The known Christian history of Karumathur intertwined with Usilampatty Mission starts from 1867. Rev. Fr. Isidore Prince, a Jesuit priest visited this place and his friendly approach helped the conversion of many people of “Piranmalai Kallars”. Followed by Fr. Isidore Prince, there came another Jesuit Preist Rev. Fr. Clement Montard as it was the Mission of Jesuit Misionaries. He is known as the ‘father’ of Piranmalai Kallar Community of this area. He provided education, arranged their employment opportunities, baptized them and blessed their marriages. He is fondly remembered even now by the people. Due to his serious illness, Rev. Fr. Montard went to Shenbaganur for rest. Then there was no follow-up for many years. The Catholic Christians were left all alone without any priest for a long time. There was a fall back of the Christians into their old faith. On 24th Oct. 1978, His Grace Most Rev. Justin Diraviam the then Archbishop of Madurai erected a new parish in this region named “Good Shepherd Parish”. He installed Rev. Fr. Mathew Njayarkulam cmf as the first parish priest of this parish. He struggled to re-evangelize them in faith. With the help of the Claretian Seminarians he revived the faith. The present parish church was constructed in 1990 and the presbytery was constructed in 1998. This parish is entrusted to the pastoral care of the Claretians in accordance with the contract made by both parties, the Claretians and the Archdiocese of Madurai.

St. Antohny Mary Claret Church is situated in Moonandipatti, 24 kilometers away from Madurai, and 17 kilometers from Usilampatti. It is situated on the National Highways no. 49 leading to Theni. The parish has got nine sub-stations. Two of the sub-stations namely Azhagusirai and Chekkanurani come under Thirumangalam Taluk, the other sub-stations namely Chellampatti, Valandur, Vadakanpatti, Ariyapatti, Kovilangulam Piraviampatti and Vikramangalam are in the Usilampatti taluk. The total Catholic families under this parish are 150.

Generally the people in this area are largely backward caste people and scheduled castes. The rate of literacy is low. Addiction to illicit liquor and female infanticide are the burning issues of this community. But a few of the Catholic Heads of the families of the parish are working as teachers, staff members in the offices and in other jobs because of hard labor and influence of the foreign missionaries.

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
Checkkanurani, Kovilankulam, Vadakkampatti, Piraviampatti,
Valandur, Chellampatti and Azhagusirai

Contact:
St. Antony Maria Claret Parish,
Karumathur,
Usilampatti Tk,
Madurai dt – 625514.

Tel: +91 4549 287295, 287141

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/st-antony-maria-claret-parish-karumathur/

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Saint: St. Antony of Padua

St. Antony’s devotion was started in kadachanendal 30 years back by the simple people, the frist converts of the kattunayakkan Community, Mr. Vedamuthu (Veilu muthu) and his family members kept St. Antony’s statue in the premises and started praying to St. Antony. When the Christians started settling in Kadachanendal area the devotion to St. Antony became popular. Earlier Kadachanendal was under the Salesians of Lourdes Shrine Parish, K. Pudur. A small chapel was built in 1980 and the novena to St. Antony was started in 1981. With the help of Schoenstatt fathers and Fr. S. Jesudasan of Irai Amaithi solai, spiritual needs of the people were met by the Salesians till may 2007. On 16th June 2007, Kadachanendal was erected as an independent parish by His Grace Most Rev. Peter Fernando and Fr. A. Iruthayaraj was appointed as the first Parish Priest.

The new parish of St. Antony’s church, Kadachanendal is covering an area of 15 kms, Surveyar Colony at the South; Alagarkoil village at the North; Mattuthavani – Melur Road at the East; Oomachikulam – vellichanathan villages at the West.

This parish is suburban. It has 7 sub-stations. The population of this area is around 20000 of which the Catholic population is around 1700 (280 families). They are partly government employees and partly daily wagers. The new church was built and consecrated on 17th July 2010.

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
Chinnapatty village, solaimaliyarpatti village, Pudupatti (camp) village

Contact:
St. Antony’s Church,
Kadachanendal,
Kathakinaru (post), Madurai – 625 107.
Tel: +91 452 2422089

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/st-antonys-church-kadachanendal/

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Fondly dedicated to Saint Joseph the worker, Church of Saint Joseph, stands as a lighthouse to the people of Madurai.

