The eparchy of Hosur includes the northern part of Tamil Nadu state, where there are around 50,000 Syro-Malabar faithful in the city of Chennai and another 15,000 in cities nearby- Chingleput, Dharmapuri, Vellore, and Pondicherry. Their pastoral care is entrusted to 22 priests from the eparchy of Irinjalakuda and is responsible for 44 Pastoral centers. There are also 73 women religious working in the region who manage eight schools and other pious works.
Despite the concentration of the Syro-Malabar faithful in Chennai, the new eparchy will have as its see the city of Hosur. The Cathedral and Chancellery will be close to Chennai: Saint Antony's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Noothenchery and the Saint Thomas Pastoral Centre in Aynavaram.
With the almighty's grace and the intercession of St.Antony, the Gowrivakkam Parish is growing day by day. Many prayerful, take part in the novena of St. Antony on Tuesdays. God showers his utmost blessings to the earth at the time of "Oottuthirunnal" It has been a long-anticipated need to have a church of St. Antony's in our midst. We are walking towards it. Israel people's dream got materialized by conquering Canaan after a long 40 years of sacrifice and prayers.
ANTONY OF PADUA - OUR PATRON
Chennai mission and Gowrivakkam Parish started at the same time. Initially, we had Holy Mass in our Church in Keelkattalai, later at Mahalakshminagar Latin Church, and then at the Railway quarters near Sanatorium Tambaram. Slowly, the group grew and had holy Mass in some houses and to the chapel of Holy Family Convent at Gowriwakkam. As the faithful grew the Holy Mass started in a small thatched shed in the open space of the convent and continued so for almost ten years! Meanwhile, we managed to buy some plots and started to accumulate money for the big dream of constructing a church.
However, now by the grace of God, blessings of St Antony, lots of sacrifice and prayers of the believers of Gowrivakkam Parish, the whole-hearted contribution of many parishes, parishioners, well-wishers, and by taking debts, we got blessed with 70 cents of land at Noothenchery located between Medavakkam and Vengaivasal. We remember and pray for all the generous hearts who helped us without expectations. We believe that our Parish will become strong by the flow of believers from Kelambakkam since our upcoming shrine is near to them.
Our Mission.
St. Antony's Syro Malabar Catholic Church's Mission is to fulfill the spiritual and social needs of the Syro-Malabar faithful settled in and around Tambaram, Medavakkam, Perumbakkam, Sholinganallur, Sithalapakkam, Madambakkam, Pallikaranai, Mudichur, Guduvanchery, Kelambakkam, Ponmar, Mambakkam, and nearby areas of South Chennai. This Syro Malabar Catholic Church functions under the Syro-Malabar mission of Chennai - Chengalpet by offering Mass in Malayalam, Catechism, Administration of Sacraments, Retreats, and Solemn Celebration of the Church Feast. We aim to achieve the spiritual and societal growth of the community in the deep-rooted Christian values. The Sisters of Holy Family Convent, Gowriwakkam, also take good care of the community's spiritual needs. We recognize their immense love and care, thus helping the community grow in unity. Also, simultaneously concentrating on the character formation of our young kids through catechism.
Currently, we have about 250 families under the St. Antony's Church, which comprises about five family units. It's our pride that with a well-established parish Council and pious organizations such as Pithru Vedi, Mathru Jyothis, Family units Central Committee, CYM, Choir & Altar boys & girls, this church functions like a Parish in Kerala. Catechism of the Children is an integral part of this Parish.
St.Antony's church Gowrivakkam is the fraternity of the Syro Malabar Catholics settled in a wide area from Tambaram to Pallikaranai of South Chennai. Chennai is one of the metros with a strong presence of Syro Malabar Catholics. In 1983, the Syro Malabar Bishops Conference entrusted the pastoral care of the city to the Diocese of Irinjalakkuda-thus, the Chennai Mission started functioning on Dec 14th, 1983; with Rev Fr. Jose Palatty as the First Chaplain.
The Mahalakshmi Nagar church of South Chennai had Syro Malabar Mass even before the Chennai Mission was formed. It was made possible by Rev.Fr.Joseph Thaiparambil at the persistent request of the families of Syro Malabar Catholics serving at the Indian Air Force Base, Tambaram. Later, took over by the Mission and subsequent Chaplains like Fr. Jose Maliakkal, Fr. Varghese Pereppadan, Fr. Charley Alookkaran, Fr. Antony Mukkatukarakan, Fr. Johnson Tharayil, Fr. Andrews Chethalan, Fr. Saji Valiaveettil and Fr. Davis Kalappurakkal, and so on. It is worth mentioning that every one of them excelled in their respective role of giving pastoral care to the faithful here.
In January 2004, Rev Fr. Anto Karippai and Fr. Thomas Elamakunnapuzha took charge of the southern region of the Chennai Mission. The Holy Family Congregation, in March 2004, started their convent at Gowriwakkam; this fraternity got a new impetus and rejuvenation by the house visits of the sisters and the hard work of Fr. Anto Karippai, ably supported by the then leaders of the laity. Since January 2005, Syro Malabar mass has been celebrated every Sunday in the convent chapel, and the fraternity adopted St. Antony as the patron saint of the unit. Slowly but steadily, the units grew in strength and faith, the number swelled from 45 to 100 members, and efforts were made to procure a plot of land to build a church of our own under the leadership of Fr. Anto Karippai.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17 ESV