Dear Parishioners,
1. Holy Qurbana Schedule
- Tuesday, March 31, 2026 – Wednesday, April 1, 2026
- 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana
- 7:00 PM: Holy Qurbana
- Thursday, April 02, 2026 (Pesaha Vyazham / Holy Thursday)
- 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM: Silent Adoration
- 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Common Adoration
- 7:00 PM: Holy Qurbana & Washing of the Feet (English in the Jubilee Hall; Malayalam in the Church), followed by Appam Murikkal
- Please Note: The collection on Holy Thursday will support our Chicago Diocese Seminarian Fund. We kindly request your generous support.
- Please bring Pesaha Appam and place it in the Parish Hall Kitchen area before the Holy Thursday service. It is not required to bring Pesaha Paal this year, since we have a sponsor.
- Friday, April 03, 2026 - Good Friday
- 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM: Silent Adoration & Puthen Pana Vaayana
- 10:00 AM: Passion Narration (English in the Jubilee Hall; Malayalam in the Church), followed by 'Way of the Cross' with LIVE Performance by our Youth, with 14 stations around the church, followed by Kurishu Muthal & Kaypuneer in the Church.
- Please Note: The Good Friday collection will be sent to the Holy Land. We request your support in this collection.
- Saturday, April 04, 2026 - Holy Saturday
- 8:30 AM: Holy Qurbana, followed by Blessing of the new Water & Fire and Renewal of Baptismal vows.
- Please Note: Those who would like to have candles and water blessed are requested to bring them to the church.
- 6:30 PM: Easter Vigil Service: English in the Parish Hall; Malayalam in the Church, followed by Sneha Virunnu.
- Sunday, April 05, 2026 - Easter Sunday
2. March 2026 Updates
- Easter Lily Sponsors: Parishioners who would like to sponsor Easter Lilies for altar decoration are requested to contact Trustees. Easter Lilies are expensive, so requesting for more sponsorship and Thank you for your generous support.
- Holy Week Confession Schedule:
- Monday, March 30, 2026 to Wednesday, April 1, 2026: Before and after Holy Qurbana
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination of Our Vicar Rev. Fr. Siby Sebastian, MST: Our Vicar Fr. Siby Sebastian was ordained as a priest on April 18th, 2001 and this year our beloved Vicar is completing 25 years as a priest. Our Parish is blessed to celebrate the Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee of our Vicar. Please see details below.
- Silver Jubilee Holy Qurbana: Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3:30 PM followed by gathering at Parish Hall.
- You are cordially invited. Please see Silver Jubilee Invitation at this Link. Let us celebrate together this blessed occasion.
- Dinner will be served.
- Dear Parishioners, We humbly request you to please contribute to meet expenses for Jubilee Celebrations. You may contribute directly at Trustee's Office (Cash / Cheque / Credit Card) or thru Zelle (payst.thomasgarland@gmail.com) or thru ParishOnNet. Once you log in to ParishOnNet, click 'Donate' and Select 'Vicar's Jubilee Fund' to contribute thru ParishOnNet.
- Sacred Heart Cemetery Burial Spaces on Sale: Sacred Heart Cemetery at Rowlett has announced a special sale on burial spaces with a 14% discount, valid until the end of this March 2026. Those interested in utilizing this opportunity may contact Baby Kuzhippillil or reach out directly to Sacred Heart Cemetery.
- 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.
- Next CCD Class on Sunday, April 12, 2026: There will be no CCD on April 05 (Easter). Next CCD Class will be on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
- Parish Feast / Thirunaal 2026 Updates: This year we will have 10 days Thirunaal Celebration, starting with Kodiyettu on Friday, June 26th to Sunday, July 5th. Cardinal Mar George Koovakad will be main Celebrant on Saturday, July 4. This year we will have women Presudenthis. Stay tuned for more details.
- CCD Bible Bee Contest: Bible Bee Contest will be on Sunday, April 19, during CCD Class.
- Bible Bee Contest (Oral/Written) will be done in 4 Categories.
- Category 1: Pre K & Kindergarten (10 Bible Verses)
- First Prize: $75
- Second Prize: $50
- Third Prize: $25
- Category 2: Grades 1 to 5 (25 Bible Verses)
- First Prize: $100
- Second Prize: $75
- Third Prize: $50
- Category 3: Grades 6 to 8 (50 Bible Verses)
- First Prize: $150
- Second Prize: $100
- Third Prize: $50
- Category 4: Grades 9 to 12 (100 Bible Verses)
- First Prize: $200
- Second Prize: $150
- Third Prize: $100
- Those who have written or memorized 80 % of the Bible Bee Verses will be recognized and will receive a special gift for their hard work and dedication.
- Anyone willing to sponsor any of the above Cash Prizes to encourage our young generation, Please reach out to George Varghese (CCD Secretary) at 214 809 5490.
- Parking Lot Updates and Contribution Requests: Concreting Work of our Parking Lot Project is completed 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.
- IPSF 2026 Updates:
- Winners were selected for most of the 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.
- Host Parish Divine Mercy Edinburg has offered to provide IPSF T shirts to all registered family members also. Please add non participating family members also in your Family Account, along with their T shirt Size, Select 'Non Participant' as option. You only have to pay Registration fee for Participants, no payment required for 'Non Participants'.
- As decided by the Parish Council and Vicar, You should be an active member in Good Standing 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.
- 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)
- Publishing the Contributions List: As decided in 2025 General Body Meeting, as agreed by both the previous and current Parish Councils, 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.
- Upcoming Ward Prayer Meetings:
| Ward Name |
Day |
Prayer Date |
Prayer Time |
Prayer Host / Venue |
| St. Sebastian (Murphy) |
Saturday |
04/11/2026 |
6:00 PM |
Ralph D'Souza |
| St. Thomas (South Garland West) |
Saturday |
04/11/2026 |
6:30 PM |
Mathew Mannanal & Mary |
| St. George (South Garland East) |
Saturday |
04/25/2026 |
6:00 PM |
James & Kathreen Pattett |
-
- 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.
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.
-
- 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
-
- 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.
-
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
|
