Dear Parishioners,
1. Holy Qurbana Schedule
- Tuesday, March 10, 2026 – Wednesday, March 11, 2026
- 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana
- 7:00 PM: Holy Qurbana
- Friday, March 13, 2026
- 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana
- 6:00 PM - 6:40 PM: Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
- 6:00 PM: Eucharistic Adoration followed by St. Jude's Novena
- 7:00 PM: Holy Qurbana followed by Way of the Cross/ Kurishinte Vazhi.
- Saturday, March 14, 2026
- 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana, followed by the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Sunday, March 15, 2026
- Please note: There is no CCD on March 15th (Spring Break)
- 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana (Malayalam)
- 10:30 AM: Holy Qurbana (English)
2. March 2026 Updates
- Welcome to Our new Associate Pastor Rev Fr. Christin Pudiyakunnel: Our Vicar Rev. Fr. Siby Sebastian, MST, the Parish council, and the entire St. Thomas Parish community warmly welcome Christin Achan. You may reach Fr. Christin at (201) 753-6829.
- Updated Holy Qurbana Schedule: Holy Qurbana will be offered at 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays. On Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, there will be only one Holy Qurbana at 8:30 AM.
- Lenten Retreat - Malayalam: Lenten Retreat(Malayalam) for Adults led by Rev. Fr. Binoj Mulavarickal will be from Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22.
- Thursday, March 19 : 6:30 PM to 9 PM
- Friday, March 20 : 6:30 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday, March 21 : 8:30 AM to 4 PM
- Sunday, March 22 : 8:30 AM to 4 PM
- Lenten Retreat in English for CCD Students: English Retreat for CCD Students will be on March 21 and 22 - Saturday & Sunday.
- Mandatory Retreat for all CCD Students Grade 4 to 12.
- Venue: Jubilee Hall.
- Led by Fr. Jomon Kalladanthiyil (St. Joseph's Oratory) & Fr. Pinto Paul (Holy Cross Family Ministries).
- Time: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Attendance will be taken on both days.
- Next CCD Class on Sunday, April 12, 2026: There will be no CCD on 03/15 (Spring Break), 03/22 (Mandatory Retreat), 03/29(Palm Sunday) and 04/05 (Easter). Next CCD Class will be on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
- Feast of St. Joseph: Thursday, March 19th is Feast of St. Joseph. Those who would like to sponsor the Feast of St. Joseph, Please reach out to Trustees or Parish Priests. Sponsor Fee: $100.
- Santhome Contributors Meeting: There will be a Santhome Contributors Meeting on Sunday, March 29th, after Holy Qurbana in the Jubilee Hall. Those who contributed to Santhome, Please attend.
- Youth Camp 2026 :
- When: March 13th to 16th, 2026
- Where: at Mt. Lebanon Camp - New Updated venue for unique experience. Address: 1701 Texas Plume Rd, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
- Who can Participate: Grades 8 to 12 CCD students
- Registration is now officially closed.
- All those who have registered for youth camp, an email with all information on schedule, packing, arrival/departure times will be sent out by Monday.
- Pastoral Letter - Season of the Great Fast, 2026: Our Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt has issued a Pastoral Letter (Idaya Lekhanam) for the Sason of the Great Fast 2026. We encourage all parishioners to take a few minutes to read this important message from our Bishop. Please click this Link to read the Pastoral Letter.
- Holy Week Schedule: On Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil, We will have English and Malayalam Services simultaneously in the Parish Hall and Church respectively.
- Palm Sunday: 9 AM Holy Qurbana in the Church (Malayalam) and Parish Hall (English), on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
- Pesaha Vyaazham : 7:00 PM Holy Qurbana in the Church (Malayalam) and Parish Hall (English), on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
- Good Friday: 9 AM Adoration followed by Passion Narratives from 10 AM at the Church (Malayalam) and Parish Hall (English), on Friday, April 3, 2026,
- Holy Saturday: 8:30 AM Holy Qurbana, on Saturday, April 4 2026,
- Easter Vigil Service: 6:30 PM Holy Qurbana at the Church (Malayalam) and Parish Hall (English), on Saturday April 4, 2026,
- Easter Sunday: 8:30 AM Holy Qurbana, Sunday, April 5, 2026,
- IPSF 2026 Updates:
- Winners were selected for several IPSF events and those who qualified to participate at Inter Parish Level Competitions were informed thru email Communications. Also Registration Link for Inter Parish event is shared to qualified participants. Please register ASAP.
