St.Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Philadelphia
Encyclopedia
The St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, is a parish
of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago.
On May 2, 1988 the Archdiocese of Philadelphia established three separate Missions for three rites of Indian Catholics. John Pullokaran succeeded Edappilly. On September 29, 1992, Paul Pottackal took charge of the Mission. In 1995, Walter Thelappilly became the Spiritual Director, followed by John Tharayil and Johnson Paliakara. In the beginning of 2002, Kuriakose Cheeran was appointed as Spiritual Director and continued until February 15, 2003 when Jacob Christy took charge as the Mission Director. This was the first appointment of a priest from the Diocese of Chicago by Mar Jacob Angadiath.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, is a parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago.
History
The story of the Syro Malabar community in Philadelphia started in 1983 when the Indian Catholic Mission was established with John Edappilly as the first Spiritual Director of the Mission. From there on, Holy Mass was started on a regular basis. Pious associations like Children's League and Youth League were formed. A warm reception was given to Cardinal John Krol on December 23, 1984.On May 2, 1988 the Archdiocese of Philadelphia established three separate Missions for three rites of Indian Catholics. John Pullokaran succeeded Edappilly. On September 29, 1992, Paul Pottackal took charge of the Mission. In 1995, Walter Thelappilly became the Spiritual Director, followed by John Tharayil and Johnson Paliakara. In the beginning of 2002, Kuriakose Cheeran was appointed as Spiritual Director and continued until February 15, 2003 when Jacob Christy took charge as the Mission Director. This was the first appointment of a priest from the Diocese of Chicago by Mar Jacob Angadiath.