2020 May 16
Mass in the church with limited people as per state law.
2020 June 19 – 21
Main feast with only 50 people legally allowed in the church.
Sponsorship by women ministry postponed.
2020 September 12
Solemn Reception of Holy Communion.
2020 December 19
Ruby Jubilee Celebration of Vicar Fr. Abraham Mutholath con-celebrated by Mar Jacob Angadiath and Mar Joy Alappatt.
Mar Jacob Angadiath inaugurated Fr. Abraham Mutholathu Foundation NFP and Mar Joy Alappatt inaugurated the website of the foundation.
2021
2021 February 28
Zoom class by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath to the students of Solemn Reception of Holy Communion.
2021 June 5
Solemn Reception of Holy Communion.
2021 June 11 – 13
Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus by parishioners as sponsors in a simple form because of COVID-19.
2021 September 12
Catechism classes started.
2021 September 19
Fifteenth anniversary celebration of the parish. Main celebrant was Mar Jacob Angadiath.
2021 November 28
Introduction of the revised Syro-Malabar Qurbana.
2021 December 11
Holy Mass by Mar Mathew Moolakkatt and blessing of the shrine of St. Francis Assisi in the church.
2022
2022 January 2
New trustees and volunteers took charge.
2022 April 8 – 10
Annual Retreat.
2022 April 15
Good Friday Service by Mar Jacob Angadiath.
2022 June 3
Holy Mass by Bishop Mar George Palliparambil.
2022 June 10
Religious Education Festival.
2022 June 10 – 12
Main feast of Sacred Heart sponsored by the Women Ministry of the parish.
Raasa Qurbana by Mar Joy Alappatt on Sunday, June 12.
2022 July 16
Mass by Bishop Mar James Thoppil.
2022 June 19
Inauguration of the Three-Year Eucharistic Revival.
2022 August 5 – 6
Trip to Jesus Show in Branson, MO.
2022 September 4
Reception to Mar Jacob Angadiath and Holy Mass by him along with the parish day celebration and feast of St. Pius X.
2022 September 11
Reopening of the Catechism school.
2022 October 1
Installation of Mar Joy Alappatt at the Cathedral.
2022 October 7 – 9
Retreat based on the Word of God by Bro. Prince and Team.
2022 October 9
Reception to Mar Joy Alappatt
2022 October 11 – 18
Pilgrimage to Peru including Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.
2022 October 30
All Saints’ Day Celebration by Catechism School.
2022 December 27 – 30
Youth Conference for High School students at Darien.
2023
2023 January 1
Mar Jacob Angadiath offered holy Qurbana and inaugurated bibleinterpretation.org the website of Fr. Abraham Mutholath.
2023 February 26
Malankara Mass in remembrance of Mor Dioscoros Ottathaickal.
2023 February 27
Reception to Mar Joy Alappatt. Holy Mass by Mar Joy Alappatt and inauguration of biblereflection.org the website of Fr. Abraham Mutholath at our church. Mar Joy Alappatt visited first communion students and offered Holy Mass.
2023 March 5 – 16
Holy Land Pilgrimage.
2023 March 25
Way of the Cross at St. John Indiana.
2023 March 31 – April 2
Annual Retreat.
2023 April 7
Good Friday Service by Mar Joy Alappatt.
2023 April 9
Resumed publication of Sunday Bulletin after COVID-19 Pandemic.
2023 April 12
One Day Prayer session by Bro. Prince UK.
2023 April 17
Prayer Session for seniors by Bro. Prince UK.
2023 April 22
Religious Education Festival.
2023 May 14
Mother’s Day Celebration.
2023 May 27
Solemn Reception of Holy Communion.
2023 June 2 – 4
Main Feast of Sacred Heart sponsored by all families under the leadership of Men ministry.
Flag hoisting by Mar Joy Alappatt on June 2.
2023 June 18
Father’s Day Celebration.
2023 July 2
Resumed blessing of birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
2023 July 9
Holy Qurbana by Mar Joseph Pandarasseril.
Reception to Bishop Mar James Thoppil.
The Parish Council discussed the possibility of purchasing a new church. Fr. Abraham Mutholath informed the council that St. Charles Borromeo Church in Bensenville was available for sale.
Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt, Fr. Thomas Mulavanal, and Fr. Abraham Mutholath held a Zoom meeting with Bishop Ronald A. Hicks, the Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, to express our interest in purchasing the church.
