HISTORIC KNANAYA RALLY - 03/03/13
North American Knanaya Historical Milestone Happened Successfully
Below are some pictures of the peaceful rally staged by Knanaya faithful in front of Syro Malabar Bishop House requesting to grant the right to preserve age old Knanaya ethnic identity in North America. Around 1500 Knanaya faithful represented by 20 Knanaya associations participated in the rally sponsored and hosted by KCCNA and Chicago KCS respectively.
Dr. Sheins Akasala, Tomy Myalkarapurathu, George Thottapuram, Shiju Chirayathil and Chicago Action Council led the peaceful rally. The leaders said that rally is the beginning of series of actions in store until Knanites get the desired outcome.
Chicago KCS President, George Thoattpauram, thanked all participants, especially those who came from out of state, who made the rally grand success By all means, this rally was one for the books!
Dr. Sheins Akasala, Tomy Myalkarapurathu, George Thottapuram, Shiju Chirayathil and Chicago Action Council led the peaceful rally. The leaders said that rally is the beginning of series of actions in store until Knanites get the desired outcome.
Chicago KCS President, George Thoattpauram, thanked all participants, especially those who came from out of state, who made the rally grand success By all means, this rally was one for the books!
Video of the Historic KCCNA Pledge - 03-03-2013
03.03.2013 - KNANAYA RALLY - Planning Summary
MAKE SURE TO READ CAREFULLY THE ENTIRE MESSAGE
There are 3 BUS pickup locations for the convenience of community members. Passengers MUST use the same bus to travel back and forth. All buses will depart at 11:30 AM from below locations:
(A) KCS Chicago Community Center Building Parking lot [ 1 Bus Only]
Address - Knanaya Catholic Society - 5110 N Elston Ave, Chicago , IL 60630 Bus Captain – Mr. Cyriac Koovakattil (630) 673 – 3382
(B) Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church of Chicago parking lot [3 Buses]
Address - 611 Maple St., Maywood, IL 60153
Bus Captains :-
1) Mr. Jaimon Nandikattu (630)696-0001
2) Mr. Shibu Mulayanikunnel (630) 849 – 1253
3) Mr. Jose Kaniyali (630) 728 – 7956
(C) St. Mary’s Knanaya Catholic Church of Chicago parking lot [8 Buses]
Address – 7800 W. Lyons St, Morton Grove, IL 60053
Bus Captains :-
1) Mr. Peter Kulangara (847)951-4476
2) Mr. Johnykutty Pillaveettil (847)924-3493
3) Mr. Shaji Edat (773)616-4369
4) Mr. Stephen Kizhakkekuttu (773)671-9864
5) Mr. Binu Poothurayil (847)644-9869
6) Mr. Joy Kottoor (847) 322 - 3989
7) Prof. Meyamma Vettickattu (847) 890 - 1057
8) Mr. Jessmon Puramadam (224) 595-4360
LUNCH and WATER WILL BE SERVED IN THE BUS, WHILE IN TRANSIT
Mr. Tomy Nediyakalayil, Mr. Jojo Analil, Mr, James Thirunelliparambil and Mr. Tony Pullappally are handling the lunch distribution on Sunday.
BUS drop off / Meeting Point near Bishop’s house - Sandburg middle school parking lot (Be there @ 12:45 PM). This lot is designated for Bus drop off only and personal vehicle parking may not be allowed in this lot. Few portable washrooms are also scheduled to be available in this parking lot, during the event.
Venue of Demonstration: Bishop’s House, St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago
Bishop’s House Address: 372 S. Prairie Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126 [www.stthomasdiocese.org]
Strict Guidelines: Permit for protest is granted to us from Elmhurst Police Dept. based on certain restrictions. Strictly stay on the side walk. No loud noises or any kind of amplified equipment are allowed. Do not obstruct traffic; do not obstruct public in any form. No gathering on public places. Public safety is very important and the tolerance is zero. All our activities will be closely monitored by lots of police officers who will be present at the premises. Be responsible for your actions. If you are taken away by the police officials, KCCNA and KCS Chicago are indemnified and won’t be liable. Participants will need to locate their own recourses to manage such a situation, if it ever occurs.
