ST. THOMAS
SYRO-MALABAR CATHOLIC
FORANE CHURCH
OUR PARISH
Our Parish Story
What began in April 2000 as a mission of 15 families at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Milltown, guided by Fr. Thomas Perunilam and Fr. Philip Vadakkekkara, moved to St. Joseph Church in East Millstone in 2004 with 50 families and became the first Syro-Malabar parish in New Jersey in October 2006. Our new church in Somerset was consecrated on July 15, 2015. The main strength of our parish is the unity and cooperation of its members in every endeavor.
OUR JOURNEY
Milestones of Faith
April 2000
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
A Syro-Malabar mission begins at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Milltown, NJ, with 15 families.
2004
A NEW HOME
The community moves to St. Joseph Church in East Millstone, NJ, with 50 families.
2005
FIRST PLEDGE DRIVE
The parish starts its first pledge drive toward a church of its own.
October 2006
PURCHASED THE CHURCH
The church is purchased, making us the first Syro-Malabar parish in New Jersey.
2010
NEW CHURCH PROJECT
The new church project is kicked off.
2012 – 2013
BUILDING BEGINS
Corner stone blessing on July 21, 2012, followed by groundbreaking on July 14, 2013.
July 15, 2015
NEW CHURCH CONSECRATED
Our new church in Somerset is consecrated.
2016
BECAME FORANE CHURCH
The parish is raised to the status of a Forane Church.
2025
HOSTED FIRST SYRO-MALABAR
EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
307 pledged families and 319 CCD children. The church celebrates its 10th anniversary and the First Eucharistic Congress of the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago.
OUR SHEPHERDS
Our Vicars & Founders
Fr. Johnykutty Puleessery George
CURRENT VICAR · 2025–PRESENT
Shepherding our parish as vicar of the Forane Church today.
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Transferred From: St. Joseph Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Houston, TX
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Fr. Antony Pullukattu Xavier
THIRD VICAR · 2020–2025
Third vicar of the parish, serving from 2020 to 2025. Vicar who conducted the First Ever Syro Malabar Eucharistic Convention.
Transferred From: St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Boston, MA
Transferred To: St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Milpitas, CA
Fr. Ligory P. Kattiakaran
SECOND VICAR · 2016–2020
Vicar when the parish was raised to the status of a Forane Church.
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Transferred From: St. Mary's Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Old Bethpage, NY
Transferred To: St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Milpitas, CA
Fr. Thomas Kadukappilly
FIRST VICAR · 2006–2016
Led the parish from the purchase of the church to the consecration of the new church.
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Transferred From: Diocese of Pala, Kerala
Transferred To: Our Lady of Health Catholic Church Syro Malabar Rite, Coral Springs, FL
Late. Fr. Thomas Perunilam
FOUNDING DIRECTOR · 2000
Mission Director and co-founder of the parish.
Fr. Philip Vadakkekkara
FOUNDING DIRECTOR · 2000
Mission Director and co-founder of the parish.
Our Trustees
SERVING THE PARISH
Biju Chakupurackal
Current Trustee
JAN 2026 – PRESENT
Sebastian Thottathil
Current Trustee
JAN 2026 – PRESENT
Lazar Joy Vallara
Current Trustee
JAN 2024 – PRESENT
Sunil Jose
Current Trustee
JAN 2024 – PRESENT
Robin George
Former Trustee
JAN 2022 – DEC 2025
Bobby Varghese
Former Trustee
JAN 2022 – DEC 2025
Sebastian Antony
Former Trustee
JAN 2019 – DEC 2023
Tony Mangan
​Former Trustee
JAN 2019 – DEC 2023
Manoj Pattathil
Former Trustee
JAN 2019 – DEC 2021
Justin Joseph
Former Trustee
JAN 2017 – DEC 2021
Sabin Mathew
Former Trustee
JAN 2017 – DEC 2018
Minesh Joseph
Former Trustee
JAN 2015 – DEC 2018
Marydasan Thomas
Former Trustee
JAN 2015 – DEC 2018
Thomas Padavil
Former Trustee
JAN 2012 – DEC 2016
Tom Perumpail
Former Trustee
JAN 2012 – DEC 2016
Cyriac Antony
Former Trustee
JAN 2009 – DEC 2011
Ajith Cherayil
Former Trustee
JAN 2009 – DEC 2011
Joseph Kalapurackal
Former Trustee
JAN 2007 – DEC 2008
Vincent Thomas
Former Trustee
JAN 2007 – DEC 2008
Stephen Inasu
Former Trustee
JAN 2003 – DEC 2006
Roy Thadikaran
Former Trustee
JAN 2003 – DEC 2006
Our Building Committee
BUILDING THE PARISH
Ajith Cherayil
Annie Nellikunnel
Cyriac Antony
George Pulikeyil
Joseph Kalapurackal
Kurien Nellikunnel
Marydasan Thomas
Minesh Joseph
Pramod Panakkal
Thomas Padavil
Tom Perumpail
Roy Thadikaran
Stephen Inasu
Vincent Thomas
PARISH LIFE
A Community in Action
Pledge Drive
UNITY & SUPPORT
About 50 families made a 5-year commitment to give $500,000 toward the church mortgage, and new families join the drive. A 2006–07 car raffle raised about $50,000.
Festivals
BEYOND CAPACITY
At Christmas, Easter and the Feast of St. Thomas the church is filled beyond capacity, and youth and children make the celebrations lively.
CCD
FAITH FORMATION
About 325 students in 12 grades; every year CCD prepares candidates for First Communion and Confirmation.
Academy
KERALA HERITAGE
Classes in Malayalam, classical and cinematic dance, yoga and more; 112+ students attended in 2007.
Family Night
SINCE FEBRUARY 2007
The annual celebration of parish achievements, filled with cultural events from parishioners.
Outdoors
FELLOWSHIP
An annual pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., summer soccer with the Syro-Malabar Sports Club, and the much-loved parish picnic.
Nine Wards
BI-MONTHLY MEETINGS
Wards bring neighbours together to share their faith journey, ask the Vicar questions, and send representatives to the parish council.
Parish Groups
SERVING TOGETHER
Marian Mothers, Vincent De Paul Society, Cherupushpa Mission League, Altar Service, Prayer Group, Church Choir and Youth Group.
One Family
APOSTOLIC LOVE
Parish families consider one another extended family — a replica of the first-century Apostolic Christians. May this love, fellowship and sharing continue as we grow together in faith.