Brief History of St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Pearland

“The Mighty One has done great things for me”, said Blessed Virgin Mary, and this is true of St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Pearland, Texas. With sixty families recognized as a Holy Mass Center on November 10, 2010 by H E Mar Jacob Angadiath, we grew fast under God’s Mighty hands as a Parish.
            Rev Fr Christy Prambukattil as the Pastor of St Joseph’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Houston realized the spiritual need of the faithful for a separate facility around Pearland region with the three existing prayer groups namely Pearland, Clearlake and Pasadena. Later in June 30, 2011 in the General Body meeting Shadow Creek, Sunrise, and Ashley Pointe were created. The Holy Mass Centre was raised to the level of St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission Pearland on 11/06/2011. The Holy Qurbana and CCD programs were conducted in rented facilities around.
            For the purpose of the construction of the Church 9.60 acres of land was purchased in Pearland near O’ Day road in 2012. There after a building committee was constituted and initiated remote preparations for construction with George Kanyakonil and later Shaji Thomas as coordinators. Sibi Mundackal and Siby Jacob were selected as trustees for the first time in the year 2013-2014, and fundraising programs like car raffle for a new church building progressed. Rev Fr Zacharias Thottuvelil took charge as the Vicar in 2014 and there was a new life for the Mission and developmental activities progressed under his able leadership. Siby Jacob, Jacob Thomas, Tennyson Mathew and Jimy Kumbattu were selected as trustees for the year 2015-16. Mar Jacob Angadiath laid the foundation stone for the church building in Pearland when Rev Fr Wilson Antony was Associate Vicar on April 11, 2015. Rev Fr Kurian Neduvelichalumkal became the Vicar in June 2015 and gave effective leadership for the construction works and church building was completed soon. His Excellency Mar Jacob Angadiath in the presence of Auxiliary Bishop Mar Joy Alappat consecrated the church and created the Parish on May 29, 2016. Rev Fr Antony Xavier Pullukattu was appointed as the first full time Vicar on June 26, 2016 who materialized the dream of purchasing a Rectory near the church in the same year. Abhilash Francis, James Gregory, Fleming George and Tony Philip took charge as trustees for the year 2017-2018. Rev Fr Ruban J Thannickal was appointed as the Vicar in February 05, 2017. Sibi Mundackal, Sunny Kalathoor, Joshy Varghese and Sunny Joseph took charge as trustees for the year 2019-2020.
            St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Church at Pearland is now growing steadily, and has got 139 registered families, 236 CCE children and many more families yet to register. In the parish we focus on all round developments of the children. We have a very committed and active team of CCE Teachers with Philip George as the coordinator. The parents, youth and the children have various activities to grow in faith including sports and games. In 2017 we conducted Inter Parish Talent Festival (IPTF-2017) for Texas and Oklahoma region.
            Pious Organizations like SMCC, Ladies’ Forum, Youth, Mission League, and Altar Boys’ Association are very active in the parish. The presence and support of MSMI Sisters especially Sr Agnes Maria is very helpful in the faith formation. There are seven Prayer Groups in the Parish and each group gather in a house to pray once in every month. Apart from prayer various activities like, Christmas, Onam, Birthday and wedding anniversary celebrations make prayer groups livelier.
            Holy Qurbana as the center of Christian life is celebrated from Tuesday to Sunday and it is made very active and solemn by the support from English and Malayalam choir. On every First and Second Fridays and on all the Saturdays there is one-hour adoration. Opportunity for confession is arranged everyday before and after the Holy Qurbana. The Church as the Mystical Body of Christ is growing each day in faith and unity under the strong providence of God and maternal care of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Patroness of the our Parish.