History of Sembodoi:
There was a stream flowing just behind the presbytery. People used the stream water for bathing and washing. A kind of Crop called sambu was cultirated in the area where people are living of present. This is how the parish ws named as sembodai.Sembodai was bifurcated from St. Mary’s Cathetral, Kumbakonam on 27 August 1977 by his Excellency Most Rev. Paul Arul samy D.D, until then it was a substation of cathefral Parish. There were only 800 Catholics at the time ob bifurcation. The thatched roof school at Sembodai was used as a place workship ans Dispensary. Due to the relentless effects of Rev. Msgr. AntonyDavid a new parish church and prebytery was constructed and blessed on 03.12.1970 and 27.08.1977 respectively.Pious associations like St. Vincent de Paul society, St. Xavier’s Youth and Legion of Mary actively perection in the parish. The present school called St. Xavier’s Middle School was started with 11 students in the year 1952. In 1955 the school was badly affected by flood. Fr. Rajamanickam was the first corespondent of the school. In 1958 fire broke out and the school records burned to ashes. Fr. Ganapragasam constructed a new concrete roof building for the school and Most.Rev. Paul Arulsamy blessed it on 19.08.1983. S.M.M.I Sisters after 12 years of their service in the parish and school, they left. Immaculate Sisters worked in the parish and school for 14 years. Afterwards they too left. Now Holy Cross Sisters of Trichy are actively doing the pastora and educational ministry in the parish.
Territory of the Parish:
- East-Uchipillaiyar Kovil
- West-Vazhapazha Kidai (Kathaperumal Koil)
- North- Cauvery River
- South-Arasalau, Amman Koil street, Thoppu, Theru, Sembodai, Singarattoppu, Ehemichangapalayam, Koil Pattu, Ammanpettai, Managudi and Valaipettai.
St.Xavier church,
Sembodai,
Kumbakonam South P O.,
Thanjavur District – 612 001
Tamilnadu, INDIA.
Tel:0435/432558
Source/Courtesy: http://www.dioceseofkumbakonam.org/parish_view.php?uid=58
