Weekly Newsletter-August 27, 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,
August 27, 2024

Dear Parishioners,


1. Holy Qurbana Schedule

    Sunday:

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

    10:30 am: Holy Qurbana in English.

    Weekdays:

    Tuesday through Thursday: Holy Qurbana at 8:30 am.

    Friday: Eucharistic adoration from 6:00 pm to 6:50 pm, followed by St. Jude's Novena and Holy Qurbana. Confession hours are from 5:30 pm - 6:40 pm.

    Saturday: Holy Qurbana at 8:30 am, followed by the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.


    2. August 2024 Updates

      • Nativity of Our Mother Mary: In commemoration of the Nativity of our Mother Mary, we will begin the Ettu Nombu, or 8 days of fasting on September 1st, and it will conclude on Sunday, September 8th. Parents are encouraged to fast and pray for their children for 8 days and to attend the Holy Qurbana if possible. If you are able to sponsor the Nativity Thirunnal, kindly make a $100 check payable to the church. 
      • CCD Teacher's Seminar: The Dallas Forane Church CCD teachers will have a one-day seminar on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
        • Retreat: An Inner Healing and Deliverance Retreat is scheduled for Friday to Sunday, December 6-8, 2024. The retreat is led by Rev. Dr. Thomas Vazhacharickal, Director of Nebo Retreat Center, Vagamon, Palai.
        • ParishOnNet Access: As per the diocesan guidelines, we are initiating the ParishOnNet access for all parishioners. You will be receiving a password reset link to your email as per the church records.
              • Accessing Family and Family Member records
              • Reviewing sacramental records (including Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion and Marriage)
              • Making one-time or recurring Pledge, Offertory, Donations, etc. using the online Payment Portal
              • Registering for CCD, VBS, IPSF and IPTF
              • Tracking church contributions, viewing tax statements and monitoring pending balance reports

                Please save the ParishOnNet link for our church.
              • Private Usage of Church and Parish Hall: We need to establish clear guidelines for the private usage of the church and parish hall. Our review of the church records revealed no existing General Body or Parish Council guidelines on this matter.  

                • During the Parish Council meeting held on Sunday, June 9th, it was decided that no private programs will be allowed after 5:00 pm until the next General Body meeting, at which time new guidelines will be established. This rule does not apply to those who booked the parish hall before June 9th. 

                • Following the Chicago Diocese Bishop's approval of the new guidelines, we will implement them accordingly.
                • When using the church and parish hall for private events, please ensure that the sanctity of these spaces is preserved by maintaining an atmosphere of reverence and respect at all times.
                • Parking Lot Construction Project Update: 

                  • The church land, previously divided into two survey numbers, has been resurveyed and consolidated into a single plot (new plat). We were previously paying property taxes for our land under separate plats. With the new plat in place, we are not obligated to make any further payments.
                  • On June 6th, the new survey report, along with the plan for 141 parking spots, was submitted to the Garland City authorities for approval. A copy of the submission has been posted on the church notice board.
                  • After the city approves the submitted plan, we will need to secure a contract.
                  • If we receive the funds from those who have pledged, we will be able to complete the entire project, which includes 141 parking spots. Otherwise, we will only be able to build as many parking spots as the combined total of received funds and the available church balance allows.
                  • We kindly request your cooperation in providing the necessary funding for this project.
                • Parish Council Meeting Decision: The parish council meeting held on Sunday, April 14th, unanimously decided that those parishioners who are in the Church Committee, CCD Teachers, Choir Members, Senior Ministry Committee Members, Mathru Jyothis Committee Members, St. Vincent De Paul Committee Members and other church leaders of various activities should be role models of the church and maintain their monthly/yearly pledges and pay the previous year's balances if any. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of our Kaikkarans.
                • Offertory Collection: When placing your offertory collection in the envelope, please ensure to write your name and clearly state the intended purpose of your donation.
                  • 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.
                  • Please include your church registration number on the check as part of the memo when you write checks to the church. 
                  • 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

                  • Parish Picnic: Our parish picnic is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th.
                  • Marriage Prep Course: Fr. John Melepuram, Diocesan Family Apostolate Director - (215) 808-4052.

                    Friday, December 13th – Sunday, December 15th | (Dickson, TX)
                    Contact: Mr. Tomy Arackal (713) 398-0567
                    Vicar: Fr. Johnykutty Puleessery


                  4. Eucharistic Revival Updates


                  5. Safe Environment Updates


                  6. 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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