he St. Thomas Syro Malabar Community in Hornsby was formed in 2013, inspired by the heartfelt desire of Syro Malabar migrants who had recently settled in Hornsby and its surrounding areas. They sought to worship in their native language and preserve their homeland’s traditions and values. This initiative began with humble prayer gatherings and monthly Malayalam Masses at Our Lady of the Rosary in Waitara, led by Fr. Pallathukuzhiyil Antony (Fr. Jinto Joseph), a dedicated Malayali priest in the Diocese of Broken Bay.
With the establishment of the Syro Malabar Eparchy in Melbourne, our community was officially recognised as a St Thomas Syro Malabar Mission under the Melbourne Eparchy in 2016. Fr. Leons Moosraiparambil was appointed as our first parish priest. This milestone marked a significant development in our faith journey, enabling us to establish a more structured parish life. The community began celebrating regular Sunday Mass at Terrey Hills Catholic Church and catechism classes for Kindergarten to Year 12 students.
Over the years, we have been blessed with the dedicated leadership and spiritual guidance of Fr. Leons Moosraiparambil, Fr. Binesh Narimattathil, and Fr. Binu Maliyekal. They have transformed our parish from a small gathering into a well-organized and flourishing faith community. Today, we continue to grow in our spiritual journey under the leadership of our current parish priest, Fr. Thomas Pezhumkattil.
We aim to build a strong, faith-filled community rooted in Syro-Malabar traditions while embracing spiritual growth and inclusivity. Our mission is to preserve and nurture our rich Syro-Malabar heritage, foster a deep relationship with Christ through worship and service, and inspire future generations to live out their faith with love and devotion.
### Our Community
**Registered Families:**
St. Thomas Syro Malabar Mission Hornsby serves a dynamic and growing community of families across Sydney’s North Shore and Northwest. We are blessed with around 50 registered families, each contributing to our parish’s spiritual and communal life.
**Ward Prayers:**
Our parish is organised into two wards, fostering a close-knit spiritual community. Monthly ward prayers strengthen faith, unity, and fellowship among families.
**Catechism Classes:**
Faith formation is at the heart of our parish. We offer Sunday catechism classes after Mass for students from Kindergarten to Year 12, with 60 students guided by 20 dedicated teachers. This ensures that the faith and values of the Syro Malabar Church are passed on to the next generation.
### Parish Ministries
**Youth Ministry:**
Established in 2023, our Youth Ministry actively engages young parish members through various spiritual, social, and community activities, helping them grow in faith and leadership.
**Altar Servers Ministry:**
The Altar Servers Ministry assists during the Holy Qurbana, allowing our young members to actively participate in the liturgy and deepen their spiritual journey.
**Nurses Ministry:**
The Nurses Ministry is dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals within our parish while extending care and assistance to those in need, reflecting Christ’s call to serve with compassion.
**Music Ministry:**
Music ministry helps individuals serve God with the gifts he has given them in music by supporting our masses with beautiful music, such as singing in a choir or playing an instrument.
St. Thomas Syro Malabar Mission Hornsby is a testament to its community’s unwavering faith, unity, and dedication. Under our dedicated priests’ guidance and our parishioners’ commitment, we continue to grow as a faith-filled community, fostering a strong connection with Christ through worship, education, and fellowship. As we move forward, we remain committed to nurturing future generations, strengthening our parish ministries, and building a welcoming spiritual home where faith, culture, and service thrive together.
Fr Thomas James Pezhumkattil
Email: office.terryhills@syromalabar.org.au
PH: 0436 969 044
Website & Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/share/18fbV8ewwM/
Holy Qurbana Timing and Address:
Mount St Benedict Chapel
449D Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills
NSW 2120
SUNDAY Holy Qurbana at 10:00 AM
Catechism Classes after Qurbana
Parish Contact Persons:
Siby Joseph, Ph: 0401 079 588 (Trustee)
Joyal Thomas, Ph: 0424 849 800 (Trustee)
Ranjan Varghese, Ph: 0434 366 139 (Pastoral Council Member)
Sojan Mathew, Ph: 042 583 257 (Parish Secretary)
