Our Mission
The Origin and History of Marth Mariam Mission, Farnborough
Marth Mariam Mission, Farnborough, was established following the division of St Bernadette Mission, Woking, into two separate missions. Following this reorganisation, one part continued under the name St Bernadette Mission, while the newly formed mission was named Marth Mariam Mission, Farnborough.
The faithful associated with the Mass centres of Aldershot, Frimley and Haslemere, together with those living in the surrounding areas, became part of the newly established Marth Mariam Mission.
The history of Marth Mariam Mission is closely connected with the development of St Bernadette Mission. St Bernadette Mission belongs to the Southampton Region, one of the twelve pastoral regions under the Catholic Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain.
The groundwork for St Bernadette Mission began in 2018 under the guidance of Fr Roy Muthumakkal. He formed an ad hoc committee consisting of trustees representing the four parishes associated with the Mass centres.
In September 2022, Fr Jose Kunnumpuram was appointed as the Mission Director. In November 2023, following Fr Jose’s transfer to the Manchester Region, Fr Abin Kochupurackal was appointed as his successor.
St Bernadette Mission originally comprised four main Mass centres: Aldershot, Frimley, Guildford and Woking, together with their surrounding areas. As the mission did not own a church, Holy Mass and other pastoral activities were conducted in Roman Catholic churches belonging to the Dioceses of Arundel and Brighton and Portsmouth.
At the beginning of 2023, the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton permitted the mission to rent the presbytery of St Hugh of Lincoln Catholic Church in Knaphill as accommodation for the Syro-Malabar priest serving the mission. With the Mission Director residing at Knaphill, it became the official administrative and pastoral centre of St Bernadette Mission and was subsequently recognised as the mission’s fifth Mass centre.
As the Syro-Malabar community continued to grow, the need for more focused pastoral care and effective administration became increasingly evident. This eventually led to the division of St Bernadette Mission and the establishment of Marth Mariam Mission, Farnborough, serving the faithful of Aldershot, Frimley, Haslemere and the surrounding areas.
Aldershot Mass Centre was established in the year 2008 at the St Joseph’s RC Church at Aldershot. Fr Joy Alappatt CMI, was the celebrant of the first Syro Malabar Mass at Aldershot. Fr Joy started celebrating Holy Mass once a month on Saturdays. During the year 2016, Fr Tomy Chirackal Manavalan replaced him, when Fr Joy went back to India to take up other responsibilities. Fr. Tomy started Holy Mass every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. At times Syro Malabar Mass was also held at the St Mary’s RC Church at Aldershot. Fr Tomy continued to celebrate regular Holy Mass at Aldershot until 2022, when Fr Jose Kunnumpuram took charge as the Mission Director.In November 2023, Fr Abin Kochupurackal replaced him as the Mission Director, when Fr Jose moved to the Manchester region on transfer. The following is the address and the current Syro Malabar mass timings for the Aldershot Mass Centre
St Joseph’s RC Church, Aldershot
Queens Road, Aldershot, GU11 3JB
Fourth Sundays, 04.00 pm
Syro Malabar Mass in Malayalam
Frimley Mass Centre was established in the year 2008 at the Our Lady Queen of Heaven RC Church at Frimley, with kind permission from the parish Vicar Fr John O’Sullivan. Fr Cyric Edamana SDB, was the celebrant of the first Syro Malabar Mass at Frimley. Fr Cyril started celebrating Holy Mass every 4th Saturday of the month. During the year 2016, Fr Binoy Nilayattingal replaced him, when Fr Cyril took up other responsibilities in the Eparchy. Fr Binoy continued to celebrate regular Holy Mass at this church until 2022 when Fr Jose Kunnumpuram took charge as the Mission Director. In November 2023, Fr Abin Kochupurackal replaced him as the Mission Director, when Fr Jose moved to the Manchester region on transfer. The following is the address and the current Syro Malabar mass timings for the Frimley Mass Centre
Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Frimley
111 Portsmouth Road, Frimley, GU16 7AA, UK
Fourth Saturdays, 10.00 am.
Syro Malabar Mass in Malayalam
Guildford Mass Centre was established in the year 2008 at the St Mary’s RC Church at Guildford. Fr. Saju Mullassery was the first celebrant of the Syro Malabar Mass at Guildford. He was replaced by Fr Roy Muthumakkal who started celebrating Holy Mass on every 1st Sunday of the month. Fr Roy continued to celebrate regular Holy Mass at this church until 2022, when Fr Jose Kunnumpuram took charge as the Priest in Charge and Mission Director. In November 2023, Fr Abin Kochupurackal replaced him as the Mission Director, when Fr Jose moved to the Manchester region on transfer The following is the address and the current Syro Malabar mass timings for the Guildford Mass Centre.
St Marys RC Church, Guildford
157 Aldershot Road, Guildford, GU2
8BP
First
Sundays, 04.00 pm
Syro Malabar Mass in Malayalam
Woking Mass Centre was established in the year 2006 at the St Dunstan’s RC Church at Woking. Fr Biju Alex was the celebrant of the first Syro Malabar Holy mass at Woking. Fr Biju started celebrating Holy Mass regularly at Woking. Fr Cyril Edamana took charge as the Priest Coordinator when Fr Biju left.