2023 August 13 – General Body Meeting:
The General Body decided to proceed with the purchase of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church property in Bensenville. The property includes 7.19 acres of land, appraised at $3,559,050 (excluding buildings). The Pothuyogam decided to sell the Maywood church and the Elmhurst rectory if the purchase is finalized.
2023 September 6
Meeting with Bishop Ronald A Hicks, Bishop of Juliet, Very Rev. Richard L. Smith (Vicar General), Bishop Joy Alappatt, Fr. Thomas Mulavanal and Fr. Abraham Mutholath for discussing the purchase of St. Borromeo Church. We requested him to consider a possible reduced rate as we are seriously interested in buying the church facility.
2023 September 10
Farewell Qurbana of Fr. Abraham Mutholath at Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church, Chicago.
2023 September 15 – Clergy Transfer:
Fr. Abraham Mutholath was transferred to St. Mary’s Knanaya Catholic Forane Parish in Houston. Fr. Thomas Mulavanal assumed the role of Vicar at Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Forane Parish, Maywood.
2023 September 29 – Diocese Decision:
Bishop Hicks agreed to offer the property to our Knanaya Catholic community. The Diocese requested that final paperwork be held until the appeal to Rome is resolved.
October 1, 2023 – Pothuyogam General Body Meeting:
Fr. Thomas Mulavanal informed the General Body that the Diocese of Joliet agreed to sell the church at a reduced price of 2,500,000, considering the extensive repairs needed to make the gymnasium usable. It was decided to list our current properties for sale. A fundraising committee was formed, with Mr. Thomas Neduvampuzha appointed as coordinator.
October 8, 2023 – Fundraising Kickoff:
Fundraising efforts began with the goal of collecting $3.5 million to purchase the new church in Bensenville and for its necessary maintenance works.
October 22, 2023
World Mission Sunday
November 4, 2023 – Clergy Appointment:
Fr. Bins Chethalil was appointed as Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Parish.
November 12, 2023 – All Saints Day Celebration
November 25, 2023 – Friends giving Lunch:
A special lunch event was held for youth, young adults, and couples.
November 29, 2023
Fr. Thomas Mulavanal signed the purchase agreement for the Bensenville church.
December 1, 2023 (Friday)
A Parish Council meeting was held to update the status of fundraising. So far, $1.5 million has been collected. The vacant lot next to our church has been sold, and the Maywood rectory is being viewed by potential buyers.
December 1–3, 2023
Regional Pre-Marriage Course conducted at Maywood Church.
December 3, 2023 – Pothuyogam (General Body Meeting)
Fr. Thomas Mulavanal, the Pastor, announced that we are blessed to purchase the new church for $2.5 million. The closing date is expected on or before December 29, 2023. We hope to move into the new church before Easter 2024.
Also during this meeting:
December 8, 2023
Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrated.
December 16, 2023
Christmas card-making workshop held for children.
December 17, 2023
A combined Parish Council meeting (new and outgoing members) was held. Various committees were formed to facilitate the transition to the new church.
December 23, 2023
One-day retreat conducted by Fr. Dominic Kuttiyanickal. An English retreat was led by Sr. Pavana CMC.
December 24, 2023 – Christmas Eve
English and Malayalam Nativity Services were held simultaneously in the Church and Parish Hall.
An entertainment program and “Snehavirunnu” followed the Christmas Mass.
Ten newborns of the year were welcomed during the celebration.
CML students collected charity funds for the Punjab Mission in connection with Christmas.
December 26–29, 2023
Knanaya Regional Teen Ministry Conference “Rooted 24” held at the Carmelite Retreat Center in Darien, Chicago, led by Fr. Bins Chethalil and Cyriac Keezhangatt.
December 28, 2023
The Bensenville Church was officially purchased. Escrow was completed, and $2.5 million was paid in cash.
December 31, 2023 – Trustee and Committee Updates
Newly Elected Trustees:
Other Appointments:
Special Thanks to Outgoing Trustees:
George Chackalathottiyil, Mathew Idiyalil, Sunny Mookkettu, Sabu Mutholath, and Jithin Chemmalakuzhy.
2024
January 2024
CCD Leadership:
February 10, 2024
Forane-level Parish Council Meeting at St. Mary’s, Morton Grove.
March 16, 2024
Re-consecration of the new church.
May 25, 2024
First Holy Communion.
May 31 – June 2, 2024
Sacred Heart Main Feast. All parishioners will participate as sponsors (₹100 each) for the first feast celebration in the new church.
Property and Financial Updates
March 15, 2024
Religious Education Fest.
The final Mass at Maywood Church was celebrated by Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt.
