CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS – 3

2006-2010

Establishment of Knanaya Region to the establishment of St. Mary’s Parish.

2006

2006 April 28
Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath established seven regions in St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago. One of these regions is for all Knanaya Catholics in the diocese. “The formal Knanaya Catholic missions and the faithful of the Knanaya community living in other places where no formal missions are established will make one region.” Vicar General Rev. Fr. Abraham Mutholath is appointed as the director of this region.

2006 April 30
Mar Jacob Angadiath officially declared the establishment of Knanaya Catholic Region at OLV Church Chicago and appointed Vicar General Rev. Fr. Abraham Mutholath as Region Director.

2006 May 7
First Holy Communion and confirmation at St. John Brebeuf Church, Niles, for both Addison and Chicago Rel. Education Students. Followed by dinner at White Eagle Banquet Hall.

2006 May 12
Strategic Planning meeting for Young Adult Ministry (Ages 21-35) by Knanaya Catholic Mission at KCS Community Center.

2006 May 21
First Holy Communion at OLV Church for students from Addison and OLV Religious Education Schools followed by dinner at White Eagle Banquet Hall.

2006 May 25 – 28
First Solemn feast celebration of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus at Community Center, OLV Church, Taft High School Auditorium, and St. Joseph’s Church Addison. Archbishop Emeritus Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry and Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath were main celebrants.

2006 May 25
Mar Jacob Angadiath announced that the patron saint of the proposed new church would be the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the name of the parish would be “Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Parish.”

2006 June 24
Fr. Abraham Mutholath revealed the location of the church to be bought during the Music Concert by Rev. Fr. Paul Poovathumkal at Thaft High School Auditorium.

2006 July 1
Matchan Chemmachel took charge as program coordinator and Roy Kannothara, Joy Nediyakalayil, Jose Pinarkayil, and Alex Kannachamparambil took charge as trustees (Kaikkarans) of the mission.

2006 July 9
Started full pages multicolor printing of the Parish Bulletin.

2006 July 15
Originally planned date of inaugurating former St. James Church in Maywood as Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church for Knanaya Catholics in Chicago. Instead, a concelebrated Mass was offered at Addison School Hall by Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnachererry, Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, and Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath.

2006 July 16
Originally planned Parish Inauguration Banquet at Crown Jewel Banquet Hall in Des Plaines. During this banquet, Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath announced his decision to purchase St. James Church in Maywood for Knanaya Catholic Mission. The decision to purchase the church was suspended because of the objection from many members of the community. At the request of the bishop, more than 400 families signed in favor of purchasing the church.

2006 September 1, Friday
First Mass at St. James Church in Maywood for Knanaya Catholic Mission at 7:00 P.M.

2006 September 3, Sunday
Inauguration of Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church in Maywood at 10:00 A.M. by Vicar General Rev. Fr. Abraham Mutholath and parish council members.

2006 September 22
Purchase of Church property in Maywood for Sacred Heart Church from the Archdiocese of Chicago.

2006 September 24
Blessing of new interior architectural work of Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church and declaration of Knanaya Catholic Mission as Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Parish and appointment of Mission Director Rev. Fr. Abraham Mutholath as pastor or vicar of the parish by His Excellency Mar Jacob Angadiath.

2006 December 25
Vicar Fr. Abraham Mutholath sent a circular announcing the formation of St. Mary’s Unit for those Knanaya Catholics who attend OLV church for their pastoral needs with effect from January 1, 2007.

2007

2007 March 10
Combined Third Religious Education Festival of Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Religious Education Schools at Thaft High School auditorium. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath was the chief guest.

2007 March 29 – May 1
Annual Retreat by Fr. Michael Vettikkatt and Fr. Mathew Manakkatt for St. Mary’s Unit at KCS Community Center.

