Paterson, NJ: St. George Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Paterson, New Jersey, will host its Parish Lenten Retreat 2026 from March 20 to March 22, 2026, offering the faithful an opportunity for spiritual renewal during the Lenten season.
The retreat, themed “Sacred Bond: A Psychospiritual Journey to Happy Family Life,” is designed to help participants deepen their relationship with God while strengthening family life through faith-based reflection and guidance.
The three-day retreat will be led by Rev. Dr. Tom Thomas Pannalakunnel, MSFS, a noted retreat preacher, counselor, and educator with extensive experience in psychology and pastoral care. He currently serves as the Director of the De Sales Center for Accompanied Renewal and Empowerment (DeCare) in Makkiyad, Wayanad, Kerala, India, a center dedicated to the healing and renewal of clergy and religious.
Fr. Tom holds a Master’s Degree in Family Therapy from Montfort College, Bangalore, and a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University (Illinois School of Professional Psychology), USA. He has previously served as Vice Principal of St. Francis de Sales Degree College, Bangalore, and as Clinical Director of Shalom Center in Texas, USA, where he worked closely with individuals facing emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. His work and research have focused on areas such as addiction, emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, and spirituality.
The retreat will begin on Friday, March 20, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and continue on Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day. The program will include preaching, prayer sessions, and opportunities for spiritual reflection aimed at fostering personal and family transformation.
Organized under the leadership of Vicar Rev. Fr. Simmy Thomas Alumchuvattil, the retreat is open to all and is expected to draw participants from across the region.
For further details, inquiries may be directed via email at trustees.[email protected] Fr. Tom Thomas Pannalakunnel, MSFS, Ed D.
Presently he is serving as the Director of DeCare (De Sales Center for Accompanied Renewal and Empowerment) in Makkiyad, Wayanad.
He researched on the correlation between substance craving, depression, mood disorders, self-injury, spirituality and interpersonal relationship.
After completing the studies, he served as the Clinical Director of Shalom Center Texas, USA, which is a residential treatment center for clergy and religious with emotional and behavioral problems. The population he was serving suffered from mental health issues, behavioral problems, anger management issues, boundary violations, addictions, and issues emerging from lack of self awareness and personal growth.
He completed doctoral studies (Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision) from Argosy University (Illinois School of Professional Psychology) in the USA in 2013.
Fr. Tom did his Master’s Degree in Family Therapy from Montfort College, Bangalore from 2002 to 2004. The he was appointed as the Vice Principal of St Francis de Sales Degree College, Bangalore and lecturer in psychology in Suvidya College Bangalore.
Rev. Dr. Tom Thomas Pannalakunnel, M.S.F.S. is the Director De Sales Center for Accompanied Renewal and Empowerment (DeCare) which is a Treatment and Renewal Center for the Priests and religious, in Makkiad Kerala.