News from the Syro-Malabar Community

This week, I had the joy of a visit from Mgr. Jino Varghese Arikkatt and two of the lay leaders of the Syro-Malabar community here in Portsmouth. They came to share news of what has been happening in their community and also to convey to me and the Diocese their Christmas prayers and greetings. Fr. Jino has responsibility for the Syro-Malabar Church in the area of Portsmouth, Gosport, Waterlooville, Fareham, the Isle of Wight, Havant and Petersfield. There are over 200 families in the Church living in this area and nearly all of them regularly practice their Catholic faith. They have 240 children in catechesis, which normally takes place in a Sunday school. They were keen to say that all are welcome to their Sunday Masses in St. Paul’s church in Paulsgrove at 8.30 am (in Malayalam) and 10 am (Children’s Mass in English). For more information, contact Fr. Jino jinomcbs@gmail.com.

For more information for those living in Basingstoke, Reading and Andover, contact Fr. Benoy Ambazhathinal, who lives at St. Joseph’s Church, Basingstoke, and for those living in the Southampton and Eastleigh areas, contact Fr. Thomas Parakandathil at St. Vincent de Paul in Lordswood (Southampton). Let us remember the Syro-Malabar community in our prayers. We wish them a truly blessed celebration of Advent and Christmas.