Message
The Internet has brought about a revelation in communication. It is putting people in direct contact with source of information in ways that were never before possible, and it has added ease and convenience to many of the activities of daily living. The Internet serves the Church community as an easy tool for effective education and communication. Hence the Apostolic Exarchte for the Syro-Malabar Catholics in Canada encourages each of its parishes to consider crating a parish website.
I am so delighted to know that St. Joseph’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Montreal is planning to launch a new website for the parish. This is a significant milestone in the faith journey of the rapidly growing community in Montreal under the efficient leadership of Rev. Fr. Jomon Kalladanthiyil CSC, the Vicar.
The relevance of the website to spread the Good News is beyond words. It is a primary means of communication between the various parochial representatives and organizations and the members of the parish family. It is intended to keep the parishioners informed the current and future activities within the parish and the Exarchate. My heartfelt congratulations to Rev. Fr. Vicar, Design & Development experts and all those who have actively involved in this noble venture!
In this auspicious occasion, my prayer is that may St. Joseph, the patron Saint help you to convert all your dreams into reality; and you become beacon of faith and hope for all our fellow immigrants!
Invoking God’s abundant blessings on each one of you
Yours sincerely in Christ,
+ Bishop Jose Kalluvelil
Apostolic Exarch of the Syro-Malabar Catholics in Canada
Biography
Jose Kalluvelil was born on November 15, 1955 at Thottuva, Kuravilangad, in the Eparchy of Pala, India as the youngest son of Joseph and Annamma. He has four brothers. At the age of four, the family moved to Jellipara, in the Eparchy of Palghat, India. After completing High School studies, he joined St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, Thrissur. Major Seminary formation was at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Kottayam, India where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Theology. He was ordained priest on December 18, 1984 by His Excellency Mar Joseph Irimpen, the first Bishop of Palghat.
Fr. Jose began his priestly ministry on January 15, 1985 at Fathima Matha Church as Asst. Parish Priest and Director of St. Joseph’s Boys Home at Agali. In 1989 he was appointed Director of Catechetical Department in the Eparchy of Palghat where he served for 12 consecutive years. During this period he was also the Parish Priest at 3 other parishes: Panthalampadam, Olavakod and Ottapalam. In addition, he served the Eparchy as Diocesan Consultor, Founder Director of Kerala Catholic Students League, Director of Holy Childhood and Bible Apostolate. In 2001, Fr. Jose was sent to Rome for higher studies. He completed his licentiate in “Theology of Human Mobility” from Pontifical Urban University and Doctorate in “Family Catechesis” from Pontifical Salesian University, Rome. Back from Rome he served as Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church Kottayi, and Fathima Matha Church Kallekad for one year. In 2007 Fr. Jose Kalluvelil was appointed Vicar of St. Raphael’s Cathedral Palghat, Manager of St. Raphael’s Higher Secondary School and Diocesan Consultor. After five years, in 2012, he was transferred to St. Thomas Forane Church Kanjirapuzha where he worked for one year. In 2013 he was sent to Canada for the pastoral care of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Community, Toronto.
On August 06, 2015 Fr. Jose Kalluvelil was appointed Exarch of the newly erected Apostolic Exarchate for the Syro-Malabar Catholics in Canada and Titular Bishop of Tabalta by his Holiness Pope Francis. He was ordained Bishop on September 19, 2015. After 3 years, on December 22nd 2018 the exarchate has been elevated into the status of an Eparchy. The inauguration of the Eparchy and the installation of Bishop Jose Kalluvellil were solemnized on May 25th 2019 by His Beatitude Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.