Fr. Tony, Vicar of SMCB

(Feb 2017 to Nov 2020)

Holy Communion

Born in 1970, Tony Achan was the 6th child of Xavier and Mariamma, who were residents of Cheeranchira, Changanacherry.

He was the youngest of his brothers and one of 8, with 2 brothers and 5 sisters.

Achan grew up as a devout parishioner at the St. Joseph Syro-Malabar church at Veroor, which was the family’s home parish. The family had strong ties to the church and devotion to Christ was the bedrock of their lives. Achan cannot recollect a single day in which his grandmother did not attend mass. As he grew up, he became involved in Mission League and Sunday School activities. Achan happily remembers that he got his first experience at teaching, when one Sunday morning, he was summoned to substitute a Grade 3 teacher. Achan was only in Grade 9.

Mission league members St. Joseph’s Church Veroor

His impressionable younger years were shaped by the time spent at St.Mary’s LP School, Veroor which was run by the Franciscan Clarist sisters. Later on, he went to St Berchmans Higher Secondary School. For pre-degree education, Achan attended St. Berchmans College. Those were the landmark years - It was during this time Achan realized his vocation to enter religious life.

In 1988, Achan embarked on his calling by starting at St.Thomas Minor Seminary, Kurichy.

Theology years

Christmas Exhibition preparation Madhya Pradesh

During a Picnic

Onam at Satna

Subsequently, he attended the Ruhalaya seminary in Madhya Pradesh. Ruhalaya which means “Abode of the Holy Spirit” is the major seminary of the Missionary Society of St Thomas the Apostle (MST). It is situated at the outskirts of Ujjain, a city of historical and religious importance in Madhya Pradesh, India. Achan received the most significant part of his training here, and obtained degrees in Philosophy, English and Hindi. He continued on with his formal education by pursuing a 4 year degree in theology at St. Ephrem's Theological College, Satna.

In 1998, Achan came back to Kerala to be ordained as a priest at his home parish and accepted his first appointment at St.Mary’s church, Parel Changanacherry.

In 2001, for the first time Achan became the Vicar of St.Joseph’s Church, Kandamkary, Alapuzha..

Ordination by Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil

First Mass

Moving to America

Palm Sunday At Christ the King Parish Andalusia

It was in 2008, Tony Achan made his maiden trip to America to be an assistant priest in Mobile, Alabama. Before his move to Boston, he was the Vicar at St Mary's Syro Malabar Catholic Church in Pearland, Texas. The trip to Boston was filled with beautiful memories, as Achan undertook a road trip and met up with family and friends along the way. When asked about being a lone traveller for 3 days, he quipped “I am never alone. I always travel with a Jewish family” !

On 5th Feb, 2017, he took charge at St Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of Boston (SMCB). Achan quickly settled in and took the reins of our parish community. Soon he realized that a lot of families travelled long distances to get to church. This was new to him, as the communities he had served in previously were spread out in smaller areas by comparison. There was nothing he could do about the distance, however he was deeply moved by the sacrifices made by families to attend Holy Mass. Achan always received everyone with an inviting smile. His sunny disposition was not lost on anyone who interacted with him.

During the 4 years that he was in Boston, he blessed 9 baptisms, 29 First holy communions and 4 marriages. Apart from this, Achan has graced numerous memorable moments with his presence.

2020 - Leadership in Action!

Save the best for last! And that’s true for Tony Achan as his stewardship was most significant for each and every one of us in the year of the pandemic - 2020. When the world around us was spiralling down and practicing social distancing, our community came closer as never before. Under Achan’s guidance, 3 initiatives were launched - Live Streaming of Holy Mass, St. Joseph’s ministry and the digital community magazine - SMCB Times.

Achan was an epitome of a good leader. He was quick to allude to the team spirit of the SMCB community, for making the live streaming a success. On March 15th, Massachusetts went into a state of lockdown. After just 12 days, the first live stream was carried out successfully.

SMCB Times was launched in June, to encourage community contributions in the areas of religion, literature and performing arts. Many unknown talents from amongst us have been revealed through the monthly editions.

St. Joseph’s ministry was set up in October as a way to bring together the craftsmen in SMCB.

Perhaps, what will remain in our hearts forever is Achan’s intercession for each and every family during Adoration of Good Friday. It was Achan’s way to bring everyone into the Eucharist during the Holy week. As Achan prayed for each family, taking each family member’s name, all of us gathered in our homes and prayed with Achan. This was Tony Achan’s personal intention for his parish!

Achan’s steward leadership has left a lasting imprint with the SMCB Community! The SMCB community wishes Achan joy and peace as he moves to his new parish home in New Jersey.

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