Thanks to the hospitality of Father Feszek Szmasek, pastor, and the parish council of St. Paul Parish, Catholics of Indian heritage can celebrate Mass in the ancient Syro-Malabar Rite of India on the second Sunday of the month at 3 pm at St. Paul’s.
A scheduling exception was made in May this year, when the Mass was celebrated on Sunday, May 22. Father John Punnakunnel, the community’s spiritual director, celebrates the monthly Mass.
The Catholic faith in India traces its origins to the missionary work of the Apostle Thomas. The faith has continued to flourish in that country through the centuries, particularly in Kerala, and Catholics in that area are popularly referred to as “Thomas Christians.” The Syro-Malabar Church is the second largest of the Eastern Rite Churches in communion with Rome.
