St. Theresa's Church
Theresepuram, Tuticorin

Parish Name : St. Theresa’s Church
Address : Therespuram, Tuticorin 628 001.
Patron Saint : St. Theresa’s of Child Jesus
Telephone No : 0461 - 2360520

A Brief History :
In ancient days when diving for pearl was a big business, Therespuram coast had an important place in Tuticorin. The settlers at Therespuram in fond remembrance of St. Francis Xavier’s relations with the pearl fishery coast, put up a grotto of St. Francis Xavier near the coast of Therespuram. About 85 years ago, there was a chapel built of stones, dedicated to St. Theresa of Child Jesus in Therespuram. Therespuram which was the substation of cruzpuram became a separate parish on 7th July 1984. Rev. Fr. S. Gerald was the first parish priest of Therespuram. In 1996 Rev. Fr. R.S. Augustine built the present Church and it was blessed on 8th August 1997 by Bishop S.T. Amalnather.

In 2001 Therespuram was entrusted to the Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco. They have done a great service already in bringing up the pastoral, educational and cultural standard of the people of Therespuram. When Fr. Doss Kennady was the parish priest, he built the well planned residence of the Salesians which was blessed on 8th September 2005 by Rev. Fr. Amalraj, the Salesian Provincial.

Succession of parish priest:
1. Rev.Fr. Dasan Dalmeda
2. Rev.Fr. Alangaram
3. Re.Fr. John Xavier
4. Rev.Fr. Alphonse
5. Rev.Fr. Job De Rose
6. Rev.Fr. Gerald - 1984 - 1986
7. Rev.Fr. Viladmir Rayen - 1986 - 1987
8. Rev.Fr. Alwin Rayer - 1987 - 1987
9. Rev.Fr. Stanislaus - 1987 - 1991
10. Rev.Fr. R.S. Augustine - 1991 - 1997
11. Rev.Fr. Loyalo De Rose - 1997 – 2001
12. Rev. Fr. Packyaraj Rayen SDB 2001 - 2002
13. Rev.Fr. Doss Kennedy SDB - 2002 - 2007
14. Rev.Fr. John Dharman SDB - 2007 – 2011
15. Rev.Fr. Thommai Rajan SDB - 2011 - 2015
16. Rev.Fr. K.O. Louis, SDB 2015 - 2018
17. Rev.Fr. Noel Raj SDB 2018 - 2020
18. Rev.Fr. Amalraj Susai SDB 2020 -

Grottos in the parish
1. Holy Cross - Therespuram
2. St. Thomas - Therespuram
3. Our Lady of Good Health - Therespuram
4. St. Francis Xavier - Therespuram
5. St.Theresa of child Jesus - Therespuram
6. St. Antony - Therespuram

Catholic Population : 10,500

No. of Catholic Families : 1200

Sunday Mass – Timings : 5.15 a.m., 7.00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. & 5.30 p.m.
Weekdays : 6.30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Sub – Stations : NIL

Side Chapel
1. St. Thomas
2. Holy Cross

Participatory Structures
1. 50 Anbiyams & 6 Mandlams
2. 25 Pastoral Commissions
3. Parish Pastoral Council
4. Parish Finance Committee

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Amalorpava Matha Sodality
2. Holy Family Sodality
3. Legion of Mary
4. Vincent de Paul Society
5. Salesian Co- Operators
6. Altar boys & girls

Other Associations & Activities
2. Don Bosco Youth Group for Boys and Girls
3. Krithavar Vazhvurimai Iyyakkam

Institutions under the Parish: Nil

Religious
1. Salasian Fathers (SDB) Don Bosco Mission, Therespuram, Thoothukkudi – 628 001. Tel : 0461 – 2360520
2. Daughters of Mary Help of Christins (FMA)
    Salesian Convent, Therespuram, Thoothukudi – 628 001. Tel : 0461 – 2361846

Institutions under the Religious
Little Flower High School, Therespuram, Thoothukkudi – 628 001. (FMA)
R.C. Primary School, Therespuram, Thoothukkudi – 628 001. (FMA)
Malar Hospital, Therespuram, Thoothukudi – 628 001. (FMA)
Auxilium Matriculation Hr. Sec. School, Thoothukudi – (FMA)

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Corrections added to the existing content by : Rev.Fr. Amalraj Susai SDB
Scanned pages: None. Previous file name : parish-theresepuram-tuty0.htm
Updated on 15th Oct. 2022, Final Correction done on 16th May 2023