Knanaya Catholic Community of Ernakulam
An Retrospect
“A community that grew in the grace of God.”
A few families of Knanaya community, hailing from different parts of Kerala, came to Ernakulam to take up various jobs and professions and eventually settled in and around the city, about 25 years ago. It is to their pride and credit that these families throughout their life here, preserved their ethnic identity and unity and eventually transformed into a Parish under the patronage of St. Kuriakose in 2011.
The Greater Cochin Knanaya Catholic Association formed in 1982 functioned under a bye-law as per the directive of their parent church Eparchy of Kottayam. Subsequently a plot of 10 cents was purchased for the Association under the direction of Bishop Rt. Rev. Kuriakose Kunnacherry. This forms a part of the land where the present Church is built. Rev. Sisters of the Visitation Congregation established a Convent and a Women’s hostel in the adjacent area. The convent premises served as an ad hoc venue for the meeting of the Knanaya Community and for the Eucharist Celebration. In the first years Rev. Fr. Simon Uralil and Rev. Fr. Jose Tharayil were in-charge of the community and Holy Mass was celebrated on every fourth Sunday of the month.
The foundation stone for the Community Hall was laid by Rev. Bishop Kuriakose Kunnacherry on December 14th, 1989. It has a sentimental and symbolic significance as Ernakulam is very close to Kodungallur where our forefather’s footprints were stamped first. In 1993, on January 26th, the Community Hall was blessed and consecrated by Rev. Bishop Kuriakose Kunnacherry and dedicated it to the patron of Holy Martyr, St. Kuriakose, followed by the first Holy Mass. Since then January 26th is celebrated as the Knanaya Catholic Community Day, every year. We gratefully remember all those who contributed generously and worked earnestly for the construction of the Hall, that helped in the growth of the community.
After a few years, the Vicar of the Velloor Parish Late Rev. Fr. Titus Thanniyanikkal was entrusted with the charge of the Ernakulam Community. He did yeoman service for the strengthening of the bond among the members, through family visits, home blessings and weekly celebration of the Holy Mass. The community, convinced of the necessity of a permanent Priestly ministry in Ernakulam made a formal request to that effect to the Diocesan Hierarchy. Consequently Rev. Fr. Sabu Malithuruthel was appointed as full-time Vicar, and the Holy Mass was to be celebrated at 6:30 a.m on weekdays and at 7:30 am on Sundays. Six ‘Koodarams’ (family units) were formed, within the areas of Kakkanadu, Kalamaserry, Palarivattom, Thevara, Vyttilla and Tripunithura. This was another step towards the formation of the parish. On June 4th, 2006 Rev. Arch Bishop Mar Mathew Moolakkat, the head of the Kottayam Archdiocese, formally announced the institution of the new parish with the boundaries of Aluva – Angamali in the North, Mulanthuruthy – Poothotta in the South, Fort Kochi in the West and Kizhakkambalam in the East. Rev. Fr. Renny Kattel took charge as the new Parish Vicar, when Rev. Fr. Sabu left for higher studies. In the very first General Body Meeting of the parish, held under the chairmanship of the new vicar, the incumbent Association was dissolved, a new Parish Council constituted, new trustees selected and the property of the community was restituted under the Capital Wealth of St. Kuriakose Church.
Encouraged by the special care and interest taken by Rev. Fr. Renny, parish activities were rejuvenated. Under his initiative, regular catechism classes were started and units of KCYL and St. Vincent De Paul Society were constituted. Meetings of the Koodarams began to be held regularly and they became very active. It was due to his charismatic leadership that an increasing number of community members were attracted to the parish, especially for the Sunday Mass. The General Body of the Parish decided to reschedule the parish feast and to held it on the second Sunday after the Easter. Accordingly the first parish feast under the new schedule was celebrated on April 22nd 2007, in a great spirit of piety and enthusiasm. When Fr. Renny was appointed as Assistant Director of the Social Service Center, Chaithanya, Rev. Fr. Jibil Kuzhivelil took the charge as the new Vicar of the St. Kuriakose Church, Ernakulam. The new parish priest being deeply spiritual, committed himself to the enhancement of the spiritual life of the parish members. As part of this, the novena of St. Kuriakose and followed by adoration were held before the Sunday Mass. Prayer meetings were organized on every Sunday afternoon. Through intensive prayers, Fr. Jibil prepared the minds of the parishioners for the construction of the new church building. He initiated the formation of the Sacred Children’s Union and a unit of the Knanaya Catholic Women’s Association. Also it was during his Vicarship, the 7th Koodaram of Kaloor was started.
As every parishioner was convinced of the need of a parish church, the representatives of the parish under the leadership of the Vicar presented a formal request to the Diocese and met with Rev. Bishop Mathew Moolakkat, the Arch Bishop of Kottayam. The Arch Diocese was gracious enough to buy an additional piece of land of 15 cents adjoining the existing plot. Thus the parish acquired a plot of 25 cents altogether, providing the minimum required permit area for the church construction. Encouraged and inspired by this development, Fr. Jibil set on a course of family visit to motivate the members and mobilise funds for the realisation of the cherished dream of a new parish church. Every family made generous offer of financial contribution. Upon the transfer of Fr. Jibil to Chaithanya Pastoral Centre, Fr. Renny Kattel was again appointed as our parish priest. He took charge as the Vicar on 3rd July, 2010. As soon as he assumed the charge, Fr. Renny gave impetus to the process of church construction. The Foundation Stone for the new church was laid by our revered Archbishop, Rt. Rev. Mathew Moolakkat on August 15, 2010. By God’s grace and by his own innate ability, Fr. Renny could bring together the parishioners as a single body, mobilise the required funds and venture into the sacred task of church construction. It was through the sheer sacrifice of the members and by the blessing of St. Kuriakose that enabled the realisation of this mission. In his effort to lead and guide members of the parish and foster unity, Rev. Fr. Renny Kattel was unreservedly assisted by the Trustees of the parish, various committee members, Rev. Sisters of the Visitation Convent and above all each and every one of the parishioners. We remember with profound gratitude, the prayers and support extended by Rev. Sisters of the St. Joseph Congregation, Ernakulam.
Thus, with the help of our patron, St. Kuriakose and the generous and active involvement of parishioners, numbering about 200, the long cherished dream of a parish church was realised. The newly constructed Church was consecrated on January 26th, 2012. We gratefully remember on this joyous occasion all those people for their prayers, hard-work sacrifices and financial support. We assure them of our humble prayers. In the growth of the Knanaya community from Greater Cochin Kananaya Catholic Association to full fledged parish, we remember with a profuse sense of gratitude, the spiritual leadership, guidance and support provided by Rev. Bishops; his Grace Kuriakose Kunnacherry, His Grace Mathew Moolakkat, His Grace Joseph Pandarasseril, Rev. Fathers who served as vicars, Rev. Sisters of the Visitation Convent, Office bearers of the Association, leaders and to all the parishioners.