2007 April 22
Children and Teens Ministry program at OLV School by Jesus Youth Team of Chicago.

2007 April 29
First Holy Communion and Chrismation of 24 students of St. Mary’s Unit at St. John’s Church in Niles.

2007 May 24
Charismatic Retreat at KCS Community Center by Shalom TV Team under the leadership of Bro. Benny Punnathura.

2007 June 1
Dedication of Knanaya Catholic Parish Cemetery at Queen of Heaven Cemetery by Bishops Mar Jacob Angadiath, Bishop of Miao Mar George Pallipparambil, and Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Paprocki, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

2007 July 1
Kannachamparambil Alex took charge as program coordinator and Aikkarapparambil Thomas, Chemmachel Mathachan, Karickal Baby, Varakalayil Joy, Vettathukandathil Sunil (St. Mary’s Unit) took charge as the trustees (kaikkarans) of the parish.

2007 October 7
Holy Mass by Mar Mathew Moolakkatt for St. Mary’s Unit at O.L.V. Church at 5:30 P.M.

2007 November 12
Agreement with KCS to have St. Mary’s Church and Community Center at the property of KCS property in Hoffman Estates.

2007 November 18
Inauguration of the Silver Jubilee Year of Knanaya Catholic Mission of Chicago by lighting 24 candles at Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church by Vicar Fr. Abraham Mutholath and parish council members.

2007 November 29 & December 2
Retreat for St. Mary’s at KCS Community Center and OLV Church by Arvindakshamenon.

2008

2008 March 1
Forth Religious Education Festival of Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Religious Education Schools at Mather High School auditorium. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath was the chief guest.

2008 March 6
Annual Retreat by Annual Retreat at KCS Community Center by Devine Retreat Center, New Jersey, the U.S. Branch of Potta Devine Ministry. Fr. Anthony Thekkanath V.C., Fr. Martin Kalamparambil V.C. and Toby Manimaleth.

2008 May 4
First Holy Communion and Chirsmation of St. Mary’s Unit at OLV Church.

2008 July 1
New Volunteers take charge, New trustees are Chemmachel Mathachen, Kannachanparambil Alex, Kattappuram Sabu, Naduveettil Sabu and Pinarkayil Jose.

2008 July 5
Blessing of St. Thomas Syro- Malabar Dioceses of Chicago Cathedral.

2008 July 13
Holy Mass by Bishop Mar Joseph Pandarasseril, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Kottayam at OLV Church for St. Mary’s Unit.

2008 August 3
Holy Mass by Mar George Palliparambil and homily by Mar Mathew Moolakkatt at 5:30 P.M. at OLV Church for St. Mary’s Unit.

Fr. Abraham Mutholath handed over sponsorship amount to Bishop Mar George Palliparambil to construct a church in the Diocese of Miao in the name of St. Mary’s on behalf of St. Mary’s Knanaya Catholic Unit in Chicago.

2008 November 9
Seminar of Parish Development at OLV Church at 6:30 P.M. for St. Mary’s Unit.

2008 November 16
Decision made at OLV Church to buy 2.42 acres of land at Hoffman Estates close to property of KCS for St. Mary’s Church.

2008-12-11
Fundraising committee meeting at KCS Community Center for St. Mary’s Unit.

2008 December 14
Fund raising kick off for St. Mary’s Church at OLV Church.

2008 December 24
Fundraising Kick of St. Mary’s Unit at St. Emily’s Church after Christmas Mass.

2008 December 26 – 29
Retreat for Couples and Youth at Bishop Lane Retreat Center, Rockford for Sacred Heart Church and St. Mary’s Unit.

2009

2009 February 22
Holy Mass by Mar Mathew Moolakkatt at OLV Church.
Former decision to purchase property at Hoffman Estates for St. Mary’s Church was dropped in the general body held today evening at OLV Church.

2009 February 28
Fifth Religious Education Festival at Glenbard East High School, Lombard, Inauguration by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath. Theme: “To God Through Saints”.

2009 March 22
Inauguration of Kerala Expo at OLV School by Fr. Abraham Mutholath at the request of the School Principal.

2009 March 26 and 29
Annual Retreat for St. Mary’s Unit by Kulathuvayal Team lead by Rev. Fr. Jose Narithookkil, Sr. Tessin and Sr. Margaret Mary at Community Center on 26th and at OLV Church on 29th.

2009 May 3
First Holy Communion of St. Mary’s Unit.

2009 June 7
General Body of St. Mary’s Unit held at OLV Church, decided to purchase a building in Arlington Heights for St. Mary’s Church.

