Canberra Syro-Malabar community on the move

(R-L) Siju George, Thomas Antony, Jibin Sebastian; Fr. Dalish Kocheril, Fr. Mathew Areeplackal – Dean, Fr Richard Thompson Vicar General of Canberra and Goulburn, Fr. Binesh Joseph CST, Fr. Praveen Paul Kambah’s Parish Priest.

After nearly eight years using St Joseph’s parish at O’Connor in Canberra, the Syro-Malabar parishioners of St Alphonsa moved last weekend to a new home at the parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Weston Creek, residing at St Jude’s Holder. 

After significant liaison between the Syro-Malabar Eparchy, our Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, the Syro-Malabar Trustees, and the parishioners of St Joseph’s O’Connor and St Jude’s Holder, an agreement has been signed that will provide a long-term home for the local Syro-Malabar community, along with their parish priest and Trustees. This agreement also provides a secure income for the Weston Creek parish while appropriately using local church property.

Syro-Malabar parishioners of St Alphonsa participating in Mass at their new home in Weston Creek

As part of this transition, the parish repaired and renovated the Holder presbytery, which had been vacant for some years. With careful financial management, the parish could fund this project, and the Syro-Malabar community contributed also. The vacated presbytery at O’Connor will now be leased, providing financial support for that parish and offering accommodation in a time of great need in Canberra.

This relocation has been a success for all parties involved, and we, the Archdiocese, are deeply grateful for the exceptional spirit that has guided us through these negotiations.

Mr Siju George, one of the Syro-Malabar Trustees, also expressed his deep appreciation to the O’Connor parishioners for their generosity and support over the years.

Fr Richard blessed the newly renovated presbytery at Holder on Sunday in the presence of over 230 Syro-Malabar families, their parish priest Fr Binesh Joseph CST, Fr Matthew Areeplackal, the Syro-Malabar Dean of Sydney and Canberra, Fr Dalish Mathew, the Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Mission chaplain, Fr Praveen Paul of St Thomas the Apostle parish in Kambah as well as the project team managers and parishioner from St Jude’s and the St Alphonsa Trustees.

This occasion brought together the celebrations for the newly renovated presbytery, the first Mass for the parishioners of St Alphonsa at St Jude’s and the opportunity to congratulate Fr Mathew’s (the Dean) 25 years of priestly ordination.