Fr. Sunny to celebrate a Syro Malabar Rite Mass on May 6 at 7pm
The 7pm Mass on Sunday May 6 with be celebrated by Fr. Sunny in the Syro-Malabar Rite. Many people don’t realize that the reason we are called Roman Catholics is because we celebrate the sacraments in the forms taught to us by Peter and Paul, the Apostles who brought the faith to Rome, which spread over the Roman Empire to all of Europe. But there are many different Rites (or churches) that make up the universal Catholic Church. For example, Byzantine Catholic, Ukrainian Catholic, Coptic Catholic and many more are all part of the Catholic Church, in union with the Pope and subject to his authority in all matters of faith, morals, and teachings, and are part of the Catholic Church’s heirarchy, who believe all the Catholic Church professes and teaches, but were taught by different Apostles (or in some cases, different saints) how to practice, and so celebrate the Sacraments in the ancient customs of the people of their lands. For instance, the Coptic Catholic Church (The church in Egypt) was founded by the Evangelist St Mark. The Byzantine Catholic Church (in Turkey) was founded by the Apostle St Andrew, and the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is a form of Catholicism practiced by the Christians of India since they were brought the faith by the Apostle St Thomas in the First Century. Their Mass, which is called Holy Qurbana in their language, dates back to the year 60 A.D., and is celebrated in a form of Syro-Aramaic, close to the language spoken by Jesus Himself. This is a unique opportunity for the Roman Catholic Community to experience the true fullness of the Catholic Faith by learning and worshipping with our brothers and sisters of a different Rite, but still members of the same Holy Catholic Church. This is an official Mass, and fulfills our Sunday obligation. There will also by a Syro-Malabar Choir that will sing at Mass, and the readings and homily will be in English. Come share the Eucharist with our brothers and sisters of a different culture, but the same one true Church of Christ!
