CHRIST THE KING KNANAYA CATHOLIC PARISH, CARTERET, NEW JERSEY

67 Fitch St., Carteret, NJ 07008.

Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil
1900 Meadowbrook Rd. Feasterville, PA 19053.
1-224-766-5832, lijokochuparambil101@gmail.com

SANCTUARY OF THE CHURCH

HISTORY

At the request of the Knanaya Catholics living in the New Jersey and surrounding areas, Rev. Fr. Joseph Saurianmakil started Holy Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite from fourth Sunday of October 1993. At the beginning, people from Rockland area also were participating in the Holy Mass here. However, at the request of the people there, Rockland Knanaya Catholic Mission was started later.

From January 1999 onwards Rev. Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil was the director of New Jersey Knanaya Catholic Mission. With the establishment of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago in 2001, this mission became part of this diocese. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Rev. Fr. Thomas Animmoottil as the director of the mission with effect from January 15, 2005. Rev. Fr. Thomas Pralel was appointed as the mission director and Rev. Fr. James Ponganayil as the associate director with effect from August 17, 2008 replacing Fr. Animoottil. Rev. Fr. James Ponganayil became the mission director with effect from January 01, 2009. Fr. Jose Tharackal became the mission director from October 23, 2009. Fr. Renny Kattel was the next mission director.

The mission bought a church from the Catholic Diocese of Metuchen in the city of Carteret, New Jersey in 2018 under the leadership of Fr. Renny Kattel. The church was blessed, and the mission was elevated as a parish on Saturday, September 15, 2018 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath. Mar Mathew Moolakkatt was the main celebrant of the inaugural Holy Mass. Mar Joy Alappatt gave the homily during the Mass. Regional Director Fr. Thomas Mulavanal gave a blessing speech during the meeting. Fr. Renny Kattel was appointed as the first pastor of the parish on the same day. Fr. Bins Chethalil was appointed as the next pastor from August 18, 2020. Mar Joy Alappatt appointed Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil as the pastor from November 1, 2023 replacing Fr. Bins Chethalil.

This mission serves around 135 Knanaya Catholic families comprising of state of New Jersey and Staten Island.

TIMELINE

1993 October 24: The first Syro-Malabar Qurbana for the Knanaya Catholics living in New Jersey and surrounding areas by Rev. Fr. Joseph Saurianmakil.

1999 January 24:  Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil took charge of offering the Holy Qurbana.

2018: The mission bought a church from the Diocese of Metuchen in Carteret under the leadership of the Mission Director Fr. Renny Kattel.

2018 September 15: Mar Jacob Angadiath blessed the church and elevated the mission as a parish with Fr. Renny Kattel as the pastor. Mar Mathew Moolakkatt was the main celebrant of the Holy Mass and Mar Joy Alappatt gave the homily.

2020 August 18: Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. Bins Chethalil as the pastor.

2023 November 1: Mar Joy Alappatt appointed Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil as the pastor.

DIRECTORS / PASTORS

Fr. Jose Sauriamakil (1993 October 24 – 1999 January 24)

Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil (1999 January 24 – 2005 January 15)

Fr. Thomas Animoottil (2005 January 15 – 2008 August 17)

Fr. Thomas Pralel (2008 August 17 – 2009 January 1)

Fr. James Ponganayil (2008 August 17 – 2009 October 23)

Fr. Jose Tharackal (2009 October 23 – 2015)

Fr. Renny Kattel (2015 – 2020 August 17)

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

Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil (2023 November 1 – )

PAST AND PRESENT DIRECTORS AND PASTORS

Fr. Jose Sauriamakil (First Mission Director), Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil (Former Director), Fr. Thomas Animoottil (Former Director), Fr. Thomas Pralel (Former Director), Fr. James Ponganayil (Former Director), Fr. Jose Tharackal (Former Director), Fr. Renny Kattel (First Pastor), Fr. Bins Chethalil (Former Pastor), Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil (Present Pastor).