History of Mass Centre
It was in 2004 that we started Syro Malabar Mass here when the 25 families, who were here then, joined together and approached Fr. Sebastian Arikkattu and requested him to provide us with pastoral support in our rite and language. Under his benign care we could grow as a community of celebrating Syro Malabar mass once a month. We gratefully remember His Lordship Bishop Malcolm Patrick McMahon, noticing our earnestness and devotedness, entrusted us to Fr. John Joe Maloney the parish priest of Blessed Sacrament church. He was indeed very kind, loving and welcoming Shepherd, who made us feel at home and over the years our community, grew steadily in number.
His Lordship Bishop Malcolm Patrick McMahon
It was their visionary initiative to entrust us with the Rosminian Order and Fr. Paul Nellikulam magnanimously arranged weekly Malayalam Syro Malabar Mass at Mother of God Church, Leicester, probably one the first mass-centres in the UK to have weekly Syro Malabar Mass. We would always acknowledge and appreciate the generosity and care that the Nottingham Dioceses and the Rosminian Order showed to us exemplifying the motherly care and love of the universal Church towards Oriental rites. Thanks to the pastoral care of Rosminians, our community grew rapidly and embodying integration and collaboration of different nationalities. The following years were marked by wholehearted engagement of the faithful in various activities of the parish, increasing numbers in mass attendance and building bridges across communities. Our presence at Mother of God permeates positive energy and we got integrated with the local parish community commendably.
His Lordship Bishop Patrick Joseph McKinney
His Lordship Bishop Patrick Joseph McKinney appointed Fr. George Thomas Chelackal as the chaplain of Syro Malabar Community since 19 September 2017 and appointed as the parish priest of Mother of God Roman Catholic Church since 10th February 2019. Appointment of Fr. George Thomas Chelackal on 03th April 2019 as Vicar General of Syro Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain made Leicester Community Proud.
Bishop Mar Joseph Srampickal
Bishop Mar Joseph Srampickal by his order proposed Leicester Syro Malabar Mission on 19th March 2018 and on Sunday 28th April 2019 proposed Leicester Mission is officially inaugurated as St. Alphonsa Syro Malabar Mission under the Syro Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain.
Fr. Hans Puthuyakulangara - Vicar
Fr. George Thomas Chelackal - (Vicar : 2019 - 2023)
Fr. Paul Nellikulam (Vicar : 2007 - 2017)
Fr. Sebastian Arikkattu (Vicar : 2004 - 2007)