August 2011

© St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church, Toronto

On Saturday July 2nd the

forecast called for a cloudy

day with a chance of thun-

dershowers; weather con-

ditions not ideal for a pic-

nic. This was the thought

lingering in the mind of

many of our Toronto

Malankara community

members, but having set

the day aside for the annu-

al Church picnic we decid-

ed to have a positive out-

look and enjoy the day,

rain or shine. The goal of

the picnic was simple: to

bring the Toronto Malanka-

ra faithful together to share

a day with each other; to

enjoy good weather, deli-

cious food, fun games, and

great friendships The day

turned out to be beautiful

and everyone seemed to

enjoy their time outside.

Our annual picnics have

always been an enjoyable

experience for the children

and adults alike, and this

year was no exception .

The Sunday school teach-

ers and the MCYM orga-

nized games to encourage

healthy competition as well

as provide a chance for

the kids to work together in

teams

MONTHLY EVENTS

Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 3

2:00 PM Malayalam Class

2.30 PM Song practice

3:00 PM Sunday School

4.00 PM Prabhatha Na-

maskaram ( Prayers before

the Holy Mass)

4.30 PM Holy Mass

3.30 PM – 4.15 PM –

Confessions

Contact Information: Fr. John Kuriakose,

222 Ridley Blvd,

Toronto, ON, M5M 3M6

Tel: (416) 485 7781

[email protected]

Sunday Liturgy

Malankara Catholic Church St. Mary’s Mission Toronto

St. Eugene’s Chapel◊13 Regina Avenue◊Toronto, Ontario◊M6A 1R2

www.stmarysmalankaracatholicchurchtoronto.ca

[email protected]

Inside the Issue

Jubilee Celebration 2

Malankara Catholic

Community: A look

back

3

Assumption of Mother

Mary: Swargaropana

Perunnal

5

Saint of the Month: St.

Bonaventure

6

Kidz Korner 9

August 2011

© St. Mary`s Malankara Catholic Church Toronto

Aug 1 - 15 day Nombu begins

Aug 8 - Bishop Jacob Mar

Barnabas visits parish.

Aug 13 - Monthly prayer

meeting at Babu Thazhamon’s

residence at 4:30 pm.

Aug 15 - Assumption of

Blessed Virgin Mary

Aug 20 - New comers’ meet-

ing at 6:30 pm.

Aug 26 - Women’s prayer

meeting at Wilson and Sherly’s

residence at 6:30pm. . The adults came together and set up games like musical chairs and kabad-di. With many new mem-bers joining our Toronto Malankara family, it was a great blessing to be able to gather and enjoy each other’s presence, meet new people, and build friendships. St. Paul writes to the Corinthi-ans: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:17). Not only as indi-viduals but also as com-munity we become the living Christ when we gather as one, to share with one another and cel-ebrate our individuality within our community, we embrace our unity as a family of God, and as one body, when we become a living witness of God's immense desire to bring people together as the one family of God. The Malankara community brought together by faith left the picnic with a re-newed sense of communi-ty, building new friend-ships and strengthening old ones.

- Leo Babu

mailto:[email protected]


Malankara Catholic Church


Jubilee Celebration The sacerdotal silver jubilee of our Syro-Malankara Catholic Major Archbishop His Beati-

tude Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos and His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mor Euse-

bius, the Bishop of our Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate in the USA was celebrated on Satur-

day, July 2nd, 2011. The program was held at Our Lady of Snows Roman Catholic Church in Floral

Park, New York, and began with a Liturgical Reception, followed by a Pontifical High Mass. Fol-

lowing the Holy Qurbono, there was a felicitation meeting, where Mar Jacob Angadiath, the Per-

manent Apostolic Visitator to Canada and Bishop of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chi-

cago and His Grace the Most Rev. Zachriah Mar Nicholavos, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the

Diocese of Northeast America offered their felicitations along with members from our Malankara

Catholic Exarchate. The Exarchate Souvenir, entitled Providence, was also released on this day.

Mr. John Thomas (Appukuttan), Mrs. Jincy Thomas, Christopher Thomas & Br. Jobin Thomas

were present at this auspicious event from our Toronto parish. On behalf of Rev. Fr. John Kuria-

kose & all the parishioners of St. Mary’s Malankara Catholic Mission Toronto, we extend our

prayerful best wishes to His Beatitute Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos and His Excellency

Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mor Eusebius on their silver jubilee.

Br. Jobin



started arriving in Toronto. As ex-

pected they all gathered at the one

and only one Kerala catholic broth-

erhood, meeting for the occasionally

celebrated Mass and prayer meet-

ings. Archbishop Mar Gregorios

made a second visit to Toronto in

the beginning of the 1980s and met

with Cardinal Carter, the then arch-

bishop of Toronto, and got permis-

sion to start a Keralite Catholic

church for the Malabar, Malankara

and Latin rites combined. On 28th

November 1982, the church was

officially opened. It was mainly a

Malabar service and occasionally a

Malankara service whenever a visit-

ing Malankara priest was available.

