On Sunday, February 17, Most Rev. John O. Barres, the Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre made a friendly visit to the Eparchial Chancery. The Eparchial Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos warmly greeted Bishop Barres and they had breakfast.
On Saturday, February 9, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos attended the 2019 Committee Inauguration and Handing Over ceremony for the India Catholic Association of America (ICAA). His Excellency delivered the inaugural speech and emphasized the value of life and the need to continue to bear the witness of Christ to the world, especially in light of the new abortion legislation signed by New York Governor. Rev. Fr. Noby Ayyaneth also delivered a speech during the meeting. Mr.
On January 26, 2019, the Pastoral Council meeting was held at 10 AM in the Eparchial Chancery, Elmont, NY. His Excellency Philipos Mar Stephanos presided over the meeting. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Gigi Philip offered the opening prayer and made a reflection on the duties and responsibilities of the Pastoral Council Members.
His Excellency extended a formal welcome to the newly constituted Pastoral Council members and gave the orientation talk and announced the names of the nominated Pastoral Council members.
The Department of the Family Apostolate of the Eparchy conducted a Pre-Cana (Marriage Preparation) Course on Saturday, February 23 at the Bishop Molloy Retreat House (86-45 Edgerton Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432). 20 people participated in the course.
Our Eparchial Bishop, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos, ordained Br. Jobin Thomas to the Order of Diaconate on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Vaccari, Rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary, New York, was the homilist, and around 10 priests were present in the liturgy.
The New Bishops’ Orientation Program (NBOP) was held on February 12th at the USCCB Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The USCCB President Daniel Cardinal DiNardo inaugurated the program via teleconference. The program presented the new bishops about the USCCB operations, strategic planning, the functioning of various committees, along with fraternal discussions on issues pertinent to the newly ordained Bishops. His Excellency Mar Stephanos attended the meeting.
The feast of our Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos was celebrated on January 9, 2019. The Holy Qurbono began at 6:30 PM with Bishop Philipos Mar Stephanos as the main celebrant. Rev. Rijo Puthenparambil, Rev. Liju Thundiyil, and Rev. Noby Ayyaneth were concelebrants. After the Holy Qurbono a brief felicitation and cutting of the festal cake were done. Several sisters, and a good number of faithful were present and exchanged the festal greetings to loving Pithaav.
