Saint Joseph [Syro-Malankara]

About St. Joseph's Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

St. Joseph's is the Syro-Malankara Catholic community of metropolitan Detroit, established in 2000 and now based at 25130 Lorraine Avenue in Warren, Michigan. It is one of the parishes and missions of the St. Mary, Queen of Peace Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy in the USA and Canada, the Eastern Catholic eparchy that Pope Francis elevated from exarchate status in December 2015.

History of the Parish

The St. Joseph Malankara Catholic Church in Detroit was inaugurated on August 1, 2000, the fruit of years of prayer meetings among local Syro-Malankara Catholic families and the encouragement of visiting bishops and priests. A December 1999 delegation meeting with Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios in Chicago, followed by the prompt consent of Detroit Archbishop Cardinal Adam Maida, made the mission possible.

• Prayer meetings of Detroit-area Malankara Catholics preceded the formal mission for many years
• Fr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil appointed first priest-in-charge in 2000
• Quasi-parish status granted by Cardinal Maida, Feb. 3, 2001
• Worship moved to St. Clement's chapel, Centerline, in July 2003
• Chapel rededicated by Auxiliary Bishop Earl Boyea, Feb. 29, 2004
• Inauguration of the Malankara Catholic Exarchate in the USA, Oct. 3, 2010, opened the path to full parish status

Clergy and Pastoral Leadership

The parish is currently shepherded by its Vicar, Rev. Fr. Pathrose Panuel. Through the years it has been served by Fr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil (founder and first administrator), Fr. Koshy Chirakkarottu (administrator, 2006–2010), and Fr. Saji George Mukkoot (pastor since July 2010), with visiting support from Fr. Varghese Vallikatt and other Malankara priests working in local Latin-rite dioceses. Rev. Sr. Litty Maria DM of the Daughters of Mary congregation provides ongoing spiritual guidance, especially to the Mathrusangham (Mothers' Forum).

• Rev. Fr. Pathrose Panuel — current Vicar
• Rev. Fr. Saji George Mukkoot — pastor since July 2010
• Rev. Fr. Koshy Chirakkarottu — administrator, October 2006 – June 2010
• Rev. Fr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil — first priest-in-charge / administrator from 2000
• Rev. Fr. Varghese Vallikatt — pastoral assistance
• Rev. Sr. Litty Maria DM — spiritual guide, Mathrusangham

Mass and Service Schedule

Weekly worship follows the rhythm of Sunday morning: morning prayers, catechism for the children, and the celebration of the Holy Qurbono — the Syro-Malankara Divine Liturgy. Monthly prayer meetings and house blessings are held on the last Saturday of each month, rotating among the homes of parishioners.

• Sunday — Morning Prayers, 10:30 a.m.
• Sunday — Catechism, 9:30 a.m.
• Sunday — Holy Qurbono (Divine Liturgy), 11:00 a.m.
• Last Saturday of each month — Prayer meeting and house blessing at a member's home

Ministries and Community Life

Though small — around fifteen registered families — the parish runs an active and visible community life. Mathrusangham, the Mothers' Forum, meets regularly on Sundays under the Daughters of Mary Sisters, and the Malankara Catholic Youth Movement (MCYM) channels the energy and creativity of the younger members. All children attend catechism, and the parish observes holy days of obligation, the parish feast, Reunion Day, and Mar Ivanios Day with special celebrations.

• Catechism (Sunday school) — every Sunday, 9:30 a.m.
• Mathrusangham (Mothers' Forum) — under the spiritual guidance of Sr. Litty Maria DM
• Malankara Catholic Youth Movement (MCYM)
• Monthly house blessings and prayer meetings — last Saturday of each month
• Parish feast, Reunion Day, and Mar Ivanios Day observances

Religious Communities Serving the Parish

Women religious have been a steady presence at St. Joseph's since 2004. The Sisters of the Daughters of Mary congregation arrived in 2004 and continue to assist the community, while Sisters of the Imitation of Christ helped during their short stay in the Detroit area.

• Daughters of Mary (DM) — serving the parish since 2004
• Sisters of the Imitation of Christ — assisted during their time in Detroit

Parish Vocation Story

In 2008, during the tenure of Fr. Koshy Chirakkarottu, the parish received its first priestly vocation. Bro. Jerry Mathew went on to study philosophy at St. Mary's Malankara Seminary in Trivandrum, a milestone for a community of only about fifteen families.

Visiting Clergy and Earlier Hosts

Before settling at the current Lorraine Avenue location, the community was warmly hosted by two Latin-rite parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit: St. Sylvester (under Fr. Gary Schulte) and St. Clement in Centerline (under Fr. Alberto Bondy). The collaboration of the Archdiocese of Detroit — from Cardinal Adam Maida and Auxiliary Bishops Leonard P. Blair and Earl Boyea — was central to the mission's establishment and growth.

• St. Sylvester Parish — initial host parish
• St. Clement Catholic Church, Centerline — host from July 2003
• Cardinal Adam Maida — Archbishop of Detroit
• Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair — offered Archdiocesan support
• Most Rev. Earl Boyea — rededicated the St. Clement chapel, Feb. 29, 2004

Location and Contact

St. Joseph's Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is located at 25130 Lorraine Avenue, Warren, MI 48089. The parish is part of the St. Mary, Queen of Peace Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy in the USA and Canada.

• Address: 25130 Lorraine Avenue, Warren, MI 48089
• Eparchy: St. Mary, Queen of Peace Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy in the USA and Canada