St. Joseph Church
Eral

Parish Name : St. Joseph’s Church
Address : Eral, 628 801, Tuticorin Dt.
Patron Saint : St. Joseph
Telephone No : 04630 - 271371

A Brief History :
The Book of "La Mission De Madure" in 1914, mentions about St. Joseph's Church at Eral and that there were 356 Parava Catholics at that particular time. Eral is situated on the banks of the great river, Tamirabarani and is located 10 km north of Punnaikayel where the famous Maduaria Jesuit Mission had its base with St. Francis Xavier doing a zealous missionary work along the pearl fishery coast. Eral, nicknamed as "Little Colombo" because of its trade and association with Sri Lanka in the earlier days, is a strong business hub now with all the three major religious people living in peace and brotherhood. When the first church for St. Joseph was built, Eral's desendents in Colombo played "St. Helen's Drama" and contributed the collection towards this noble cause.

Till 1962, Eral was with Sethukuvaithan parish and then joined Palayakayel parish before becoming indepandent on 10.07.1977 along with Korkai and Athisayapuram which were with Palayakayel till then. New Presbytery was blessed on 30.11.1977 and the old church was renovated on 10.07.1980 by the first Parish Priest Fr. G. Oswald Fernando and graced by Bp. Ambrose Mathalaimuthu.

Convent arrived in1980 and Eral Othasaimatha parish was created from St. Joseph's - Eral, in 2001.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev.Fr. G. Oswald Fernando : 1977 - 1983
2. Rev.Fr. F. Devasahayam : 1983 - 1987
3. Rev.Fr. S.M. Amaladas : 1987 - 1993
4. Rev.Fr. A. Peter Raja : 1993 - 1998
5. Rev.Fr. A. Antony Pitchai : 1998 – 2003
6. Rev.Fr. T. M. John Benson : 2003 – 2004
7. Rev.Fr. J. Sahayam : 2004 – 2006
8. Rev.Fr. A. Aloysius : 2006-2011
9. Rev.Fr. A.S. Kirupakaran : 2011 – 2012
10. Rev.Fr. J. Rainald Missier : 2012 - 2017
11. Rev.Fr. R. Jesu Durai Johnson 2017 - 2022
12. Rev.Fr. S. Ravindran Fernando - 2022 -

Grottos in the Parish:
1. Our Lady of Velankanni - Puthumanai - Eral
2. All Souls Grotto - Barathiar Road at Eral
3. Velankanni Matha - Korkai
4. Sacred Heart - Korkai
5. Sinthathirai Matha - Athisayapuram (Gov. Hr. Sec. School Campus)
6. St. Thomas Grotto - Athisayapuram (Gov. Hr. Sec. School Campus)

Catholic Population : 2000

No. of Catholic Families : 400

Sunday Mass – Timings : 7:00 a.m; 9.00 a.m; 10.30 a.m
Weekdays : 6.00 a.m
Wednesdays : 6:00 p.m

Sub – Stations
1. Arasankulam – St. Antony
2. Athisayapuram – St. Thomas
3. Korkai – St. James the Elder
4. Thiruvazhuthinadarvilai – St. Antony

Participatory Structures
1. 17 Anbiyams
2. 5 Village Welfare Committees

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Immaculate Conception Sodality (3)
3. St. Sebastian’s Youth Sodality
4. Holy Family Sodality (2)
5. Sacred Heart Sodality
6. St. Thomas Youth Sodality
7. Vincent de Paul Society
8. St. James Youth Sodality

Institutions under the Parish
St. Joseph’s Primary School, Eral – 628 801
St. Aloysius Middle School, Korkai – 628 801
St. Joseph's Tailoring Institute - Eral

Religious
Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga (FSAG)
St. Louis Illam, Eral – 628 801 Tel: 04630 – 271681

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New Handwritten (7 pages) update given by : Fr. S. Ravindran Fernando
Previous File Name : parish-eral-st-joseph0.htm
Updated on 13th April 2023. Altar picture changed on June 13th, 2023