ministries
Sacristans Ministry:
Sacristans are responsible for keeping the sacristy in order and stocked. Currently, the main Sacristans are Matthew Kairen, Vincent Thomas, Joseph Karapurackal and Marydasan Thomas.
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Altar Servers Ministry:
The altar servers assist the celebrant during the Qurbana by saying prayers, singing hymns, and more.
โAltar Server Training: Thomas Karimattam and Cicily Vincent
Altar Server Scheduling: Lisha Bijo
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Lector Ministry:
The Lector Ministry takes care of assigning lectors to read the Bible for Sunday Masses, days of obligations, and other special occasions. They look to engage members of the community to participate in the Holy Mass through the proclamation of Holy Scripture.
Leads: Smita Leslie, Bindhu Sojimon and Anu Somi.โ
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Children’s Choir Ministry:
Children from 6th - 10th grade come together to lead the Mass through singing and playing instruments. They also perform carols for Nursing Homes and the Church community during the Christmas season.
Leads: Jolly Thadikkaran & Merin Kalapurakka
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Youth Choir Ministry:
High school and college students collaborate to lead the Mass with their voices and instruments. They also have recently engaged in created uplifting musical content during the lockdown period.
Leads: Amal Joseph & Meera Jamesโ
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Adult Choir Ministry:
The adult choir aims to enhance the Mass through sacred music throughout the Liturgy. They lead First Friday Adorations and perform Christmas carols along with other endeavors.
Leads: James Joseph & Lina Perumpayil
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Palm of God Ministry:
Palm of God consists of members of the Children and Youth Choir who chose to come together to perform music that they artistically put together. They aim to give a spotlight to the different instruments through the performances.
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Flower Arrangement Ministry:
The Marian Mothers takes initiative to decorate the Church with beautiful flowers seasonally.
Lead: Femina Manjooran
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AV & Livestream Team Ministry:
The audiovisual team handles the sound system in the Church. During the time of Covid-19, they managed the live streaming of the Holy Mass and other important events through our Youtube Channel.
Leads: Rijo George & Alex Crispin
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Priceless Generals Ministry:
The Priceless Generals Ministry works to ensure the efficiency of the Church facility and handles many projects such as electrical work, plumbing, and so much more. Their voluntary work helps the Church save money and progress efficiently.
Team: Cherian(Joy) Alexander Kadukunnel, Thomas Meledath, Thomas Nirappel, George Paul Kottam, Shijo Thomas, Alex Crispin and Subin Manchery
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Accounts Team Ministry:
The accounts team manages Church accounting and provides bookkeeping services. โ
Leads: Mathew Kairen, Selvin Payyappilly, Jose Alex, Sophia Rijo & Joyal Jose
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Safe Environment Team Ministry:
Our Church aims to follow the safe environment guidelines as given by the diocese and the team aspires to create a safe environment for parishioners.
Contact: SET@StThomasSyroNJ.org
Leads: Theresa Tomy, Teseline Joseph, Jaison Alex
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Fellowship Hall Sports Ministry:
The Fellowship Hall of our Church hosts many activities including sports in order to engage members of the community and enhance fellowship. This ministry allows people to be more involved and share their interests with the growing community. Some sports we have are badminton, basketball, and volleyball.
Leads: Thomas Padavil
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Project Review Ministry
The team helps to review and advise on various church projects, including volunteer scouts projects performed by our high school students.
Team: Ajith Chirayil, Joseph Kalapurakal, Stephen Inassu, Thomas Padavil and Thomas Nirappel
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New Family Ministry
New Family Welcome Ministry conducts quarterly welcome meeting for new family members in our parish and help them them to integrate with the parish community.
Team: Thomas Vengathadam
Website
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Pious Organizations
Cherupushpam Mission League (CML):
Comprised of all of the CCD students, CML focuses on allowing those who are younger to serve the community as well as reach out to those in need through bake sales, egg hunts, etc. They also focus on the spiritual developments of their members through Advent and Lent reflection activities, leading Friday Adorations, participating in the Way of the Cross, etc. Their model and patron saint is St. Therese of Lisieux.
Faith connections is a newsletter ministry that is led by a group of students in 8th grade and up. The students in this ministry work on creating and publishing a quarterly digital newsletter that provides a platform for sharing faith based articles, poems and artwork. The newsletter also showcases information about the various ministries, events and activities in our church.
Website
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Youth Ministry The focus of the Youth is to grow in their faith and fellowship with each other. The youth of St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church in Somerset does this by establishing a faith filled community in serving the needs of our church family and needs of our local communities. The youth ministries and activities within the church include; Chai with Chechi’s, Prayer Groups and Worship Sessions, Big/Little bonding projects, Lock-Ins, Thanksgiving Potluck, and Breakfast with Santa/Easter Bunny.