During the year 2016, the Mass Centre was shifted from St Dunstan’s to the Our Lady Help of Christians RC Church at West Byfleet in Woking. When Fr Cyrl left for India, Fr Roy Muthumakkal took charge as the Priest Coordinator and started celebrating Syro Malabar Holy Mass at this church every second Sunday. In the year 2022, Fr Jose Kunnumpuram replaced Fr Roy as the Priest coordinator and the Mission Director. In November 2023, Fr Abin Kochupurackal replaced him as the Mission Director, when Fr Jose moved to the Manchester region on transfer. The following is the address and the current Syro Malabar mass timings for the Woking and West Byfleet Mass Centre
Our Lady Help of Christians, West Byfleet
Madeira Road, West Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 6DH
Second Sundays, 03.30 pm
Syro Malabar Mass in Malayalam
Knaphill became the fifth Syro Malabar Mass Centre under the mission in the beginning of year 2023 when Arundel & Brighton diocese permitted us to rent the presbytery of St Hughes of Lincoln RC Church at Knaphill for the stay of our Mission Director. The diocese also permitted us to use the Church for celebrating Syro Malabar Mass and the use of the Parish Hall for Catechism. Catechism classes for all children in the mission in the year groups, Reception to Year 13 are being held here on all first Saturdays and third Sundays. The following is the address and the current Syro Malabar mass timings for the Knaphill Mass Centre.
St Hugh of Lincoln RC Church, Knaphill
95 Victoria Road, Knaphill, Woking GU21 2AA
All Sundays, 2.00 pm
Syro Malabar Mass in Malayalam
Catechism on both First Sundays and Third Sundays, after the Holy Mass
The emblem for St Bernadette Mission has four quadrants, each representing one of our four parishes. Quadrant one in red denotes the Guildford parish group and has a symbol representing the Catholic churches of Guildford. The quadrant just below that, in sky blue colour represents the Woking parish group and has a symbol representing Our Lady Help of Christians RC Church West Byfleet. The three wavy stripes in sky blue and red is taken from the coat of arms used by Arundel and Brighton Diocese, where three of our churches come under. The top right quadrant in dark blue colour represents the Frimley parish group and has a symbol representing Our Lady Queen of Heaven RC Church Frimley. The bottom right quadrant in pale yellow colour represents the Aldershot parish group and has a symbol representing Ss Joseph and Mary RC Church Aldershot. The two wavy stripes in dark blue and pale yellow is taken from the coat of arms used by Portsmouth Diocese, where Aldershot churches come under. At the top we have the emblem of the Catholic Syro Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain where our mission comes under. In the centre we have the portrait of Saint Bernadette, patron saint of our Mission. The name ‘St Bernadette Mission’ appears within the yellow ribbon banner at the bottom.
Dioceses of Arundel & Brighton and Portsmouth
The catholic dioceses of both Arundel & Brighton and Portsmouth where the Syro-Malabar Qurbana’s (Holy Mass) are being held within our Mission, has always been very supportive to us throughout these years.
Our sincere thanks to Right Reverend Richard Moth (Bishop of Arundel and Brighton Diocese) and Right Reverend Philip Egan (Bishop of Portsmouth) for allowing our syro-malabar priests to exercise their ministry in the catholic churches belonging to their dioceses.
We would also like to express our deep debt of gratitude to Rev. Canon Rob Esdaile who was instrumental in allowing us to use the Presbytery and Church at the St Hughes of Lincoln Church at Knaphill.
Our most sincere gratitude goes to Fr Paul Turner, who warmly invited Marth Mariam Mission to celebrate Holy Mass at St Peter and St John Church in Camberley.
We are also deeply indebted to Rev. Fr John O’Sullivan, Vicar of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church, Frimley, Rev. Monsignor Tony Barry, Dean of the Guildford Deanery, Rev.Fr Rob Stewart, Vicar of Ss Josephs & Marys Church, Aldershot, Rev. Fr Aaron Spinelli, Vicar of Our Lady Help of Christians Church, West Byfleet and all our current and previous parish priests, for all the care and support they have provided us in our journey so far.
Meaning of the Marth Mariam Mission Logo
The logo of Marth Mariam Mission brings together our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Syro-Malabar heritage, our unity with the universal Catholic Church, and our faith in Jesus Christ.
At the centre is the image of Marth Mariam—the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The cross above the shield represents Jesus Christ, the foundation and head of our mission. Its Eastern Christian design reflects our Syro-Malabar spiritual and liturgical heritage. The golden colour expresses the glory, victory and hope of the risen Christ.
The shield is divided into four sections:
* The church building represents our local parish community and the place where the faithful gather for Holy Mass, prayer, catechism and fellowship.
The Papal Tiara and the Keys of St Peter represent our unity with the Holy Father and the universal Catholic Church.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus, surrounded by the crown of thorns and crowned with the cross and flame, represents the boundless love, mercy and sacrifice of Christ.
The Crucifix reminds us that Jesus gave His life for our salvation. It calls us to remain faithful to Him and to carry our crosses with hope.
The colours also have meaning. Red represents sacrifice, love and the blood of Christ. Blue is traditionally associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary and represents faithfulness and heavenly grace. Gold symbolises divine glory, holiness and the precious gift of faith. White represents purity, peace and new life in Christ.
The shield represents the protection and strength that come from faith. The banner bearing the name “Marth Mariam Mission” expresses our identity as one family united under the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Overall, the logo proclaims that Marth Mariam Mission is a Christ-centred, Marian, Syro-Malabar Catholic community—rooted in faith, united with the Church and called to worship, serve and grow together as one family.
