Catechism
The Syro-Malabar Church has a rich tradition of catechesis dating back to its inception. Similar to other Christian traditions, the church has relied on a system of passing down the faith from one generation to the next. Despite the absence of a comprehensive historical account of the catechetical practices of the Syro-Malabar Church, much of this tradition is recorded in historical documents and continues to be preserved through living traditions.
The mission of the church is to educate children in the Syro-Malabar Catholic faith, in collaboration with parents who are considered the primary educators of their children. The journey of faith commences with baptism, and it is crucial for children to actively engage with their parents in all aspects of the Catholic Church. For the spiritual journey to be enriching for all involved, every catechist, parent, and student must fully comprehend and embrace their respective roles.
Our dedicated catechists emulate the mission of Jesus by nurturing the faith of the young and instilling in them a Christ-like spirit of service. They empower children with traditional prayers and the Word of God, impart the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Syro-Malabar Church, and aim to foster the development of future church leaders.
In an effort to foster perseverance and a deeper understanding of the faith, catechism classes are now offered every Sunday, preceding the mass, as opposed to the previous bi-weekly schedule. The teaching team, led by Headmaster Ance Esthappan, comprises 28 teachers who educate 125 students across grades 1 through 12. Every Sunday, the children participate in the sacrament of Confession in accordance with the class schedule.
Choir
The church choirs hold a significant role within the church, fostering reverence and a sense of awe while nurturing strong connections within the congregation. They also offer leadership opportunities for members. Our mission choir group actively participates in our Mission every Sunday and on Holy feast Days to honor and celebrate our faith.
According to the Bible, choirs lead worship by singing praises and hymns, enriching the overall worship experience. They also play a crucial role in encouraging congregational singing, imparting scriptural truths, and aiding in the expression of personal devotion to God.
Participating in a choir is an act of worship in itself, fostering a sense of intimacy and closeness with God. When a choir sings, they are expressing their faith through music, which can serve as a bridge between the physical and the spiritual realms.
Our choir serves as a luminous guide for our worship, bringing the rich choral tradition of Kerala to Wagga Wagga through their talent and devotion as they lead us to encounter the Holy God through music. Through their unwavering efforts, we aim to share the gospel, uplift believers, and provide a platform for all to showcase their worship gifts. Our diverse choir members come together to glorify the Lord and spread the love of Jesus through their music, with prayer and fellowship forming the cornerstone of our ministry. We take great pride in their dedication and service, and extend a warm invitation to those interested in joining our choir to approach the coordinator.
Altar Service
If you have received your First Holy Communion and are interested in serving at the altar during parish Masses and other liturgies, the St. Mary's mission members invite you to participate in the Ministry of Altar Servers. This ministry aims to assist the priest and set an example of reverence during the sacred liturgy. To be eligible, you must be a baptized member of the Church who has also received their 1st Eucharist. Additionally, you will need to undergo training and be commissioned before taking up your ministry. Once your training is completed, you will be commissioned during a parish weekend Mass and blessed for your ministry. For more information, please contact Fr. Siby at stmaryscommunitywagga@gmail.com.
"I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do." - John 13:15
Catholic Congress
The Catholic Congress Global, also known as AKCC or Catholica Congress, serves as the official community organization of the Syro Malabar Church. Its primary mission is to work towards the advancement of the Syro-Malabar Catholic community and the safeguarding of their civil and fundamental rights in religious, social, cultural, educational, and economic spheres. In addition to this, the Catholic Congress emphasises the importance of a Eucharistic congress in the Catholic Church, which brings together clergy, religious, and laity to bear witness to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist—a central doctrine in Catholicism.
The organisation is committed to partnering with local churches to fulfill God’s mission, which involves sharing personal and financial resources to proclaim the Gospel, serve those in need, and work towards peace, justice, and environmental preservation. This collaboration with local churches aims to ensure that everyone can experience life in Christ.
The organisation draws inspiration from the message of John 13:34, encouraging individuals to love one another as Christ has loved them.
Nurses Ministry
The Nurses Ministry is a dedicated group of Catholic Professional Nurses who are committed to embodying the compassionate and healing ministry of Jesus. This movement originated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Dubai in 2003, when a small group of nurses recognised the significant and far-reaching impact of a nurse's role in spreading the message of Jesus. Since then, the Nurses Ministry has expanded globally, extending its influence to Catholic churches across different continents, guided by the Holy Spirit. The overarching goal of this community is for nurses worldwide to embrace, share, and embody the teachings of Jesus, ultimately striving to become saints.
