My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

Jesus taught us that we are all children of our heavenly Father and that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. So, we share in the joy and sorrows of our brethren. St. Paul reminds us “Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). The departure of any member of a family through death is a sorrowful time, especially for the members of that family. With the aim of alleviating their sorrow and extending our supporting hand in their need, our Eparchy started the Social Security Scheme on 1st April 1995.

Accordingly, all the members of the scheme contribute a fixed amount, and an amount is contributed to the bereaved family according to the tenure of their membership. It is really a matter of satisfaction for all of us that in the last 25 years we could support more than 642 families in their need. Besides, since a couple of years we started to give financial support to the bed ridden patients who are members of this scheme.

I think this Social Security Scheme is a unique project of our Kalyan Diocese. This scheme is very well managed by the official representatives of priests and other elected members. I want to thank all the office bearers for your selfless dedication and all the members of the scheme for your understanding and collaboration. May the Almighty Lord bless all our endeavours to help our brethren through our Social Security Scheme.

Mar Thomas Elavanal
Bishop of Kalyan

Social Security Scheme was inaugurated on the 1st of April 1995 by Late Bishop Mar Paul Chittilappilly and Excellency joined the scheme as the first member. This scheme is aiming at providing support to its member’s family at the time of their extreme desolation.

The service of the scheme for the last 25 years is commendable. This scheme gives membership only to the members of the Diocese of Kalyan and till the date scheme has 9414 members from different parishes.

This scheme is a collective effort of all the members to support, care and pray for each other. This scheme also support with a one-time palliative care support for the members in dire need. Dignity of each person is a gift from God and this scheme reflects its commitment to its members at their sunshine days. Our Christian commitment to each other is expressed through our individual and collective actions and let us continue the same spirit by caring for each other.

The Social Security Scheme is one of the most popular social activities of the Diocese of Kalyan. H.E. Late Mar Paul Chittilappilly, the founding Bishop of Kalyan Diocese, introduced the Scheme with the vision of establishing an active social network among the people under his guardianship.

His Excellency dreamed of establishing a platform to promote mutual trust and friendship among the members of the Diocese by which immediate monetary assistance can be extended to the needy families at a very nominal expense.

After extensive discussion in Pastoral Council and other Fora of the Diocese, Dr. Allan Allapatt, who had vast experience in the social and medical field, was entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the Social security scheme. He was the first Convener and with the active support of other Managing Committee members, the Social Security scheme started functioning from 01.04.1995

As on 31.03.2020, the scheme has completed 25 years of glorious performance. As promised in the starting, the members enrolled in the first Scheme Year 1995-1996 (Membership ID Nos. 1 to 1276) have become GOLDEN MEMBERS and would be paying their last subscription in the Financial Year 2020-2021. The list of GOLDEN MEMBERS will go on increasing year by year as and when other members complete 25 years of membership.

The meticulous management of the Scheme has lead to achievement of the goal entrusted to the Scheme.

In addition to the Fraternity Benefit being paid to the families of deceased members, the Scheme has started providing Palliative Care Support to the members who are bed-ridden for longer period because of terminal illness or other serious medical conditions.