Weekly Newsletter-March 5, 2024

Weekly Announcements: St. Thomas the Apostle Syro Malabar Forane Catholic Church
4922 Rosehill Road, Garland, Texas 75043

  St. Thomas the Apostle Syro-Malabar Forane Catholic Church

Weekly Announcements,
March 5, 2024

Dear Parishioners,


1. Holy Qurbana Schedule

Sunday:

8:30 am: Holy Qurbana in Malayalam and CCD.

10:30 am: Holy Qurbana in English.

Weekdays:

Monday (During Lent Season): Holy Qurbana at 8:30 am, followed by Stations of the Cross.

Tuesday through Thursday (During Lent Season): Holy Qurbana at 8:30 am, followed by Stations of the Cross.

Friday (During Lent Season): Eucharistic adoration from 6:00 pm to 6:50 pm, followed by St. Jude's Novena, Holy Qurbana and Stations of the Cross. Confessions from 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm.

Saturday (During Lent Season): Holy Qurbana at 8:30 am, followed by Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Stations of the Cross.


2. March 2024 Updates

  • The 50-Day Lenten Season started on Ash Monday (February 12, 2024). Ward prayer meetings will be held during Lent. Your participation and co-operation are kindly requested.
  • The 2024 Youth Camp for High School Students will be held from March 8th - 11th at 576 Sabine Creek Ranch, Royse City, TX 75189. The registration cost is $170 per participant. It is open to register now. Click the link for the Packing List
    • We kindly request parents to step forward as volunteers. 
    • For more details or to register, please contact Akshay Michael: at (469)-465-7455 or Jeevan James: at (972)-375-8763.
  • Next Parish Council Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 12:00 pm.
  • Marriage Prep Courses: Fr. John Melepuram, Diocesan Family Apostolate Director, at (215) 808-4052.
    • March 15th - 17th, 2024 in Dallas. For more details, please contact Jokutty & Nancy, at (214) 507-9892.
    • Please click the link for details on all upcoming Marriage Preparation courses for 2024.
    • For individuals seeking registered marriage, either here or in India for visa purposes, it is necessary to obtain prior approval from the Bishop of the diocese as per the Bishop's Synod directive. Please contact your vicar.
  • There will be 40 hours adoration starting from Thursday, March 21st at 2:00 am till Friday, March 22nd at 6:00 pm followed by the retreat.  
  • Mark your calendar for the 2024 Lenten retreat for adults on March 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. Fr. Sunil Aenekatt VC from Divine Mercy Healing Center in New Jersey will be leading the retreat.
    • The retreat for the kindergarten and elementary school children will be held on Saturday, March 23rd from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm led by Sr. Agnes MSMI. 
    • We have Cherupushpa Mission League (CML) for children Grades 4-12 and Holy Childhood Association (HCA) for Grades K-3 in our parish, led by Rev. Sr. Maria Thengumthottam. Mini Shaji is our parish level coordinator for CML and HCA. Parents are encouraged to enroll their children in these associations.
      • Gigimol Mathew and Seenia Mathew are the animators for the CML.
      • Anu Jojy and Silu Bertie Dsouza and are the animators for the HCA.
      • Parking lot construction project: The General Body approved to proceed with the parking lot construction project and raise the needed funds. The estimated cost for the 100-space parking lot exceeds $500,000. We kindly request your cooperation and prayers as we aim to complete the project before our Parish Feast/Perunnal. Please get in touch with our Kaikkarans (Trustees) if you are available to assist with the parking lot project.
        • Those families who haven't yet contributed to Parish Hall and Church construction are expected to contribute more to this project.
        • The rest of the families are requested to contribute a minimum of $1,000 or above for this project.
        • Those contributing $3,000 or more towards this project would have their names written on the designated parking spots, and those sponsors who prefer not to display their names also have that option.
            • There are other things to consider along with the parking lot project; create a walkway in front of the church for the feast procession, place a signboard with visible mass timing, and a playground.
            • The crying room and chapel are designated for parents attending with small children. Others, please use the main church for Mass on Sundays and special occasions. 
                    • Please include your church registration number in the check as part of the memo when you write checks to the church. 
                    • Church/Parish Hall Booking: To secure a booking for the church or parish hall for various purposes, individuals must complete the necessary form from the parish trustees' office.
                    • For year-end financial statements, please contact the Trustees.
                    • If you choose to make church payments via Zelle, please email payst.thomasgarland@gmail.com. In the email, include the purpose of the payment and your parish account number. This information will assist in identifying your payment and streamline the accounting process.

                    3. Upcoming Events

                    • Join us for a transformative one-day Catholic Marriage enrichment conference tailored for young couples! Experience a day of enrichment in faith, marriage, and parenting at our Church on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The deadline to register is March 24, 2024For details and registration, click the link: Together in Christ. Please contact Jokutty & Nancy, at (214) 507-9892.
                      • The First Holy Communion for the children is on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
                      • Seize the unique opportunity to participate in the 2024 Syro Summit: "Christ is our Hope," designed for youth aged 21-35, in Baltimore from June 27-30. Ensure your early reservation and become an integral part of this enriching experience. For details about this event, please click Syro Summit 2024.
                      • St. Thomas Feast Day (Thirunnal): The main Thirunnal will be celebrated from Friday, July 5th through Sunday, July 7th. 


                      4. IPSF 2024: Inter Parish Sports Festival

                      • IPSF 2024 in Houston: Mr. Cherian Churanadu and Mrs. Biji Edward have been appointed as coordinators for IPSF.
                      • The IPSF parish-level competition schedule is on the church notice board. Please click the link to view the church competition dates. Please contact Mrs. Biji Edwards, at (214) 455-6133, or Mr. Cherian Churanadu, at (214) 729-2132.
                      • There is an IPSF sign-up sheet in the Narthex for volunteering.


                      5. Eucharistic Revival Updates


                      6. Safe Environment Updates


                      7. Additional Church related information

                      • Mathru Jyothis, Senior Ministry, Adult Bible Study, Prayer Ministry, Church and Hall Bookings, Sacraments for homebound, donation and payments, etc. Please click the link to view additional church information.


                      God Bless You
                      Fr. James Nirappel


                      Church Main Office (972) 240-1100

                      Kaikkarans (Trustees):
                      Antony Nelluvelil (Tomy) (972) 533-7399
                      Kurian Mannanal (972) 741-0103
                      Mathew John (Raju) (214) 417-6717
                      Sunny Kochuparambil (972) 365-9506

                      Parish Council Secretary & Asst. Secretary:
                      Mini Joseph Vilangolil (972) 896-2515
                      Lissamma Xavier (Asst. Secretary) (817) 657-4427

                      Liturgy Coordinator:
                      Jose Paul (972) 589-0434

                      Parish Vicar:
                      Fr. James Nirappel (443) 414-2250

                      Copyright © 2021 St. Thomas the Apostle Syro-Malabar Forane Catholic Church,
                      4922 Rosehill Road, Garland, Texas 75043. All rights reserved.
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