Parish Establishment in Washington DC

The St. Mary’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission in Washington DC was raised as a Parish in the St. Mary, Queen of Peace, Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy in the USA and Canada on September 11, 2016 on the occasion of the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of St. Mary. On September 11, at 11.00 am, His Excellency the Most Rev. Thomas Mar Eusebius celebrated the fest day Holy Mass for the community and during the Holy Mass, he read out the decree, establishing the parish. The decree was later received together by the representatives of the parish, namely, by Reverend Fr. Mathai Mannoorvadakkethil, the Pastor, Mrs. Anita Thomas, the Secretary and Mr. Binu Varghese, the treasurer. During the Holy Mass, His Excellency thanked all the lay leaders of the community and the priests who served here, for their contributions to the growth of the community. The Syro-Malankara Catholic Mission in Washington was started in 1985 by His Grace the Most Rev. Benedict Mar Gregorios. Rev. Fr. John Kalloor (presently His Excellency the Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom) was the first priest in-charge of the Mission. He was followed by Rev. Fr. Thomas Poovannal, Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Charuvilayil and Rev. Fr. Jacob Chirayath. Rev. Fr. Mathai was appointed in charge of this community in 2011.