Sts. Jame & Stanislaus
Sokkankudiyiruppu

Parish Name : Sts. James & Stanislaus Church
Address : Sokkankudiyiruppu –Tuticorin Dt. 628 653.
Patron Saint : Sts. James & Stanislaus
Telephone No : 04639 - 254269

A Brief History :
Sokkankudiyiruppu was separated from Sathankulam Mission in the year 1882 and consequently it was made into a parish. The Jesuit Missionary Rev. Fr. Danis Kushion started constructing the Church of Sts. James & Stanislaus and Fr. John Manger from Anaikarai completed the Church construction and blessed the Church.

The famous votive shrine of Manal Matha Church belongs to this parish. Once upon a time there was a settlement called Kanakkankudiyiruppu. The Missioaries from Kerela (Cochin) built a Church at Kanakkankudiyiruppu, dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption.

The village as well as the Church of Kanakkankudiyiruppu was later on covered by sand dunes and the people had migrated into neibouring villages. The Church was later discovered by a few shephards and people removed the sand and found the Church of Assumption and a new Church was built over the excavated old Church, under the guidence of Rev. Fr. Innaciar, who died at Manal Matha Church and was buried at Sokkankudiyiruppu. The presbytery was built by Rev. Fr. J. Edward which was blessed on 11th December 2009.

Succession of Parish Priests:
1. Rev.Fr. Ignasi -
2. Rev.Fr. Soosai Manigam -
3. Rev.Fr. Musmas -
4. Rev.Fr. Pappaiah -
5. Rev.Fr. Swami Natha - 1926 – 1928
6. Rev.Fr. Baengar - 1928 – 1935
7. Rev.Fr. Ignatius Y. - 1937 – 1951
8. Rev.Fr. Stephendas - 1951 – 1954
9. Rev.Fr. Cruz Marian - 1954 – 1961
10. Rev.Fr. Augustine - 1961 – 1964
11. Rev.Fr. Cruz Antony - 1964 – 1972
12. Rev.Fr. Mariadas - 1972 – 1978
13. Rev.Fr. Hermas Moduthagam - 1978 – 1981
14. Rev.Fr. Ambrose - 1981 – 1982
15. Rev.Fr. Oswald - 1982 – 1983
16. Rev.Fr. C. Xavier - 1983 – 1986
17. Rev.Fr. F. Amalraj - 1986 – 1988
18. Rev.Fr. Sathianesan - 1988 – 1990
19. Rev.Fr. Thilagaraj - 1990 – 1992
20. Rev.Fr. John Bosco - 1992 – 1996
21. Rev.Fr. Rev.Fr. Antony Robert - 1996 – 1998
22. Rev.Fr. Martin - 1998 – 2003
23. Rev.Fr. Amaladas S. - 2003
24. Rev.Fr. Aloysius - 2003 – 2004
25. Rev.Fr. Dominic - 2005
26. Rev.Fr. Edward J. - 2005 – 2010
27. Rev.Fr. Justin - 2010
28. Rev.Fr. William M. - 2010 – 2011
29. Rev.Fr. Sahayaraj Rayen - 2011 – 2016
30. Rev.Fr. Thomas Rojer 2016 - 2018
31. Rev.Fr. Michael Jegathese 2018 - 2020
32. Rev.Fr. Johnson Raj J 2020 -

Grottos in the parish:
1. St. George - Gandhi Nagar
2. Our Lady of Lourdu - Savariyar Nagar
Catholic Population : 5600

No. of Catholic Families : 675

Sunday Mass – Timings : 5.00 a.m., 6.15 a.m., 7.15 a.m, ; 7.00 p.m.

Sub – Stations
1. Puthur – Sts. Joackim & Anne
2. Savariarnagar – St. Francis Xavier
3. Sinnaranipuram – St. Thersa of Child Jesus
4. Visuvasapuram – St. Antnoy

Shrine : Athisaya Manal Matha

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

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Eucharistic Crusaders
3. St. James Sodality
4. St. Stanislaus Youth Sodality
5. Legion of Mary
6. Vincent De Paul
7. St. Xavier’s Sodality for Youth (Saveriarnagar)
8. Our Lady of Lourdes Sodality (Saveriarnagar)
9. St. Antony’s Sodality (Visuvasapuram)
10. Amalorpava Matha Sodality & Holy Family Sodality in all the substations

Other Associations & Activities
1. Kolping Movement
2. St. Antony’s Women’s Movement (Visuvasapuram)
3. Rose Women’s Movement (Puthur)
4. Siruvazhi Iyakkam (Sinnaranipuram)
5. Women’s Movement (Sinnaranipuram)

Institutions Under the Parish
1. Manal Matha Hr. Sec. School, Sokkankudiyiruppu – 628 653. Tel. 04639 – 254118
2. St. Joseph’s Boys’ Primary School, Sokkankudiyiruppu – 628 653.
3. St. Joseph’s Girls’ Primary School, Sokkankudiyiruppu – 628 653.
4. St. Antony’s Primary School, Visuvasapuram – 628 653. Kommadikottai Via.

Religious
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Ann, Trichy (SAT)
St. Ann’s Convent, Sokkankudiyiruppu – 628 653, Kommadikottai Via.
Tel. 04639 – 254444