Services
Sunday Holy Mass at 10:30 A.M.
Knanaya Catholic immigrants from Kerala have started the migration to Southern California since mid-1970. The community has grown to almost 80 families, serving in the health care as well as today’s Hi-tech industries, and in various other capacities.
The Los Angeles Knanaya community in its general council meeting on August 5, 2001 decided to request the Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago to establish a Knanaya mission. His Excellency canonically established separate Knanaya mission in Los Angeles and dedicated to the patronage of "St. Pius X” on March 17, 2002 and appointed Fr. Abraham Mutholath as its Mission Director.
The mission gets services from our sisters since 2000. The Visitation Convent in Inglewood was established on July 22, 2000. In February 5, 2009 they moved to their new Convent House in Downey. The St. Joseph's Convent was established in West Covina on May 31, 2002.
The Mission’s regular Holy Mass once a month was held at St. John Eude’s parish hall and later moved to Korean Apostolic Church in San Fernando Valley. Fr. Abraham Mutholath moved to Chicago in February 2003 and Fr. Thomas Animoottil took charge as the director of St. Pius X Knanaya Mission (2003-2005) until he was transferred to New York. During his stay in Los Angeles, Fr. Baby Kattiyankel also rendered his service to this mission.
Fr. Thomas Mulavanal was appointed as Director of the Los Angeles mission on August 25, 2005. The mission started three Sunday services, two in San Fernando Valley and one in Artesia, and also started Catechism (CCD) for our children. Since 2006, every year, we solemnly celebrate the feast of St. Pius X, our patron saint on the third weekend of August.
Members of the mission came up with a strong desire to have a church and initiated various fundraising programs. A committee was formed to purchase a church facility in a centrally located area accessible for all the community members. The committee identified a church on sale in Montebello. The dream come true and the property escrow was closed on July, 29th, 2010. The church was then remodeled to fit the liturgical needs of the catholic tradition. .
The St. Pius X Church was consecrated on July 31st, 2010 by His Excellency Mar. Jacob Angadiath, Bishop of the Syro Malabar diocese of Chicago. His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakkatt celebrated the first mass in the church and His Excellency Mar Joseph Pandarasseril delivered the homily during the celebration. Mar Jacob Angadiath canonically elevated the St. Pius X mission as a Parish and appointed Fr. Thomas Mulavanal as the first vicar / pastor of the church. Fr. Siju Mudakkodil is the present pastor of the parish from October 18, 2014.
The Liturgical celebration is scheduled on every Sunday at 10:30 A.M. and is followed by religious education classes for the children. The faith formation of the children takes the priority over all other activities. A potluck lunch is distributed every Sunday after our liturgical services. This and all the other parish activities keep the community as one family.
This parish now serves 80 Catholic families living in Southern California.