OUR PARISH

Our Parish Story

What began in April 2000 as a mission of 15 families at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Milltown, guided by Fr. Thomas Perunilam and Fr. Philip Vadakkekkara, moved to St. Joseph Church in East Millstone in 2004 with 50 families and became the first Syro-Malabar parish in New Jersey in October 2006. Our new church in Somerset was consecrated on July 15, 2015. The main strength of our parish is the unity and cooperation of its members in every endeavor.

Our Ministries

OUR JOURNEY

Milestones of Faith

April 2000

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

A Syro-Malabar mission begins at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Milltown, NJ, with 15 families.

2004

A NEW HOME

The community moves to St. Joseph Church in East Millstone, NJ, with 50 families.

2005

FIRST PLEDGE DRIVE

The parish starts its first pledge drive toward a church of its own.

October 2006

PURCHASED THE CHURCH

The church is purchased, making us the first Syro-Malabar parish in New Jersey.

2010

NEW CHURCH PROJECT

The new church project is kicked off.

2012 – 2013

BUILDING BEGINS

Corner stone blessing on July 21, 2012, followed by groundbreaking on July 14, 2013.

July 15, 2015

NEW CHURCH CONSECRATED

Our new church in Somerset is consecrated.

2016

BECAME FORANE CHURCH

The parish is raised to the status of a Forane Church.

2025

HOSTED FIRST SYRO-MALABAR

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

307 pledged families and 319 CCD children. The church celebrates its 10th anniversary and the First Eucharistic Congress of the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago.

OUR SHEPHERDS

Our Vicars & Founders

Fr. Johnykutty Puleessery George

CURRENT VICAR · 2025–PRESENT

Shepherding our parish as vicar of the Forane Church today.

Transferred From: St. Joseph Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Houston, TX

Fr. Antony Pullukattu Xavier

THIRD VICAR · 2020–2025

Third vicar of the parish, serving from 2020 to 2025. Vicar who conducted the First Ever Syro Malabar Eucharistic Convention.

Transferred From: St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Boston, MA

Transferred To: St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Milpitas, CA

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Fr. Ligory P. Kattiakaran

SECOND VICAR · 2016–2020

Vicar when the parish was raised to the status of a Forane Church.

Transferred From: St. Mary's Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Old Bethpage, NY

Transferred To: St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Milpitas, CA

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Fr. Thomas Kadukappilly

FIRST VICAR · 2006–2016

Led the parish from the purchase of the church to the consecration of the new church.

Transferred From:

Transferred To:

Late. Fr. Thomas Perunilam

FOUNDING DIRECTOR · 2000
Mission Director and co-founder of the parish.

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Fr. Philip Vadakkekkara

FOUNDING DIRECTOR · 2000

Mission Director and co-founder of the parish.

Our Trustees

SERVING THE PARISH

Biju Chakupurackal

JAN 2026 – PRESENT
Current Trustee

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Sebastian Thottathil

JAN 2026 – PRESENT
Current Trustee

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Lazar Joy Vallara

JAN 2024 – PRESENT
Current Trustee

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Sunil Jose

JAN 2024 – PRESENT
Current Trustee

Robin George

JAN 2022 – DEC 2025
Former Trustee

Bobby Varghese

JAN 2022 – DEC 2025
Former Trustee

Sebastian Antony

JAN 2019 – DEC 2023
Former Trustee

Tony Mangan

JAN 2019 – DEC 2023
Former Trustee

Manoj Pattathil

JAN 2019 – DEC 2021
Former Trustee

Justin Joseph

JAN 2017 – DEC 2021
Former Trustee

Sabin Mathew

JAN 2017 – DEC 2018
Former Trustee

Minesh Joseph

JAN 2015 – DEC 2018
Former Trustee

Marydasan Thomas

JAN 2015 – DEC 2018
Former Trustee

Thomas Padavi

JAN 2012 – DEC 2016
Former Trustee

Tom Perumpail

JAN 2012 – DEC 2016
Former Trustee

Cyriac Antony

JAN 2009 – DEC 2011
Former Trustee

Ajith Cherayil

JAN 2009 – DEC 2011
Former Trustee

Joseph Kalapurackal

JAN 2007 – DEC 2008
Former Trustee

Vincent Thomas

JAN 2007 – DEC 2008
Former Trustee

Stephen Inasu

JAN 2003 – DEC 2006
Former Trustee

Roy Thadikaran

JAN 2003 – DEC 2006
Former Trustee

Our Building Committee

BUILDING THE PARISH

Minesh Joseph

Marydasan Thomas

Thomas Padavi

Tom Perumpail

Ajith Cherayil

Joseph Kalapurackal

Vincent Thomas

Stephen Inasu

Roy Thadikaran

Pramod Panakkal

George Pulikeyil

Moly Nellikunnel

Kurien Nellikunnel

PARISH LIFE

A Community in Action

Pledge Drive

UNITY & SUPPORT

About 50 families made a 5-year commitment to give $500,000 toward the church mortgage, and new families join the drive. A 2006–07 car raffle raised about $50,000.

Festivals

BEYOND CAPACITY

At Christmas, Easter and the Feast of St. Thomas the church is filled beyond capacity, and youth and children make the celebrations lively.

CCD

FAITH FORMATION

About 325 students in 12 grades; every year CCD prepares candidates for First Communion and Confirmation.

Academy

KERALA HERITAGE

Classes in Malayalam, classical and cinematic dance, yoga and more; 112+ students attended in 2007.

Family Night

SINCE FEBRUARY 2007

The annual celebration of parish achievements, filled with cultural events from parishioners.

Outdoors

FELLOWSHIP

An annual pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., summer soccer with the Syro-Malabar Sports Club, and the much-loved parish picnic.

Nine Wards

BI-MONTHLY MEETINGS

Wards bring neighbours together to share their faith journey, ask the Vicar questions, and send representatives to the parish council.

Parish Groups

SERVING TOGETHER

Marian Mothers, Vincent De Paul Society, Cherupushpa Mission League, Altar Service, Prayer Group, Church Choir and Youth Group.

One Family

APOSTOLIC LOVE

Parish families consider one another extended family — a replica of the first-century Apostolic Christians. May this love, fellowship and sharing continue as we grow together in faith.

SERVING THE PARISH