Dear Parishioners,
1. Holy Qurbana and Confession schedule for Christmas
Monday, December 19th through Thursday, December 22nd: Holy Qurbana at 8:30 am
There is an opportunity for confession in the morning this week before Holy Qurbana (7:45 am to 8:20 am) and after Holy Qurbana.
There are also confessions in the evening this week on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
If there is anyone who is unable to come to church (aged and sick) and would like to have confession and Holy Communion, please contact achan.
Saturday, December 24th: Holy Qurbana at 5:30 pm in Malayalam and the English Holy Qurbana at 8:00 pm.
Sunday, December 25th: Only one Holy Qurbana at 8:30 am and it will be in Malayalam.
2. December 2022 Highlights
- Parish Hall Renovation Update: So far 134 families have contributed towards the Parish Hall renovation. Some families are paying in installments. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Please click the link to see the names of the donors: Parish Hall Renovation Special Collection
- Annual December Christmas Caroling: Thanks to all parishioners who participated in the Christmas caroling.
- Fr. Simmy Thomas Alumchuvattil of the Gorakpur Diocese U.P is here for 2 weeks to help us during Christmas. Fr. Simmy is doing his pHD in Washington D.C. Please consider supporting him with his study expenses.
- St. Vincent De Paul Society Christmas Raffle Announcement: Thank you all for getting raffle tickets to support our society's charity activities. The raffle drawing will be on December 24th after the 8:00 pm Holy Qurbana in English.
- IPTF Update: Our parish is set to host the regional level IPTF in July, 2023 (14th-16th). All those who are interested to participate in the Parish level competition must register before Sunday, January 22, 2023.
- Didache Course: This is a beautiful opportunity to grow and learn different aspects of our Catholic faith. It is a 2 year online course. Those who are interested, please contact: Silvy Cham, Joel Kuzhippillil or Elizabeth Antony (Deena). Click the link to view the flyer: Didache flyer
- Donut Sponsors for CCD students: This is a great opportunity to celebrate your CCD child's birthday or any special occasion. There is a sign-up sheet in the parish hall. For a contribution of $200 for one Sunday, you can provide the kids with their favorite donuts. Thanks to all those who have already sponsored.
- Parishioners' financial statements: A statement of your charitable contribution to our church is available in the church narthex, please take time to pick it up. Thanks to Cyriac for putting together the statements. Clarification regarding financial statements: The church does not use any money from funds from Mission Sunday, Good Friday and Holy Thursday collections, St. Vincent De Paul society funds, Mathru Jyothis funds, senior citizen funds or disaster relief funds for daily expenses. Hence, the financial statement will not reflect money given to these funds. Our church has $25,500.00 typically in monthly expenses. Please consider the expenses when you make your monthly donations. The minimum suggested donation per family is $100/month and for those who have retired, the suggested donation is $50/month.
- Parishon.net: Per our diocese's recommendation, we are going to implement a new software portal called "Parishon.net" in 2023 for all our parish needs such as accounting, records management, letters, payments, etc. Tomichen Kallarackal (Thomas P. Thomas) has agreed to help in 2023 for accounting. Bobby Johnson has agreed to work on Parishon.net along with Parish Council member Raju Kattady and others; Elsa Rajo, Jilly Olickal, Jeevan James and Jibin Gigi will assist with data collection for Parishon.net.
- Our present accountant, Cyriac Thomas will render any help he can provide till March 2023. Parish council members will be helping with the implementation, but we will need more volunteers to support this software. Those who are interested to volunteer, please contact achan at the earliest as we are planning to start in January, 2023.
3. IPTF Updates:
- Our parish is set to host the regional level IPTF in July, 2023 (14th-16th).
- The General Coordinator will be Charly Angadicheril along with the Assistant Coordinators, Jeevan James & Janet Josey. Parish level Coordinators are Raju Kattady and Sherly Shaji.
Key Dates:
IPTF Talent Scan 2023 will be held over two weekends:
January 28th (Saturday) and January 29th (Sunday)
February 4th (Saturday) and February 5th (Sunday)
A common google sheet will be available for each event coordinator to schedule time for their event over these two weekends.
Registration:
- All those who are interested to participate in the Parish level Talent Scan competition must register before Sunday, January 22, 2023.
- To register,please click this link : church website and in the menu go to Media/Links and click "IPTF 2023 ttalentscan registration".
- Please click the link for Guidelines for instrumental music
4. 2023 Highlights
- Youth camp will be held from March 10th - 13th, 2023 at 576 Sabine Creek Ranch, Royse City, TX 75189. Please mark your calendars.
- Lenten Retreat will be led by Fr. Mathew Asariparambil for all parishioners from March 24th - 26th. Please plan to attend and get enriched spiritually.
- First Holy Communion will be held on Saturday, May 13th, 2023, which will be presided by Bishop Emeritus Jacob Angadiath. Parents, please mark your calendars.
- Dei Verbum Diocesan Bible Quiz: The Semi-Finals for the Dei Verbum Diocesan Bible Quiz will be held on Saturday, February 11th, 2023. Finals will be held on Saturday, May 20th, 2023.
