St. Joseph Church
Udankudi

Parish Name : St. Joseph’s Church
Address : Udangudi, Tuticorin Dt. 628 203
Patron Saint : St. Joseph’s
Telephone No : 04639 – 250 777

Brief History :
According to the mission catalogue of Madurai Mission, Udangudi was the substation of Periathazhai. For a short period it was Manapad before it was made into a separate parish in 1929. The foundation stone of the present Church was laid in 1933 when Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Raja was the parish priest. It was completed in 1943 when Rev. Fr. T. Michael was the parish priest and on 26th November 1943 the Church was blessed by Bishop Tiburtius Roche. In 1983 Rev. Fr. Alwin Villavarayar built the mandapam in front of the Church. In 1995 the falls ceiling fixed in the Church by Rev. Fr. M. Irudayaraja was the parish priest. In 1988 Rev. Fr. G. Oswald Fernando renovated the presbytery.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev. Fr. Stansilaus Raja - 1929-1936
2. Rev. Fr. J.V. Poobalarayar - 1936-1939
3. Rev. Fr. Gasper Roche - 1939-1940
4. Rev. Fr. T. Michaelnathar - 1941-1950
5. Rev. Fr. F.M. Packia Nathar - 1950-1953
6. Rev. Fr. Mathew Fdo - 1953-1958
7. Rev. Fr. Joseph Fdo - 1959-1962
8. Rev. Fr. M.R. Augustin - 1962-1965
9. Rev. Fr. Venantius Fdo - 1965-1974
10. Rev. Fr. Maria Manickam - 1974-1977
11. Rev. Fr. F. Devasahayam - 1977-1981
12. Rev. Fr. Alwin V. Rayar - 1981-1983
13. Rev. Fr. Vladmir Rayen - 1983-1986
14. Rev. Fr. Stephen Gomaz - 1986-1987
15. Rev. Fr. G. Aswald - 1987-1988
16. Rev. Fr. Karunakaran Gomaz - 1988-1993
17. Rev. Fr. Jegadish - 1993-1994
18. Rev. Fr. M. Irudaya Raja - 1994-1999
19. Rev.Fr. I. Joseph Ladislaus - 1999 -2004
20. Rev.Fr. Alexander - 2004 – 2006
21. Rev.Fr. Charles - 2006 – 2008
22. Rev.Fr. F. Irudayaraj Fdo - 2008 – 2013
23. Rev.Fr. Jerosin A Kattar S. - 2013 - 2015
24. Rev.Fr. Sahayam S.M 2015 - 2019
25. Rev.Fr. Promilton Lobo 2019 - 2021
26. Rev.Fr. Victor Lobo 2021 - 2023
27. Rev.Fr. John Britto 2023 - 2024
28. Rev.Fr. Paneerselvam N.A 2024 -

Grottos in the parish:
1. Infant Jesus - Udangudi
2. Annai Vellankanni - Udangudi
3. St. Lourdus - Marriammalpuram
4. St. Michael - Marriammalpuram
5. St. Antony’s - Kulasekaranpattanam
6. Infant Jesus - Kulasekaranpattanam

Catholic Population : 1975

No. of Catholic Families : 215

Sunday Mass – Timings : 5.30 a.m; 7.00a.m; 6.30p.m.
Weekdays : 6.00 a.m

Sub – Stations
1. Mariammalpuram – Our Lady of Lourdes
2. Pitchivilai – St. Antony
3. Vellalanvilai – Sahaya Annai
4. Kulasekaranpatnam – St. Xavier

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

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood – Udangudi
2. Holy Childhood – Mariammalpuram
3. Eucharistic Crusaders – Udangudi, Mariammalpuram
4. Amalorpava Matha Sodality – Udangudi
5. Amalorpava Matha Sodality – Mariammalpuram
6. Jeba Apostala Sodality
7. Vincent de Paul Society - Udangudi

Other Associations & Activities
1. Prayer Group
2. Krithavar Vazhvurimai Iyyakkam

Institutions under the Parish
St. Antony’s Middle School, Udangudi – 628 203.
St. Antony’s Middle School, Puthukinathanvilai – 628 219.
Joseph Xavier’ Primary School, Kulasekaranpatanm – 628 206.

Religious
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Ann, Trichy (SAT)
St. Ann’s Convent, Udangudi – 628 203. Tel. 04639 – 250700
St. Ann’s Convent, Kulasekaranpatnam – 628 206. Tel. 04639 – 252325

Updated July 12th, 2024.