About St. Mary Syro Malabar · Charlotte, North Carolina
St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic (Syro-Malabar rite) parish serving the Malayalee Catholic community of Charlotte, North Carolina. It belongs to the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago and celebrates the Holy Qurbana primarily in Malayalam, with periodic English Qurbana on Sundays. The parish is located at 715 E Arrowood Rd and has grown from roughly thirty-five founding families to over a hundred families since its consecration as a parish in 2017.
- Established
- 2017
- Patron
- St. Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Rajeev Valiyaveettil (Parish Vicar)
- Diocese
- St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago (Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, under the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church; pastorally supported by the Diocese of Charlotte)
Why belong here
St. Mary's is the home in Charlotte where Malayalee Catholics can celebrate the Holy Qurbana in the Syro-Malabar rite in Malayalam, receive the sacraments in their own tradition, and pass those traditions to the next generation. The parish runs weekly novenas (St. Joseph on Wednesdays, St. Jude on Thursdays, Mother Mary on Saturdays) and Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays, supports catechism (CCD) from Pre-K through 12th grade, and has active lay groups including the Marian Women's Forum, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Little Flower Mission League, church choir, altar servers, and a youth council. Outreach Qurbanas are also celebrated monthly at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Blythewood, SC and St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church in Greer, SC, welcoming Malayalee families across the Carolinas.
Mass times at St. Mary Syro Malabar
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- Friday — Adoration following the 7:00 PM Holy Qurbana
Parish History
The Malayalee Catholic community in greater Charlotte dates to the early 1990s. Families met monthly at St. Vincent de Paul Church and later at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Ballantyne for a Malayalam Mass. After Fr. Joseph had to step away for health reasons in 2013, community leaders reached out to Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago, who assigned Fr. Paul Chalissery (then Vicar of Lourdes Matha in Raleigh) to travel down monthly. Fr. Jobymon Joseph Chelakunnel later took on the monthly drive.
- Early Malayalam Masses held at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Charlotte
- Later monthly Masses hosted at St. Matthews Catholic Church, Ballantyne, with Monsignor John J. McSweeney's permission
- Fr. Paul Chalissery appointed by the diocese to spearhead a permanent Syro-Malabar church in Charlotte
- A sixteen-member committee formed at a General Body meeting at St. Matthews
- Property at 715 E Arrowood Rd (partially built, depleted church building) identified near uptown Charlotte
- Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath signed the purchase contract in October 2014
- Two major fundraisers: 'Siddique-Lal Speaking' mega stage show and a Car Raffle
- Property purchase closed June 29, 2015
- Groundbreaking ceremony conducted by Auxiliary Bishop Mar Joy Alappat on December 26, 2015
- Parish consecrated July 22, 2017, with Fr. Paul Chalissery as first pastor
- Community has grown from 35 families to over 100 families
Clergy and Pastoral Succession
Fr. Rajeev Valiyaveettil is the current Parish Vicar, listed in the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago priest directory. The parish website's 'Our Parish Priest' page maintains a running list of previous vicars. Since consecration in July 2017, the parish has been shepherded by Fr. Paul Chalissery (founding pastor), Fr. Siby Sebastian, Fr. George Danavelil, Fr. Sijo (Mathew) Tharakunnel, and now Fr. Rajeev Valiyaveettil.
- Fr. Paul Chalissery — founding pastor (07/2017)
- Fr. Siby Sebastian — Vicar (07/2017 – 10/2017)
- Fr. George Danavelil — Vicar (10/2017 – 09/2018)
- Fr. Sijo (Mathew) Tharakunnel — Vicar (09/2018 – 08/2020)
- Fr. Rajeev Valiyaveettil — current Parish Vicar (from 08/2022)
- Sr. Agnes SCV — Religious Consecrated Life on Parish Council
Holy Qurbana (Mass) Schedule
The parish celebrates the Holy Qurbana primarily in Malayalam in the Syro-Malabar rite, with English Qurbana on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. Weekday Qurbanas are preceded or followed by novenas and (on Fridays) Eucharistic Adoration. Outreach Qurbanas are also held monthly in South Carolina for Malayalee Catholics in Blythewood and Greer.
- Monday: No Holy Qurbana
- Tuesday: 7:00 PM — Holy Qurbana
- Wednesday: 7:00 PM — Holy Qurbana followed by St. Joseph Novena
- Thursday: 7:00 PM — Holy Qurbana followed by St. Jude Novena
- Friday: 7:00 PM — Holy Qurbana followed by Adoration
- Saturday: 10:00 AM — Holy Qurbana followed by Mother Mary (St. Mary) Novena
- Sunday: 8:00 AM — Holy Qurbana (Malayalam)
- Sunday: 10:00 AM (or 10:30 AM on the schedule page) — Holy Qurbana in Malayalam; English on the 1st and 3rd Sundays
- 1st Sunday: 4:30 PM — Holy Qurbana at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Blythewood, SC
- 2nd Sunday: 5:00 PM — Holy Qurbana at St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church, Greer, SC
Novenas and Devotions
Weekday Qurbanas are paired with traditional Syro-Malabar devotions and novenas. Eucharistic Adoration is offered after the Friday evening Qurbana. The parish website also publishes digital Holy Qurbana books in Malayalam, English, and Manglish so the faithful can follow the liturgy in their preferred language.
- Wednesday — St. Joseph Novena after 7:00 PM Qurbana
- Thursday — St. Jude Novena after 7:00 PM Qurbana
- Friday — Adoration after 7:00 PM Qurbana
- Saturday — Mother Mary / St. Mary Novena after 10:00 AM Qurbana
- Liturgy documents: Holy Qurbana Malayalam Book, English Book, Manglish Book, and Prayer Changes
Faith Formation (CCD / Catechism)
The St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church teaches Catechism from Pre-K through 12th grade. The CCD program's mission is to bring Christ to his people and share the Catholic faith across age levels, teaching the Syro-Malabar Catholic faith in partnership with parents, the primary educators of their children.