Turning Point

A real turning point in the

history of Malankarites in Canada

was the arrival of Rev. Fr. Peter

Kocheri in the second half of 1980s

who was assigned as an associate

pastor to an English church in To-

ronto. Since then we started a Mass

in Malankara rite once a month. A

few more enthusiastic and energetic

young Malankarites arrived Toronto

from the Kerala, Middle East and

from other parts of Canada. By then

Malankarites had gathered the criti-

cal mass required to have our own

service. Under the guidance of Fr.

Peter Kocheri, a prayer meeting was

started in 1990. Fr. Anthony Chethi-

puzha took over the affairs of the

Malankara community in the early

1990s, a role he played until June

1997. Fr. Chethipuzha continued the

good work of his predecessors and

during his tenure, he started our own

monthly Malankara rite Qurbana at

the parish where Fr. Chethipuzha

was the Associate Pastor.

:Yesterday

Our elders claim that there

were Keralite Catholics living and

working in Greater Toronto Area in

the late 1950s. Those days Keralites

crossed the big pond mainly for

higher studies in medicine, doctoral

studies etc. There were also reported

sighting of catholic priests and nuns

from Kerala serving in the GTA hos-

pitals as chaplains, nurses etc. It is

my understanding that the first

Malankara catholic family to arrive

in the GTA was the Alummootil

family moving north from the United

States in the late 1960s. Early 70s

witnessed the arrival of a few unmar-

ried young men and a few other fam-

ilies from Kerala. Then in the mid

70s at the invitation of Dr. Varghese

Alummootil, Archbishop Dr. Bene-

dict Mar Gregorios the head of the

Malankara church then, visited To-

ronto and celebrated the first Malan-

kara Holy Mass in Malayalam at-

tended by a handful of faithful.

By the end of 1970s there

were a sizeable number of Malabar

Catholics in the GTA and they gath-

ered at various houses to celebrate

Onam, Christmas, Easter etc. while

attending the local English churches

for their weekly mass obligations.

The whole Keralite catholic commu-

nity, irrespective of their rites were

together as a big family. Then in the

year 1977 at the request of the Mala-

yalee Catholic community, Most

Rev. Thomas Fulton, then auxiliary

bishop of Toronto appointed Fr.

Thomas Thottunkal, chaplain of To-

ronto’s Malayalee Catholics.

As the 80s progressed more

Malankarites youth and families

Recent Past

In 1997 another wave of

immigrant families arrived from the

Middle East. By July 1997, Fr. Gigi

Philip a young and energetic priest

took charge of the affairs of

Malankarites community, also serv-

ing as an Associate Pastor at St.

Margaret of Scotland church. Real-

izing the zeal and enthusiasm of the

faithful in Toronto, Fr. Gigi started

our weekly Qurbana service, on Sat-

urdays. There were many young

children in the community both born

here and immigrated. Fr. Gigi start-

ed a Sunday School, starting with 3

classes in 1998. Older children start-

ed serving as altar boys and girls.

During the Christmas time carol

groups would visit our families and

friends. More and more families

started arriving from the Middle

East and the community started to

grow. Fr. Gigi was also instrumental

in forming a new Malankara mission

in Detroit, USA.

An important development

in the 2000 was the appointment of

Fr. Issac Thottungal as the Apostolic

Visitator to North America and Eu-

rope with the official name Dr. Issac

Mar Cleemis. Fr. Cherian Mam-

brakuzhy succeeded Fr. Gigi Philip

in 2004 and during his tenure the

community grew spiritually. Fr.

Mambrakuzhy also paid special at-

tention to the youth development

and hosted an MCYM convention in

Toronto in the year 2008. H.E most

Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas took

over from Mar Issac Mar Cleemis as

the Apostolic Visitator in 2004.




ers, we are doers. We will continue

our hard work and set stage for the

opening of new missions in Vancou-

ver and Ottawa areas in the near fu-

ture.

Conclusion

We thankfully remember all

the struggles undertaken by those who

have opened up the path and set the

current stage. We have heard stories,

some of which are humble and humili-

ating, of the pains of the priests and

lay faithful. All I can say now is that

your sacrifices will not be forgotten,

and we will continue your efforts to

make a difference in many lives.

- Simon Plamthottam

Today

The current priest, Fr. Daiju

Kuriakose, another vibrant priest has

started leading the folk by end of

2008. Fr. Kuriakose has brought pros-

perity both spiritually and physically.

In a short span of 3 years the church

has grown from 20 families to the cur-

rent 50. Notable changes are the start-

ing of a monthly bulletin, more struc-

tured Sunday School, Lenten and other

retreats etc. just to name a few. It is

also worth noting that it was Fr. Kuria-

kose’s tireless efforts which brought a

second mission in Canada, the Edmon-

ton mission in April 2011. Another

landmark in our growth was the inau-

guration of Malankara exarchate in

New York with H.E Most Rev. Thom-

as Mar Eusebius as the head in Octo-

ber 2010.

