Priestly Ordination Celebration
Deacon Michael James & Deacon Sam Kuttappassery
Ordination Ceremony: June 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM
First Holy Qurbana: June 14, 2026 at 9:30 AM (Fr. Sam Kuttapassery) and 11:30 AM (Fr. Michael James)
Venue: St. George Syro Malabar Catholic Church | 408 Getty Avenue, Paterson, NJ
A Sacred Celebration for Our Parish
St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, under the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Chicago, joyfully invites the faithful to celebrate the Priestly Ordination of Deacon Michael and Deacon Sam. This sacred event will take place on June 13, 2026, and marks a significant milestone not only in the lives of the ordinands but also in the life of our parish and the wider Syro-Malabar Catholic community.
Priestly ordination is one of the most sacred moments in the life of the Church. Through the laying on of hands by the bishop and the prayer of the Church, a deacon is ordained into the priesthood and is entrusted with the mission of serving God’s people through theproclamation of the Word, celebration of the Holy Qurbana, and pastoral ministry.
Meet The Main Celebrant
Ordination Ceremony Schedule - Saturday, June 13, 2026 |
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9:30 AM - Reception of the Bishop at the Church
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9:45 AM - Procession |
10:00 AM - The Priestly Ordination ceremony |
1:00PM - Felicitation Program |
2:00 PM - Lunch Reception |
Event Logistics |
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Arrival: Guests are encouraged to carpool and arrive well in advance, as seating may be limited. |
Important: The shuttle service will stop promptly at 10 AM, when the ordination mass begins. Please plan to arrive early to allow time for parking and transportation.
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Shuttle: Shuttle service will be available between the off-site parking lots and the church. |
Parking: Additional secure off-site parking lots will be available for guests. |
First Qurbana Schedules - Sunday, June 14, 2026 |
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9:30 AM - First Qurbana of Fr. Sam Kuttappassery |
11:00 AM - Refreshments |
11:30 AM - First Qurbana of Fr. Michael James |
1:00 PM - Lunch |
Location:
St. George Syro Malabar Catholic Church | 408 Getty Avenue, Paterson, NJ |
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WORLDWIDE
Support this Celebration
Join us in honoring Deacon Michael and Deacon Sam as they begin their priestly ministry.
Ordination Ceremony Schedule – Saturday, June 13, 2026
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The ordination ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, beginning in the morning and followed by fellowship and celebration with the parish community.
The day will begin at 9:30 AM with the reception of the Bishop Joy Alappatt, as clergy and faithful gather to welcome the celebrant for this sacred occasion. This will be followed by a procession at 9:45 AM, where clergy and participants will enter the church in preparation for the liturgy.
The Priestly Ordination ceremony will begin at 10:00 AM. During this sacred liturgy, Deacon Michael and Deacon Sam will be ordained into the priesthood according to the traditions of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
Following the ordination, the community will gather for a felicitation program at 1:00 PM. The celebration will continue with a lunch reception at 2:00 PM.
First Holy Qurbana Celebrations – Sunday, June 14, 2026
The celebrations will continue on Sunday, June 14, 2026, when the newly ordained priests celebrate their First Holy Qurbana.
The day will begin at 9:30 AM with the First Holy Qurbana of Deacon Sam Kuttappassery. After the liturgy, refreshments will be served at 11:00 AM.
At 11:30 AM, Deacon Michael James will celebrate his First Holy Qurbana with the parish community. The celebration will conclude with a community lunch at 1:00 PM
Event Logistics
The parish is preparing to welcome more than 1,000 guests for this special celebration. To accommodate the large number of attendees, outdoor tents will be arranged to provide additional seating and gathering space.
Parking will be organized off-site with shuttle services transporting guests to and from the church premises. A large group of volunteers has been organized into twelve sub-teams responsible for various aspects of the event.
How You Can Help
Parishioners and members of the community are invited to support the celebration in several ways. First and foremost, we request your prayers for Deacon Michael and Deacon Sam as they prepare to begin their priestly ministry.
Community members may volunteer for one of the event sub-teams, assist with hosting visiting clergy, or help coordinate transportation and carpools for guests. Donations are also welcome and will help support the costs associated with organizing this large celebration.
Volunteer Teams
Several volunteer teams have been formed to ensure the smooth coordination of the event. The Liturgy Support and Intercessions teams will assist with the liturgical preparations. The Choir and Audio-Visual teams will coordinate music, sound, and livestreaming services.
The Photo, Video, and Livestream teams will document the celebration. Additional teams including Public Relations and Security, Finance Committee, Medical Team, and Lost and Found will support the operational and safety needs of the event.
Logistics teams will manage decorations, indoor arrangements, outdoor site setup, ushers, parking, transportation shuttles, and food services. Volunteers will also assist with airport pickup for visiting clergy and accommodations for guests traveling from outside the parish.
Volunteer Sign-Up
Volunteers are invited to join one of the following teams: Outdoor Site Setup, Ushers, Parking and Shuttle Coordination, Food Service Team, Airport Pickup and Drop-off, and Guest Accommodations. If you are willing to volunteer for the event, please contact one of the trustees