Demonstration Route: After reaching the parking lot of Sandburg middle school, everyone should hang around until ALL the buses arrived at the lot. This is a socializing opportunity for who reach earlier. After all buses arrived, everyone should wait for a group picture and instructions. Instructions will be given at the bus also by captains. People walk side to side in party of 2. Go west on north side of the St.Charles Rd side walk up to Prairie street where the Bishop’s house is located and cross the street (South) walk side of the Bishop’s house going west of St. Charles Rd up to school parking lot and cross (North) the street to reach back at the parking lot.
Media: Elmhurst local news paper, American media and Indian media are expected to cover our demonstration and it is being coordinated by Mr. George Thottapuram and Mr. Jose Kaniyali. Designated spokesperson for this event is Dr. Shiens Akasala. Please refrain from communicating with the media unnecessarily as it is very important that we should have our message clearly communicated to the media from only ONE source. If you are asked to talk, kindly direct the reporter to Dr. Shiens Akasala, for consistency in our reason of protest, history, and message communication to different/multiple newspaper and TV reporters.
Placards: We are planning to have many message placards and small papal, US and Canada flags that need to be held by participants. Placard coordinators are Mr. Babu Thaiparambil (630) 935-2644 and Mr. Deepu Kandarappallil (224) 280-8890. Unit presidents are encouraged to contact Mr. Babu or Mr. Deepu ahead of time to plan and pickup their state placard and other flags for distribution to members.
Dress: Please make sure to check the weather channel for the projected temperature for next Sunday and dress accordingly to be comfortable.
We apologize for the short notice. The NC members and other community members from out of state, who already took the return ticket for an early flight are requested to change and choose a later flight in the evening to take part in this historical event.
We look forward to seeing everyone soon. Until then, if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Thank you,
For KCCNA & KCS Chicago
Shiju Cheriyathil (KCCNA Regional Vice President) (847) 341- 1088
Juby Vennalasseril (Secretary, KCS Chicago) (847) 293- 9261
(A) KCS Chicago Community Center Building Parking lot [ 1 Bus Only]
Address - Knanaya Catholic Society - 5110 N Elston Ave, Chicago , IL 60630 Bus Captain – Mr. Cyriac Koovakattil (630) 673 – 3382
(B) Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church of Chicago parking lot [3 Buses]
Address - 611 Maple St., Maywood, IL 60153
Bus Captains :-
1) Mr. Jaimon Nandikattu (630)696-0001
2) Mr. Shibu Mulayanikunnel (630) 849 – 1253
3) Mr. Jose Kaniyali (630) 728 – 7956
(C) St. Mary’s Knanaya Catholic Church of Chicago parking lot [8 Buses]
Address – 7800 W. Lyons St, Morton Grove, IL 60053
Bus Captains :-
1) Mr. Peter Kulangara (847)951-4476
2) Mr. Johnykutty Pillaveettil (847)924-3493
3) Mr. Shaji Edat (773)616-4369
4) Mr. Stephen Kizhakkekuttu (773)671-9864
5) Mr. Binu Poothurayil (847)644-9869
6) Mr. Joy Kottoor (847) 322 - 3989
7) Prof. Meyamma Vettickattu (847) 890 - 1057
8) Mr. Jessmon Puramadam (224) 595-4360
LUNCH and WATER WILL BE SERVED IN THE BUS, WHILE IN TRANSIT
Mr. Tomy Nediyakalayil, Mr. Jojo Analil, Mr, James Thirunelliparambil and Mr. Tony Pullappally are handling the lunch distribution on Sunday.
BUS drop off / Meeting Point near Bishop’s house - Sandburg middle school parking lot (Be there @ 12:45 PM). This lot is designated for Bus drop off only and personal vehicle parking may not be allowed in this lot. Few portable washrooms are also scheduled to be available in this parking lot, during the event.
Venue of Demonstration: Bishop’s House, St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago
Bishop’s House Address: 372 S. Prairie Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126 [www.stthomasdiocese.org]
Strict Guidelines: Permit for protest is granted to us from Elmhurst Police Dept. based on certain restrictions. Strictly stay on the side walk. No loud noises or any kind of amplified equipment are allowed. Do not obstruct traffic; do not obstruct public in any form. No gathering on public places. Public safety is very important and the tolerance is zero. All our activities will be closely monitored by lots of police officers who will be present at the premises. Be responsible for your actions. If you are taken away by the police officials, KCCNA and KCS Chicago are indemnified and won’t be liable. Participants will need to locate their own recourses to manage such a situation, if it ever occurs.