- Pre-K/KG — Teacher: Rakusha Vincent
- Grade 1 — Teacher: Sonia Binoy; Substitute: Simmy Thomas
- Grade 2 — Teachers: Lizbeth ... (and team)
- Grade 3 — Teacher: Dhanya Nibu; Substitute: Ann Harrison
- Grade 4 — Teacher: Seena Sunay; Substitute: Ivin Mathew
- Grades 5/6 — Teachers: Tess Paul, Jainmary Jose; Substitute: Merin Simon
- Grade 7 — Teacher: Sanjo Yog... ; Substitute: ...Thomas
- Grade 8 — Teacher: Treesa Joseph; Substitute: Ann Harrison
- Grade 9 — Teacher: Nikhil Peter Mad... ; Substitute: ...Jithin Josey
- Grades 10–12 — Teacher: Sujith Chacko; Substitute: Charmis Varghese
- Elementary timing: after Holy Qurbana on Sundays
- Middle & High School timing: 9:30 AM (before Holy Qurbana) on Sundays
- DRE Coordinator: Sujith Chacko
- Assistant DRE: Sonia Binoy
Parish Ministries and Organizations
The parish supports an active roster of lay ministries and apostolates, including women's fellowship, charitable outreach, faith formation, music, altar service, safe-environment, accounts, and flowers. The Little Flower Mission League (Cherupushpa Mission League, founded 1947 in Bharananganam, Kerala by Fr. Joseph Maliparampil and Mr. P.C. Abraham) is active at the parish under its worldwide patron, H.E. Cardinal Mar George Alencherry.
- Marian Women's Forum — Lead: Lizy Sebastian
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Lead: George Kizakekkara (international Catholic charitable organization, founded 1833)
- Little Flower Mission League — Parish Director: Fr. Rajeev Valiyaveettil; President: Joe Joseph; Vice President: Hannah Joseph; Secretary: Elena Chacko
- Church Choir — Lead: Annu Jose
- Altar Servers — Training & Scheduling: Binoy K Philip
- Accounts Team Ministry — Leads: Thomas Menachery & Harrison Sebastian
- Flower Arrangement Team — Lead: Jessy George
- Safe Environment Team — Lead: Cynthia Francis Pudukadan
Parish Council and Leadership
Parish governance is provided by a Pastoral Council, three Trustees (Kaikkaran), a Secretary, a Religious Consecrated Life representative, ward representatives, and youth representatives — following the customary Syro-Malabar parish structure.
- Pastoral Council — Joshy Thomas Parathanathu
- Religious Consecrated Life — Sr. Agnes SCV
- Marian Women's Forum — Jiya George Vichattu
- Youth Representatives — Jacob George Nakuzhikattu, Royce Joseph Kuzhikkattu
- Ward 1 — Sujith Joseph Ooroth
- Ward 2 — Sujai Thirunilath, Jyothi George Sebastian
- Ward 3 — Asha Antony Puthiyamadam, Jithin Josey Punnapuzha
- Ward 4 — Jinson Antony Karukappallil
- Ward 5 — Rinto Mathew Placherikuzhiyil, Nimmy Tom Puthenpurackal
- Trustees (Kaikkaran) — Jinu Jose Thalachira, Thomas K, Jossy Vazhacharickal Jose
- Secretary — Jessica Joy Kumaramangalam
Outreach Beyond Charlotte
Because the parish serves Malayalee Catholics across the Carolinas, it celebrates outreach Holy Qurbanas at partner churches in South Carolina each month, in addition to its regular schedule at 715 E Arrowood Rd.
- 1st Sunday of the month, 4:30 PM — Holy Qurbana at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Blythewood, SC
- 2nd Sunday of the month, 5:00 PM — Holy Qurbana at St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church, Greer, SC
Diocese and Liturgical Authority
St. Mary's falls under the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago (Eparchy of Chicago). The parish acknowledges Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath and Auxiliary Bishop Mar Joy Alappat (who broke ground in 2015 and is associated with the diocese). The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church worldwide is led by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil (since January 2024), Metropolitan Archbishop of Ernakulam–Angamaly, who is referenced on the parish website.
- Diocese: St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago
- Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath — signed the 2014 purchase contract and consecrated the parish in 2017
- Auxiliary Bishop Mar Joy Alappat — groundbreaking celebrant (December 26, 2015)
- Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil — head of the worldwide Syro-Malabar Catholic Church since January 2024
- Pastoral support also received from the (Roman-rite) Diocese of Charlotte
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person. The parish website publishes online forms and downloadable liturgy books in Malayalam, English, and Manglish to help the faithful follow the Qurbana.
- Address: 715 E Arrowood Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
- Phone: 813-318-2186
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stmarysyroclt.org/
- Online forms available via the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Paul Chalissery07/2017 – (founding pastor)
Appointed by the diocese to spearhead the initiative; led the Mission to parish consecration on July 22, 2017; served as first pastor.
- Fr. Siby Sebastian07/2017 – 10/2017
Served as Vicar shortly after consecration.
- Fr. George Danavelil10/2017 – 09/2018
Subsequent Vicar; also serves as Diocesan Director of the Little Flower Mission League.
- Fr. Sijo (Mathew) Tharakunnel09/2018 – 08/2020
Vicar of the parish.
- Fr. Rajeev Valiyaveettil08/2022 – present
Current Parish Vicar; also Director of the parish Little Flower Mission League; listed in the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago priest directory.