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

Dear Parishioners,

1. Holy Qurbana Schedule

• Monday, September 7, 2026
  
  • 8:00 AM: Rosary
  • 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana, followed by Novena
  • 6:30 PM: Rosary
  • 7:00 PM: Holy Qurbana, followed by Novena

• Tuesday, September 8, 2026 (Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
  
  • 8:00 AM: Rosary
  • 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana, followed by Novena
  • 6:00 PM: Eucharistic Adoration
  • 7:00 PM: Holy Qurbana, followed by Novena & Rosary Procession

• Wednesday, September 9, 2026
  • 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana 
  • 7:00 PM: Holy Qurbana  

• Thursday, September 10, 2026
  • 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana

• Friday, September 11, 2026 (Shalom Meet for Young Adults)
  
  • 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana 
  • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Confession for Youth
  • 7:00 PM: Holy Qurbana (English)
  • 7:45 PM: Session by Fr. Justine Panachickal followed by Adoration

• Saturday, September 12, 2026
  
  • 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana, followed by the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

• Sunday, September 13, 2026
  • 8:30 AM: CCD
  • 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana (Malayalam)
  • 10:30 AM: Holy Qurbana (English) 

2. September 2026 Updates

• Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: September 8 is the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. September 1 through September 8 is observed as Eight-Day Lent (Ettu Nombu) in the Saint Thomas Christian tradition. There will be Holy Qurbana and Novena in the morning & evening on Monday, September 7 & Tuesday, September 8, 2026. On Tuesday, September 8,  there will be Eucharistic Adoration starting at 6:00 PM, followed by Holy Qurbana, Novena and Rosary Procession.  Those who would like to sponsor the Novena/Feast are requested to submit their names to the Trustees. For the detailed schedule, please refer Holy Qurbana & Novena Schedule Flyer. 

• Shalom Meet 2026 for Youth: We invite all high school and college students, young adults and young families to join us on Friday, September 11, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at St. Thomas Church, Garland for an evening of sacramental grace, worship, and fellowship. The evening will include Confession, Holy Qurbana, and an inspiring talk by Fr. Justine Panachickal, followed by Adoration.
  • All are welcome, including youth from other parishes—bring your friends!
  • Free; no registration required. For more details, please see the Shalom Meet Flyer  
  • Questions? Please contact Don at (469) 845-5701. 

• Safe Environment Training: There will be a Safe Environment Training on Sunday, September 13, 2026, after the First Holy Qurbana in the Jubilee Hall. All Volunteers who are not Safe Environment-compliant, Please coordinate with our Safe Environment Coordinators & plan to attend this training.

• Safe Environment - Mandatory Virtual Parent Awareness Training: Starting this year, both parents of CCD students are expected to complete a brief Safe Environment Parent Awareness Training.
• Both parents should create an individual account at VIRTUS Online. www.virtusonline.org
• When creating your account, please select the “Parent” role.
• The system will automatically assign the required Parent Training Module.
• The assigned training must be completed within 10 days.
• Active Volunteers: If you are already a Safe environment-compliant active volunteer, then you do not need to complete the separate Parent Training.
• Please reach out to Safe Environment coordinators for any questions. 

• Charity Fundraiser Onam Sadya: Our Women's Forum is organizing a Charity Fundraiser Onam Sadya. We encourage everyone to participate and enjoy a delicious traditional Onam Sadya with fellow parishioners while supporting this noble cause.
  • When: Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM.
  • Where: Jubilee Hall of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Dallas.
  • Tickets: $25 per person. Please sign up with Women’s Forum officials.
  • Application for beneficiaries of the funds raised: If you know someone in genuine need who could benefit from the funds raised through this charity fundraiser, please submit an application for consideration to the Women’s Forum officials.
  • Application Process: Application along with a recommendation letter from the respective or nearby parish vicar à Submit Application to Women’s Forum Officials à Applications reviewed & approved by our Vicar.
  • Application Deadline: September 30, 2026

• Annual Parish Picnic: Our Parish Picnic will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026. We are sharing this date early so everyone can adjust work schedules. We cordially invite all parish families to join us for a joyful day of fellowship, fun games, activities and great food at our Annual Parish Picnic.
  • Location: One Eleven Ranch Park
  • Address: 2121 E. Brand Rd, Garland, TX 75044
  • Please see Parish Picnic Flyer for more details.

• Upcoming Ward Prayer Meetings:

• Church Pledge Payments: We kindly request all parishioners with pending pledges to make their payments as soon as possible. The suggested annual pledge amount is $1,200 per family. 

