St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of San Francisco

Our Parish — St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of San Francisco

St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of San Francisco is a parish under the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago — a diocese established to serve the community of Catholics from India who belong to the church established by St. Thomas the Apostle. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is an Oriental Catholic Church of the Eastern Rite, in full communion with Rome and in allegiance to the Pope; its firm loyalty, unconquerable faith, innate spirituality, and rich traditions make it extremely alive, the only church in the Communion of Catholic Churches still named after the apostle who established it. Located at 42500 Gatewood Street in Fremont, California, the parish serves Malayalam-speaking and English-speaking faithful across the Bay Area.

History of Our Parish

The parish was founded as a mission of the newly created St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago. Mass was first celebrated on February 4, 2001, with Fr. Jimmy Thottappally serving as Founding Director from January 2001 until September 2007. The community grew from periodic services into a full parish: Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month began on January 7, 2007, weekly Sunday Mass began on August 5, 2007, the new church building was consecrated on December 19, 2009, and on January 3, 2010 the parish launched multiple Sunday Masses — a Malayalam Holy Qurbana at 9:30 AM and an English Holy Qurbana at 11:30 AM.

• Feb 4, 2001 — Parish mission started
• Jan 7, 2007 — Mass on 1st and 3rd Sundays
• Aug 5, 2007 — Mass on all Sundays
• Oct 7, 2007 — Faith Formation (CCD/Sunday School) inaugurated by Fr. Roy Kaduppil, Chancellor of Chicago Diocese
• Dec 19, 2009 — New church consecrated
• Jan 3, 2010 — Multiple Sunday Masses begin

History of the Syro-Malabar Church

The Syro-Malabar Church was known as the Church of the St. Thomas Christians until the 18th century because it was founded by St Thomas the Apostle, who arrived in India in AD 52 and was martyred at Mylapore near present-day Chennai in AD 72; his tomb is still venerated there. Existing outside the Roman Empire, the Church of the St. Thomas Christians maintained communion with Rome through the Church in the Persian Empire (later called the East Syrian, Chaldean, or Babylonian Church). After Portuguese colonization of parts of India in the early 16th century and the consequent ecclesiastical arrangements, European Latin-rite Bishops governed the community from 1600 until 1896, when indigenous Bishops from among the St. Thomas Christians were restored to the see. The ancient name 'Church of St. Thomas Christians' gradually gave way to the present name 'Syro-Malabar Church.'

• AD 52 — Arrival of St. Thomas the Apostle in India
• AD 72 — Martyrdom of St. Thomas at Mylapore
• December 21, 1923 — Establishment of Syro-Malabar Hierarchy with Ernakulam as Metropolitan See (Romani Pontifices, Pope Pius XI)
• March 13, 2001 — St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago established in the USA

Parish Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Vicar Fr. George Danavelil, supported by an active Pastoral Team, Parish Council, Trustees, and Directors of Religious Education. The clergy page of stthomassfo.org lists every Vicar and Assistant Vicar since the parish's founding in 2001, documenting a faithful succession of priests under the Eparchy of Chicago.

• Current Vicar: Rev. Fr. George Danavelil
• Pastoral Team (listed on parish website)
• Josy Cheruvelil — Director of Religious Education
• Jossy Ajit — Assistant Director of Religious Education
• Trustees 2026–2027 include Alex Thomas, Biju Joseph, Ashok Mathew, Prince Nechikat and others

Holy Qurbana (Mass) & Liturgy

The parish celebrates the Holy Qurbana — the Syro-Malabar Eucharistic liturgy — every day of the week. Two Sunday Masses serve the bilingual community: a Malayalam Holy Qurbana at 9:30 AM and an English Holy Qurbana at 11:30 AM. Weekday Masses follow a rotation of Holy Qurbana (Monday–Saturday) with evening services Monday through Thursday at 7:00 PM, an additional 9:00 AM Friday Mass, and a Saturday morning Mass at 9:30 AM. Adoration precedes most Masses and runs continuously on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