Demonstration Route: After reaching the parking lot of Sandburg middle school, everyone should hang around until ALL the buses arrived at the lot. This is a socializing opportunity for who reach earlier. After all buses arrived, everyone should wait for a group picture and instructions. Instructions will be given at the bus also by captains. People walk side to side in party of 2. Go west on north side of the St.Charles Rd side walk up to Prairie street where the Bishop’s house is located and cross the street (South) walk side of the Bishop’s house going west of St. Charles Rd up to school parking lot and cross (North) the street to reach back at the parking lot.
Media: Elmhurst local news paper, American media and Indian media are expected to cover our demonstration and it is being coordinated by Mr. George Thottapuram and Mr. Jose Kaniyali. Designated spokesperson for this event is Dr. Shiens Akasala. Please refrain from communicating with the media unnecessarily as it is very important that we should have our message clearly communicated to the media from only ONE source. If you are asked to talk, kindly direct the reporter to Dr. Shiens Akasala, for consistency in our reason of protest, history, and message communication to different/multiple newspaper and TV reporters.
Placards: We are planning to have many message placards and small papal, US and Canada flags that need to be held by participants. Placard coordinators are Mr. Babu Thaiparambil (630) 935-2644 and Mr. Deepu Kandarappallil (224) 280-8890. Unit presidents are encouraged to contact Mr. Babu or Mr. Deepu ahead of time to plan and pickup their state placard and other flags for distribution to members.
Dress: Please make sure to check the weather channel for the projected temperature for next Sunday and dress accordingly to be comfortable.
We apologize for the short notice. The NC members and other community members from out of state, who already took the return ticket for an early flight are requested to change and choose a later flight in the evening to take part in this historical event.
We look forward to seeing everyone soon. Until then, if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Thank you,
For KCCNA & KCS Chicago
Shiju Cheriyathil (KCCNA Regional Vice President) (847) 341- 1088
Juby Vennalasseril (Secretary, KCS Chicago) (847) 293- 9261
An earnest request by Chicago Knanaya Action Council to churchgoers on Sunday 03/03/2013
Dear All,
As you are already aware, Knanaya Catholic Society (KCS) hosts the KCCNA sponsored peaceful rally to Syro Malabar Headquarters on coming Sunday (March 3rd 2013). Buses carrying faithful will depart from both churches at 11.30 AM sharp. It is an earnest request to churchgoers to get on the buses without any delay. It is advisable to attend the Mass as family on this Sunday if the children attend CCD class. However, Action Council leaves to....
As you are already aware, Knanaya Catholic Society (KCS) hosts the KCCNA sponsored peaceful rally to Syro Malabar Headquarters on coming Sunday (March 3rd 2013). Buses carrying faithful will depart from both churches at 11.30 AM sharp. It is an earnest request to churchgoers to get on the buses without any delay. It is advisable to attend the Mass as family on this Sunday if the children attend CCD class. However, Action Council leaves to....
| Knanaya Rally - KCS President Letter - 02/27/2012 |
KCCNA Demonstration near Chicago Syro Malabar Diocese Headquarters - March 3rd, 2013 (Sunday) at 12:30 PM
Knanaya Rally Flier - Distributed on 02/24/2013
AN UPDATE FROM KCCNA PRESIDENT - 02/24/2013
My fellow Knanaya community members,
I would like to give all of you another update on the meeting that took place between His Eminence Cardinal Alancheril, His Grace Arch Bishop Moolakatt, His Excellency Bishop Pandarasseril, Fr. Abraham Mutholath, Fr Antony Polanoor (Chancellor of the Curia) and myself today in Ernakulam. First of all I would like to thank you for all your prayers and I know all across the globe, lot of community members and our priests were praying for the success of this meeting. In addition, I also would like to thank my fellow special committee members, priests and our lawyers, to help prepare me to present our community’s cause to the Major Arch Bishop.
