SILVER JUBILEE WELCOME SPEECH

God is great. This gathering has a story; a story of a journey of a migrant crowd; a crowd, accorded to the apostolic faith, getting its identity rooted in the soil of Maharashtra. After the journey of 25 years, we see a well-formed worshiping community, a multitude of blooming buds, confident of their identity as the sons and daughters of St. Thomas. And today, with clarity of vision, committed to its mission, the KALYAN FAMILY is ready with its silver wings to fly to its golden goal. God is great, Glory to God in the highest.

1)    On this joyous occasion, we are truly privileged to have Honorable Chief Minister - Mr. Prithviraj Chavan as our Chief Guest. It is with great pleasure that I introduce him this evening. Our Honorable Chief Minister is basically a mechanical engineer-an academician with a Master’s degree from the University of California.  He is a national leader and a great visionary, now at the helm of affairs of Maharashtra, a state with a proud legacy, one of the largest states of India. He is a man of integrity, committed to serve the people in the social, educational and health care fields. Renowned for his spotless career, his views on minority rights, religious freedom and national integration are well appreciated by all. Dear Sir, while offering all the moral support for your leadership for a value based, clean, disciplined Maharashtra, we congratulate you on the eve of your completion of three years as an able and efficient Chief Minister of Maharashtra (On 11^th Nov 2013, he completes 3 years), we heartily welcome you to the silver jubilee celebrations of the Diocese of Kalyan. Rev. Msgr. Jacob Porathur, Proto Syncellus of the Diocese is requested to welcome our Honorable Chief Minister garlanding him.

2)    The eparchy feels extremely joyful that His Beatitude Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro- Malabar Church is here with us today to join us in our celebrations. Confirming everyone in faith is presented in the New Testament, as the duty of a bishop. The Major Archbishop by his graceful presence and powerful message reconfirms us in deeper faith. Once again, your Beatitude, we welcome you. Rev. Fr. Paul Olickal, Eparchial Finance Officer garlands our Father and Head of our Church and the president of Today’s Public Meeting.

Archbishop Salvarore Pennachio, Apostolic Nuncio to India of the Pope Francis has informed his inability to attend this function, but has sent a message for us: I quote, “I am happy to participate through this Message in the historical occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Diocese of Kalyan. I extend my special greetings and best wishes and blessings to the Bishop and to all the faithful of the Diocese.”

3)    Another eminent personality we have amidst us is Justice Kurian Joseph, a Supreme Court Justice. Honorable Justice Kurian Joseph was elevated to the  status of Supreme Court Justice  on 8^th March 2013, after having served  twice  as the Acting Chief Justice of Kerala and Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh. He is an extremely humble person, with an extraordinary integrity and is the pride of the Indian judiciary.  Moreover, he is an outstanding son of the Syro-Malabar Church and a great friend of our Diocese. Sir we are extremely happy to have you amidst us and a Hearty Welcome to you to the silver jubilee celebrations of this eparchy. Mr. K. P. Francis (Eparchial Finance Council member) garlands Justice Kurian Joseph.

4)    We have with us today Mrs. Janet Lawrence D’ Souza the Vice Chairperson of Maharashtra State Minority Commission. D’Souza is also the Director of Maulana Azad Minorities Development Financial Corporation (Govt. of Maharashtra). She believes that she is given this responsibility predominantly to serve the minority community and is committed to solve the problems faced by them and is keen on giving utmost attention to their welfare. Mrs. D’souza, hearty welcome to you. Rev. Sr. Marykutty Michael (Family Council) does the honors of garlanding Mrs. D’souza.

5)    Another proud son of Syro Malabar church is Mr. Johny Joseph, a person of great integrity. After over three-and-a-half decades of meritorious service in the bureaucracy, including as the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Government, he continues his service as Upa-Lokayukta. He has many feathers in his cap such as Earthquake Rehabilitation project for Latur earthquake victims through the reconstruction of 40,000 houses under his leadership, introducing the digitized Disaster Management Information System, etc. We whole heartedly welcome you to this august gathering. Mr. Antony Bernard (Former Pastoral Council Sec.) does the honour of greeting him.

6)    We have with us Shri. Jagannath Achanna Shetty, a very hard working MLA of Sion Koliwada and a dedicated social worker. He has been re-elected to the post for a second term.  Sir I welcome you in the name of our eparchy.   Mr. Andrew K. J. (Eparchial Contact Person for the Civil authorities) garlands the MLA.

