The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church (Aramaic: ܥܹܕܬܵܐ ܕܡܲܠܲܒܵܪ ܣܘܼܪܝܵܝܵܐ‎‎, Edtha d’Malabar Suryaya) or Church of Malabar Syrian Catholics is an Eastern Catholic Major Archiepiscopal Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. It is one of the 23 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in the Catholic communion. The Church is headed by Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry of the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly in Kerala, India.

His Holiness Pope John Paul II established St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago on March 13, 2001. Mar Jacob Angadiath was appointed as its first bishop and his Episcopal Ordination was held in Chicago, together with the inauguration of the diocese, on July 1, 2001. On July 24, 2014, Pope Francis appointed Mar Joy Alappatt, Chicago as the Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese.

Like all other Syro-Malabar churches in the United States, Infant Jesus Syro-Malabar Church’s mission origin and development is indebted to its pioneering fathers who did take initiatives to foster it with their sweat.

In the early 1980s, a few Syro-Malabar Catholics migrated from Kerala, India to Sacramento and came together to form an Indian Catholic Community.

It was at the end of 1990 the Kerala Catholic Community was formed officially, recognized by the former bishop of Sacramento Most Rev. William Weigand, and Rev. Fr. Mathew M. Rappu as its director.

The group gathered once a month for mass in Malayalam at St. John the Evangelist Church and various other places for prayers.

In 2007 the Sacramento diocese changed this communities’ name to “St Thomas Indian Catholic Community”, appointed Rev. Fr. Jose Karikkat as its new director.

On 26 February 2009, the mission was finally inaugurated, affiliated to St Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago by His Excellency Mar Jacob Angadiath and appointed Rev. Fr. Kurian Neduvelichalumkal as its director.

We have 91 registered families with all the activities like an established parish regular catechism classes, other ministries, and organizations.

Parish Council Information