The meeting started around 6 PM and His Eminence upfront asked me to explain the issues in North America and how His Eminence can help to resolve the problem. I think I was able to articulate the history of the problems as well as current situation with supporting evidence. The legal brief prepared for us by our lawyers was helpful in articulating community’s legal rights. The decree that created the Houston Knanaya Catholic Mission back in 1995 became the key talking point because it was specifically for endogamous Knanites. I sincerely appreciate the help of NP John Sir and Fr. Jose Illikunnumpurathu to dig out this document for me within 2h of request on Thursday as we were building the story to present. Major Arch Bishop said His Eminence was unaware of the existence of the Houston Decree and thanked for bringing this up.
Major Archbishop asked us to prepare a statement based on certain points we discussed, along with specific supporting documents. We will be reaching out to several community members in the coming days to help prepare the supporting documents. KCCNA will submit the finished product on behalf of North American Knanaya Community to Oriental Congregation. Major Arch Bishop has offered to personally go to Rome on our behalf and asked that we are available to accompany him, if required, to give a similar presentation. Everyone in the delegation was very supportive in articulating our points especially our Arch Bishop.
As you saw in my earlier communication on Sunday Morning, our planning for the March 3rd event is going very well. This will be a unique opportunity to showcase our unity, and resolve in the pursuit of obtaining our own ecclesiastical structures across the globe. Please stay tuned for the details of the planning and specific instructions in the coming days. Our fellow brothers and sisters in Chicago are working round the clock to make this a productive event for us. I am so excited to learn that so many community members are planning to participate in this historic event from across North America.
In closing I want to emphasize, if it was not for the unity that we demonstrated, both laity and priests, as a community in the past several weeks, we would not have progressed this far. We need your continued support, prayers and confidence to be successful. It brings me back the memory of the story “Bundle of Sticks” my mom used to tell me when I was young. If we bundle together no outside forces can take us for a ride. Once again thank you for your great support and trust.
AN UPDATE FROM KCCNA PRESIDENT - 02/23/2013
My fellow Knanaya community members,
I would like to give all of you another update regarding the recent events since my last communication. As you might have seen through the electronic media, there is a meeting scheduled today (24th Feb) with the Major Arch Bishop of Syro Malabar Church to discuss our issues. The meeting will be held at 6 PM Indian time, at the Head Quarters of Syro Malabar church in Kakkanad. I am invited as a representative of the North American Knanaya Community members at this meeting along with Fr. Mutholath as a representative of Knanaya Region. Along with us, both of our Bishops from Kottayam will be in attendance as well. The agenda for the meeting is to inform the His Eminence about the crisis in North America and to explore short and long term definite solutions.
I had a teleconference with the Presidents and Secretaries of our Knanaya Associations across North America on Saturday afternoon and, on behalf of each one of you, they have given me the trust and confidence to be resilient in the discussions with His Eminence without deviating from our fundamental principles. I can assure you that the Knanaya community as well as our position, on the matter of personal parishes consistent with our traditions will be properly represented at this meeting because I am attending this meeting to convey community’s interest. I am extremely thankful for your encouragement, confidence, and prayers because that is what my inspiration and strength in representing the cause of our community.
The preparation for the rally is going very well and we are requesting maximum participation on March 3rd in Chicago. You will be hearing shortly from our fellow community members in Chicago about the detailed instructions. This is a unique opportunity for us to showcase our unity and resolve as ONE COMMUNITY. We need all your support, presence and prayers for the success of this event as well. It was really glad to hear yesterday that many of the national council members have already changed their air tickets to be at this peaceful event from all over North America.
Friends, we have just started our efforts; we may have a long way to go before we realize what we rightfully deserve. As you can appreciate, we are working, through proper channels, with Church Hierarchy to find a meaningful resolution to preserve our rights and traditions, however this time around the time is not unlimited, rather short. We as a community must have the perseverance to sustain our efforts, the unity and love that we share as community members must be our strength to move forward with this campaign. In this effort no single individual is greater than our small and beloved community.
I will certainly try my best to make sure, any decisions or commitments that comes out of this meeting, will be in writing in clear, plain and unambiguous language so that there will be no room for interpretation. I will certainly come back with a quick note to provide you with the outcome of the meeting as soon as possible. Please continue to keep me, all the attendees in this important meeting and our community in your prayers.
