ST. JOHN NEUMANN KNANAYA CATHOLIC MISSION, PHILADELPHIA

Mission Director: Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil
1900 Meadowbrook Rd., Feasterville, PA 19053.
1-281-818-6518
frbins@gmail.com

MASS SCHEDULE
Sunday Holy Mass at 2:00 P.M. at St. Albert the Great Church, 212 Welsh Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006

KOODARA YOGAMS – 5

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SCHOOL
On Sundays at 3:30 P.M.
DRE: Sony Stephen Kodijiyil 267-992-7669
Number of Students: 39
Youth and Adult Teachers 12

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Annual Retreat, Religious Education School Anniversary, Seminars for youth and couples.

HISTORY

The Syro-Malabar Knanaya Catholic Mission of Philadelphia was started at St. Antony of Padova Church, Ampler, Pennsylvania in 1999, with Rev. Fr. Thomas Vattothuparambil as its director. Several Knanaya Catholics living in different parts of Philadelphia gathered at Ampler once a month for Syro-Malabar Qurbana.

With the establishment of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago in 2001, this mission came under the new diocese. When Fr. Vattothuparambil went back to Kottayam, Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Jose Tharackal as the mission director from October 23, 2009. As Fr. Tharackal was also the director of the Knanaya Missions of New Jersey and Brooklyn he could do only a part-time service at Philadelphia. He offered Syro-Malabar Qurbana once in a month at St. Albert the Great Church, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.

Later, when the Knanaites of Philadelphia expressed their desire to have Mass in Syro-Malabar rite every week, Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Mathew Manakatt as the mission director with effect from July 21, 2011. Fr. Renny Kattel was the mission director from December 20, 2015 to August 18, 2020 with his residence at Assumption Catholic Church, 1900 Meadowbrook Ave., Feasterville, PA 19053. Fr. Bins Chethalil took charge as the mission director from August 18, 2020. Mar Joy Alappatt appointed Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil as the mission director from November 1, 2023.

Around 45 families are active members of this mission, coming regularly for Holy Mass every Sunday at 4.30 PM. There is Sunday School from 3.30 to 4.20, at St. Albert’s auditorium.   On November 1st, 2011, on the Feast of all Saints, with the approval of Mar Jacob Angadiath, the Syro-Malabar Knanaya Catholic Mission of Philadelphia was renamed as St. John Neumann Knanaya Catholic Mission of Philadelphia.  Thus, the Knanaya Mission of Philadelphia is known after an American saint, St. John Neumann who was a former Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

TIMELINE

1999 The Syro-Malabar Knanaya Mission of Philadelphia was started at St. Antony of Padova Church, Ampler, Pennsylvania with Rev. Fr. Thomas Vattothuparambil as its director.

2009 October 23: Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Jose Tharackal as the mission director.

2011 July 21: Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Mathew Manakatt as the mission director.

2015 December 20: Fr. Renny Kattel was appointed as the mission director.

2020 August 18: Fr. Bins Chethalil became mission director.

2011 November 1: With the approval of Mar Jacob Angadiath, the mission is renamed as St. John Neumann Knanaya Catholic Mission of Philadelphia.

2023 November 1: Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil became the mission director.

DIRECTORS

Fr. Thomas Vattothuparambil (1999 – 2009 October 23)

Fr. Jose Tharackal (2009 October 23 – 2011 July 21)

Fr. Mathew Manakkatt (2011 July 21 – 2015 December 20),

Fr. Renny Kattel (2015 December 20 – 2020 August 18),

Fr. Bins Chethalil (2020 August 18 – 2023 October 31).

Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil (2023 November 1 – ).

PAST AND PRESENT DIRECTORS

Fr. Thomas Vattothuparambil (First Mission Director), Fr. Jose Tharackal (Former Director), Fr. Mathew Manakkatt (Former Director), Fr. Renny Kattel (Former Director), Fr. Bins Chethalil (Former Director), Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil (Present Mission Director).