ST. JOHN PAUL II KNANAYA CATHOLIC MISSION, SACRAMENTO, CA

Mission Director: Fr. Regi Thansassery
1070 N. Texas St., Fairfield, CA 94533. .
1-872-806-5013
regiachant@gmail.com

Mass at St. Paul’s Church, 8720 Florin Rd., Sacramento, CA 95828.
First Saturday of the month

KOODARA YOGAMS – 1

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SCHOOL
Number of Students: 22
No. of staff: 9

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Annual Parish Feast

HISTORY

Encouraged by Vicar General Fr. Abraham Mutholath, the Knanaya Catholics living in Sacramento requested His Excellency Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath to establish a Knanaya Catholic Mission in Sacramento. Mar Angadiath established this mission on September 26, 2011 and the mission came into effect on October 1, 2011 with Fr. Stany Edathiparamibl as the first mission director.

Vicar General Fr. Abraham Mutholath officially inaugurated this mission on November 12, 2011. He encouraged the mission to accept Blessed John Paul II as the patron saint of the mission. The mission members welcomed the suggestion and got approval from Mar Jacob Angadiath. The mission was first known as Blessed John Paul II Knanaya Catholic Mission. When Pope Francis canonized Blessed Pope John Paul II on April 27, 2014, the mission was renamed as St. John Paul II Knanaya Catholic Mission.

Fr. Jose Illikunnumpurath was the director from May 6, 2013. Fr. Pathrose Champakkara was appointed as the director from October 18, 2014 to to June 26, 2016. Fr. Mathew Meledath served as the director from June 28, 2016 to April 30, 2018. Fr. Saji Pinarkayil became director from May 1, 2018. Fr. Abraham Kalarickal was appointed as the mission director from June 3, 2018. Fr. Regi Thandassery is the mission director from January 30, 2022.

The Holy Mass for the mission is celebrated on the first and third Sundays of every month and all Christian holidays at St. Paul’s Church, 8720 Florin Rd., Sacramento, CA 95828. The residence of Fr. Abraham Kalarickal is at Holy Spirit Church, 1070 N. Texas St., Fairfield, CA 94533. St. John Paul II Knanaya Catholic Mission of Sacramento comprises of 46 Knanaya Catholic families living in Sacramento and neighboring areas in Northern California.

TIMELINE

2011 October 1: Mar Jacob Angadiath established the mission with Fr. Stany Edathiparamibl as the first mission director.

2011 November 12: Vicar General Fr. Abraham Mutholath officially inaugurated the mission.

2013 May 6 Fr. Jose Illikunnumpurath became mission director.

2014 October 18:  Fr. Pathrose Champakkara was appointed as the director.

2016 June 28: Fr. Mathew Meledath became the director.

2018 May 1: Fr. Saji Pinarkayil became the mission director.

2018 June 3: Fr. Abraham Kalarickal was appointed as the mission director.

2022 January 30: Fr. Regi Thandassery was appointed as the mission director.

MISSION DIRECTORS

Fr. Stany Edathiparambil (2011 October 1 – 2013 May 6)

Fr. Jose Illikunnumpurath (2013 May 6 – 2014 October 18)

Fr. Pathrose Champakkara (2014 October 18 – 2016 June 26)

Fr. Mathew Meledath (2016 June 28 – 2018 April 30)

Fr. Saji Pinarkayil (2018 May 1 – 2018 June 3)

Fr. Abraham Kalarickal (2018 June 3 – 2021 January 27)

Fr. Regi Thandassery (2022 January 30 – )

PAST AND PRESENT MISSION DIRECTORS

Fr. Stany Edathiparambil (First Mission Director), Fr. Jose Illikunnumpurath (Former Director), Fr. Pathrose Champakkara (Former Director), Fr. Mathew Meledath (Former Director), Fr. Saji Pinarkayil (Former Director), Fr. Abraham Kalarickal (Former Director), Fr. Regi Thandassery (Present Director).