I would like to give all of you another update on the meeting that took place between His Eminence Cardinal Alancheril, His Grace Arch Bishop Moolakatt, His Excellency Bishop Pandarasseril, Fr. Abraham Mutholath, Fr Antony Polanoor (Chancellor of the Curia) and myself today in Ernakulam. First of all I would like to thank you for all your prayers and I know all across the globe, lot of community members and our priests were praying for the success of this meeting. In addition, I also would like to thank my fellow special committee members, priests and our lawyers, to help prepare me to present our community’s cause to the Major Arch Bishop.
The meeting started around 6 PM and His Eminence upfront asked me to explain the issues in North America and how His Eminence can help to resolve the problem. I think I was able to articulate the history of the problems as well as current situation with supporting evidence. The legal brief prepared for us by our lawyers was helpful in articulating community’s legal rights. The decree that created the Houston Knanaya Catholic Mission back in 1995 became the key talking point because it was specifically for endogamous Knanites. I sincerely appreciate the help of NP John Sir and Fr. Jose Illikunnumpurathu to dig out this document for me within 2h of request on Thursday as we were building the story to present. Major Arch Bishop said His Eminence was unaware of the existence of the Houston Decree and thanked for bringing this up.
Major Archbishop asked us to prepare a statement based on certain points we discussed, along with specific supporting documents. We will be reaching out to several community members in the coming days to help prepare the supporting documents. KCCNA will submit the finished product on behalf of North American Knanaya Community to Oriental Congregation. Major Arch Bishop has offered to personally go to Rome on our behalf and asked that we are available to accompany him, if required, to give a similar presentation. Everyone in the delegation was very supportive in articulating our points especially our Arch Bishop.
As you saw in my earlier communication on Sunday Morning, our planning for the March 3rd event is going very well. This will be a unique opportunity to showcase our unity, and resolve in the pursuit of obtaining our own ecclesiastical structures across the globe. Please stay tuned for the details of the planning and specific instructions in the coming days. Our fellow brothers and sisters in Chicago are working round the clock to make this a productive event for us. I am so excited to learn that so many community members are planning to participate in this historic event from across North America.
In closing I want to emphasize, if it was not for the unity that we demonstrated, both laity and priests, as a community in the past several weeks, we would not have progressed this far. We need your continued support, prayers and confidence to be successful. It brings me back the memory of the story “Bundle of Sticks” my mom used to tell me when I was young. If we bundle together no outside forces can take us for a ride. Once again thank you for your great support and trust.
AN UPDATE FROM KCCNA PRESIDENT - 02/23/2013
My fellow Knanaya community members,
I would like to give all of you another update regarding the recent events since my last communication. As you might have seen through the electronic media, there is a meeting scheduled today (24th Feb) with the Major Arch Bishop of Syro Malabar Church to discuss our issues. The meeting will be held at 6 PM Indian time, at the Head Quarters of Syro Malabar church in Kakkanad. I am invited as a representative of the North American Knanaya Community members at this meeting along with Fr. Mutholath as a representative of Knanaya Region. Along with us, both of our Bishops from Kottayam will be in attendance as well. The agenda for the meeting is to inform the His Eminence about the crisis in North America and to explore short and long term definite solutions.
I had a teleconference with the Presidents and Secretaries of our Knanaya Associations across North America on Saturday afternoon and, on behalf of each one of you, they have given me the trust and confidence to be resilient in the discussions with His Eminence without deviating from our fundamental principles. I can assure you that the Knanaya community as well as our position, on the matter of personal parishes consistent with our traditions will be properly represented at this meeting because I am attending this meeting to convey community’s interest. I am extremely thankful for your encouragement, confidence, and prayers because that is what my inspiration and strength in representing the cause of our community.
The preparation for the rally is going very well and we are requesting maximum participation on March 3rd in Chicago. You will be hearing shortly from our fellow community members in Chicago about the detailed instructions. This is a unique opportunity for us to showcase our unity and resolve as ONE COMMUNITY. We need all your support, presence and prayers for the success of this event as well. It was really glad to hear yesterday that many of the national council members have already changed their air tickets to be at this peaceful event from all over North America.
Friends, we have just started our efforts; we may have a long way to go before we realize what we rightfully deserve. As you can appreciate, we are working, through proper channels, with Church Hierarchy to find a meaningful resolution to preserve our rights and traditions, however this time around the time is not unlimited, rather short. We as a community must have the perseverance to sustain our efforts, the unity and love that we share as community members must be our strength to move forward with this campaign. In this effort no single individual is greater than our small and beloved community.
