Children’s Ministry
The Children Apostolate nurtures the faith formation, missionary spirit, and leadership qualities of our young members across Europe through structured liturgical and spiritual programs.
Altar Servers’ Ministry
The Altar Servers’ Ministry plays a vital role in the liturgical life of our communities. Children are trained by animators at each Mass centre under the guidance of the Priest in charge.
Many altar servers generously undertake “double duty,” assisting both the Syro-Malabar and Latin Church liturgies. Their patron is St. John Berchmans and their model is St. Dominic Savio.
Savio Fest, celebrated annually on the first or second Saturday of May, is one of their most important gatherings. In 2019, the Apostolic Visitator participated in one such celebration.
Besides regular spiritual training, annual picnics, pilgrimages, and sports activities are organized to foster fellowship and discipline.
Children assist the Holy Qurbana in Malayalam, transliteration, and European languages according to their ability. A common Guide Book for all Altar Servers is currently under preparation.
Cherupushpa Mission League (CML)
CML (Little Flower Mission League) was inspired by the words of Pope Leo XIII:
“The salvation of India is in her sons,” and by the teachings of St. Alphonsa.
CML in Ireland was inaugurated on 1 November 2021 by Mar Stephen Chirappanath.
Following the Covid interruption, activities recommenced in 2023 under the leadership of Fr. Joe Pazheparambil.
Current Structure:
- 39 Animators
- 33 Mass Centres
- Approx. 3600 Members
- Membership: Class 3 – Class 10 (After First Holy Communion)
CML membership is for all catechism children who have received their first Holy communion; Class 3 to Class 10. In Ireland there are approx. 3600 children as the members of CML. As children under the process of faith formation, CML is a platform to practice what children learn in Catechism classes. Both the qualities of leadership as well as team work are inculcated in the formation CML.
The theme selected for the 2023-24-year activities is “Respond to His call, together into His field”. It has mainly three aims; First one is, fostering the missionary works of the Catholic Church. Being a member of CML, children will have more opportunities to perform our missionary duties by means of prayer, and charity works. Second one is Vocation Promotion. Third one is personality development – children will be given opportunities to develop and improve their organizational and leadership skills and qualities.
During the month of October 2023, Mission Rays -a video program to learn about mission centres and missionary saints – was completed by children from various mass centres. This was followed by an online Mission Quiz. 138 children registered and there were more than 50 attendees participated for the programme. During the month of November, Holyween-Saints Dress Up competition was held. More than 50 children participated. A prayer calendar was given to all children during the month of November 2023 to pray for the departed family members and friends.
A Christmas advent calendar is currently being given to children in order to prepare them to receive baby Jesus in their hearts spiritually. A number of mass centres carried out the Mission Sunday fund raising programme successfully. A mission centre will be selected by each member and they will pray for the selected centre and support them with charitable works. An online experience sharing with the missionaries is being planned as well.