Our Lady of Fatima Church
Fatima Nagar, Tuticorin

Parish Name : Fatima Church
Address : Fatima Nagar, Tuticorin – 628 003
Patron Saint : Our Lady of Fatima
Telephone No : 04631 - 2322146

A Brief History :
Fatima Nagar is situated on the southern part of the Thoothukudi town. The place was once called 'Manalmaedu' because of the huge sand dune over which the settlements came up. Originally this area was part of Cathedral Parish. Rev. Frs. Paul Alangaram and Sebatian Fernando took care of the spiritual needs of the people who got settled there. The area was made a substation to St. Antony's parish. On the 14th June 1984, Fatima Nagar was made into a separate parish. Rev. Fr. Thilagaraj was the first parish priest. Rev. Fr. Thilagaraj built the presbytery, which was extended by Rev. Fr. Selva George and Rev. Fr. Jose Bruno built the first floor of the presbytery.

Fatima Nagar is a densely residential area with important business enterprises, political leaders, well-informed academics, and bustling marketplaces. Once known for its vast sand dunes, it now transformed into a thriving neighborhood with a beautiful church, a computer center, library, a clinic, and fish market making it an attractive place for residents and visitors alike. Today, there are over 1,350 families residing there.

Foundation of the Church
Some individuals who valued their spiritual needs felt the necessity of the place of worship hence they made a small hut for their worship and prayers. Families gathered there for prayers and worship every day. Besides, people gathered for daily Eucharist at St. Antony's Church and Our Lady of Snows Basilica which are nearby. They also felt the need of the Holy Eucharist so they went to Bishop's House and requested late Rev. Bp. Thomas Fernando to celebrate holy Eucharist on Sundays. On the advice of the Bishop, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was blessed and consecrated and the late Rev. Fr. Paul Alangaram celebrated the mass on every Sundays. Late Fr. Sebastian, the successor of Fr. Paul Alangaram continued the Sunday worships. The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was provided to the church by Mr. Maria Michael. Mrs. Soosaiammal Alangaram Vaiz was doing voluntary service such as praying rosary at the Church. As St. Francis Xavier, she would also go to the streets ringing bells, preparing the people to gather for the Sunday early morning mass.

Beginning of Parish
As the life of early Christian community, the people who came from all four directions lived the life by sharing what they had and relationships flourished among them. They became relatives. The alleged Manal Medu became Fatima Nagar because the church was dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. Mr. Arokiasamy Barnabas, Mr. Nazarene Barnabas, Mr. Mariam Michael, Mr. Ambrose Karvalo, Mr. Singarayan Barnabas, Mr. Siluvai Barnabas, and Mr. Thommai Murais came forward and generously provided their physical and financial support. Wells were dug for the people of the street and streets were developed. Children were educated.in schools. As it is developed, Fatima Nagar became substation of St. Antony's Parish. Development of Parish
The parish priest of St. Antony's Church the late Rev. Fr. Gnanaprakasam removed the hut of Our Lady of Fatima Chapel and laid the foundation of the church and the successor Late Rev. Fr. Hermas completed the construction of the church. People who would go to work in the morning, including young men, young women, school students carried bricks, stones, and cement to construct the church. Even though, there were obstacles in the beginning, the church was built with the grace of Our Lady. Late Rev. Fr. Xavier S. Marian initiated the construction of the church tower. In addition to enhance the lives of people, he provided employment to the women and under the supervision of Mrs. Kuzhanthaiammal, the project became success. As a result, the lives of many women improved.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish
Our Lady of Fatima Church was announced and erected as Parish by Most. Rev. Bp. Ambrose on June 14, 1984. Late Rev. Fr. Antony Thilaga Raj became the first parish Priest and contributed greatly to its establishment.

Contribution of Parish Priests:
Successor of Late Fr. Antony Thilagaraj, late Rev. Fr. Xavier Ignatious, Rev. Fr. Selva George, Rev. Fr. Pangress, Rev. Fr. Jose Bruno actively contributed to our parish. Through their blessings, the parish grew and prospered. Late Rev. Fr. Xavier Ignatius provided homes for some individuals with houses built through overseas assistance. Rev. Fr. Selva George built schools and the Kinder Garden. And he extended and renovated the church. The Grotta of Our Lady of Lourds, Memorial Building of Rev. Fr. Antony Thilagaraj, the late Bp. Peter Fernando named building, and presbytery were all established by Rev. Fr. Selva George. Besides he worked diligently to eliminate the water scarcity issue faced by the people.
Rev. Fr. Pancras successfully renovated the altar. Rev. Fr. Bruno further renovated the church and the Lady of Fatima community hall was also erected. Fr. Sahayaraj Rayan constructed the main facade of the church and renovated the interior decorations and pillars were all improved as the monument of Silver Jubilee of Our Lady of Fatima Church. Initially, during his time, he started Parish Council and the Finance Committee. His successor late Rev. Fr. Viagula Marian did lot of charities to the people with lots of care and concern. Further, His successor Rev. Fr. Antonypitchai renovated the church.

