St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic church (First Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission in Canada), started functioning officially by the Holy Mass offered by Rev. Fr. Biju Kannampuzha at St. Joseph Cardinal church, 89 Charles Street, London, Ontario in December 25, 2007. This mission was started with the permission from the Most Rev. Ronald Peter Fabbro C. S. B., Bishop of London and Most Rev. Jacob Angadiath, Bishop of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar diocese Chicago. The intention behind forming this Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is to preserve our culture and heritage to our children and raise them in Catholic tradition, faith and belief.
From December, 2007 to May 2009 Rev. Fr. Biju Kannampuzha was offering Holy Mass for the community in every alternate months. With the request from the parish committee, July 2009 onwards, Rev. Fr. Francis Thekkumkattil is offering the Holy Mass for the community in every month.
First Parish Committee Members:- John K Thomas (President), Joji Thomas Vandanmakil (Vice president), Manoj Vattakatt (Secretary) and Suresh Joy Padiyara (Treasurer)
Other committee Members:- Abu Augustine, Biju Kuriakose, Dinto Jacob karoor, Dr. Prince Antony, Dr. Sabu George, Sanoj Varghese, Shaji A. R., Sibi Thomas, Sunny Kuriakose and Thomas Kallumadyil.
In January 2008 Rev. Dr. George Madathilparampil, Vicar-general of St. Thomas Syro Malabar diocese Chicago visited the parish and offered the Holy Mass. In July 2008 Most Rev. Jacob Angadiath, Bishop of St. Thomas Syro- Malabar diocese Chicago visited and blessed our community and offered the Holy Mass. Again Rev. Dr. George Madathilparampil, Vicar-general of St. Thomas Syro Malabar diocese Chicago, visited the parish and offered the Holy Mass in August 2008. The Queen Mary Ministry of USA and Canada conducted a three days retreat in September 2008 and 2009 for the community for our spiritual developments. After the 2008 retreat, the parish committee has decided to start a monthly prayer meeting.
The main aim of the church is to raise our children in the Syro-Malabar tradition and we believe that our children and young generation are following the path of Jesus Christ and they are growing in the Catholic tradition, faith and belief. The work of each and every one in our small community shall be appreciated at this moment for their efforts. At present we are having Holy Mass at second Sunday of every month and after the mass we are conducting Sunday school for children. Every year we are celebrating special event in the Catholic Church calendar like Good Friday, Easter, the assumption of Virgin Mary, and Christmas. Parish day celebration, Church picnic and pilgrimage, Christmas carol are the some other yearly important activities of the church. From year to year the church shows its growth by joining new members who are immigrating from Kerala to Canada.