I will certainly try my best to make sure, any decisions or commitments that comes out of this meeting, will be in writing in clear, plain and unambiguous language so that there will be no room for interpretation. I will certainly come back with a quick note to provide you with the outcome of the meeting as soon as possible. Please continue to keep me, all the attendees in this important meeting and our community in your prayers.
AN UPDATE FROM KCS SECRETARY - 02/23/2013
We, North American Knanaya Community, are only one week away from staging a mass protest in front of Syro Malabar Bishop House in Chicago requesting for the ecclesiastical recognition of our age old ethnic traditions and practices in North America. In perfect compliance with local city laws, the vicinity surrounding Syro Malabar Bishop will be swelled with Knanaya faithfuls holding candles and saying rosary beads for the favorable intervention of heavenly Father on a matter long neglected by His earthly authorities. We were relegated to the back seat all these years and the time has arrived for us to make a victory parade!
Anticipating a huge crowd on March 3rd, Chicago Action Council and National Council members had a meeting yesterday (02/22/03) to make final preparations. KCCNA Regional Vice President, Shiju Cheriyathil made a detailed account of the steps taken by KCCNA and KCS to make sure the protest a well-orchestrated one. KCS President,George Thottapuram, urged community members all over North America to come to Chicago to become a part of this historic event!
Anticipating a huge crowd on March 3rd, Chicago Action Council and National Council members had a meeting yesterday (02/22/03) to make final preparations. KCCNA Regional Vice President, Shiju Cheriyathil made a detailed account of the steps taken by KCCNA and KCS to make sure the protest a well-orchestrated one. KCS President,George Thottapuram, urged community members all over North America to come to Chicago to become a part of this historic event!
AN UPDATE FROM KCS SECRETARY - 02/21/2013
In what appears to be God turning the tides finally in our favor after more than twenty-five years of struggle to get proper recognition of our ethnic identity outside of Kerala from Rome, North American Knanaya community received the permit from Elmhurst Police to stage a peaceful protest in front of St. Thomas Syro Malabar Bishop House. KCS President, George Thottapuram, KCCNA Regional Vice President, Shiju Chirayathil, ex-KCS President, Cyriac Koovakkattil and finance committee chairman, Jaimon Nanthikattu, met local law enforcement officials today and got the approval for a mass protest sponsored by KCCNA as we expected
In another front, our sharp minded KCCNA President, Dr, Shiens Akasala, and our church leaders will be meeting with Syro Malabar hierarchy in Kerala to find a solution to our urgent issue. With God on our side looking after his people from heavens high above, we will sail towards attaining worldwide recognition of our ethnic identity beyond the shores of Kerala after twenty five years of wanderings in a turbulent sea. Now, the sky is clear, sea is calm and storms have disappeared. Let’s make the final push towards our much-awaited destined shore!
AN UPDATE FROM KCS SECRETARY - 02/19/2013
Chicago KCS is pleased to inform North American Knanaya Community that we are in high gear with planning and meetings to make sure the peaceful protest sponsored by KCCNA is a turning point in the history of North American Knanaya community. We are stripped of our right to follow our traditions and practices in the land of freedom. Let’s unite in our demand to get our ethnic character restored. When we engage in peaceful protest, we are not in any way violating any Christian principles. On the other hand, we are in complete harmony with teachings of our Savior.
Chicago Action Council will be making final plans for the peaceful protest during a meeting on early next week. President, George Thottapuram, is in constant touch with KCCNA Leaders to make sure all the minute details of the protest are in place. KCCNA regional vice president, Shiju Chiriyathil, and KCS executive members will be meeting with the local police enforcement officials tomorrow to apprise them of our plans. Chicago NC members and Yuvagenavedi and KCYL will gather at the Community Center on 2/28/13 to make placards and posters in anticipation of a huge crowd in front of Syro Malabar Headquarters. All are welcome on this day at Community Center in the evening to make the final touch of our march towards restoring our most coveted ethnic character bestowed on us by God!
