Behind the mid-century grey walls of St Joseph’s Church, Quarry Hill on a bleak Sunday morning, is a warm hive of thriving activity. Mass has just ended and members of the Syro-Malabar Mission of St Thomas, a vibrant community of 130 families, enjoy a catch-up in the courtyard while a fervent game of handball takes centre stage.
Vicar, Fr Joseph Kunnackattu thanks members of his flock before returning to Shepparton where he will celebrate Mass at St Brendan’s Church for the 120 families of the Syro-Malabar Mission of St Alphonsa.
What’s striking about this scene is the number of families and young people in attendance and the joy they share. It exemplifies a flourishing parish where the love of Jesus is lived and celebrated – the Mass is vibrant, the singing ardent and the children’s catechesis fully attended.
The Syro-Malabar Church originated in Kerala, India, and credits its genesis to the evangelistic efforts of St Thomas the Apostle, who is said to have arrived in Kerala in 52 A.D. It is one of 23 eastern churches in full communion with the Catholic Church, sharing the same essential beliefs and sacraments.
In the geographic area of the Sandhurst Diocese, there are three Syro-Malabar missions – in Bendigo, Shepparton and Wodonga. Each is under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle of Melbourne, which was instituted by Pope Francis in 2013 to provide a structured environment for the Syro-Malabar faithful in Australia to celebrate their unique Mass; preserve their rich cultural heritage and support integration into the broader Catholic community.
Syro-Malabar communities, formed predominantly by migrants from Kerala, have established active congregations and are now a flourishing part of the Sandhurst landscape representing the changing face of our region.
Preserving cultural traditions, nurturing family and fostering faith in the young are core values of the Bendigo community. 150 students from Prep to Year 12 attend structured catechesis before Mass, each grouped by age and led by 22 trained and dedicated volunteer catechists.
Mission Secretary, Brigitha Jose says they aim to raise witnesses of Christ in Australia and beyond. “It is the collective responsibility of parents, teachers, students, priests and our Bishop,” she says.
In Australia, the Liturgy called the Holy Qurbana is spoken and sung in Malayalam, the language of Kerala and, depending on the circumstances, in English.
Fr Joseph explains the key differences between the Rites. “There are two parts in our Holy Mass. Liturgy of the Word, where the celebrants face the people – up to the creed. Then the Liturgy of the Eucharist, where we face the altar, so our back is not turned to the Lord.”
The Liturgy has multiple Eucharistic prayers and hymns specific to its tradition, many of which are sung. The music is delightfully rhythmical and, to a Western ear, sounds contemporary, but Fr Joseph assures it is of ancient tradition.
Fr Joseph is one of seventy Syro-Malabar priests serving in 13 parishes and 37 missions across Australia. Their ministry is possible with the cooperation of local dioceses which provide their presbyteries, churches, and halls for use. Fr Joseph, for example, lives at St Brendan’s Presbytery in Shepparton while serving Shepparton and Bendigo Missions.
St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Mission in Wodonga is ministered by Fr Siby Sebastian who travels from Wagga Wagga to celebrate Mass at Sacred Heart Church with the blessing of the Wodonga Ministry Team. Later this month Fr Joseph will commence a new placement in Wellington, New Zealand. He says he has become good friends with Fr Joe Taylor and Fr Jackson Saunders and is thankful to all who have made him feel at home in Sandhurst.
As we bid farewell to Fr Joseph and welcome his successor, we embrace the opportunity to strengthen our bonds with the Syro-Malabar people in our Diocese.