- As decided by the Parish Council and Vicar, You should be an active and Good Standing member of our parish, with no dues till December 2025 to participate in Inter Parish Sports Fest 2026.
- Please pay your dues, not only to participate in IPSF, but also as a responsible and proud member of our parish.
- IPSF Inter Parish Level Competitions officially kick off with Cricket Competitions this weekend (March 13 to 15 at Edinburg, TX). Let us support and pray and wish 'Team St. Thomas' all the best.
- The Inter Parish Sports Festival (IPSF) will be hosted by Divine Mercy Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Edinburg (McAllen), TX Parish, and is scheduled for August 6-9, 2026, at Edinburg. Please mark your calendars.
- For any questions regarding Registrations for Inter Parish level, Please reach out to our Parish Level IPSF coordinators.
- Suja Kainickara (214 500 8162)
- Mathew Ozhukayil (214 864 5106)
- Parking Lot Updates and Contribution Requests: Concreting Work of our Parking Lot Project is completed 2 weeks ago and we paid the third installment of $200,000 also. The total cost for this project is $800,000, which is to be paid in 4 Installments, as work progress. Thanks to your generosity, $600,000 has already been paid. Next installment of $200,000 needs to be paid soon and we currently do not have sufficient funds in our account to make this payment. Our parish family is blessed to be growing and with that growth comes responsibility. The ongoing Church Parking Lot Project is an important step toward improving safety, accessibility and convenience for every parish member. This is our church and this is our responsibility. We humbly request each family to prayerfully consider making a meaningful contribution at the earliest. You can make your Church Parking Lot payments, through ParishOnNet, or via Zelle ( payst.thomasgarland@gmail.com ) or Credit Card. Please contribute and support this effort. Let us unite in faith, generosity and gratitude and complete this mission successfully.
- March - Month of Dedication to St. Joseph: March is the month of devotion to St. Joseph. Please recite the 'Vanakka Maasam' Prayers at home.
- Cash Prize sponsors for Bible Bee Contest: Bible Bee Contest Team is planning to give Cash prize for Bible Bee Contest Winners and looking for sponsors for these cash prizes. Anyone willing to sponsor Cash Prizes for encouraging and motivating our young generation to learn more Bible Verses, Please reach out to CCD Team or our Vicar.
- Publishing the Contributions List: As decided in 2025 General Body Meeting, as well as agreed by previous Parish Council and current Parish Council, We will be publishing the members list along with their contribution amounts on Parish Notice boards.
- "The King & I" - bi-weekly Bible study initiative: "The King & I" is a new bi-weekly Bible Study initiative. Rooted in Catholic teaching, the sessions will focus on understanding the character and holiness of God, nurturing mental prayer and discovering the "Why" behind God's actions, following studies by Fr. Daniel Poovannathil, Gabriel Castillo and the Jeff Cavins Bible Timeline. With clear, simple teaching and guided discussion, participants will grow in trust and faith as they journey through Sacred Scripture together.
- Offered via Zoom, open to all ages (recommended for 3rd grade and above).
- Starting Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM CST.
- Please see Flyer for further details.
- Please Click the Registration Link to Register.
- Registration is required. For further Details, please contact Emil Abraham: 469 494 2546.
- Annual House Blessing during Season of Lent: Our Vicar Rev. Fr. Siby Sebastian MST would like to do Annual House Blessing during Season of Lent.
- Ward Representatives have posted Sign-up sheets in respective Ward WhatsApp groups with days allocated to your Wards. If you would like to have your house Blessed, Please sign up with your preferred date and time or Please feel free to reach out to your Ward Representatives directly to sign-up.
- Blanket Drive for 'Hope for Children' Foundation: Women's Forum will be organizing a blanket drive (new blankets only) from February 8th, supporting 'Hope for Children' Foundation. 'Hope for Children' is a Dallas based nonprofit organization. They serve abused and neglected children, giving them hope and building a brighter future. Please support this initiative.
- Upcoming Ward Prayer Meetings:
| Ward Name |
Day |
Prayer Date |
Prayer Time |
Prayer Host / Venue |
| St. Jude (North Garland) |
Saturday |
03/14/2026 |
6:00 PM |
Cherian & Mary Churanadu |
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- Church Pledge Payments: We kindly request all parishioners with pending pledges to make their payments as soon as possible. The suggested amount is $1,200 per family.
3. Upcoming Events
- First Solemn Holy Communion on May 2, 2026: First Solemn Holy Communion for this Year will be celebrated on May 2nd. Our Bishop His Excellency Mar Joy Alappatt will be main celebrant.
