About us
Our Parish
St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Parish
Welcome to St. Alphonsa Parish, a place where worship becomes a journey, and purpose finds its voice. Here, we believe that each moment of praise deepens our connection with God and strengthens our relationships with each other. Our doors are open to everyone, whether you’re seeking a closer walk with God, looking to grow spiritually, or hoping to connect with a community that values faith and fellowship.
Our Pope
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost, September 14, 1955) is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. He is the first pope to have been born in the United States, the first to hold either U.S. or Peruvian citizenship, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the second (after his immediate predecessor Pope Francis from the Americas. His papacy focuses heavily on the dignity of workers, the rights of migrants, and the care for the poor—themes he explored in his Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te.
Syro-Malabar Church
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Pope in Rome. It is the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church in the world and has a unique heritage that blends Indian culture with East Syrian liturgical traditions.
Apostolic OriginsÂ
The church traces its roots back to St. Thomas the Apostle, who is traditioned to have arrived in Kerala, India, in 52 AD. Because of this origin, members are often called “Mar Thoma Nazranis”. This makes the community one of the oldest Christian groups in the world, predating many Western European Christian traditions.
Liturgical Heritage
The Syro-Malabar Church follows the East Syrian Rite (also known as the Chaldean or Assyrian Rite). Traditionally, the liturgy was conducted in Syriac. Today, most services are held in Malayalam or English, though Syriac chants are still used in solemn celebrations. The Holy Qurbana is the name for the Eucharistic liturgy (Holy Mass). It is known for its high level of symbolism, beautiful hymns, and traditional vestments.
Unique Identity: “Indian in Culture, Christian in Religion”
One of the most distinct features of the Syro-Malabar Church is its inculturation. It successfully integrated local Indian (specifically Keralite) customs with Christian faith. The Syro-Malabar Cross (Mar Thoma Sliha) is a unique cross with flowery ends, often sitting on a lotus, symbolizing the victory of life over death and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Modern Global Presence
While its heart remains in Kerala, the church has seen a massive “diaspora” as members moved across the globe for work and family.
Eparchies (Dioceses): There are now dedicated Eparchies in the United States (Chicago), United Kingdom (Preston), Australia (Melbourne), and Canada (Mississauga).
 Structure and Governance
The church is governed by the Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil (currently headquartered at Mount St. Thomas in Kochi, India) and its own Holy Synod. It is a “Sui Iuris” (self-governing) church. This means it has its own laws and liturgy but remains 100% loyal to the Catholic Church and the Pope.
Our Major Archbishop
His Eminence Mar Raphael Thattil
Mar Raphael Thattil (Born on April 21, 1956, in Thrissur, Kerala) is the current Major Archbishop and the head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church worldwide. Elected by the Synod of Bishops on January 2024, he serves as the “Father and Head” of nearly five million faithful, including our community at St. Alphonsa. He is the first Major Archbishop in the church’s history to be elected from a diocese outside of the traditional territory of Kerala, signaling a focus on the church’s international growth. His episcopal motto is “To Be Broken and Given” (based on the Eucharist). He is recognized for his “open-handed” approach to the poor and his ability to make quick decisions to help those in financial or spiritual distress.
Eparchy Of Mississauga
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Mississauga is the ecclesiastical jurisdiction that serves all Syro-Malabar Catholics across the entirety of Canada. It acts as the “national diocese” for the community, ensuring that the unique liturgical and cultural traditions of the St. Thomas Christians are preserved in the Canadian diaspora.
Â
Historical Milestones
The community began as a small migrant group in the 1960s, initially gathering in homes and rented halls. Its formal structure evolved rapidly under Pope Francis:
2015 (August 6): Established as an Apostolic Exarchate (a preliminary missionary stage).
2018 (December 22): Elevated to the status of a full Eparchy, reflecting the rapid growth and maturity of the community in Canada.
2025 (February): The Eparchy recently celebrated its Decennial Year (10th Anniversary), marked by the opening of a “Holy Door” at the Cathedral to inaugurate a Jubilee Year.
Current Leadership
Bishop: Mar Jose Kalluvelil. He has led the community since its inception in 2015, first as the Exarch and now as the Eparchial Bishop.
Cathedral: St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral, located at 6630 Turner Valley Rd, Mississauga, Ontario.
Patron Saint: St. Thomas the Apostle, who traditionally brought Christianity to India in 52 AD.
Scope and Statistics
Unlike a typical Latin diocese that covers a single city or region, the Eparchy of Mississauga has a continental jurisdiction:
Jurisdiction: Every province and territory in Canada.
Population: Serves approximately 50,000 faithful.
Infrastructure: Includes roughly 66–72 centers, which are a mix of established Parishes, Missions, and Holy Qurbana Centers .
Clergy: Supported by over 30 dedicated priests and several spiritual sisters.
Mission and Vision
The Eparchy operates under three core pillars: To Form, To Fortify, and To Evangelize. Its primary goal is to provide pastoral care to Syro-Malabar immigrants and their children, ensuring the “Syro-Malabar identity” remains vibrant while fully participating in the Canadian Catholic landscape.
Father & Head of the Eparchy of Mississauga
His Excellency Mar Jose Kalluvelil
Mar Jose Kalluvelil (Born on November 15, 1955, in Thottuva, Kerala, India) is the first and current Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Mississauga, serving as the primary spiritual leader for Syro-Malabar Catholics across all of Canada. His doctorate in Family Catechesis from the Pontifical Salesian University and a Licentiate in Theology of Human Mobility (the study of pastoral care for migrants) from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome prepared him perfectly for leading a migrant community in Canada. After spending many years in the Eparchy of Palghat as a parish priest, seminary director, and Director of Catechism, in 2013 he was sent to Canada specifically to provide pastoral care for the growing Syro-Malabar community in Toronto. In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him as the first Apostolic Exarch for Canada. He was ordained as a Bishop on September 19, 2015. In 2018, when Canada was elevated to a full Eparchy, he was named its first Eparchial Bishop. His Episcopal motto is “For the Glory of God”. He is known for his focus on Catechesis (faith education) and ensuring that the second and third generations of Syro-Malabar Canadians stay deeply connected to their ancestral faith and the Malayalam language.