SS. Peter and Paul Church
Aalanthalai

Parish Name : SS Peter & Paul Church
Address : Alanthalai – 628 221
Patron Saints : Ss. Peter & Paul
Telephone No : 04639 –245306

A Brief History :

Alanthalai an ancient village had the privilege of being visited by St. Francis Xavier, who stayed here for a short period. On 5th of September, 1544 St. Francis Xavier had written two letters from Alanthalai. we come to know that already in 1644 there were 1178 Catholics at Alanthalai and a parish Church dedicated to St.Peter was planned and foundation stone was laid. In the mean time another chapel dedicated to St.Antony was built. In 1708 and in 1709 Alanthalai and Virapandianpatnam were taken care of by Rev.Fr. Sanches. In 1912 Alanthalai was bifurcated from Virapandianpatnam. Rev.Fr. Constant Thairiyam was appointed as the parish priest. On 29th June 1926, foundation stone was laid for a new parish church. When Rev.Fr. Ambrose Missier was the parish priest in 1928 the grotto of Sacred Heart was built as a symbol of peace made between the warring groups of the village, and it was consecrated by Most Rev. Bishop Tibursius Roche. On the 28th June 1938, Apostolic Inter-Nuncio Most Rev. Leo Peter Gearguls consecrated the new parish Church. The Parish Church was completed in 1938 and blessed by Most Rev. Bishop Tibursius Roach. Rev. Fr. Joseph (1943 - 1951) built the wall around the Grotto and constructed the roof with asbestos sheet over the empty space. Rev.Fr. Cruz Antony formulated the liturgical prayer. Rev. Fr. Augustine Fernando built the Pilgrim center. In 1982 Rev. Fr. Mariadas started to recite the weekly liturgy. Rev. Fr. Alphonse M. Kagoo published "Idaya Thagam" in 1982. Fr. Cetric Peeris built the front portion of the Shrine with R.C. roofing. He also started the first Friday ligurgy hour (அன்பிரவு). Rev. Fr. Camilus released an album "Virumbiyathelam Kelungal" (விரும்பியதெல்வாம் கேளுங்கள்). Rev. Fr. Theophilus extended the front portion of the Shrine and built the Exhibition Hall. Rev.Fr. William Santhanam renovated the Shrine and laid Granite Stone over the altar. Rev. Fr. Irudhayaraj renovated parish church and it was blessed by Most Rev.Bishop Yvon Ambroise on 10 feb 2008. He also released an album "Ithayam".  Fr. Antony Pitchai installed Cooling Sheet over the roof. Rev. Fr. Bensicar combined the album Virumbiyathellam Kezhungal and Idayam in to MP3 format. He also upgreaded the Middle School to High School. Rev. Fr. Lourdu Wilson built R.C. roofing. He released the Aulbum "Idaya Thagam" and built St. Mary's pilgrim Center. Fr. Jeyakumar (2018 - 2023) built Mother Theresa Pilgrim Center and Released an album "Thetrum Idyam" (தேற்றும் இதயம்). And also rebuilt the front portion of the Shrine with Concrete structure and made the facade elegant. The village gave birth to 8 priests of whom three have gone to eternal life. (Fr. J.X. Lobo, Fr. Joachim and Fr. Alexander)

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev. Fr. Constant Thairiyam 1912 - 1920
1. Rev.Fr. Ambroise Missier-1920-1929
2. Rev.Fr. Soosainathar-1929-1938
3. Rev.Fr. Mathew Fdo-1938-1943
4. Rev.Fr. Joseph Fdo-1943-1951
5. Rev.Fr. Singarayar-1951-1954
6. Rev.Fr. J.V.Poobalarayer J.D-1954-1957
7. Rev.Fr. Xavier Fdo-1959-1962
8. Rev.Fr. Rosario Fdo-1962
9. Rev.Fr. Gruz Antony-1962-1964
10. Rev.Fr. Agustine Fdo-1964-1970
11. Rev.Fr. D.J.C Amirtham-1970-1974
12. Rev.Fr. Maria gnanam- 1974-1976
13. Rev.Fr.Julian Fdo-1976-1978
14. Rev.Fr. Mariadoss -1978-1982
15. Rev.Fr. Cedric peeris-1982-1987
16. Rev.Fr. John Fdo-1987
17. Rev.Fr. Devasahayam-1987-1988
18. Rev.Fr. Sahaya Joseph-1988-1990
19. Rev.Fr.Camilus-1990-1993
20. Rev.Fr. Theophilus-1993-1998
21. Rev.Fr. William Santhanam-1998-2003
22. Rev.Fr. Irudya Raj-2003-2008
23. Rev.Fr. Antony Pitchai-2008-2010
24. Rev.Fr. Benzigar-2010-2013
25. Rev.Fr. Wilson-2013-2018
26. Rev.Fr. Jeyakumar -2018 -2023
27. Rev.Fr.Sylvestor J. 2023 -

Grottos in the Parish:
1.Sacred Heart of Jesus Grotto / Shrine - Alanthalai

Chapels in the Parish :
1. St.Antony
2. St.Sebastian
3. St.James
4. St.Joseph-Soosainagar

Substation : Nil

Catholic Population : 5950
No. of Catholic Families : 640

Sunday Mass-Timings : 5a.m., 7a.m. & 5p.m. (first Sunday evening mass will be in English)
Weekdays : 6.10a.m. & 12p.m..
Fridays : 6.10a.m. & 11.30a.m.
First Fridays : 5.15a.m.,6.30a.m. , 11.30a.m. & 5p.m.

Participatory Structures
01. Anbiyams
02. 15 Pastoral Commissions 03.Parish Finance Committee

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
01.Holy Childhood
02.Eucharistic Crusaders
03.Amalorpava Matha Sodality for young Women
04.Holy Family Sodality for Women
05.Rosary Matha Sodality
06.Our Lady of Assumption Sodality for Men
07.Society of St.Vincent De Paul
08.Legion of Mary
09.Sacred Heart of Jesus Sodality
10.St.Donbosco Sodality

Other Associations & Activities
01.Fishermen Association
02.Youth Association
03.Women Association

Institutions under the Parish
01.Thirukkudumbam high school
02.Holy Family Middle School,Alanthalai-628206
03.Carmel Middle School, Alanthalai-628206
04.St. Joseph nursery school

Religious
Congregation of the Mother of Sorrows,
Servants oh Mary(OSM) Servite Convent,
Alanthalai-628206 Tel:04639-242592

A monthly by name 'ldaya Thaagam' is published from the parish.

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New Info provided by : Rev.Fr. Jeyakumar
Scanned pages 18 - 19, Previous file name : parish-aalanthalai0.htm
Updated on 14th Oct. 2022

Updated on 12 Jully, 2024