St Sebastian Mission Geelong - Syro Malabar Australia

The migration of Syro-Malabar faithful to the Greater Geelong region started in the 21st century. Though there were individuals and families prior to that also, there they largely scattered. The arrival of Syro-Malabar nurses and their families towards the end of the first decade of the twenty first century marked the beginnings of the Syro-Malabar community in the Geelong region.

The first Syro-Malabar Qurbana in Geelong was celebrated by Fr. John Kariyathil on 23rd June 2010 at St Francis Xavier Church, Corio. Since then the small Syro-Malabar community in Geelong was helped by various priests Fr. John, Fr. Manoj, Fr. Pius and Fr. James. Though Holy Qurbana was celebrated at St Francis Xavier Church, Corio occasionally only, the community came together in family prayer gatherings happening in various homes.

On the Pentecost Sunday of 2018 Fr. Abraham Nadukunnel, the Parish Priest of St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Parish Melbourne West started regular Sunday Qurbana and Catechism classes. Since then the small community on Geelong was officially a part of The Syro-Malabar Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle, Melbourne. Fr. Prakash Cutinha, parish priest of Holy Family Church Bell Park graciously allowed the young Syro-Malabar community to use the Holy Spirit Church, Manifold Heights for Sunday Qurbana and Catechism classes. For the first time the community had an elected Parish council with Francis Devasia and Shando Kallely were elected as Kaikkaran and Abin Koovaplackal as Parish Secretary. Regular Sunday Catechism was started. Annie Francis was the Principal Later that year, the community moved to St Patrick’s church, Geelong West.

In 2019, Fr. Sebastian Mandapathil succeeded Fr Abraham as the parish priest of St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Parish Melbourne West continued to care for the Geelong community too.

Since St Patrick’s church, Geelong West was no longer available due to CoVID restrictions, in 2021 the community moved to Holy Family Church, Barwon Heads. The community thankfully remembers Fr Darien Sticklen and Barwon Heads community for their benevolence. It was during this time the Geelong community was raised to mission status as St Sebastian’s Syro-Malabar Mission. Fr. Sebastian Mandapathil, who was the Parish Priest of St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Parish Melbourne West became the first chaplain. Johnson Antony and Jinson Mathew was elected as Kaikkars in the same year. The first residential teens retreat ‘Rise and Shine’ facilitated by the Eparchial Youth Apostolate happened in April 2021.

In Dec 2021, Rev Dr.. Sijeesh Pullankunnel was appointed as the chaplain of the Mission. The first Parish feast – Feast of St Sebastian was celebrated in February 2022. Since then parish Feast has been celebrated in the month of February.

The families of the mission was divided into five wards
St Alphonsa – Grovedale
St Joseph – Mount Duneed
St George – Armstrong Creek
St Thomas – Charlemont
St Mary’s – Geelong.

Since 2021, St Sebastian Syro-Malabar MIssion, Geelong has celebrated its annual multicultural night – Santhome Fest – In the early years it was in the month of December, however nowadays it falls in the month of November.

The community continued at Holy Family Barwon Heads till in July 2023. In July 2023, the Lord blessed St Sebastian’s Syro-Malabar Mission Geelong with a new home at St Margaret’s Church, East Geelong. Bishop Mar John Panamthottathil CMI blessed the church and celebrated the first Holy Qurbana at St Margaret’s Church, East Geelong on 16th July 2023.

St Sebastian’s Syro-Malabar Mission Geelong is a thriving parish community with almost 100+ families. Almost 120 children attend faith formation classes regularly at St Sebastians Syro-Malabar Mission.

Address: 46, Lomond Terrace, East Geelong, Victoria

Qurbana times
Sunday – 0930 am
Wednesday – 0600pm
Friday – 0530 pm
Saturday – 0900 am
Catechism Classes: Every Sunday after Qurbana

Chaplain:
Rev Dr. Sijeesh Pullankunnel; Ph: 0475 922 770