Located at Arapalaym Arasardi Road, this church draws thousands of devotees towards Saint Joseph. An imposing structure with exquisite architecture, Gnana Saint Joseph’s has an arresting facade with its domineering entrance.

The first church was built in 07.01.1956. On 06.08.1959 Archbishop Peter Leonard conferred the parochial status to the church and dedicated the church to the patronage of Saint Joseph the Worker.

Rev. Fr. T. Britto, SJ took charge as the first parish priest. Shifted and handed over the R. C. Mill School to Sacred Heart Brothers.

The parish continued to flourish under the able aegis of Rev. Fr. J. Dhanasamy, SJ, Rev. Fr. Motha, SJ, Rev. Fr. T. A. Soosai, Rev. Fr. V. M. Irudayam, Rev. Fr. M. Dhivyanandam, Rev. Fr. Arul Joseph, Rev. Fr. S. M. Selvaraj, Rev. Fr. Jude Vadakara, Rev. Fr. M. Gnanapragasam, Rev. Fr. Arul, Rev. Fr. Vimi Charlie, Rev. Fr. Jerome Eronimus. Today Rev. Fr. A. Louis takes her to the golden jubilee year.

Arriving at the 50th milestone of our journey, as we re-dedicate ourselves in the ministry of the Lord, in wiping every tear from the face of humanity, we continue to be a ray of faith, a beacon of hope, and a spark of love!

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
Karimedu – St. Antony chapel
Packianathapuram – St. Antony chapel
Milgate – Annai Veilankanni chapel

Worship:

Everyday
5:30 am Holy Mass
6:00 pm Holy Mass

Sundays
5:30 am Holy Mass
7:30 am Holy Mass
4:30 pm Holy Mass (English)
6:00 pm Holy Mass

Wednesdays
6:00 pm Novena to Saint Joseph

Saturdays
6:00 pm Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

First Thursday
6:00 pm Adoration, Benediction, Holy Mass

Catechism for Children
7:30 am Mass and Classes

Contact:
St. Joseph’s Church,
Gnanaolivupuram,
A.A. Road,
Madurai – 625016.
Tel: +91 452 2361717

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/st-josephs-church-gnanaolivupuram/
http://stjosephgnana.org/

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Ellis Nagar Parish is situated in the southern part of Madurai city. The parish church is adjacent to BSNL Tower, Ellisnagar. The parish was erected in 1988. It has no substation and the circumference of this area is 3 sqkm. The main occupation of the people is business and some are working in railways and BSNL. There are 850 Catholic families in the parish. And there are four religious communities in the parish.

Contact:
St. Sebastian’s Church,
Behind C3 S.S. Colony Police Station,
New Ellis Nagar,
Madurai -625010.
Tel: +91 452 2603480

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/st-sebastians-church-ellis-nagar/

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Saint: Mary Help of Christians

The parish of Bibikulam is a small and dynamic parish. It was bifurcated from the parish of K. Pudur. Since it was under the Salesian fathers their patroness, Mary Help of Christians, has been given a Patron to the church of Bibikulam. On 26.04.1987, the church was built and blessed by the Archbishop of Madurai, Most. Rev. Dr. Casimir Gnanathickam. It was still a substation. Perceiving the spiritual needs of the people of Bibikulam, Goripalayam, Chokkikulam, Sellur, Narimedu, Alangulam, Mahatma Gandhi Nagar and Thabal thanthi Nagar, the Archbishop of Madurai, Most Rev. Dr. Arockiasamy elevated this small substation into a parish in the year 1997. On that day it had around 200 families. Rev. Fr. P.V. Susai was appointed as a Parish Priest. In the year 2004 under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Angel, anbiams were started. Now it has 335 Catholic families. Elumbur, a little village is the substation which is 10 kms away from the parish.

SUBSTATIONS WITH CHAPELS:
St. Antony’s Chapel, Elumbur, Kulamangalam (Built in the year 1947)

Contact:
Sahaya Annai Church,
Bibikulam,
Madurai – 625002.
Tel: +91 452 2538910

For more information please visit:
http://www.archdioceseofmadurai.org/sahaya-annai-church-bibikulam/

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