7)    Our diocese is happy to welcome again Shri. Chandrakant Handore -MLA of Chembur region. He did the honours of inaugurating our old age home at Kalyan in June 2008. At that time, he was social welfare minister of Maharashtra.  Shri Handore, hearty welcome to this function. Mr. Bose Paul (Former Pastoral Council Sec.) greets him.

8)    Mrs. Thanksy F. Thekkekara IAS now serves this State as the Additional Chief Secretary, of the Department of Minorities Development. She has served the state in several positions and being a member of our community, she has assisted the Church on several occasions. We are indebted to you madam and a hearty welcome to our midst. I request Rev. Sr. Rosamma (CRI Secretary) to garland Mrs. Thekkekkara.

I have already introduced the Archbishops and Bishops before the Holy Qurbana. But I would like to officially welcome them to this public meeting, garlanding them.  

9)     Rt. Rev. Dr. Stanislaus Fernandes, S.J. (WRBC Chairman & Archbishop of Gandhinagar). Mr. P. J. Aprain (Karunya Trust Trustee) garlands him.

10)  Mar Andrews Thazhath (KCBC President and Archbishop of Trichur) is garlanded by Dr. Alan Alappatt (Social Security Scheme-Idea).

11)  Rt. Rev. Dr. John Rodrigues, (Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Bombay) is here with us. His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias has been here on Thursday 7^th November to inaugurate the Jubilee Convention. Bishop Rodrigues represents the Archdiocese of Mumbai. He was ordained a Bishop on 29^th of June this year. Wishing him all the best for his ministry, we welcome him to our midst. He will be garlanded by Mr. M. V. Chacko (One of the Sponsors of Jubilee). 

12)  Mar Jacob Barnabas Chacko Aerath, O.I.C. (Apostolic Visitor, Syro-Malankara Church) will be garlanded by Mr.  K. J. Joseph (One of the Sponsors of Jubilee)

13)  His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose, Mumbai Metropolitan of Orthodox Syrian Church, is well known to the Kerala community in Mumbai and is a close friend of the Diocese of Kalyan. Welcome to you Archbishop to share the warmth of Communion. Mr. Bose Joseph (One of the Sponsors of Jubilee) garlands him.

14)  Our own bishops, the Moses of Kalyan Mar Paul Chittilapilly and the Aaron of Kalyan Mar Thomas Elavanal. I would say, Mar Paul Chittilapilly as the founder of Kalyan and Mar Thomas Elavanal as the Architect of Kalyan. It is the farsightedness, vision and planning of Mar Thomas Elavanal that has led us to reach this day.  Rev. Fr. Anoop Poyyaniyil (Priests Representative) garlands our bishop. Rev. Fr. John Koovakunnel (Priests Representative garlands Mar Paul Chittilapilly.

15)  Mr. P. J. Xavier (Pastoral Council Member) garlands. Abp Abraham Viruthukulangara (Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nagpur).

16)  Mrs Ommana Aprem (Mathrusangam Former Diocesan President) garlands Abp Raphael Cheenath, S.V.D. (Archbishop Emeritus of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar).

17)  Mrs. Rosamma Joseph (Mathrusangam Former Diocesan President) garlands Bp. Lourdes Daniel (Bishop of the Diocese of Nasik).

18)  Mrs. Lissy Jose (Mathrusangam Former Diocesan President) garlands Mar Joseph Pallickaparambil (Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Palai.

19)  Mrs. Vimala Xavier (Mathrusangam Former Diocesan President) garlands Mar Jacob Manathodath (Bishop of the Eparchy of Palghat).

20)  Mr. Joy Paul (KEY Ex-ICYM Rep) garlands Mar Joseph Arumachadath, MCBS (Bishop of Bhadravathi).

21)  Ms. Christina (a Dexco member) garlands Mar Remigius Inchananiyil (Bishop of the Diocese of Thamarassery).

22)  Mr. Albert Manjaly (National-Best Youth Award winner) garlands Mar Vijay Anand Nedumpuram CMI (Bishop of the Diocese of Chanda).

23)  Bro. Mathews Mundadan garlands Mar Sebastian Vadakkel (Bishop of Ujjain).

24)  Ms. Honey Thomas (who took delivery from railway station, a Vartak Nagar parishioner) garlands Mar Antony Chirayath (Bishop of the Diocese of Sagar).

25)  Mr. Joseph Puthussery (National-Best Youth Award win) garlands Mar Simon Stock Palathara (Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Jagdalpur).