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM KCCNA PRESIDENT - 02/16/2013
KCCNA have decided to organize, in partnership with Knanaya Catholic Society of Chicago, a peaceful demonstration near the premises of the headquarters of Chicago Syro Malabar Diocese on March 3rd, Sunday between 12:30 and 2:30.
This will be an opportunity for us to showcase our unity and dissatisfaction in the way in which our community matters were handled by the Church Hierarchy. We are requesting maximum participation from all over North American in this event to make our presence known to the Authorities. We are working with the township and our fellow community members in Chicago to plan out the logistics. Since we have the National Council meeting on the 2nd of March, we expect all new national council members as well as the newly elected KCCNA EC members to be in the forefront to lead this. We sincerely request all Knanaya Associations, especially those who are in drivable distance from Chicago, to help coordinate maximum participation at this event.
In what appears to be God turning the tides finally in our favor after more than twenty-five years of struggle to get proper recognition of our ethnic identity outside of Kerala from Rome, North American Knanaya community received the permit from Elmhurst Police to stage a peaceful protest in front of St. Thomas Syro Malabar Bishop House. KCS President, George Thottapuram, KCCNA Regional Vice President, Shiju Chirayathil, ex-KCS President, Cyriac Koovakkattil and finance committee chairman, Jaimon Nanthikattu, met local law enforcement officials today and got the approval for a mass protest sponsored by KCCNA as we expected
In another front, our sharp minded KCCNA President, Dr, Shiens Akasala, and our church leaders will be meeting with Syro Malabar hierarchy in Kerala to find a solution to our urgent issue. With God on our side looking after his people from heavens high above, we will sail towards attaining worldwide recognition of our ethnic identity beyond the shores of Kerala after twenty five years of wanderings in a turbulent sea. Now, the sky is clear, sea is calm and storms have disappeared. Let’s make the final push towards our much-awaited destined shore!
AN UPDATE FROM KCS SECRETARY - 02/19/2013
Chicago KCS is pleased to inform North American Knanaya Community that we are in high gear with planning and meetings to make sure the peaceful protest sponsored by KCCNA is a turning point in the history of North American Knanaya community. We are stripped of our right to follow our traditions and practices in the land of freedom. Let’s unite in our demand to get our ethnic character restored. When we engage in peaceful protest, we are not in any way violating any Christian principles. On the other hand, we are in complete harmony with teachings of our Savior.
Chicago Action Council will be making final plans for the peaceful protest during a meeting on early next week. President, George Thottapuram, is in constant touch with KCCNA Leaders to make sure all the minute details of the protest are in place. KCCNA regional vice president, Shiju Chiriyathil, and KCS executive members will be meeting with the local police enforcement officials tomorrow to apprise them of our plans. Chicago NC members and Yuvagenavedi and KCYL will gather at the Community Center on 2/28/13 to make placards and posters in anticipation of a huge crowd in front of Syro Malabar Headquarters. All are welcome on this day at Community Center in the evening to make the final touch of our march towards restoring our most coveted ethnic character bestowed on us by God!
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM KCCNA PRESIDENT - 02/16/2013
KCCNA have decided to organize, in partnership with Knanaya Catholic Society of Chicago, a peaceful demonstration near the premises of the headquarters of Chicago Syro Malabar Diocese on March 3rd, Sunday between 12:30 and 2:30.
This will be an opportunity for us to showcase our unity and dissatisfaction in the way in which our community matters were handled by the Church Hierarchy. We are requesting maximum participation from all over North American in this event to make our presence known to the Authorities. We are working with the township and our fellow community members in Chicago to plan out the logistics. Since we have the National Council meeting on the 2nd of March, we expect all new national council members as well as the newly elected KCCNA EC members to be in the forefront to lead this. We sincerely request all Knanaya Associations, especially those who are in drivable distance from Chicago, to help coordinate maximum participation at this event.
Action Council meeting - Feb 12th, 2013
First meeting of Action Council meeting held at Community Center in Chicago on February 12, 2013. As the first step, meeting decided to support KCCNA sponsored peaceful protest scheduled to be held in Chicago on March 03, 2013 in front of Syro Malabar headquarters. Chicago KCS president, George Thottapuram, urged the entire Knanaya Community in Chicago to participate in this protest in our attempt to safeguard age old ethnic practices and traditions of Knanaya Community