Mathrujyothi was formed in Blessed Alphonsa Church, Sultanpalaya on 9th March 1999. For the purpose of uniformity in name, as time passed, it was renamed as Mathruvedi across the diocese.With the formation of Mandya Diocese, considering growth in membership and other developments that had taken place at diocese level and in our parish, our parish was raised as a Forane Church and was renamed as St. Alphonsa Forane Church. Raising of our parish to a Forane church was a morale booster for our Mathruvedi members. Thus, a uniform dress code was introduced for our Mathruvedi member’s identity.
The motto of Mathruvedi is the upliftment of families and parish by the mothers of the parish through spiritual guidance and physical assistance at all levels of church activities. The main duties centers around keeping the church clean and arranging food for priests on Sundays and other special occasions. Teaching catechism, leading adoration and prayer meetings are the other important roles being performed. Preparing the students for receiving their First Holy Communion is one of the main spiritual activity conducted year on year.
We arrange annual pilgrimage for our members which gives an opportunity for its members to visit holy sites like Bharananganam, Velankanni, Malayatoor etc. In addition to this we also visit orphanages and distribute food for them. Stalls are arranged on special occasions for sale of cake, candles and other food items. The profit made out of this is being used for charitable purposes and church development activities. Gardening, flower arrangement, exchanging gifts to the “Christmas Friends” during Christmas season are being conducted with great zeal. During Onam, birthdays and wedding anniversaries our members are at the forefront to assist. Mathruvedi’s choir, dance and skit programmes during the feast seasons are an opportunity for its members to exhibit their talent in fine arts. Formation of Nursing Ministry is a feather in the cap of Mathruvedi.
With the formation of Mandya Diocese, to coordinate the activities of Mathruvedi more efficiently and in an organized manner, a Director was appointed for the entire Diocese. Zonal meeting was conducted in our parish hall in 2016 under the Directorship of Rev. Fr. Mathew Panackakuzhy, the present Vicar of St. Sebastian’s Church Mathikere. September 8th is being celebrated every year as Mathruvedi Day.
The members of Mathruvedi, dressed in their uniform, were at the forefront to receive special guests and devotees during the blessing and consecration of our new church in July 2018. During the time of feast and First Holy Communion functions too our role has been of vital importance. The organization became a part of the altar when we joined our hands together and successfully collected Rs. 5,50,000 (Rupees five lakh fifty thousand) and contributed the same for the completion of the altar work. The amount was raised by conducting Chits, sale of breakfast and sale of scarp items.
Nowadays, weekly cleaning and flower arrangement has become a routine activity for the organization. In fact, flower arrangement has become a passion for few members as it is being given good recognition. A garden Around the Church, a dream of our present Vicar is being fulfilled with the support of the Mathruvedi members. Most of the members of the organization are keen about their own spiritual growth and regularly celebrate mass. They also give importance to Rosary, Adoration, Retreat etc. Special prayers in the month of May (Vanakkamasam) and praying the Rosary daily during the month of October well explains their devotion to Mother Mary. The adoration led by Mathruvedi on third Friday of every month, and that by Nursing Ministry on last Fridays is another example of our devotion.
The organization is active in charity work also. We visit Aakaasa Paravakal inmates, contribute money and food for them and dine with them. This year we helped two cancer patients by contributing them Rs. 20,000 respectively.
Our current membership strength stands at eighty. New office bearers were elected on June 23rd 2019 and they are as follows.