The mission of the Nurses Ministry is an authentic and spontaneous endeavor to extend the healing presence of the Lord to nurses, their families, and the patients they care for. At the helm of our community is Daiby Shiji, leading an active and involved group. The ministry's core strength lies in its spirituality and its steadfast focus on living a Christ-centered life. Members of the ministry seek to develop as devoted disciples of Christ through five key principles: prayer, sacraments, the word of God, sharing the love of God, and fellowship. The ministry's charism is to empower nurses to provide care and healing to the sick, effectively embodying the presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
Evangelisation Ministry
The Syro-Malabar Evangelisation team has been established with the purpose of coordinating various evangelistic activities and initiatives. In addition to this, the team has forged a partnership with the National Centre for Evangelisation (NCE) Australia to ensure that our community can contribute to the evangelisation efforts of other Australian communities while sharing our own experiences and insights in engaging with the Church's mission and renewal.
This Ministry has been established to pray for the world and to specifically intercede for the intentions that are brought forward by the parish community. The intercession coordinator and the prayer warriors have devoted their time to carefully listen to the prayer requests of the people and intercede on their behalf to the Lord. If anyone is facing troubles or feels that they have no one to pray for them, the Parish Intercession Ministry is there to support them. Within our community, this ministry has been led by Rosamma Antony.
As emphasised in 1 Timothy 2:1, it is important to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone. This ministry embodies this call to prayer and intercession for the benefit of the whole community.
Safeguarding
The primary focus of the Safeguarding program within our community is to proactively prevent abuse and ensure the safety of children, young people, and vulnerable individuals. In pursuit of this goal, the Safeguarding team has been diligently developing and implementing comprehensive training programs that encompass a wide range of protocols and procedures aimed at safeguarding children from potential harm. These protocols and procedures strongly reflect the deeply ingrained values of the Catholic Church.
It is fundamental to the teachings and principles of the Catholic Church to prioritize the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, safety, and dignity of children. Therefore, the Archdiocese is dedicated to upholding these principles and has unequivocally committed to ensuring the safety, well-being, and dignity of all children. It acknowledges and embraces its significant legal, moral, and spiritual responsibility to foster a nurturing and secure environment for all children within its care.
In our community, the Safeguarding efforts are overseen by Mrs. Tintu Baby, Mr. Deep Kurian, and Rosamma Antony, who are steadfastly dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of our children.
Family units
The St. Mary’s Syro Malabar parish places significant emphasis on Family Units, regarding them as the foundational components of the community. These units create a nurturing environment for Syro Malabar Catholic families who may experience isolation due to their living situations and lifestyles, promoting faith, companionship, and mutual assistance.
Within our parish , we have established six distinct Family Units, namely Saint Chavara Unit, Saint Thomas Unit, St. Lilltle Flower Unit, St. Alphonsa Unit, St. Joseph Unit, and St. Mary’s Unit. Each of these units plays a pivotal role in the community's life and convenes monthly to partake in family prayers, led by the designated family unit leaders under the guidance of our vicar. These gatherings are inclusive of both families and bachelors and are aimed at fostering a robust sense of community, discussing church activities, and identifying ways to aid those in need.
In addition to the spiritual dimension, the Family Units also offer a platform for the cultivation of skills, talents, and creativity, particularly among the younger members. An array of events and activities fall under the influence of the Family Units, including Bachelor’s gatherings, Bible Quiz competitions, Cultural Competitions, and more.
Through the active engagement of Family Unit leaders and members, these units have evolved into integral components of the mission, providing steadfast support and contributing to the success of various church activities. This unwavering support has been instrumental in the flourishing of the Family Units through the years.
SMYM
The Syro Malabar Youth Movement (SMYM) serves as the official youth organization of the Syro Malabar Church, aiming to inspire and guide young people in embracing a life devoted to Jesus within the Catholic Church, with a specific focus on the Syro Malabar Church. Its primary mission is to foster the spiritual growth and faith of young individuals in alignment with the teachings and principles of the Catholic faith, thereby laying a robust foundation for the church. The SMYM is dedicated to upholding and embodying the traditional beliefs of the Syro Malabar Church (SMC) for the betterment of the Kingdom of God and society, while also actively working towards the holistic development of youth and fostering unity among the youth within the SMC.
Sister-missions
we remember our sister-missions, Wodonga and Griffith. On behalf of the entire mission, we would like to sincerely thank Fr Siby Thannickal – Parish Priest and Fr Thomas Casanova (Parish Priest – St Fatima Parish) for their ongoing support and leadership in faith and growth of our community. We thank you for your prayers and good support.