- Inter Parish Talent Fest (IPTF): Our parish is set to host IPTF in July, 2023 (14th-16th).
5. Safe Environment Weekly News: Healing from Childhood Trauma - Practical applications
When interacting with a child who may have experienced trauma (events that are frightening, dangerous or violent for the child, or a loved one, since a child's understanding of safety depends on the safety of their caregivers) it is important to take a multi step approach described in the attached link. Click to read this week's article: Healing from Childhood trauma
6. Housekeeping Updates
Please refrain from stapling or sticking any flyers on parish hall walls or glass doors. We expect your understanding in this matter.
7. The 3rd Diocesan Dei Verbum Competition (Bible quiz)
For details, click the link: Dei Verbum Bible Quiz 2023
8. The Sacrament of Marriage
Young adults planning to get married, please register for the Marriage Preparation Course.
Please email familyapostolate.chicago@gmail.com for the registration.
For more details, please contact:
familyapostolate.chicago@gmail.com
Fr. Paul Chalissery (919) 749-7175
Mr. Jose Prakash (954) 540-7286
Those who are planning to get married need to contact achan at least 6 months before the marriage, especially if either party belongs to a non-Catholic Christian Community.
9. Mathru Jyothis
All mothers are welcome to help and support this ministry. To help with Mathru Jyothis activities, please contact:
Lisa Kochuparambil: (214) 336-4340
Sherly Shaji: (214) 287-2051
Enat Earnest: (469) 688-0201
Ancy Mathew: (972) 953-6369
10. Parish Hall Repair and Renovation Updates
As per the decisions made during the General Body meeting on July 24th, the following areas of work have been thus far repaired and renovated:
- Parish Hall exterior and interior painting
- Roof leak repair
- Kitchen remodeling
- Restrooms repair (both upstairs and downstairs)
Work began on Monday, August 22nd. To help fund the cost of this project, each family is encouraged to give $500. Please write in the memo “Parish hall repair”. We need your prayers and financial support.
11. Adult Bible Study
Adult Bible study classes have resumed after a brief pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now being held every Sunday after the 10:30 am Holy Qurbana in the CCD classroom, which is led by Mr. Mathew (Mathew Sir). Everyone is encouraged to participate.
12. Senior's Ministry
The Seniors' Ministry have resumed their activities. Anyone who is 55 years old and above are welcome to join this ministry. Please contact James Thomas at (214) 991-7640, Jokutty (214) 507-9892, Elcy Philip (214) 418-3431 or Annamma Paul (214) 802-3386.
13. Sacrament of Holy Communion and Confession for the Home Bound
The Sacrament of Holy Communion and Confession are available for those parishioners who would like to receive, but are unable to attend mass due to injury, illness or advanced age. Please put in a written request in the log book kept in the trustee's parish office.
14. House blessings, Baptism & Marriage Information
If you are interested in scheduling a Baptism, Marriage, House blessing or would like to get a certificate/letter, please put in a written request in the log book kept in the trustee's office. Please include the date, time of request, your address, and phone number.
15. Access to Church, Parish Hall, CCD Rooms & Founder's Building
To access/use the Church, Parish Hall, CCD Rooms or the Founder's Building, please put in a written request in the log book kept in the trustee's office. Please include the date, time of request, your address, and phone number.
16. Include Registration Number to write checks to the church
Please include your church registration number in the check as part of the memo when you write checks to the church. The registration number for your family is available in the October 2021 statement that was sent to you. If you still do not know your registration number, please contact James achan or the trustees.
17. Church Bookings
For church bookings, non-parishioners will be able to book the church 12 months in advance of their event date based on availability. Parishioners on the other hand will be able to book any time prior to their event based on availability.
18. Address, Phone number or Email Change
If your address has changed, please contact your ward Representatives/Secretary/Trustees/Parish Vicar via text message or email to change the address in the church database.
If your phone number/email or spouse's phone number/email changes, please provide the new contact information to update the church directory.
Emails: Vicar@syromalabarchurchdallas.org, trustee@syromalabarchurchdallas.org, secretary@syromalabarchurchdallas.org
19. Prayer Ministry
If you have a prayer request, please contact the prayer ministry leaders, Mary and Michael Kallarackal, at (201) 563-0727. Everyone is welcome to join the prayer ministry and also to be part of the intercessory prayer sessions. Please contact the prayer ministry leaders if you would like to join the ministry.
God Bless You
Fr. James Nirappel
Church Main Office (972) 240-1100
Kaikkarans (Trustees):
Jimmy Mathew (972) 951-7304
Charly Angadicheril (817) 296-8255
Tomy Joseph (469) 951-6639
Jeevan James (972) 375-8763
Parish Council Secretary & Asst. Secretary:
Molly Varghese (214) 912-7663
Janet Josey (Asst. Secretary) (551) 482-5529
Liturgy Coordinator:
Jose Paul (972) 589-0434
Parish Vicar:
Fr. James Nirappel (443) 414-2250
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