Shamshabad Eparchy Inaugurated with Mar Raphael Thattil as the 1st Bishop

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, the second largest Christian grouping in India (after the Roman Catholic Latin rite) has officially instituted its 31st Diocese in Shamshabad (Telengana State) which was constituted by Pope Francis recently on 10th of October, 2017. In a magnificent and devotional ceremony held at CKR and KTR Convention hall in Santhom Nagar in Hyderabad, which was participated by Cardinals, Arch Bishops and many Bishops, Priests, Nuns and the public, the Major Arch Bishop of the Syro Malabar Church, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry formally dedicated the Diocese to Vatican and enthroned Mar Raphael Thattil as the first Bishop of this largest Eparchy of the Church, and entrusted him with the great and hard responsibility of overseeing the 'Mission work' spread across a vast and difficult area, which is the primary duty of the Church assigned by her Master.

As the construction of the new Cathedral Church for the Shamshabad Diocese is in progress, St Alphonsa Syro Malabar Church at Kukatpally in Hyderabad will serve temporarily as the pro-cathedral and Bishop's House. 

The responsibility of gathering and serving more than 1,30,000 faithful spread across 100 towns in the country (out side Kerala state) is vested in the Bishop. He is to cater to the spiritual needs of the faithful belonging to 11 operative and 7 under construction Churches, with the help of about 88 Priests and few hundred nuns now. 

"The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:23). We can see in the history of the world and the history of the church, God has chosen, called and empowered some people as per His will depending upon the situations and needs. Even though the elections of people are proven to be wrong, God's selection never fails. To lead HIS Church on earth He has anointed Holy Father Pope Francis and to administer his vibrant Syro-Malabar Church, HE has weighed, called and authorized loyal and devoted Shepherds like Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Mar Raphael Thattil, Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal etc to guide His Church in these hard and difficult days.

The activities of the dark forces are very prevalent in the world and in the Church also. satan is more cunning than ever. he takes attractive and enchanting guises to mislead everyone, if possible even the chosen ones. Nowadays we see in the Church, how he shows the sweetness of power and positions, and uses the servants of God as his tools to damage the Church who the Bride of Christ..! 

Dear fellow believers, do not be deceived by the vanity the world shows you. The only aim of every Christian in this world should be eternal Life in the Kingdom of God! Whatever the world can offer will pass away after a short period. If you can believe what our Lord has in store for you,  [1 Cor 2:9] nothing in this world can entice you and you will definitely gain strength of God and help of His Mother, through the recitation of Rosary Prayers regularly, to resist the traps of all evil.

Please be vigilant and pray for we do not know the time and hour!

Syro Malabar Church NOT to wash women's feet on Holy Thursday 2016

The Major Arch Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of Kerala, Cardinal George Alencherry has made an announcement regarding the female participation in 'the washing of the feet ceremony' during the 2016 Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's last Supper. 

'Washing of the feet' (mandatum) is a custom practised by the Catholic Church, taking example from the 'Humble Act' of the Divine Master who surprised His 12 Apostles by kneeling before each and washing and kissing everyone's feet during His Last Supper with them on Holy Thursday, before His Great Passion and death on the Cross on Good Friday. This great exemplary act of the Greatest Master before His disciples to teach them to show in action the value of humility and love to one another is being carried out by His followers throughout the world. Ever since the last Supper of the Lord in 33 AD, in every Catholic Church, the heads of the Church starting from the Pope, Cardinals, bishops or Priests, this event is performed in memory of the Lord at His command. Such a rare ceremony is performed only in the Catholic Church under the sun where a master or teacher kneeling before his disciple and washing and kissing his foot.

Until recently in the universal Catholic church, representing the Lord's 12 disciples, 12 men were invited by the priest (celebrant of the Holy Mass) to participate in this ceremony. But during the Holy Thursday ceremonies of the present Pontiff Francis after his election as the Pope, he brought about a change in the customary practice and chose some abandoned and neglected persons from the society which included some prisoners and women. 

Later this year according to the suggestions of the Holy Father, the Roman Missal numbers 10 and 11 some slight changes were initiated. The earlier wordings on the 'washing of the feet' rite said, "The pre-chosen men are accompanied by the pastor (priest)". But after the editing, the word 'men' are modified to 'people' and the present text reads as "The pre-chosen among the people of God are accompanied by the priest".  This to include everyone for the washing of the foot rite without any gender discrimination. But it is misunderstood by some people as an order of the pope to include women compulsorily for this holy ceremony by giving 50 percent reservation to female gender. 

