Tamil Community
Tamil Community Events
Members of the Tamil community hail from Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India, some from the neighbouring states and also from Sri Lanka. There are about 100 Tamil Catholic families in St Mary’s, consisting of a large pool of youth and children.
Tamil Masses were first initiated by the then parish priest, Friar Clifford Augustine and the first Mass was celebrated on 24th May 2014. A colourful anniversary celebration is held every year with grand traditional Mass, cultural events and contests. This year we conducted contests consisting of singing, dancing, music, drawing and oration / narration.
Tamil Mass
Tamil mass is celebrated weekly on Saturdays at 8.15pm. You can watch the latest Mass here:
NCC Groups
The families are sub-grouped into 7 NCC's (அன்பியம் / Anbiyam - Community of Love).
Each group is named after an Indian-based Catholic saint. The family groups celebrate their saints’ feast days in a very devoted way by having special novenas, and during the corresponding Tamil Mass, the saint will be celebrated through a minor procession where children offer flowers and candles.
Saints of the Community:
St Devasahayam - 14 January
St Joseph Vaz - 16 January
St Arulanandhar - 4 February
St Kuriakose - 18 February
St Thomas - 3 July
St Alphonsa - 28 July
St Theresa of Calcutta - 5 September
Other celebrated Saints:
St Joseph - 1 May
St Anthony - 13 June
St Mary of the Angels - 2 August
St Cecilia - 22 November
Committees
The Community is served by committed leaders and dedicated volunteers, who make the mass and events successful.
1. Knights of the Altar
2. Lectors
3. Choir
4. Communion Ministers
5. St. Mary’s Ambassadors
6. Media
7. NCC / அன்பியம்
Community Leaders
There are 9 Committee members. Seven of them are the leaders of 7 communities (அன்பியம்):
St Devasagayam - John Tharigopla
St Joseph Vaz - Joe Raj (Leader / Lector In-Charge)
St Arulanandhar - Ranjith (NCC /அன்பியம்)
St Kuriakose - Lawrence (Fellowship)
St Thomas - Jasmine (Liturgy)
St Alphonsa - Selvi (Choir / Divine Mercy)
St Theresa of Calcutta - Sheela (Knights of the Altar)
Other Committee Members:
Communion Ministers / St. Mary’s Ambassadors - John Tharigopla
Media - Pinto / John Kennedy
Contact
For more information, please contact Joe at 94876947 or email st.mary.tamil@gmail.com.
Featured Hymns
O God, Almighty Lord | எங்கள் இறைவன் வல்லமை தேவன்
This original hymn is composed by the St Mary of the Angels Tamil community, as a thanksgiving for our 7th Anniversary.
Mary of the Angels | Samanasugalin Raakiniye | Tamil Hymn
An original hymn composed by the Tamil Community of St Mary of the Angels.
Our Mother | Engal Ammave | Tamil Hymn | Classical Dance
A music video with classical dance by the St Mary's Tamil Community. This original hymn is composed and dedicated to St Mary of the Angels.
Hymns
We have discovered many talents in our community, which resulted in us creating our own hymns. To date, we have written and composed 7 original hymns (and counting) in praise of God, Mother Mary and the Saints. We are grateful to God for his gifts.
Novena Prayers
Initially, the community came together as prayer groups, praying the Divine Mercy and Rosary. Eventually, prayers and novenas became part and parcel of our spiritual growth. Subsequently, we put together many novena prayers (available in PDFs, audio and video formats).
Photo Gallery
Padlets
Ministry Life - Tamil Community
Many of our language communities develop and evolve to meet the needs of parishioners at St Mary’s. These two Mnistry Life episodes, produced by members of the Tamil Community, recount how the pandemic threw the community into turmoil, and how they overcame the challenges they faced. Featuring original music compositions and talents of many members, young & old.