ST MARY'S SYRO-MALABAR CHURCH
About Our
Parish
Our Syro-Malabar Heritage
The Syro-Malabar Church is one of the ancient Eastern Catholic Churches, tracing its origins to the apostolic mission of St Thomas the Apostle, who, according to Christian tradition, arrived in Kerala, India, in AD 52. Also known as St Thomas Christians, the faithful of this tradition have preserved a rich spiritual heritage, distinctive liturgy and deep-rooted Christian customs throughout the centuries.
The Syro-Malabar Catholic community in Melbourne carries this precious heritage with faith and dedication. Our parish journey reflects the commitment of generations of families who came together to preserve their traditions, celebrate their faith and build a strong Christian community in Melbourne's western suburbs.
Our Parish Journey
The Early Beginnings – 2011
As more Syro-Malabar families settled in Melbourne, particularly across the western suburbs, the desire to celebrate the Holy Qurbana in Malayalam and preserve their liturgical traditions grew stronger.
In December 2011, our pioneering families organised the first Malayalam Syro-Malabar Holy Qurbana at Queen of Peace Church, Altona Meadows. This marked an important beginning in the formation of our parish community.
Growing in Faith – 2013
With the community continuing to grow, faith formation for children became an important priority. Catechesis commenced in early 2013, and Malayalam Holy Qurbana and catechetical classes were subsequently held on the second Sunday of each month.
A Growing Community – 2015
As participation increased, the community's liturgical services moved to St Peter Apostle Church, Hoppers Crossing, providing greater opportunities to gather for worship on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.
In 2015, services relocated to St Martin de Porres Church, Laverton. This provided additional opportunities for liturgical celebrations and special occasions, including Christmas and Holy Week.
Throughout these formative years, our community received dedicated pastoral guidance from Fr Peter Kavumpuram, Fr Pious Kodakathanathu, Fr Manoj Kannamthadathil, Fr Francis Kolencherry and Fr Mathew Kochupurackal.
The Establishment of Our Parish – 2017
The year 2017 marked a significant milestone in our community's history. Our community was formally established as a parish dedicated to St Mary, with Fr Abraham Nadukunnel appointed as its first full-time parish priest.
From this time, Sunday Holy Qurbana and catechesis became regular weekly celebrations. Although liturgical services and catechesis have been conducted at different locations, including Ardeer and Laverton, our community has remained united as one parish.
Building a Spiritual Home for Future Generations
A major milestone in our parish journey was the acquisition of four acres of land, bringing us closer to our long-held dream of establishing a dedicated parish church and hall.
Our vision is to build a beautiful Syro-Malabar Catholic church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, together with facilities that will support worship, faith formation, fellowship and community life.
More than a place of worship, we envision this as a spiritual home where children, young people, families and future generations can remain connected to their faith, culture and Syro-Malabar heritage.
This dream is made possible through the generosity, unity, prayers and sacrificial commitment of our parishioners. Through their continued support and collective efforts, we hope to turn this shared vision into a lasting legacy for generations to come.
A Message from Our Parish Priest
Our parish is more than a place of worship; it is a family united in Christ, strengthened by faith and inspired by the example of our Blessed Mother.
As we continue our spiritual journey, may we remain committed to prayer, love, service and unity. Let us work together to nurture our faith, support one another and build a vibrant parish community for present and future generations.
Fr Joseph Ezhumayil
Parish Priest
St Mary's Syro-Malabar Parish Melbourne West
FORMS
Direct Debit Request (DDR)
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