The Holy Father Francis has adopted the following provision for the Syro-Malabar Church: on 10/10/2017. Erection of the Eparchy of Hosur, India, and appointment of the first bishop. So our Church became the Cathedral Church of the Hosur Eparchy.
INFORMATION
The eparchy of Hosur includes the northern part of Tamil Nadu state, where there are around 50,000 Syro-Malabar faithful in the city of Chennai and another 15,000 in the nearby cities of Chingleput, Dharmapuri, Vellore and Pondicherry. Their pastoral care is entrusted to 22 priests, from the eparchy of Irinjalakuda, and responsible for 44 pastoral centres. There are also 73 women religious working in the region, who manage eight schools and other pious works.
Despite the concentration of the Syro-Malabar faithful in Chennai, the new eparchy will have as its see the city of Hosur. The Cathedral and Chancellery will in any case be close to Chennai: Saint Antony's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Noothenchery and the Saint Thomas Pastoral Centre in Aynavaram.
With the grace of almighty and by the intercession of St.Antony the Gowrivakkam Parish is growing day by day. Many prayfull, take part in the novena of St. Antony on Tuesday's. God showers his atmost blessings to the earth at time of "oottuthirunnal". It is our long cherish need to have a church of St. Antony's in our midst. We are walking towards it. Israel people's dream got materialized by conquering Cannan, after a long 40 years of sacrifice and prayers.
ANTONY OF PADUA - OUR PATRON
Chennai mission and Gowrivakkam Parish started at the same time. Initially we had holy mass in our Church in Keelkattalai, Then the Holy Mass at Mahalakshminagar Latin Church, Then Railway quarters near Sanatorium Tambaram, Then slowly the group grew and had holy Mass in some houses and to the chapel of Holy Family Convent at Gowriwakkam. As the faithful grew the holy mass started in a small thatched shed in the open space of the convent almost 10 years…! Meanwhile we managed to buy some plots and started to accumulate money for the big dream of church.
But now by the grace of God, blessing's of St Antony and by lots of sacrifice and prayers of the believers of Gowrivakkam Parish and by whole-hearted contribution of many parish's, parishoners, well wishers and by taking debts we were blessed with 70 cent's of land at Noothenchery located between Medavakkam and Vengaivasal. We remember and pray for all the generous heart who helped us without any expectations. We believe that our Parish will become more stronger by the flow of believers from Kelambakkam since our upcoming shrine is near to them.
OUR MISSION
St. Antony's Syro Malabar Catholic Church is to fulfill the spiritual and social needs of the Syro-Malabar faithful settled in and around Tambaram, Medavakkam, Perumbakkam, Sholinganallur, Sithalapakkam, Madambakkam, Pallikaranai, Mudichur, Guduvanchery, Kelambakkam, Ponmar, Mambakkam, and nearby areas of South Chennai. This Syro Malabar Catholic Church functions under the Syro-Malabar mission of Chennai - Chengalpet by offering Mass in Malayalam,Catechism, Administration of Sacraments, Retreats and Solemn Celebration of the Church Feast. We aim to achieve the spiritual and societal growth of the community in the deep-rooted Christian values.
Sisters of HOLY FAMILY CONVENT GOWRIWAKKAM also takes care of the spiritual needs of the community. We recognize their immense love and care helped the community to grow united. Also the character formation of growing kids through catechism.
At present we have about 250 families under the St. Antony's Church and are divided into 5 family units. We are proud that, with well established parish Council, pious organisations such as Pithru Vedi, Mathru Jyothis, Family units Central Committee, CYM, Choir & Altar boys & girls, this church functions like a Parish in Kerala. Catechism of the Children is an integral part of this Parish.
St.Antony's church Gowrivakkam is the fraternity of the Syro Malabar catholics settled in a wide area from Tambaram to Pallikaranai of South Chennai. Chennai is one of the metros with a very strong presence of Syro Malabar Catholics. In 1983, the Syro Malabar Bishops Conference entrusted the pastoral care of the city to the Diocese of Irinjalakkuda and thus the Chennai Mission started functioning from Dec 14th 1983 with Rev Fr.Jose palatty as the First Chaplain.
The Mahalakshmi nagar church of South Chennai had Syro Malabar mass even before the Chennai Mission came into being.This was started by Rev.Fr.Joseph Thaiparambil at the persistent request of the families of Syro Malabar Catholics serving at the Indian Air Force Base, Tambaram . This was taken over by the Mission and subsequent Chaplains like Fr.Jose Maliakkal , Fr.Varghese Pereppadan , Fr. Charley Alookkaran , Fr. Antony Mukkatukarakan, Fr.Johnson Tharayil , Fr. Andrews Chethalan , Fr. Saji Valiaveettil and Fr. Davis Kalappurakkal,... all excelled in their role of giving pastoral care to the faithful here.
In January 2004 Rev Fr.Anto Karippai and Fr.Thomas Elamakunnapuzha took charge of the southern region of the Chennai Mission. In March 2004, the Holy Family Congregation started their convent at Gowriwakkam and this fraternity got a new impetus and rejuvenation by the house visits of the sisters and the hard work of Fr. Anto Karippai, ably supported by the then leaders of the laity. From January 2005 Syro Malabar mass has been celebrated every Sunday in the convent chapel and the fraternity adopted St. Antony as the patron saint of the unit. Slowly but steadily, the unit grew in strength and faith and the number swelled from 45 to 100 members and efforts were made to procure a plot of land to build a church of our own under the leadership of Fr. Anto Karippai.