3. Upcoming Events

• Farewell to Former Vicar Rev. Fr. John Melepuram: Fr. John Melepuram, the Current Vicar General, who was the Vicar of our parish from 1999 to 2004, wishes to reunite with our parish community to celebrate a Holy Qurbana of Thanksgiving. Fr. John is scheduled to retire in early 2027, after 48 years of dedicated priestly service. Please see below details of the Farewell Ceremony.
  • When: Saturday, October 3, 2026 - Holy Qurbana at 4:00 PM, followed by a fellowship gathering and felicitation.
  • Where: Holy Qurbana at St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church followed by gathering at Jubilee Hall
  • For more details, please see the Fr. John Farewell Flyer.
  • Those who would like to join, please RSVP to any of the following coordinators. RSVP is mandatory. 
    • Jokutty (Kurian Joseph): 214-507-9892
    • Cherian Churanadu      : 214-729-2132
    • George Joseph             : 817-791-1775
    • Elsy Philip                     : 214-418-3431 

• Women's Forum One-day Trip: The Women's Forum will be conducting a fun-filled one-day trip on Saturday, October 17, 2026. All women of our parish are warmly invited to join this relaxing and exciting trip. Please mark your calendars and plan work schedules accordingly.

• Marriage Preparation Course (PreCana): The Family Apostolate is excited to invite engaged couples to "PreCana" in 2026. The following weekends are open for registration:
  • October 30-November 1, 2026 | Lemont IL | Venue: St. Mary’s Retreat House. To Register for Lemont Course, Please click here. PRE-CANA REGISTRATION FORM (October 30-November 1, 2026)
  • December 4-6, 2026 | Dickinson, TX | Venue: Christian Renewal Center – Dickinson, TX. To Register for Dickinson course, Please click here. PRE-CANA REGISTRATION FORM (December 4-6, 2026)
  • For more details about Pre Cana Course, Visit our Eparchy Website. Marriage Preparation Course - St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Chicago
  • If you have any questions, please email at familyapostolate.chicago@gmail.com    

4. Safe Environment Updates

• Volunteer Application Form: Anyone who is interested in volunteering in any church activities, please complete the volunteer application form. Please click on this link and input your email address to get the form in email. https://app.hellosign.com/s/HiUEwvY9 
• St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese Safe Environment Hotline: +1 224 225 9121
• Effective safety programs begin with education and understanding.
• Please click the link to view the article on: ​​High Stakes: A Culture of Safety for Every Child

5. Additional Church Related Information

• Pre Wedding Requirements - Important Notice: As members of the church, the Sacrament of Matrimony is a sacred covenant that requires proper spiritual, canonical and pastoral preparations. In order to ensure all necessary requirements and paperworks are fulfilled in a timely manner, we request the cooperation of families involved.  
  • Families are requested to contact Vicar immediately after any Nuptial arrangements / Proposals are done.
  • Bride-to-be / Groom-to-be is required to meet the Vicar in-person and fill the Pre-Nuptial Form.
  • Active Membership in Parish is required for proceeding with Paper-work required for Marriage, Betrothal or Baptism.
  • Marriage Preparation Course (PreCana) Completion Certificate is required.
  • Baptism Certificate and Confirmation Certificate is required.
  • If you need to announce the Marriage Banns before Betrothal, there is another specific form to be filled. 

• Important Information regarding Sacraments: Please follow these guidelines while planning for the Sacrament in your family. Your cooperation will help ensure the proper preparation for flawless execution of these sacred occasions.
  • There will be a brief Baptism preparation session for the parents prior to baptism of their child.  While planning for a Baptism,  Please ensure that:
    • An Appointment is scheduled with the Parish Priests for preparation session.
    • The parents attend the Baptism Preparation session before the Baptism date.
    • The Baptism Registration Form is completed and submitted to the parish priests well in advance.
    • Please contact Trustees Office to check availability of Church and fill required Paper Work to reserve Church. If you need Choir for your private event, Please inform and reserve Choir also. 
  • Additionally, if your family is planning to invite a priest from outside the parish to celebrate a family sacramental event, such as a wedding or baptism or First Holy Communion, Please:
    • Inform the Parish priests in advance, the details of the invited priest.
    • Provide a valid 'Letter of Good Standing' from the diocese where the visiting priest is currently serving. 

• Contact Information Update on ParishOnNet: Dear Parishioners, please ensure that your contact details—especially your phone number and address—are up to date on ParishOnNet. You may update your information directly on ParishOnNet or contact the Secretary or Trustees for assistance. Trustees are currently finding it difficult to reach some members due to incorrect phone numbers.

• 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