ST. STEPHEN’S KNANAYA CATHOLIC MISSION OF LAS VEGAS & PHOENIX

Mission Director: Fr. Benoy Naramangalathu
12348 Paramount Blvd., Downey, CA 90242.
1-210-843-5372
nkbinoy@gmail.com

MASS SCHEDULE
Every second Friday of the month at St. Viator Church, Las Vegas, NV

MAIN FEAST: Feast of St. Stephen on December 26th.

HISTORY

Knanaya immigration to the Nevada and Arizona states started around mid-70s. The Knanaya Catholic Association of Nevada was established in Las Vegas 1992. KCYL and Kids Club were established in 1998.   The members of the community cooperated with the local Catholic Church and initiated to celebrate the feast of St. Stephen in December 1992. That was the very first Feast celebration by any Knanaya community in the United States and probably, it was the first of its kind by any Syro-Malabar community in the United States.   

Vicar General and Knanaya Region Director Fr. Abraham Mutholath motivated the Knanaya Catholics in Las Vegas to apply for a Knanaya Mission in Las Vegas. In 2008, the Knanaya community in Las Vegas requested Mar Jacob Angadiath, the Syro Malabar Bishop of Chicago, to establish a separate Knanaya Catholic Mission for the people who live in Nevada and Arizona States. Mar Angadiath instituted the mission on January 3, 2009 and appointed Rev. Fr. Thomas Mulavanal as its Mission Director in addition to his assignment in Los Angeles. The formal inauguration of the mission was done by Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt on February 21, 2009. When Fr. Mulavanal moved to Chicago, Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Siju Mudakkkodil as the mission director from October 18, 2014.   Mar Joy Alappatt replaced Fr. Siju with Fr. Benoy Naramangalath with effect from September 15, 2023.     

Currently this mission serves 14 Knanaya Catholic families in Las Vegas, Nevada and 12 families in Phoenix, Arizona. Holy Mass is offered monthly at St. Viator Catholic Church Chapel, 2461 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121 and once in four months in Phoenix.

TIMELINE

1970s: Knanaya immigration to the Nevada and Arizona states

1992: Knanaya Catholic Association of Nevada (KCAN) was established in Las Vegas.

1992 December: The Community started celebrating the annual feast of St. Stephen.

2008: The Knanaya community in Las Vegas requested Mar Jacob Angadiath to establish a Knanaya Catholic Mission in Las Vegas.

2009 January 3: Mar Angadiath established the St. Stephen Knanaya Catholic Mission in Las Vegas for the Knanaya Catholics who live in Nevada and Arizona States and appointed Fr. Thomas Mulavanal as the director.

2009 February 21: Formal inauguration of the mission by Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt.

2014 October 18: Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Siju Mudakkkodil as the mission director.

2023 September 15: Fr. Benoy Naramangalath took charge as the mission director.

MISSION DIRECTORS

 Fr. Thomas Mulavanal (2009 January 3 – 2014 October 18)

 Fr. Siju Mudakodil (2014 October 18 – 2023 September 14)

Fr. Benoy Naramangalath (2023 September 15 – )

PAST AND PRESENT DIRECTORS

Fr. Thomas Mulavanal (First Mission Director), Fr. Siju Mudakodil (Former Director), Fr. Benoy Naramangalath (Present Director)