- Bible Bee Contest on Sunday, April 19, 2026: We have a New Year resolution for our CCD children: Bible Bee Contest 2026! The contest will be conducted in four categories:
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- Category 1: Pre-K & KG (10 verses)
- Category 2: Grades 1-5 (25 verses)
- Category 3: Grades 6-8 (50 verses)
- Category 4: Grades 9-12 (100 verses)
Bible Bee Contest will be conducted on Sunday, April 19th, during CCD Class. Bible verses have already been printed and distributed to all students during December. Parents, Please encourage your children to learn the Bible Verses provided for their Grade Category.
The top three students in each category who write the maximum number of Bible verses with the book, chapter, and verse will be awarded attractive prizes. For Pre-K through Grade 2, the contest will be conducted orally.
To view the flyer, please click on the link: PreCana 2026 Flyer.jpg
- Jubilee Convention 2026: Our diocese is preparing for the Syro-Malabar Convention 2026, which will be held at McCormick Place, Chicago, July 9-12, 2026. We encourage everyone to participate in this special Jubilee Convention. Please register as soon as possible. A committee is available to assist you - please contact them if you need any help.
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- Kuriachen Mannanal: (972) 741-0103
- Annie Nellikunnel: (732) 618-2122
- Elsy Philip: (214) 418-3431
- Jeeva Raju: (469) 734-6481
For more details, visit www.SyroConvention.org
To register, visit https://register.syroconvention.org/syro-convention-2026
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- Join us for the Syro-Malabar Jubilee Convention! This exciting event is a chance for families to explore their roots in the Syro-Malabar Church, hear from our leaders and help shape the future of our Eparchy. Plus, you'll have plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow community members and have some fun. Register now - Early Bird discounts will end soon. We've got programs tailored for adults (English & Malayalam), Youth and Kids.
- Last Date for Registration to participate in Syro-Malabar Convention will be March 31, 2026.
- Syro-Malabar Jubilee Convention - Check Out this Link .Highlights Include: Grow your Business, Dance your Heart Out, Compete in your favorite Sports, Worship, Connect and belong. Find your people and Come explore Chicago!
- There are several ways to support the convention. You may place an ad in the business kiosk, which will help to promote your business across various parishes and at the convention center. For more details, watch this video.
- Families can use the Parish Digital Kiosk for special family events and to spread the spirit. For more details, Please watch this video.
- Syro Startup Connect: Opportunity for young entrepreneurs for premier business innovations with AI. Please watch this video to learn more about Syro Startup Connect. This requires a separate sign-up in addition to the convention Registration. Please register using this link. To understand complete Logistics about Syro Connect, Please visit this Link: https://www.syroconvention.org/syroconnect
- For Convention Registrations for youth and young adults, there is special payment plan which ends on Jan 31st. This includes $150.00 initial deposit and $200 installment payments every 30 days (Total - $750) for shared room option. Applicable only for individual/self registrations.
4. Safe Environment Updates
- Effective safety programs begin with education and understanding.
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5. Additional Church Related Information
- ParishOnNet Access: According to diocesan guidelines, we have provided ParishOnNet access to all parishioners. To access ParishOnNet for our church, please click on the ParishOnNet link. You can view your family details, church contributions, tax statements, CCD registration, and more. If you are unable to access ParishOnNet, please contact the Trustees.
- Church Payments via Zelle: If you choose to make payments to the church via Zelle, please use payst.thomasgarland@gmail.com as the recipient email. Also, include the purpose of the payment and your parish Family ID number to help us accurately identify and process your payment.
- Offertory Collection: When placing your offertory collection in the envelope, please ensure that you write your Family ID number and clearly state the intended purpose of your donation.
- Church/Parish Hall Booking: To secure a booking for the church or parish hall for any purpose, individuals must complete the required form available at the Parish Trustees' Office.
God Bless You
Rev. Fr. Siby Sebastian MST
Church Main Office (972) 240-1100
Kaikkarans (Trustees):
Emmanuel Kuzhippillil (Baby) (972) 365-5906
Jose Abraham (Jomon) (816) 616-8327
Siby Thalakulam (214) 907-5993
Thomas Jose (972) 338-0072
Parish Council Secretary:
Suja Kainickara (214) 500-8162
Liturgy Coordinator:
Jose Paul (972) 589-0434
Parish Vicar:
Rev. Fr. Siby Sebastian MST (346) 270-0262
Associate Pastor:
Rev. Fr. Christin Pudiyakunnel (201) 753-6829
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