26)  Ms. Rony Baby (who took delivery at Vasai railway station) garlands Mar Joseph Kollamparampil CMI (Bishop of Jagdalpur).

27)  Ms. Siji Vincent (Alert citizen who caught the thief from ATM centre) garlands Mar Jose Chittooparambil CMI (Bishop of the Diocese of Rajkot).

28)  Mr. Sam Scaria (Catechism Department Secretary) garlands Msgr. Jacob Porathur (Proto syncellus of the Diocese of Kalyan).

29)  Bro. Jerine Chittilapilly (Regency Brother) garlands Rev. Fr. Antony Kollannur (Chancellor, Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the Syro-Malabar Church).

30)  Mr. Babu Mathew (Lantern Editorial Team member) garlands Mr. Babu Thomas (MPCC Vice-President).

31)  Bro. Nikhil Xavier (Prefect, Minor Seminary) garlands Fr. George Vadakkethala (a priest who had been giving pastoral care even before the formation of the diocese).

32)  Mr. Roy J. Kottaram (Pastoral Council executive) garlands Fr. Joseph Cheriampanatt MST (Mission Superior and Syncellus of Sangli Mission run by MST fathers).

33)  Dr. C. P. Johnson (KLM Secretary) garlands Fr. Thomas Kannanaikkal CMI (Mission Superior and Syncellus of Chavara Mission run by CMI fathers).

34)  Mr. Thomas – Dapodi (Catechism Head Teacher) garlands Fr. Sajoy Ethackatt VC (Mission Superior and Syncellus of Ahmednagar Mission run by VC fathers)

35)  Mr. George Anchil(Charismatic Movement Ex-Chairman) garlands Fr. Jose Polackal MCBS (Mission Superior and Syncellus of Satara-Solapur Mission run by MST fathers).

36)  Mr. George Paul (Social Action team member) garlands Rev. Fr. Joju Arackal (Presbyterium Secretary).

37)  Mr. Chacko Antony (Vice President, Pithruvedi) garlands Rev. Sr. Alice Kripa CMC (Secretary of CRI).

38)  Bro. Danny Chittilapilly (Regency Brother) garlands Rev. Sr. Blossom CHF (Provincial of Mary Matha Vice Province, Jalgaon).

39)  Mr. Savio George (Secretary, Pithruvedi) garlands Adv. Malayil Joseph Kurian (General Convenor, Diocesan Inauguration Steering Committee).

40)  Ms. Jisha (Secretary of Jesus Nurses Fraternity) garlands Mr. P.J. Mathew (KCA President).

41)  Ms. Alphy (Jesus Youth, Service Team) garlands Prof. Mrs. Rosily Thomas (Secretary of Pastoral Council), the first woman pastoral council secretary the whole of India.

42)  Mr. P.A. Joseph (Charismatic Renewal, Chairman) garlands Mr. Jose Joseph (President of Kalyan Laity Movement)

43)  Ms. Diana Thomas (Dexco member of KEY) garlands Mr. PKX Thomas ( President of Pithruvedi).

44)  Master Vineet Paul (Altar Boys Rep) garlands Mrs. Aleyamma Sebastian (President of Mathrusangam).

45)  Ms. Mary Varghese (Dexco) garlands Ms. Sruthi Sunny (DEXCO Member of KEY)

46)  Ms. Steffy Rose (Dexco) garlands Ms. Adna Peyus (Catechism Student).

I am extremely happy to welcome all the specially invited guests off the dais, Superior Generals and Provincials of various religious congregations, the auditors of the Eparchy, representatives of different banks, sponsors and benefactors, Doctors, media personnel, volunteers of Karunya Trust, representatives of the different churches and seminaries.

Warm welcome to all my dear priests and religious who have shed their sweat and blood, working hard in the infancy stage of this eparchy and all the priests, religious and seminarians who are now part of the spiritual and material development of the Eparchy.

A special welcome to the Pastoral, zonal, parish council members, Pithruvedi, Mathrusangam, youth, catechism, and all other associations, departments, movements.

A Cordial welcome to all the faithful who are the real strength and power of the Eparchy of Kalyan. Silver Jubilee is a mile stone: my dear youth and children, you are to take forward this Eparchy into God’s design. A Hearty welcome to one and all.

Jai Yesu, Hai Hind, Jai Maharashtra

 

Fr. Francis Eluvathingal

Programme Committee Chairman and Chancellor of Eparchy of Kalyan