A synopsis of St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Parish Melbourne West

The title “Syro-Malabar Christian” or “St. Thomas Christian” is an appellation given to those Christians whose origins are attributed to the apostolate of St. Thomas the Apostle, who, according to tradition, arrived in India, specifically at Kodungallur in Kerala, in 52 A.D. From time immemorial, there has existed a body of Christians on the Malabar Coast who claim descent from those converted by St. Thomas the Apostle. The authenticity of this tradition has been faithfully preserved and tenaciously upheld by the Syrian Christians of Kerala.

It is widely acknowledged that Keralites are hardworking, adventurous, ambitious, and passionate people. Drawn by the opportunities and beauty of the vast and prosperous continent of Australia, the early immigrants from the Syro-Malabar Church settled in the Melbourne region more than two and a half decades ago. These pioneering families remained deeply committed to preserving their spiritual heritage and faith traditions by actively participating in the available spiritual services conducted in English in the parishes of Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, and Laverton. Over time, more Syro-Malabar families settled in the growing suburbs of Point Cook and Tarneit.

As the number of families increased substantially, the community began to explore ways of becoming more organised and of celebrating Holy Mass in Malayalam. In December 2011, our predecessors successfully organised the first Malayalam Syro-Malabar Holy Mass at Queen of Peace Church, Altona Meadows. Catechesis for children commenced in the early months of 2013, and subsequently, Malayalam Holy Mass and catechesis were scheduled for the second Sunday of every month.

As the community continued to grow, the services were moved to St. Peter Apostle Church, Hoppers Crossing, which provided better availability on both the second and fourth Sundays of the month. In 2015, the services were relocated to St. Martin de Porres Church, Laverton, where the community was able to secure additional opportunities for liturgical celebrations on special occasions, including Christmas and Holy Week.

Throughout this period of spiritual journeying, our community was blessed by the dedicated pastoral leadership of Fr. Peter Kavumpuram, Fr. Pious Kodakathanathu, Fr. Manoj Kannamthadathil, Fr. Francis Kolencherry, and Fr. Mathew Kochupurackal.

The year 2017 marked a significant milestone in the history of our community, as it was elevated to the status of a parish dedicated to St. Mary, with Fr. Abraham Nadukunnel appointed as its first full-time parish priest. From then onwards, Sunday Holy Mass and catechesis became regular weekly celebrations. Due to limitations of time and available facilities, liturgical services and catechesis are currently conducted at Ardeer and Laverton, although both communities together constitute one parish.

A further significant and providential development was the acquisition of four acres of land by the parish, with the vision of constructing a parish church and parish hall dedicated to faith formation and community life. This achievement stands as a remarkable testament to the creativity, resourcefulness, generosity, and unity of our parish community.

Today, parishioners continue to dream of building a beautiful Syro-Malabar church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, a spiritual home for present and future generations. It is envisioned as one of the greatest gifts that the community can offer its children, enabling them to remain rooted in their faith, culture, and spiritual heritage while growing up in an increasingly materialistic world.

Inspired by this enduring vision, fundraising and development efforts continue with the unwavering support, generous contributions, and sacrificial commitment of our parishioners. Their collective faith, unity, and perseverance continue to transform this cherished dream into a reality for generations to come.

Fr. Joseph Ezhumayil
Parish Priest

FORMS