Putting an end to this confusion, the Head of the Syrian Catholic Church, Cardinal George Alencherry issued a statement that in the universal Syro Malabar Catholic Church, women will not be included or invited for the washing of the feet during the Holy (Maundy) Thursday services on March 24, 2016. The Arch Bishop made it clear that a decision on this regard will be taken in a Church synod to be held later this year.

World Meeting Of (Catholic Christian) Families 2015, Philadelphia.

World Meeting Of Families (WMOF) 2015 Congress is to be held in Philadelphia in the United States on 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th of September 2015. This is the largest Catholic Christian gathering in the world. The very concept of this family Congress was originally conceived by St John Paul II in 1992 with an aim to strengthen the sanctity of the Christian families around the globe in Faith and Love. The first meeting of the world families (WMOF) was celebrated successfully in Rome in 1994. From then onwards the world congress of families is held once in three years. 

At a time when the Christian values and morality is disappearing from the society, The families that gather from different nationalities of the world exchange their thoughts on the importance of the holy matrimonial living and rearing up the offsprings in the Love and Faith in the Creator. They pray together, discuss different issues and listen to the sermons from Internationally acclaimed figures.

The WMOF is split into two groups based on the age of the participants. Those aged 18 and above can attend the 'Theological Adult Congress' and those in the age group of 6 to 18 can join the concurrent youth congress. On Saturday September 26 night the 'Festival of Families' will be celebrated in an intercultural and colorful manner. Holy Father Francis is expected to attend this grand celebration of family festival. On 27th Sunday the Congress witnesses the Papal Holy Mass by the Holy Father.

Registrations are still gong on. Please click this link to register online:

Registrations can be made individually or in group. 

If God has blessed you sufficiently and if you can afford to attend this Meeting, please do not neglect to do so.

If you are capable to sponsor the expenses of one or some families who cannot afford to attend this congress, please do not hesitate. 

Please share this message to your friends and contacts and encourage them to participate in this remarkable and unique meeting.

For more information please check:

http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/

May God Bless you and everyone in your family....!

Please Pray for the Vatican Family Synod which is in progress.

Our Holy Father and the current heir of the throne of the chief of the Apostles of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ, Pope Francis has summoned some 191 representatives of the Universal Catholic Church  including Cardinals, Bishops and some lay family people for a Synod to discuss about some hot-button issues.

As the Pope himself has asked for the Prayers of the devoted Christians around the world as the results of this emergency Synod may affect adversely the Catholic Church in connection with certain worldly issues.

It is already foretold by our Lord 2000 years ago that during the end times, many false teachers and doctrines will appear to mislead even the chosen ones and "When the Son of Man comes, will HE find faith on the earth"?

It is evident that the satan has succeeded to win some priests and religious to act as his hidden agents and thus to harm the Church of the Lord built on the strong foundation 'Peter' (rock).

Though satan is clever and cunning, he does not know that he will pathetically fail in his attempt against  the Lord and HIS Bridal Church, though for some time it may appear as if the victory is with him.

Dear Faithful, let us all unite in Praying for the Vatican synod 2014, that the Holy Spirit the Lord will enlighten the minds of every one participating in it and destroy the secret agenda of satan.

Official Wesite for Holy Father Pope Francis in Malayalam: http://www.marpapa.com/

There is some good news for the Malayalee Catholics around the world. For the first time, a Website in Malayalam is created, launched and dedicated exclusively for the Holy Father, Pope Francis by the Catholic Church of Kerala. Major Arch Bishop Cardinal Baselios Cleemis officially switched on the website today for the world.

This is for the first time an exclusive website in Malayalam Language is created for the Holy Father who is the special gift of Almighty God for HIS Church in 2013. It covers almost all informations with photes and videos of the Holy father Pope Francis and his activities.

As it is purely in Malayalam Language, even people who can not read / understand English can easily access the website at the click of a button. It is considered as a Christmas gift for the world Malayalee Christian population in 2013.

To visit the website please click the below link:

http://www.marpapa.com/

Please add your comments below: God Bless you and your dear ones....