About St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Forane Catholic Church · Loganville, Georgia
St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Forane Catholic Church is a parish of the Syro-Malabar Catholic tradition (an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with Rome, tracing its origins to the Apostle St. Thomas in South India) located in Loganville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. The parish serves over 400 families and celebrates the Holy Qurbana (the Syro-Malabar Eucharistic liturgy) in both Malayalam and English every day of the week. The church sits on a 12-acre campus that includes the current church building, an earlier building originally used as the church and now serving as a rectory, parking, playgrounds, and a basketball court. It falls within the territory of the Roman Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta and belongs to the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago.
- Established
- 2001
- Patron
- St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception (first Indian-origin woman to be canonized by the Catholic Church; the first canonized saint of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church)
- Rector
- Fr. Ruban Joseph Thannickal (Vicar)
- Diocese
- St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago (geographically within the territory of the Roman Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta)
Why belong here
St. Alphonsa is a thriving Syro-Malabar Catholic parish serving over 400 families in the greater Atlanta area, where the Holy Qurbana is celebrated daily in both Malayalam and English — so both first-generation immigrants and their American-born children can worship in their heart language. The parish invests heavily in faith formation, running a full Pre-K through 12th-grade CCD/Sunday catechism program that prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation while teaching Syro-Malabar traditions alongside Catholic doctrine. Active Marian, Youth, and family ministries, a Vacation Bible School, youth retreats, and First Friday adoration make it a complete spiritual home for South Indian Catholic families in metro Atlanta.
Mass times at St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Forane Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Saturday, before and after the Holy Qurbana
Adoration times
- Monday & Tuesday: 6:00 pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
- Wednesday–Friday: 6:00 pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
- Saturday: 8:30 am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
- First Fridays: Adoration continues throughout the day after the 9:30 am Holy Mass until 6:30 pm, concluding with Holy Qurbana at 6:30 pm
Parish Identity & Heritage
St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Forane Catholic Church is the spiritual home of a flourishing South Indian Catholic community of about 400 families in Loganville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. As a Syro-Malabar Catholic parish it belongs to the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago, while the physical territory falls under the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The parish preserves the unique South Indian (Malabar) Catholic traditions brought from Kerala, while embracing parishioners of all ages through daily English- and Malayalam-language worship.
- Eastern Catholic (Syro-Malabar) rite, in full communion with Rome
- Under the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago
- Located in the territory of the Roman Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta
- Serves about 400 families
- Namesake: St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception, first canonized Indian woman
History
The community that became St. Alphonsa traces back to 2001, when a small group of Syro-Malabar Catholics in the Atlanta area began gathering for worship. After years of steady growth the community was formally recognized as a mission of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago and has since been raised to the status of a full Forane Parish serving the greater Atlanta region. (Per GCatholic, history 2001.)
- Origins in 2001
- Recognized as a mission of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago
- Elevated to Forane Parish status
- Now serving 400+ families in metro Atlanta
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by its Vicar, Fr. Ruban Joseph Thannickal, who serves as Parish Priest and is the primary point of contact for the community. Inquiries, sacramental requests, and parish communications are directed through him at the parish office.
- Fr. Ruban Joseph Thannickal — Vicar / Parish Priest
- Contact: [email protected], (267) 616-2951 / (470) 403-0271
Holy Qurbana & Liturgy
The Holy Qurbana — the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church's celebration of the Holy Eucharist — is offered every day of the week at St. Alphonsa, in both Malayalam and English. Sundays feature multiple Qurbana times plus a 6:30 pm English Mass in the Latin rite. The parish shares its full schedule on the official site and notes that Confession is available Monday through Saturday before and after every Qurbana.
- Sunday: 8:30 am Malayalam Qurbana, 9:00 am Malayalam Qurbana, 11:00 am (English), 6:30 pm English Mass (Latin rite)
- Monday & Tuesday: 6:30 pm Qurbana
- Wednesday–Friday: 6:30 pm Malayalam Qurbana
- Saturday: 9:30 am Qurbana
- Daily Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (see Adoration section)
Faith Formation (CCD)
The parish's CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program is described as a carefully designed, educationally sound catechism program for children from Pre-K through 12th grade. A team of adult and youth Catechists teaches Catholic faith, the Gospel message, Church doctrine, and Syro-Malabar traditions. CCD also prepares students for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation, encouraging active participation in parish life and service.
- Pre-K through 12th grade catechesis
- Adult and youth Catechists
- Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Teaches both Catholic doctrine and Syro-Malabar traditions
Youth Ministry
St. Alphonsa's Youth Ministry is described as a vibrant and spiritually enriching community for teenagers and young adults. It provides a warm, inclusive space where young Catholics can deepen their Catholic identity, build meaningful relationships, and engage in acts of service inspired by their faith. Annual programming includes a Vacation Bible School and a Youth Stay-in Retreat for middle and high school students (Grades 6–12).
- Open to teens and young adults
- Focus on Catholic identity, community, and service
- Annual Vacation Bible School (VBS)
- Annual Youth Stay-in Retreat (Grades 6–12)
Marian Ministry
The Marian Ministry centers on the women of the parish community. Its vision is to enable women of the Syro-Malabar Catholic community to deepen their faith and experience spiritual growth through service and prayer, using Mother Mary as a guide. The ministry seeks to help parishioners grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church.
- Women's faith formation and service
- Marian devotion as a guide to Christ
- Community prayer and outreach
Campus & Facilities
The parish occupies a 12-acre property on Rosebud Road in Loganville. In addition to the current church building, the grounds include the smaller building that originally served as the church and is now used as a rectory, spacious parking lots, a playground, and a basketball court — providing plenty of room for worship, fellowship, and family life.
- 12-acre campus
- Current church building
- Original smaller building now serving as a rectory
- Spacious parking lots
- Playground and basketball court
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Alphonsa at 4561 Rosebud Rd, Loganville, GA 30052, by phone at (267) 616-2951 (additional line 470-403-0271), or by email at [email protected]. The parish's official web presence is at stalphonsacatholicchurch.org, with the diocesan Atlanta community also using the saccatl.org domain.
- Address: 4561 Rosebud Rd, Loganville, GA 30052
- Phone: (267) 616-2951 / (470) 403-0271
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stalphonsacatholicchurch.org / saccatl.org