• Sunday Malayalam Holy Qurbana — 9:30 AM
• Sunday English Holy Qurbana — 11:30 AM
• Monday–Thursday Holy Qurbana — 7:00 PM
• Friday Holy Qurbana — 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM
• Saturday Holy Qurbana — 9:30 AM

CCD / Sunday School Faith Formation

Faith formation at the parish was initiated by Vicar Fr. Kurian Neduvelichalumkal and formally inaugurated on October 7, 2007 by Rev. Fr. Roy Kaduppil, Chancellor of the Chicago Diocese, beginning with 40 students and 10 volunteer teachers. Today the program serves roughly 165 students with 26 volunteer teachers across Kindergarten through 12th grade. Its mission is to lay a firm Catholic foundation, develop concern and compassion for others, cultivate Christian values, teach prayers and hymns in Malayalam, deepen understanding of the Syro-Malabar Rite, and help the parish grow as 'One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.' Children also participate in a Lenten 30-day challenge, the annual Christmas program, the parish Bible Quiz, and annual preparation for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

• Director of Religious Education: Josy Cheruvelil
• Assistant DRE: Jossy Ajit
• Kindergarten–12th grade enrollment
• Annual First Communion and Confirmation preparation

Ministries & Spiritual Formation

Adult spiritual life is nourished through several structured ministries. The St. Aquinas Ministry equips parishioners to understand Catholic teaching via short talks and discussion at the monthly Ward Prayer Meetings, drawing topics from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The St. Jerome Ministry gathers parishioners every Sunday during the second Holy Qurbana to study books of the Bible over successive weeks. The Didache Theological Studies, Agape Ministry (calls to the homebound, bereavement caregiving), Little Flower Ministry, and the New Family Welcome team round out a robust pastoral network.

• St. Aquinas Ministry — catechetical talks at Ward Prayer Meetings
• St. Jerome Ministry — Sunday Bible study
• Agape Ministry — homebound visits and bereavement care
• Little Flower Ministry
• Didache Theological Studies (online)
• New Family Welcome

Youth — Diocesan Youth Apostolate (DYA)

The Diocesan Youth Apostolate (DYA) of San Francisco provides a platform for young people to share faith experiences, enjoy fellowship, and participate in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community. Youth gather every fourth Sunday for movies, praise and worship sessions, sports, and other activities. Older CCD students (8th grade and above) are especially encouraged to join.

• Youth meetings: every 4th Sunday at the church
• Contact: James Thomas

Serving The Needy — Outreach Ministry

Launched in March 2011 with the encouragement of the parish Vicar, 'Serving The Needy' puts faith into action by partnering with Holy Spirit Catholic Church Social Services to serve food and other needed items to the homeless and the less fortunate. On a typical session, volunteers serve 50–75 people; parish families volunteer together, and CCD children from a particular grade — along with their parents — participate as part of their faith-formation. Other local non-profits have joined the monthly sessions to provide clothes for the homeless. The ministry embodies Matthew 25:40 — 'Whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.'

• Started March 2011
• Partnership: Holy Spirit Catholic Church Social Services
• Contact: Tom Thattacherry

Sacraments

Beyond the daily and Sunday Holy Qurbana, the parish offers the full sacramental life of the Syro-Malabar Church, including the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday mornings and the annual preparation and reception of First Holy Communion and Confirmation for CCD students. Families seeking Baptism, Marriage, or other sacramental information are invited to contact the parish office.

Parish Leadership & Governance

Pastoral and temporal life is shared between the Vicar, the Pastoral Team, the elected Parish Council, and the Trustees. The parish website maintains a publicly visible roster — including Trustees 2026–2027 and a 'Past Trustees' archive going back to 2007 — reflecting the community's commitment to lay stewardship alongside clergy.

Getting Involved

Newcomers are welcomed by the New Family Welcome ministry, and parishioners can plug into one of many weekday or Sunday groups — from monthly Ward Prayer Meetings and Bible study to youth meetings on the 4th Sunday, the monthly 'Serving The Needy' outreach, and CCD teaching. Holy Qurbana intention requests can be submitted through the parish website.