Leads: Lindsae Sunny, Febin Jose, Melissa Puthenpura, Stephy Olickal, Colin Morse, Austin Joseph, Leo George, Terissa Alex, Maria George, Anna Mary Francis, Ethan Kallarakal, Sarah Paravanthatil, Rose Maliekal, Ansa Bijo, Augustine George, Kiran Arackan, & Nevin Anthony
Animators: Monaji Thomas & Biji Abraham
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The YA ministry of the church is to provide a life of prayer and ministry to the church community. This ministry gathers monthly for prayer meetings, hiking and works with the youth ministry to provide guidance especially within the role of Chai with Chechi’s where YA women work as mentors to the high school women of our church and also our Big/Little Events where YA men and women provide support and guidance to our high schoolers as Chettas and Chechis.
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Diocesian Youth Apostolate(DYA):
The Diocesan Youth Apostolate (DYA) is a communion of youth groups and ministries united as a Church of Christ following the Syro Malabar traditions. The Youth Apostolate is led by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath, Director Rev. Fr. Paul Chaliserry, and teams of national and regional youth coordinators.
DYA Representatives: Laurel Prime & Sabrina Alex
Joseph Fathers:
The fathers of St Thomas Syro Malabar Church have served the church by engaging in several Church activities such as cooking food for the Perunal and setting up the fellowship hall for various events throughout the year. The Joseph Fathers hope to enhance unity and solidarity in the parish community.
Leads: Tomy Annithanthu, Jojan Mathew & Nibu Peters
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The mothers of St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church have served the church in various ways, through making a recipe book, decorating the church, and providing food for the vicar, etc. It is a fellowship of the mothers of the parish recognizing Mother Mary as the model of our faith, family, and community life. This group has been vibrant in our Church since its inception in 2006 providing support to our church’s spiritual, cultural, social, and organizational activities. The members of the Marian Mothers Group are primarily all the mothers of the parish and currently, no formal enrollment is required.
Leads: Smitha Leslie, Suja Josemon, Linda Robert and Aleena Anish
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SVDP:
SVDP is an organization that raises money for those in need all around the world and has hosted many service projects over the years.
Leads: Benoy Varghese, Anoy Antony, Lisha kallacherry, George Cyriac
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Pope Francis invites us through his encyclical and his teachings, "Let us be the protectors of creation, protectors of God's plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment." Syro Green Army is our church community initiative to create awareness about the importance of protecting our Common Home and finding creative ways to cultivate growth in both plant life and the community.
Visit Green Army Website for more details
Lead: Vincent Thomas and Mathai Chennattu
Care for Creation:
Care for creation is a children's organization under Green Army, inspired by the encyclical and teachings of Pope Francis.
Lead: Mariela Payyappilly, Nisha Alex, Binoy Samprickal
Visit Care for Creations to learn more
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Raising Hope:
Raising Hope is a service organization under CML dedicated to helping impoverished students in Kerala, India at Mariyasadanam by providing financial and educational support as well as serving the local community. Throughout the year, they host barbecues, car washes, nursing home visits, visits to the homeless, and food donations.
Leads: Josh Joseph, Meera James
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St. Chavra Knights of Columbus:
St. Chavra Knights of Columbus is a service organization that focuses on helping the community and those in need. The organization supports a variety of projects in the Church and raises money for several different causes.
Leads: Jojo Chirayil, Anish George
Website
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St. Thomas Toastmasters & Gavel Club:
Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.
Leads: Josemon Joseph, Roy Job
Website
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Syro Malabar Academy
Syro Malabar Academy program gives the opportunity for Children to learn and enrich in programs like taekwondo, dance, instruments, foreign language, games and more
Leads: Sojimon James, Josline Fernandez, Joby Thomas
Visit for more Syro Malabar Academy videos @ https://www.youtube.com/user/STSMAcademy/videos
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Sunday Lunch Program (SLP)
The Sunday Lunch Program team manage food program on Sundays for members who have signed up for the SLP program. The team along with volunteers manage and help to church food programs for special events.
Leads: Jijesh Thottathil, Lassar Joy and Sunil Paul
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Health Ministry
STSMCC Health Ministry team help during various church events. Team plays an essential role in promoting the health and well-being of individuals and communities within a faith-based context.
Team: Theresa George, Cicily Vincent, Jojimol Kallarackal
Website
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Event Safety Team
Our Church Event Safety Team is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of church events and activities. Team help to identify and mitigate potential safety hazards, safety assessments, crowd control measures, implementing emergency protocols and risks during church events.
Team: Thomas Padavil, Rony Mathew
Website
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