As I settled onto a folding chair under the shade of a white tent in Barrie’s south end, the scent of cardamom and sizzling beef filled the warm summer air. Children darted between game stations while their parents chatted in Malayalam and English, creating a vibrant tapestry of sound that complemented the colourful traditional attire worn by many attendees.
The Infant Jesus Syro Malabar Catholic Church was celebrating its inaugural parish feast last weekend—a milestone moment for this growing community that has called Barrie home for nearly a decade but only recently established its own parish.
“This is more than just a religious event for us,” explains Father Jojo Pulikattil, who became the church’s first dedicated parish priest earlier this year. “It’s about bringing our Kerala culture and Catholic faith together in a way that helps our children understand who they are as Canadian-Indians.”
The Syro Malabar Catholic Church, one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome, traces its origins to St. Thomas the Apostle who, according to tradition, brought Christianity to the southwestern Indian state of Kerala in 52 AD. Today, this ancient faith tradition is finding new roots in Canadian soil.
Census data shows Barrie’s South Asian population grew by nearly 43% between 2016 and 2021, making it one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the region. The Syro Malabar community reflects this trend, expanding from just a handful of families gathering in homes for prayer to over 70 families who now attend regular services.
“We started as a mission under the Toronto diocese,” says Thomas Mathew, a founding member of the community. He points to a photo display showing their evolution from borrowed spaces to their current location. “Now having our own parish means we can fully express our traditions and pass them to the next generation.”
The three-day celebration featured a procession carrying the parish flag, traditional liturgical services, and cultural programs. But Sunday’s feast was the highlight—featuring Kerala cuisine that many attendees noted was “impossible to find” in local restaurants.
Sheeba Joseph, who coordinated the food preparation, laughs when I ask about the menu. “Everything is made from scratch by our families. Beef curry, fish molee, Kerala biryani—these dishes tell our story just as much as our prayers do.”
For younger members like 16-year-old Alena Thomas, the celebration bridges two worlds. “At school, I’m just Canadian. Here, I connect with my Kerala roots,” she tells me while helping younger children with craft activities. “It’s cool seeing my parents so happy here—it’s like a piece of home they’ve built in Barrie.”
The feast celebration comes at a significant moment for Canadian Catholics of Eastern traditions. According to data from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Eastern Catholic communities are experiencing growth even as mainstream Roman Catholic attendance declines in many areas.
Municipal councillor Jim Harris, who attended Sunday’s cultural program, noted the community’s growing presence. “These families are contributing to Barrie’s economy, healthcare system, and cultural landscape. Their commitment to maintaining traditions while embracing their Canadian identity enriches our entire city.”
The feast also attracted members of other Indian Christian denominations. Mary Philip, who attends a local Malankara Orthodox church, explained, “Though there are theological differences between our churches, these cultural celebrations remind us of our shared heritage.”
The community faced challenges establishing itself in Barrie, including finding appropriate worship space and accommodating work schedules that often include weekend shifts in healthcare and technology sectors where many members are employed.
“Some families drive from Orillia or even Midland to attend services,” Father Pulikattil mentions. “The commitment speaks to how essential this community is to their identity.”
Looking ahead, community leaders hope to eventually purchase land and build a traditional Syro Malabar church in Barrie. For now, they share space with Roman Catholic parishes that accommodate their distinct liturgical needs.
As evening approached and children collected prizes from games, elderly community members sat together sharing stories of feasts they remembered from Kerala. The scene captured something universal about immigrant experiences—the careful balance of preserving heritage while building new traditions.
“Next year will be even bigger,” promises parish council member Joseph Kannampuzha, who oversees the community’s financial planning. “This feast is now part of our Barrie story too.”
As I left the celebration, watching families pack carefully prepared leftover food into containers to share with neighbours, it was clear this feast represented more than religious observance—it marked a community proudly announcing its permanent place in Barrie’s evolving cultural landscape.
