ST. MARY'S KNANAYA CATHOLIC PARISH OF DETROIT
3238 Royal Ave., Berkley, MI 48072, USA.
Pastor / Vicar: Fr. Jemy Puthusseril
3238 Royal Ave., Berkley, MI 48072, USA.
1-630-400-7162
jemy15@hotmail.it
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday and Sunday Holy Mass at 10:00 A.M.
NOVENAS
Our Lady of Perpetual Help on every Saturdays
ADORATION
Every First Friday of the month at 7:00 P.M.
Night Vigil once a month.
KOODARA YOGAMS - 4
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SCHOOL
DRE: Biju Thekkilakattil 248-497-1966
Number of Students: 58
No. of staff: 16
MAIN FEAST: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15th.
PIOUS ASSOCIATIONS: Mission League, Men Ministry, Women Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul Society
HISTORY
Knanaya Catholic Society (KCS) of Detroit-Windsor used to organize
Syro-Malabar Holy Mass for Knanaya Catholics whenever a priest was
available. Fr. Abraham Mutholath, the Vicar General and Knanaya Region
director made presentation on the relevance of establishing a Knanaya
Catholic Mission in Detroit in a public meeting organized by KCS
Detroit-Windsor under the leadership of the then President Stephen
Parayil. Based on the discussion that followed, the general body agreed
to apply to Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath to establish a Knanaya Catholic
Mission.
Mar Jacob Angadiath established the mission on January 3, 2009 with Fr.
Abraham Mutholath as the mission director. Fr. Mutholath used to come
from Chicago to offer Holy Mass for the mission. One day after Holy Mass
there was a discussion on who shall be the patron saint of the mission.
Many members presented the names of their favorite saints. So, the
committee cast lot with the names of all the saints and got the name of
the Servant of God Pope John Paul II. Some had preferred his name
because of his historical decision to keep the status of the Knanaya
Catholics in the Eparchy of Kottayam on December 23, 2003. Since he was
not beatified at that time, we could not officially accept him as patron
saint at that time. Hence Blessed Virgin Mary was selected as the patron
saint.
Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Mathew Meledath as the director of
this mission on August 15, 2009. The mission purchased a church building
on May 27, 2010. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath consecrated this church on
July 17, 2010. His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakattu celebrated the first mass
in the church and his Excellency Mar Joseph Pandarasserril delivered the
homily during the celebration. Mar Jacob Angadiath canonically elevated
the mission as a Parish and appointed Fr. Mathew Meledath as the first
pastor of the newly founded church.
Fr. Philip Ramachanattu was the pastor from May 6, 2013 to February 28,
2018. Fr. Boban Vattampurath served as the pastor of this parish from
March 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018. Fr. Jemy Puthusseril is the present
pastor from May 1, 2018.
This mission serves around 80 Knanaya Catholic
families living in the State of Michigan. Parish main feast is
celebrated on August 15th in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
TIMELINE
2009 January 3: Mar Jacob Angadiath established the mission with Rev.
Fr. Abraham Mutholath as the mission director.
2009 August 15: Fr. Mathew Meledath was appointed as the director of the
mission.
2010 May 27: The mission purchased a church building for the mission.
2010 July 17: Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath consecrated the church along
with Mar Mathew Moolakattu and Mar Joseph Pandarasserril. Mar Jacob
Angadiath elevated the mission as a parish and appointed Fr. Mathew
Meledath as the first pastor.
2013 May 6: Fr. Philip Ramachanattu was appointed as the pastor.
2018 March 1: Fr. Boban Vattampurath served as the pastor of this
parish.
2018 May 1: Fr. Jemy Puthusseril took charge as the pastor.
DIRECTORS / PASTORS
Fr. Abraham Mutholath (2009 January 3 – 2009 August 15)
Fr. Mathew Meledath (2009 August 15 – 2013 May 6)
Fr. Philip Ramachanattu (2013 May 6 - 2018 February 28)
Fr. Boban Vattampurath (March 1, 2018 - 2018 April 30)