The incumbent Parish priest Rev. Fr. Jesudas Fernando broadened an enhanced ministry both pastorally and administratively such as, the reinstatement of Our Lady of Fatima Youth Movement, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Youth Girls Sodality, the renovation of Eucharistic chapel underneath of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, predominantly the foundation of OLF Trust for the education of poor students, an establishment of Servant of God Soosainather Library and a computer center, the beautification of the church, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and the presbytery. Needless to say that he has been endeavouring for the upliftment and development of the Catholic fold in all the spheres primarily in spiritual and societal phases.

Gratitude to Our Lady
Our Church, which has been progressing for 25 years on the path of growth, has transformed into a renowned name in the Thoothukudi diocese. The guidance of our Lady and our devotion to mother are the reasons behind it. Even when going to the cinema theater, people used to carry the rosary in their hands. Today, our devotion to the rosary is still growing. People gather and recite the Rosary and are experiencing the fulfillment of their prayers. Furthermore, in our parish, there are various pious associations such as the Amalorpava Matha Sodality, the Holy Family Sodality, the Holy Vincent de Paul Society, the Legion of Mary, the Valanar Sodality for Men, the Holy Childhood and the Eucharist Crusaders, Our Lady of Fatima Youth Movement and the Kolping Organization are actively involved in their respective roles in the devotional groups.

The Agape of the Parish
Our people, who have benefited from the guidance of Our Lady of Fatima in education, livelihood, and spirituality, have grown. They have excelled as priests, religious, political leaders, entrepreneurs, doctors, educators, lawyers, medical service personnel, computer professionals, Engineers and employees in ships, industries, television stations, and advertising agencies. We love our parish with utmost affection and embrace our community. Our share, which grows as a generation, radiates in its entirety, and our mother showers her grace. With steadfast faith in her blessings, our share thrives in the Thoothukudi Diocese. In the path of Jesus, let us follow the footsteps of Our Lady of Fatima.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev.Fr. Thilagaraj - 1984 – 1987
2. Rev.Fr. Xavier Ignatius - 1987 – 1991
3. Rev.Fr. Selva George - 1991 – 1996
4. Rev.Fr. Pancras Fdo - 1996 – 2001
5. Rev.Fr. Bruno - 2001 – 2006
6. Rev.Fr. Sahaya Raj Rayen - 2006 – 2011
7. Rev.Fr. Viagula Marian - 2011 - 2016
8. Rev.Fr. Antony Pitchai 2016 - 2021
9. Rev.Fr. Jesudas Fernando 2021 -

Grottos in the parish:
1. St. Sebastian - Fatima Nagar
2. St. Antony - Fatima Nagar

Catholic Population : 7100

No. of Catholic Families : 1206

Sunday Mass – Timings : 5 a.m., 7.00 a.m. ; 5.30 p.m
Weekdays : 6.00 a.m; 5.30p.m

Eucharistic Chapel Timings : 8 .00a.m. – 8 .00p.m.
Chapel where mass is celebrated periodically

Side Chapel : 1. PVR puram – Vailankanni Matha – Sunday 6.00 a.m

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams
2. 15 Pastoral Commissions
3. Parish Pastoral Council

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Eucharistic Crusaders
3. Amalorpava Matha Sodality
4. Holy Family Sodality
5. Valanar Sodality for Men
6. Legion of Mary
7. Vincent de Paul Society
8. Our Lady of Fatima Youth Movement

Other Associations & Activities
1. Altar Boys Association
2. Kolping Movement
3. Prayer Group
4. Mahalir Mantrams
5. Baptism Teachers Group
6. Krithavar Vazhvurimai Iyyakkam
7. Servants of Fatima Group

Institutions under the Parish
Fatima Middle School, Fatima Nagar, Thoothukkudi – 628 003 Tel : 0461 – 2321815

Religious
Sacred Heart Sisters (SHS)
Sacred Heart Convent, Fatima Nagar, Thoothukkudi – 628 003 Tel: 0461 – 2339042
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Corrections added to the existing content by : Rev. Fr. Jesudas Fernando
Scanned pages: 34-37(Histoy in Tamil added). Previous file name : parish-fatima-nagar-tuty0.htm
Before English translation : parish-fatima-nagar-tuty1.htm
Updated on 14th Oct. 2022, final update, English done on May 31st, 2023