Weekly Newsletter-November 22, 2022

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

  St. Thomas the Apostle Syro-Malabar Forane Catholic Church

Weekly Announcements,
November 22, 2022

Dear Parishioners,


1. Holy Qurbana

Sundays:
8:30 am: Holy Qurbana in Malayalam

10:30 am: Holy Qurbana in English


Weekdays:
Tuesday to Thursday: Holy Qurbana at 8:30 am
Friday: Adoration and St. Jude Novena at 6:00 pm, followed by Holy Qurbana at 7:00 pm
Saturday: Holy Qurbana at 8:30 am, followed by Novena to our Mother of Perpetual Help
Note: Those attending Holy Qurbana are requested to follow CDC guidelines to protect yourselves and others.  


2. November Highlights

  • Sincere thanks to all the families who came for the New Family Gathering on Saturday, November 19th and all those who arranged this event.
  • Holy Qurbana on Thanksgiving Day (November 24th): Holy Qurbana will at 8:30 am. Let us gather together to thank our Lord for all the blessings we have recieved in our lives.
  • No CCD on Sunday, November 27th.
  • Registration Deadline for "ENCOUNTER" Retreat: Sunday, November 27th will be the last day to registrer for the retreat for High School and Young Adults. See the details below.
  • Annual December Christmas Caroling: Each parish council ward rep will collaborate with ward members to arrange for this year's caroling. Achan will not be able to join.
  • 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
  • St. Vincent De Paul Christmas Raffle: Please assist the St. Vincent De Paul members with the raffle as this is their biggest fundraiser to help the less fortunate, both in the USA and in India.
  • 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.
    • Sunday, November 6th: Biatrese Benny's birthday, sponsored by Benny & Beena Joseph, Forney. 
    • Sunday, November 13th: Shawn Santhosh's birthday, sponsored by Santhosh & Sumi Mani, Sachse. 
    • Sunday, November 20th: Angela Shaji's birthday, sponsored by Shaji & Mini Panickasserry, Sunnyvale.
  • Parish Hall Repair and Renovation update: So far 129 families have contributed. Some families are paying in installments. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
  • Parishioners' financial statements: A statement of your charitable contribution to our church will be available shortly. Thanks to Cyriac for putting together the statements.
  • 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. Tomy Kallarackal has agreed to help in 2023 for accounting. Bobby Johnson has agreed to work on 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.


3. Resident Retreat for High School and Young Adults

  • The Resident Retreat for High School and Young Adults will be from December 16th - 18th. Hey everyone! Join us for “Encounter” a retreat hosted by our parish for High School and Young Adults (two separate tracks).
    This retreat will be led by young adults across our diocese along with Fr. Kevin Mundackal. The weekend will be filled with Holy Qurbana, adoration, amazing talks, small groups and games, including a tournament! Register using the Google form: Registration Form
  • We need sponsors to meet the expenses for airfare for the leaders who are flying in and also for the music ministry. Please consider sponsoring.
  • Last day to register: Sunday, November 27th.
  • Venue: Camp Copass - 8200 E. Mckinney St., Denton, TX 76208
  • Please click to view the flyer: Encounter Retreat Flyer


4. December Highlights

  • Ecumenical Christmas Choir on Saturday, December 3rd: All those who are interested to participate in the choir, please contact Vincent Valiaveettil. Please click the link to view the flyer for the Kerala Ecumenical Christian Fellowship Christmas Carol 
  • The Parish Level Diocesan online Dei Verbum Bible Quiz competition will be held on Sunday, December 4th. The topic: St. John's Gospel. All parishioners are encouraged to participate.
  • We will have a reception for our diocese's new Bishop Joy Alappat on Sunday, December 11th. There will be only one Holy Qurbana at 10:00 am. There will still be CCD at 8:30 am. Sorry for the inconvenience.
  • Upcoming Marriage Preparation Course:

    Dates: Friday, December 9th - Sunday, December 11th

    Please encourage youth and young adults to register for the Marriage Preparation Course.


5. 2023 Highlights

  • Please mark your calendars as we will hold a high school and youth camp from March 10th - 13th, 2023 at 576 Sabine Creek Ranch, Royse City, TX 75189.
  • Lenten Retreat led by Fr. Mathew Asariparambil for all parishioners from March 24th - 26th. Please plan to attend and get enriched spiritually.
  • First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 13th will be presided by Bishop Emeritus Jacob Angadiath. Parents, please mark your calendars.
  • Dei Verbum Diocesan Bible Quiz: Semi-Finals will be on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 and Finals on Saturday, May 20th, 2023.
  • Inter Parish Talent Fest (IPTF): Our parish is set to host IPTF in July, 2023. 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.


6. Safe Environment Weekly News:

Sometimes when we are faced with a difficult decision or choice, we find ourselves in a dilemma that we never imagined we would face. We think that we are prepared, that we are certain that we will be able to follow our values and hearts and have clarity of thought, but when faced with an important issue or crisis, we find ourselves adrift, even lost. And so it is with the most important thing we can do for the prevention of child sexual abuse - reporting our concerns. Please click the link to read this week's article : Circle of care


7. Housekeeping Updates

Please refrain from stapling or sticking any flyers on parish hall walls or glass doors. We expect your understanding in this matter.


8. The 3rd Diocesan Dei Verbum Competition (Bible quiz)

For details, click the link: Dei Verbum Bible Quiz 2023


9. Inter Parish Talent Fest (IPTF) 2023

Our parish is set to host IPTF in July, 2023. 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.


10. The Sacrament of Marriage

Young adults planning to get married, please register for the Marriage Preparation Course.

  • Upcoming Marriage Preparation Course:

    Dates: Friday, December 9th - Sunday, December 11th

    Please encourage youth and young adults to 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.


11. 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


12. Parish Hall Repair and Renovation Updates

As per the decisions made during the General Body meeting on July 24th, the following areas of work will be 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. 


13. 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.


14. 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.


15. 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.


16. 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.


17. 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.


18. 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.


19. 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.


20. 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


21. 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

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