The Southern Cross | August 2023

Bishop John Panamthottathil, the newly ordained Eparch of the Syro-Malabar faithful in Australia and Oceania, received a warm and heartfelt welcome during his recent visit to Adelaide.

The vibrant North Central and South regional communities organised separate events to honour their esteemed guest, showcasing their deep respect for their bishop.

Bishop John also had the opportunity to meet with Adelaide Archbishop Patrick O’Regan, fostering ecumenism and cooperation between the two communities.

The new Eparch’s participation in the feast day celebration of St Thomas the Apostle further united the multicultural communities in Adelaide.

The annual feast was celebrated by Archbishop O’Regan and Bishop John in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on July 7.

This year the universal prayers and intentions centred around recent events in Manipur, India, where Christians and other faiths are being persecuted.

An art exhibition of drawings by children was displayed based on the theme ‘current times’ with the children illustrating many topics of our times, some also sharing heartfelt prayers.

The St Thomas Holy Mass is a time where all Indian communities in the Adelaide Archdiocese come together to worship as one.

Three young girls from the Tamil Community, dressed in Indian traditional costume, performed the ‘Aarathi’ liturgical ceremony. There was also a special liturgical procession of gifts, where communities brought forward symbolic offerings of legumes, rice, cardamom and coconut in thanksgiving for God’s bountiful blessings.

The beautiful singing during the Mass was led by the Tamil Choir, with chorists from Konkani, Syro Malankara and Syro Malabar communities also contributing.

Bishop John gave the homily, focusing on St Thomas and how Christians can become more like him.

The customary blessing of children highlighted the faithfulness of the young people in the Indian Catholic community.

After the Mass, light refreshments were provided by the Indian Community in a packed Cathedral Hall.