Chicago: The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated with great fervor and devotion at St. Mary’s Knanaya Catholic Church in Morton Grove. The celebrations were highlighted by devotional liturgical services, diverse cultural programs, and a colorful solemn procession. The parish executives who served over the past fifteen years acted as the Prasudenthis (main sponsors) for this year’s feast.
The festivities commenced on August 2 with the hoisting of the parish flag by Parish Priest Fr. Siju Mudakodil and concluded on August 9. On August 6, a cemetery visit and memorial service were conducted for the departed faithful, with Assistant Vicar Fr. Aneesh Maveliputhenpura leading the Holy Mass.
On Friday, August 7, observed as Youth Day, Fr. Melvin Paul, Director of the Youth Apostolate of the Diocese of Chicago, led the Holy Mass and delivered the homily. This was followed by various cultural performances organized by ward prayer groups (Koodarayogams), the Women’s Ministry, and the feast’s Prasudenthis.
On Saturday, August 8, the feast Holy Mass was concelebrated under the chief celebrancy of Fr. Abraham Kalarickal, Vicar of the Sacred Heart Knanaya Forane Church in Bensenville. Co-celebrants included Fr. Jijo Nellikkakandathil, Fr. Jose Kannuvettiyel, Fr. Shanju Kochuparambil, Fr. Jose Kunnuthukizhakethil, Fr. Siju Mudakodil, and Fr. Aneesh Maveliputhenpura. Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Mulavanal, Director of the Knanaya Region and Vicar General, delivered the sermon. This was followed by the blessing of the Kaplon (Darsana Samooham) and dynamic cultural performances presented by children and adults of the parish. A major highlight was the musical dance drama “Manikyaveena”, written and directed by Stephen Chollampel and performed by local parish artists.
On Sunday, August 9, the main feast day, Fr. Jijo Nellikkakandathil, Professor at Mangalapuzha Seminary in Aluva, served as the chief celebrant for the festive Raza Mass. Fr. Jose Kannuvettiyel, Superior of the Sacred Heart Dasa Samooham, delivered the feast message. Fr. Thomas Mulavanal, Fr. Shanju Kochuparambil, Fr. Abraham Kaduthodil, Fr. Siju Mudakodil, and Fr. Aneesh Maveliputhenpura co-celebrated.
The Mass was followed by a magnificent, colorful procession featuring thousands of devotees, accompanied by traditional drum beats, ceremonial umbrellas (Muthukkuda), and sacred statues of saints. Fr. Thomas Mulavanal imparted the Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Representatives of the St. Antony Ward Prayer Group were then installed as the Prasudenthis for the upcoming year. The celebrations concluded with a community feast (Snehavirunnu) and an enthusiastic feast auction. The official lowering of the flag took place on Monday, August 10.
The event’s success was spearheaded by Parish Trustee Coordinator Xavier Naduparambil; Trustees Sunny Kannala, Joby Polakkal, Majo Kunnassery, and Felix Palakan; Secretary Sunny Meledam; Accountant James Mannakulam; PRO Roy Chelamalayil; Feast Coordinators Sabu Naduveteel, Johnnykutty Pillaveetil, and Jino Kakkattil; and Entertainment Coordinators Stephen Chollampel, Jees Chakkungal, and Binu Idakkara. Mentors Mintu Mannookunnath, Meena Punnasseril, Bhavana Kizhavallil, Neethu Vaniyakunnath, Lismi Thannichuvattil, and Savitha Marangattil trained the children. They worked alongside the Prasudenthis, ward leaders, and numerous volunteers to make the celebration a grand success.