Tomorrow

We believe the elders have

opened up the path for the youth and

children to travel. Our first group of

children born in Toronto are graduat-

ing from the universities with profes-

sional degrees and entering the Cana-

dian workforce. We are fortunate to

have senior youth serving as mentors

and role models showing the young

ones the right path. If the current trend

continues, the community is projected

to grow to 100 families in the next 5-7

years. We have no doubt that we will

have a church of our own in the next 5

years or less and hopefully a senior’s

home in the next 15 years when our

current warriors retire. We have the

determination and resolve to prove to

other Christian brothers in Toronto and

other Malankara missions in North

America that we are not simply dream-





On August 15, we celebrate the Assumption of Blessed

Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption commemo-

rates the end of Mary’s life on Earth and the beginning

of her life in heaven. When she died, her soul along with

her body was taken into heaven. She was a perfect

woman; born and died without sin. This feast also signi-

fies that Mary had completed her earthly life and pass-

ing into eternal life. In John 14:3, Jesus tells his disci-

ples at the Last Supper, "If I go and prepare a place for

you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself;

that where I am, you may be there also." According to

the Catholic Church, Mother Mary is the first to fulfill

Christ's promise. This is definitely one of the most im-

portant feasts of the Church year. Also, from August 1 -

August 15, the Church sacrifices by doing abstinence

and prayers. Through these 15 days, we can gain more

faith, devotion, and strength from God through our

Blessed Virgin Mary. Blessed Mary always did fasting

and prayers with her disciple, so we must follow in her

footsteps. Mother Mary, Pray for us. - Isabel

Date Candle 1 Candle 2 Marbahasa 1 Marbahasa 2 Bell & Readings Thurible

Aug 7, 2011 Jerry Reuben Lynn Leo Neil Br. Jobin

Aug 14, 2011 Neil Jerry Deepak Lynn Br.Jobin Leo

Aug 21, 2011 Reuben Neil Lynn Jerry Deepak Br. Jobin

Aug 28, 2011 Deepak Jerry Reuben Neil Br. Jobin Lynn



St. Bonaventure was born in 1221 in Tuscany, Italy. The

name ‘Bonaventure’ means good luck. St. Bonaventure was

born as John of Fidanza to Giovanni di Fidanza and Maria Ritel-

la. From a young age, he always wanted to be a part of the Fran-

ciscan Order. At the age of 22, he finally entered the Franciscan

order, while studying at the University of Paris, in France. He

was good friends with St. Thomas of Aquinas.

St. Bonaventure used to follow the life of St. Francis of

Assisi. He even wrote a book about his life. In addition, he wrote

several books about God. St. Bonaventure was famous for his

books and writings; however, he always remained very humble

about his work. One day in 1265, Pope Clement IV wanted him

to become an archbishop, however St. Bonaventure humbly re-

fused. He didn’t want to live a life of luxury or fame; he wanted

to help the poor and those who were afflicted with suffering. In-

stead of being an archbishop, he accepted the position of being a

Master General of his order. It was a lot of hard work and sacri-

fice for over 17 years.

In 1273, Blessed Pope Gregory X made St. Bonaventure

a Cardinal. He was washing some pots and pans in the tub room.

The papal messengers waited patiently until St. Bonaventure fin-

ished the last pot. He rinsed and dried his hands, and they sol-

emnly presented him the large red hat which symbolized his new

honour. Cardinal Bonaventure was a great help to this Pope who

called the Council of Lyons in 1274. He had many opinions and

ideas which he contributed to them. Unfortunately, he passed

away suddenly on July 15, 1274, at the age of fifty-three. In

1482, he was proclaimed a saint by Pope Sixtus IV. Pope Sixtus

V declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1588.

- Divya Mamootil





Ariyippu Kalam

Nov 1 – Dec 20

Deneha Kaalam

(Eldakalam)

Dec 21- Feb 21

Valiya Nombu

Kalam

Feb 22 – Apr 11

Kyamtha Kalam

Apr 12 – May 30

PentiKosthi

Kalam

May 31 – Aug 5

Tejaskarana

Kalam

Aug 6 – Sept 13

Sleeba Kalam

Sept 14 – Oct 31




Aug 14 - Leslie and Reni

Aug 21 - Teny and Asha

Aug 28 - Alex Francis

Liturgy of the Month

Week Gospel Readings Epistles Old Testament Readings/ Readers

Aug 7 Mt 21:28-32

The Parable of the

Two Sons

Jas 4:1-10

2Cor 3:12-18 Ex 9:19-31

1Kings 18:36-46

Isa 43:1-7

Mathew Kuthiravattom

Aug 14 Mk 12:28-34 The

Great Commandment Jas 5:7-12

Phil 4:10-14 Ex 23:20-27

Josh 1:16-18

Hos 11:1-5

Geo Issac

Aug 21 Lk 18:9-14 The Para-

ble of the Pharisee and

the Tax Collector

2Pet 3:1-7

2Cor 12:1-10 Gen 6:1-12

Eccl 5:1-7

Ps 12:1-8

Joshua Joseph

Aug 28 Mk 10:35-45

The Request of James

and John

1Pet 4:1-11

Phil 2:1-11

Deut 18:1-8

2Chro 19:8-11

Ezek 47:1-9

Varghese Mani

August 2011

Documents

Transcript of August 2011