Holy Qurbana. Commission for Clergy  Conducted a Central Liturgy Committee (CLC) Meeting  Conducted an online meeting of the Presbyteral Council for the composition of the Ordo of Sacraments of the secretaries of all the eparchies of the Syro-Malabar Church Initiation. in Kerala. Topics discussed were on how to empower the  Conducted two Sub-Committee Meetings of the CLC priests in the pandemic situation and to facilitate the Members for the revision of the prayers of the blessings pastoral ministries of the priests in eparchial and parish (Ashirvadaprarthanakal). level in the post Covid-19 situation. Commission for Commission for Vocation  Paid homage to the deceased Marthoma Valiya  Organized an online meeting to discuss the action plan for Metropolitan Philipose Mar Chrysostom of the Marthoma the inaugural ceremony of the Platinum Jubilee Year Church. 2021-22 of The Cherupuzhpa Mission League (CML). Family Apostolate  Took part in the online meeting of KCBC Vocation Commission in view of organizing the Eparchial Vocation  Organized an online meeting of the Eparchial directors of Directors within Kerala. the family apostate. Liturgical Research Centre (LRC)  Organized two webinars in the series of 59th LRC Seminar. MOUNT VISION | 13 | JUNE 2021

CURIA NEWS MAY 2021

MAJOR ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY

DATE EVENTS

02 SUN Blessed the Marriage of Edwin and Ann at St. Mary’s Church, Peringottukara. 19 WED Inaugurated the online meeting of KCBC Jagratha 05 WED Participated Executive Committee and General Body Commission. Meeting of POC conducted online. 20 THU Participated in the online meeting of the Seminary 06 THU Participated in the online meeting of the Higher Academic Commission and Staff of Good Shepherd Major Council of the Pontifical Institute, . Seminary, Kunnoth. Participated in the online meeting of the Liturgy Special 21 FRI Participated in the online meeting of the Seminary Committee hosted by the Commission for Liturgy. Commission and Staff of St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Officiated the prayer for the dead and paid tribute to Aluva. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan at Participated in the monthly recollection of Bishops of the Thiruvalla. Syro-Malabar Church conducted online. 07 FRI Participated in the online prayer meeting of 72 priests Inaugurated the online missionary sangamam organized organized by Fr. Thankachan SDB. by the Archeparchy of Changanacherry. 08 SAT Participated in the online meeting organized by CHAI and 22 SAT Participated in the online meeting of the Seminary KCBC Secretariat on the measures to be taken for Commission of the St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Aluva. controlling the spread of the pandemic. Inaugurated the C-News live portal, in a function held Participated in the online meeting organized by KCBC online. Jagratha Samithi. Inaugurated the online youth conference and youth year 10 MON Participated in the online meeting of CHAI. (MISSIO-2021) organized by the Syro-Malabar Apostolic 11 TUE Participated in the online meeting of the Seminary Visitation in Europe. Commission and Staff of St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary 24 MON Participated in the online meeting hosted by the and PVP, Vadavathoor. Commission for Liturgy. 12 WED Presided the meeting of the Permanent Synod held online. 26 WED Participated in the meeting of the Special Liturgical Participated in the online meeting of the Committee for Committee held online. History organized by LRC. 27 THU Inaugurated the meeting held online in connection with Participated in the online memorial meeting of Philipose the 60th birthday of Fr. Paul Poovathinkal CMI. Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan organized by YMCA. 28 FRI Participated in the online meeting hosted by the 13 THU Participated in the online meeting of Liturgy Special Commission for Liturgy. Committee hosted by the Commission for Liturgy. Inaugurated the webinar on Evangelization organized by 14 FRI Inaugurated the online meeting organized by Public Affairs the Eparchy of Thuckalay. Commission with the participation of other Commissions Inaugurated the webinar organized by LRC. on matters concerning representations to Justice Koshy commission. 29 SAT Participated in the online meeting hosted by the Commission for Liturgy. Participated in the online memorial meeting of Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan organized by Gloria 30 SUN Participated in the online meeting hosted by the News. Commission for Liturgy. 16 SUN Inaugurated the webinar organized by LRC. Inaugurated the activities of CML for the year 2021-22. 17 MON Participated in the online meeting of the Seminary 31 MON Inaugurated the online meeting of the Secretaries of the Commission and Staff of the St. Ephrem’s Theological Presbyteral Council of the eparchies in Kerala organized College, Satna. by the Clergy Commission. 18 TUE Participated in the online meeting hosted by the Presided over the meeting of the Academic Council of Commission for Liturgy. Pontifical Institute, Aluva held at Mangalapuzha Seminary. MOUNT VISION | 14 | JUNE 2021

CURIA NEWS MAY 2021

DATE EVENTS May 07 Ordination of Dn. Joseph Madathaniyil CMF at Infant Jesus Church, Thodanal. CURIA BISHOP’S May 11 Conferral of Diaconate at CMI Provincial House, DIARY Kalamassery. May 12 Participated in the online Permanent Synod meeting. May 13 Vestition of Bro. Joby Panachickal at Mount St Thomas Kakkanad. May 17 Participated in the Satna Seminary Commission online meeting. May 20 Participated in the online Seminary Commission meeting of Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kunnoth. May 21 Participated in the online Seminary Commission meeting of St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha. Participated in the Monthly Recollection of Bishops. May 23 Officiated the First Holy Communion of Kumari Maria at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad. May 27 Conferral of Diaconate and Minor Orders at CST Generalate, Thrikkakara. May 31 Ordination of Dn. Dino Konnankudy RCJ at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Ayathupady.

EVENTS, FEASTS & BIRTHDAYS

DATE DAY EVENTS, FEASTS & BIRTHDAYS 1 Sat Feast of St. Joseph, the Worker 2 Sun Feast of Mar Addai 7 Fri Day of Prayer and Fasting Birthday of Fr. Francis Pittapillil Monthly Recollection (Sisters) 13 Thu Ascension of our Lord Feast & Birthday of Sr. Jislet MSJ 14 Fri Feast of St. Mathias Birthday of Sr. Joina MSJ DATE DAY EVENTS, FEASTS & BIRTHDAYS 19 Wed Birthday of Fr. Seby Kolangara 27 Thu Monthly Recollection (Priests) 23 Sun Feast of Pentecost 28 Fri Friday of Gold Feast of Sr. Nayana MSJ 29 Sat Day of Enthronement of Major Archbishop 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