Mar Joseph Perumthottam, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Changanassery Archdiocese who is celebrating the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood will be honored by the Changanassery Pravasi Apostolate of UAE. The felicitation is part of the 'Samagam 2024', the annual family gathering of the Changanassery Pravasi Apostolate.
This is the first time that a Metropolitan Archbishoo is being welcomed and felicitated abroad as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The highlight of this event held in U.A.E. is the 'Mangala Ganam' performed live by 50 singers who are members of Changanassery Archdiocese based in UAE. The song is composed by Edathua Mariapuram resident Tojomon Joseph and Kainakari resident Vinson Kanicheril. The music direction of the song is done by Anish Pulloor.
An enthusiastic team has been working dedicatedly for a month on the song. The song will be presented to the Bishop im his honour at the conference. Later, the organizers decided to dedicate it to the bishop as a video album. Apart from the Mangala song, there will be various artistic programs like musical show, drama, comedy skit and group dance.
Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam will inaugurate the annual family gathering of the Changanassery Pravasi Apostolate UAE Chapter held on January 28 from 9 am to 3 pm.
The meeting will be presided over by UAE Chapter Coordinator, Biju Mathew Mattanchery and Program Convener, George Meenathekonil will deliver the welcome address and Thomas Parampathu will deliver the vote of thanks. UAE Chapter Secretary, Binu John will present the report.
Father Teji Puthuveetillakalam, Director of Changanassery Paravasi Apostolate will deliver the keynote address. Assistant Director Father Jijo Marattukulam and Global Coordinator Jo Kavalam will extend their greetings. Eminent people who have rendered services to the society and the community will be honored during the function. Organizers Biju Dominic, Joseph Kalam, Jose Joseph, Thomas John Mappilassery, Jamie Seban and Shijan Valyara informed that all the preparations for the event, which will be attended by a thousand members, have been completed.
Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam
Mar Joseph Perumthottam was ordained to the priesthood on 18 December 1974. He was first appointed as Assistant Vicar in Kainkari Parish.
He served as the director of Sandeshanilayam, the archdiocesan catechism center, and as chaplain of the Catholic Workers Movement of the archdiocese. Mar Perunthottam is also the founder director of Marthomma Vidyaniketan, a center of theology. On 24th April 2002, he was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Changanassery on 19th March 2007.
He was born on 5th July 1948 to Punantura Kongandur Perunthottam Joseph and Annamma in Kottayam district. He completed his religious vocational studies at Changanassery Parel St. Thomas and Vadavathur St. Thomas Apostolic Seminaries.
In 1983 he received his doctorate in church history from the Gregorian University in Rome. After returning from Rome in 1989, he worked as a teacher at St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathur and Missionary Orientation Center at Manganam.
Mar Perumthottam, who has served as KCBC Vice President and CBCI Dialogue and Ecumenism Chairman, is also a member of the Syro Malabar Synod. He also penned several Books on the liturgy and church history.