2009 July 5
Submission of pledge forms at OLV Church to Mar George Palliparambil for the purchase of building at Arlington Heights for St. Mary’s Church.

2009 August 16
General Body at OLV church decided to buy the second Knanaya Catholic Church at Morton Grove.

2009 October 3,4
Family Renewal Retreat for children and youth above 12 and adults by Thy Kingdom Come Retreat Team at Maywood from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. for both Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Unit.

2009 October 11
Women Ministry of St. Mary’s unit met and designed various fundraising activities for the St. Mary’s Church building project.

2009 November 27, 28
Fundraising program by Yuvajana Vedi for St. Mary’s Church by exhibiting Malayalam Movie “Angel John.”

2009 November 29
Fundraising and Christmas Celebration by St. Mary’s Women Ministry at OLV School for sanctuary remodeling of St. Mary’s Church.

2009 November 30
Closing of Morton Grove property for our second church at Morton Grove.

2009 December 13
Christmas Celebration with fundraising by Women’s Ministry of St. Mary’s Unit at KCS Community Center.

2010

2010 January 14
St. Mary’s Unit bought a Jewish Synagogue at 7800 W. Lyons St., Morton Grove, IL 60053 for St. Mary’s Knanaya Catholic Church. The seller continued to use the facility until May 31, 2010.

2010 January 17
Thanks giving Mass at OLV followed by social gathering at KCS Community Center in celebration of buying the second Knanaya Catholic Church in Chicago.

2010 February 14
Piggy Bank Drive at OLV Church by St. Mary’s Religious Education School for St. Mary’s Church.

2010 March 6
Sixth Religious Education Festival of both Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s at Taft High School inaugurated by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath. Theme: “Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.”

2010 March 11-14
Annual retreat for both Sacred Heart Parish and St. Mary’s Unit by Fr. Soichan Mullamangalam. Choir by Biju Malayattoor. Separate retreat for youth, teenagers, and children in Maywood Church from Friday lead by Mark Nemo Dr. Manoj Neriparambil, Dr. Sindu, Thomas Alumparambil, Josemon, and Rosina.

2010 March 20
Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s tour to Munster, Indiana at attend Jesus of Nazareth, a live passion play.

2010 March 28
Second Piggy Bank Drive at OLV Church by Religious Education School for St. Mary’s Church.

2010 April 19-22
Pilgrimage to Guadalupe to purchase religious items for St. Mary’s Church.

2010 May 2
Consecration of the Cathedral of the Diocese of Miao. The Madbaha of the Cathedral is sponsored by Sacred Heart Parish and St. Mary’s Unit. A huge statue of Jesus in front of the Cathedral was sponsored by vicar Fr. Abraham Mutholath who took part in the consecration of the Cathedral.

2010 May 9
Third Piggy Bank Drive at OLV Church by Religious Education School for St. Mary’s Church.

2010 May 23
Thanksgiving Holy Mass by Graduating students sponsored by KCS at OLV Church followed by reception at community center.

2010 June 1
Hall of St. Mary’s Church facility is available for use by the community.

2010 June 11
Inauguration of Morton Grove Knanaya Church Auditorium at 5:45 P.M. by former Chief Minister of Kerala State Mr. Oomman Chandy along with Ramesh Chennithala and M.M. Hassan.

2010 July 11
Special prayer service at Maywood and OLV to prepare spiritually for the six church consecrations in the Knanaya Region.
Last Mass of St. Mary’s Unit at OLV.

2010 July 15
Last Mass and novena of St. Jude at KCS Community Center.

2010 July 18
Consecration of St. Mary’s Church in Morton Grove by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath. Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, Archbishop of Kottayam was the main celebrant of the First Mass offered in this Church immediately after the consecration. Mar Joseph Pandarasseril, the Auxiliary Bishop of Kottayam was concelebrant and gave homily during the Holy Mass. Fr. Abraham Mutholath was appointed today as its first pastor.

The convent building at 7801 W. Maple St., in Morton Grove near St. Mary’s Church was blessed on the same day after the consecration of the St. Mary’s Church in Morton Grove.