Christmas time is here. . Syro Malabar catholic church little mount organized the game named “chrisma” with our catechism children. They wrote all their names in a small sheet of paper and then there was a lot and every kid took a lot and then each of them will take different names of their friends and the game is that till Christmas eve we will continue this game, one should give the gifts to the kids name they got but the one whom your giving should not know that, they should keep guessing…

“Chrisma” for Christmas Gallery

It was a great time with them and we also distribute sweets and give small gifts to kids as such we can celebrate the Christmas in a great way.

The 28th Christmas celebrations of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church in Chennai was held on December 18th at the Santhome Higher Secondary School Auditorium. Holy Mass where His Beatitude Mar George Alencherry, Major Archbishop was the main celebrant, marked the beginning of the celebration. Bishops, Mar Pauly Kannukadan and Mar James Pazyatil were the concelebrants.

After the Holy Mass the Major Arch Bishop who is visiting Chennai for the first time was accorded a warm welcome by St. Thomas Pastoral Council. The Major Arch Bishop formally inaugurated the Christmas celebrations by lighting the lamp. In his message Mar George Alencherry stressed on the need to celebrate Christmas without alcohol. He also requested the congregation to pray and eagerly await the formation of a diocese in Chennai.

Bishop Mar Pauly Kannookadan presided over the function and delivered the Christmas message. The Bishop of Chennai Rev Dr Chinnappa, Aux Bishop Rev Lawerance Pious and Bishop of Chengalpet Rev Needhinadan also gave the Christmas message

Mar Yohannan Dioscoros, Bishop of the Malankara Orthodox Church in Chennai also wished the congregation on this occasion.

Mar James Pazhayattil officially launched the ‘Bless a Home’ scheme for providing shelter to the homeless.

Mr Jacob Chakkathara, Secretary , Pastoral Council presented the Annual Report

Dr Antony Kollanur , Fr Jose Palatty, Br. Antony Swamy , Sr Lilly SH, and Adv. Francis Kurien also spoke on the occasion.

This was followed by cultural programme.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

By Gracy Varghese – (Little Mount Parish)

Carol (dance or a song of praise and joy) at this Christmas season by our youth under the leadership of the Parish Priest have reminded us about the wonderful “Good news of great joy that will be for all the people” so as to prepare in the true sprit of Christmas.

It doesn’t matter who we are, what we have done, where we have been, or where we are headed, the Good News is that “God loves us and God is with us”

Christmas Carol Gallery

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God became one of us, a human being, so we could understand what He is really like. Let us celebrate this by humble at heart, repent on sins and serving well for others.

by Dr.Kurian Joseph (Little Mount Parisher)

Coupon Releasing for the Church development fund is launched on 4-12-2011 after the Holy Mass. Rev.Fr.Varghese Perappadan, Director, Santhome Snehatheeram inaugurated the function and launched the coupon. Shri.Jacob Chakkathara, Secretary, Pastoral Council, Chennai Mission received the first coupon and delivered the felicitation message. Parishioners received the coupon from the Chief Guests. Rev.Fr.Jaison Vadakkunchery, Vicar and a large audience of parishioners were present during the function.

Coupon Releasing Gallery

by Reji Xavier (Little Mount Parisher)

The first Laity Conference of  Syro Malabar Church, Chennai was convened on  Sunday, 6^th November 2011 at Holy Family Convent Mat. Hr. Sec School,  Keelkattalai, Chennai, under the leadership of Fr Saji George Vattakuzhy, Convener.

The Conference was inaugurated by Mar Mathew Arackal, Chairman Commission for Laity.   In his inaugural address, the Bishop stressed upon the fact that the Syro Malabar Catholics outside Kerala should not be ashamed to be associated with the activities of the Church in Chennai.  He also mentioned the need   for the Laity to spare some time for God, from their busy schedules and that economically well of members should not hesitate to come forward to help the needy brothern.  Another important aspect which the Bishop emphasized was that the aim of the Church was not only in the spiritual growth of the Laity but  that their socio-economic development  was of equal importance.

Laity Conference Chennai – Gallery

Mar Pauly Kannookadan, Bishop in-charge of Chennai Mission delivered the Presidential Address. Adv. V C Sebastian, Secretary Laity Commission delivered the keynote address. Msgr Jose Palatty, Co-coordinator, Chennai Mission, Mr. Jacob Chakkathara, Secretary, Pastoral Council, Mr. Francis Kurian, President, Family Unit Central Committee, Mr. K P Chakkapan, Laity President, Bangalore Unit, also spoke on the occasion.

The Conference was followed  by group discussion, general presentation and Holy Mass.

Mr. Mathew Chacko, Programme Coordinator proposed the vote of thanks.

by Gracy Varghese (Little Mount Parish)

October is the Month Devoted to
The Most Holy Rosary
of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, wheter temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families…that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.”

Sister Lucia dos Santos

The Immaculate Heart of Mary

Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we consecrate ourselves, in an act of total entrustment to the Lord.
By You we will be led to Christ. By Him and with Him we will be led to the Father.
We will walk in the light of faith, and we will do everything so that the world may believe that Jesus Christ is the One sent by the Father.
With Him we wish to carry His Love and Salvation to the ends of the earth.
Under the protection of your Immaculate Heart, we will be one People with Christ. We will be witnesses of His Resurrection. By Him we will be led to the Father, for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, Whom we adore, praise and bless forever. Amen.

The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron – Psalm 115:12

Shalom TV is entering its seventh year. The first in Chennai and eighty third festival this year, the Shalom Festival 2011. The festival started today in Keelkatalai Zone and will end on October 9^th at Mugappair Zone.

Shalom Festival – Chennai Mission Gallery

The festival is to thank our God for his protection and blessings till date and also to receive the anointing of the holy spirit, sure this will be a great blessing in our life.

Hallelujah, Praise the Lord.

The XVIII Synod of bishops (session/2), held in August 2010 decided to declare the celebration of the “Mission Year”, for the entire Syro-Malabar Church from 15 August 2011 to 15 August 2012, in the context of the Golden Jubilee of the eparchy of Chanda, the first mission territory for the Syro-Malabar Church. The Commission for Evangelization and Pastoral Care of the Migrants was entrusted the task of preparing the action plan for the year and the XIX Synod Bishops held in January 2011 fixed the programs for the celebration and formed the Organizing Committee for the conduct of the same.

A. Name for the Mission Year: Preshitavarsham 2011-2012

B. Motto: “Be my witnesses to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1,8)

Mission Year 2011-2012 Gallery

C. Objectives:

1. To awaken the missionary consciousness in the Syro-Malabar Church

2. To promote missionary vocations in the Church

3. To mobilize spiritual, human and material resources for the mission

4. To rekindle the missionary zeal and enthusiasm among all the members of the Church, especially among the missionaries.

Chennai Syro Malabar Catholic Mission Kudumba Koottayama Retreat on 18th of September 2011 at St.Joseph Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Perambur. It was coming together of Syro Malabar catholic families under the lay leadership of an area is called the “family units”.  All Presidents, Secretaries and treasurer of each family units from all Syro Malabar Catholic Church in chennai met together in a one day retreat.

Kudumbha Kootaimah Retreat Gallery

The Retreat was headed by Msgr. Jose Palatty, Fr.Shaju Chirayath and other dignitaries, there were group discussion about the importance of Kudumba Koottayama, advantages and problems. It was encouraging to see the attendance and devotion by all Presidents,Secretaries and treasurer of each family units.