The Syro-Malabar community in
Gurgaon was organized by Fr.
Sebastian Vadakumpadan in
1992. He used to go with Rev.
Sisters from Delhi to
celebrate liturgy in Syro-Malabar
rite on first and fourth
Sundays at 10.00 a.m. at Our
Lady of Fatima School, DLF
Colony. It was hard to
organize the community due to
the irregularity of Sunday
services, distance from Delhi
and lack of a big community.
By the end of 1992 it was
shifted to St. Michael’s
Church and gradually mass
began to be celebrated on
every Sunday. Though a number
of priests used to come and
celebrate mass in turn, most
of the time it was Fr.
Sebastian who came to
celebrate mass. During this
period Fr. Plachickal also
served the community for many
years.
By 1995 more people began
attending the Syro-Malabar
liturgy and the community got
more organized. Under the
leadership of Fr. Justin
Puthussery, who was appointed
in charge of the mass centre
in 1998, the activities got a
new momentum. He visited all
the houses. A church committee
was organized. A choir team
was formed and trained.
Financial expenditures were
met by collections from the
people for each function. In
1999 the community first
celebrated the feast of St.
Thomas with all solemnities
and it continues every year.
Fr. Benny Maranparambil
took charge of the mass centre
in 2001. From the year 2001
onwards, the community used to
organize annual retreats. In
2002 Fr. Jose Bharanikulangara
was appointed in charge of the
centre. As per the request of
the people he stayed at
Gurgaon during his short
period. The people were
grouped into 4 areas for
family units and prayer
gatherings. Fr. Baiju Edassery
succeeded Fr. Jose. He
continued staying in Gurgaon
for some time. He organized
catechism classes for the
children.
The members participated in
all the common functions of
the SM community at Delhi like
Santhome Fest, Convention,
Central Committee. In view of
fund collection, the community
organized lotteries in two
consecutive years at St.
Thomas feast.
The inauguration of
Santhome Working Men’s Hostel
in April 2004 was a brave new
step in the growth of the
community. This was intended
to give relief and easy
accommodation to the youth
coming to Gurgaon in search of
job opportunities. Fr. Joseph
Odanat took over from Fr.
Edassery on March 28, 2004 as
in charge of the mass centre.
A new Personal Parish was
erected carving some areas of
the Mass Centre on June 15,
2005 by His Grace Archbishop
Vincent Concessao and Fr.
Thomas Urumbumkuzhy CMF was
tentatively appointed Priest
in charge of the new Personal
Parish until a new Parish
Priest from the Syro-Malabar
Hierarchy is installed. The
appointment and installation
of a Syro-Malabar Parish
Priest is expected soon. On 22
May 2009, Fr. George
Nanthalath CMF took charge of
the parish.
|
Centre at a
glance |
|
Name: |
St. Claret Syro-Malabar
Church |
|
Address: |
C/o St. Michael’s Church,
New Colony, Gurgaon -
122001 |
|
Priest
in charge: |
Fr. George
Nanthalath
CMF |
|
Contact address: |
House No.22/7, Sector 7,
Gurgaon |
|
Area: |
Gurgaon |
|
Members: |
150 |
|
Religious House: |
Holy Family Convent |
 |
|