5:00 PM – Blessing of the Bensenville Rectory
Blessed by Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt.
A religious gathering with the Archbishop, priests, and sisters was also held at the Elmhurst Regional House.
March 16, 2024 – Reconsecration of Sacred Heart Church, Bensenville
Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt, Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago, reconsecrated the newly purchased church.
Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt celebrated the first Holy Mass, and Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet delivered the homily.
Following the ceremony, a public meeting was held where Archbishop Moolakkatt gave the inaugural address.
Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath, Fr. Abraham Mutholath, and Fr. Saji Pinarkayil delivered felicitation speeches.
The decree establishing the new church and appointing Fr. Thomas Mulavanal as Pastor and Fr. Bins Chethalil as Associate Pastor was read aloud.
The event was well attended by a large crowd.
March 21–23, 2024 – Annual Retreat
Led by Fr. Jibil Kuzhivelil.
May 25, 2024 – First Holy Communion
Celebrated by Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt.
May 31, 2024 – Main Feast Flag Hoisting
Conducted by Fr. Thomas Mulavanal.
June 1–2, 2024
Sacred Heart Main Feast Celebration
July 17, 2024
Bishop Siby Mathew Peedikayil, HGN Bishop of Aitape, Papua New Guinea, celebrated Mass at our church..
August 4, 2024 – General Body Meeting
Discussed necessary repairs: gym, parking lot, sacristy restroom, sound system upgrade, rectory basement leak, and roofing.
Proposal to raise annual family contribution from $365 to $500.
August 12, 2024 – Maywood Church Closing
Sold to a Hispanic Christian group.
August 17, 2024
Archbishop Mar Kurian Vayalumkal, Apostolic Nuncio to Algeria & Tunisia, celebrated Mass and stayed at our rectory.
He inaugurated the Knanaya Regional CCD academic year at Bensenville Church.
August 25, 2024 – Feast of St. Pius X & Faith Formation Inauguration
CCD teachers’ training also conducted.
September 8, 2024 – Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary (8 Noyamb)
Celebrated with a rosary procession.
September 26–29, 2024
SHKC Camping Event
November 9–10, 2024 – Bus Trip to Branson
Attended the Miracle of Christmas show at Sight & Sound Theater.
December 1, 2024 – Fr. Saji Pinarkayil’s 25th Priestly Ordination
Celebrated at St. Jude Church, Miami.
2025
January 19, 2025 – St. Sebastian’s Feast Celebration
January 26, 2025 – Family Bonding Seminar
Led by Dr. Ajimol Puthenpura.
New Parish Liturgical Calendar for 2025 released.
Memorial celebration of Mar Mathew Makil, Servant of God.
February 18–21, 2025
Pilgrimage to Guadalupe, Mexico City
February 23, 2025 – Annual General Body Meeting
Annual accounts presented and approved.
February 28 – March 2, 2025 – Regional Ezra Meet
Held at Bensenville Church with 50 participants.
Led by Fr. Thomas Mulavanal, Fr. Lijo Kochuparambil, Fr. Siju Mudakodiyil, Fr. Bins Chethalil, Bro. Santosh Christeen, Jenson Kollaparambil, Toby Manimaleth, and Bibi Thekkanatt.
March 8, 2025 – Live Passion of Christ Show
Organized at our parish.
March 9, 2025 – Holy Mass by Bishop Joy Alappatt
Visited Holy Communion students and had lunch with parents and teachers.
March 15, 2025
CCD Religious Fest
March 16, 2025
First Anniversary of Bensenville Church
March 20, 2025 – Regional Priests Zoom Meeting
Finalized topics for the upcoming representative meeting in Dallas.
April 11, 2025 – 40th Friday Adoration
24-hour adoration with night vigil.
April 12, 2025 – Young Adults Retreat
Led by Fr. Benson.
April 16, 2025 – Couples Lenten Meet
Led by Dr. Roy Kaduppil.
May 20–22, 2025 – Diocesan Priests Retreat
Held at Immaculate Conception Seminary, NY.
Preached by Bishop Prince Panengadan.
Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil was present.
May 23–25, 2025 – Diocesan Eucharistic Congress
Held in Somerset, NJ.
Inaugural Mass celebrated by Major Archbishop.
Main preacher: Fr. Daniel Poovannathil.
May 25, 2025 – Holy Communion Mass
Celebrated by Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt for 15 children.
May 30–June 1, 2025 – Sacred Heart Main Feast
July 17, 2025 – Mass by Bishop James Thoppil
Celebrated at Sacred Heart Church.
