St Joseph's Syro Malabar Catholic Church of central Florida, Tampa invites and welcomes you all to worship with us. All you are called to constitute the mystyical body and share the life in Christ. Our parish is a wonderful community of faithful people whose primary desire is to worship God , nurture the faith of Children and our families. Let us gather together to celebrate the life in Jesus. And we welcome everybody to join the community.
Syro Malabar Church is an apostolic Church which traces its origin to the Apostolate of St Thomas who, according to the tradition landed at Cranganore in 52 A.D and founded 7 Christian communities at Palayur, Cranganore, Kokamangalam, Kottakavu(parur), Quilon, Niranam and chayal. It is one of the 22 sui juris oriental churches in Catholic communities with its own particular characteristics expressed in worship, spirituality and disciplinary laws. Now we the St Joseph Syro Malabar community of tampa is formed under the territory of Syro Malabar diocese of Chicago. As members of Syro Malabar Community it is our privilege to foster our customs, traditions and heritage for the benefit of our future generations.
I would encourage our mission to take an active part to initate all effort to keep the stability and unity of individual families, to foster mutual respect among parents and children. " ... the practice of WEastern liturgy without its entire heritage flowing into its highest expression, would risk reducing it to pure superficiality ( Instruction for applying the liturgical prescription of the code cannons of the Eastern Churches, 1996, No.13). As a member of Syro Malabar Church and the member of the St Joseph parish let us join togather, live an exemplary life based on faith, morals and values. We should keep priority onto strengthening the church, the mystical body of Christ.
Finally, St Joseph Parish has only one door that can only be opened by one person. There is no outside handle on the door. It can only be opened by the person on the otherside. That door is an easy one to open... all you have to do is say YES. Let us open this door which has 4 letters on it. They read... LOVE.
Wish You all a hearty welcome to our liturgy. Let us celebrate our faith in Christ.
Fr George Maliekal.