Chicago Parish Establishment

  • Posted on: 9 May 2012
On 19 February 2012, His Excellency Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius, Bishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Exarchate canonically elevated the St. Mary’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission of Chicago to the level of a parish of the Exarchate. During the solemn celebration of the Divine Liturgy, His Excellency read out the Decree of Establishment. Afterwards, he handed over the decree to the pastor Rev. Mathew Perumbillikunnel, the secretary Mr. Benjamin Thomas, the treasurer Mr. Abraham (Renjan) Varughese, and Bars Itho Britho Mrs. Achamma John Mathai.
The Chicago Mission was established in 1983 and has been shepherded by a duly-appointed vicar since its establishment. Mr. Benjamin Thomas briefly read a history of the Chicago mission, which is available here. (http://syromalankarausa.org/content/st-marys-chicago-church-history). The parish is located at 1208 Ashland Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60202.
Raising this mission to the status of a parish proper was an important milestone in the ecclesial growth of this community. His Excellency thanked all the priests and the lay leaders whose leadership and dedication were instrumental to the growth of this parish.
In the afternoon, His Excellency participated in a question and answer session with the parishioners of the newly established parish.