St. Joseph the Worker
Lourdupuram, Attuvampatti Po, Kodaikanal – 624 101, Ph. 04542-240458
The devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes at Attuvampatti had been prevalent for more than hundred years. In 1927 a. 75 cents of land was gifted to the Church, to Fr. Ignatius S.J. by a parishioner. The original church on a hill was constructed with the colloboration from Savarimuthu family, Antony Cruz family and Devasahayam family. In 1972 itself masses were offered in this church. Fr. Amalorpavam started the traditional ‘Pascha’ which disappeared by the arrival of television and media in 1990s. Another 25 cents were gifted to the church by Mr. Antony Xavier of Chennai. As Mr. Irudayam of this area donated 3 cents to the church a Primary School was started by the Jesuits. Fr. Hagen S.J. obtained recognition for this school.
The pioneering ministry done by the Jesuits in this part of Kodaikanal, in particular the ministry of Fr. Santiago S.J. is noteworthy. Having their centre at Shenbaganur, the Jesuits extended their missionary work all over the hills. Sunday Masses were offered in the chapel at Lourdupuram which was earlier a substation of Munjikkal parish. When Packiapuram, once a substation of Munjikkal became an independent parish on 10 September 1980, Lourdupuram became its substation. On 14 March 2007, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of a new church and a presbytery at Lourdupuram. On 15 June 2008, the consecration of the new parochial church took place and Lourdupuram was erected as a new parish by the Archbishop Peter Fernando. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. Lourdupuram borders the diocese of Dindigul, having Palani on one side and Vijayapuram diocese on the other. On the request of the parishioners and through the efforts of Fr. Jai Joseph, the patron of the parish church was changed as St. Joseph the Worker. Fr. Jai Joseph also constructed Infant Jesus Church at Pragasapuram with the help of a donor from Bangalore, Mr. Selvian Noranha. The road leading to Lourdes Shrine was constructed by MMSSS.
Fr. Pappuraj has started the regular novena masses to Our Lady of Lourdes and other regular novena celebrations.
Succession of Parish Priests:
Fr. Gnanapragasam S. (2008-09), Fr. Daniel Jai Joseph (2009-11), Fr. Arockiam SDM (2011- )
Substations with chapels:Lourdes church-Malai Koil; St. Paul of the Forest (St. Paul the hermit) church-Pallangikombai; Infant Jesus church-Piragasapuram; Pikini Chola; Sinnal Pallam; Vilpatti Kombai; Kovilpatti; Attuvampatti Colony; Kannikadu; Bharati Nagar; Nagar Marathu Alai; Attuvampatti; Mattupatti; Kandalkudai.
Associations: Our Lady of Lourdes Youth Group; St. Vincent De Paul Society; Holy Family Association (for women); O.L. of Lourdes Choir; St. Dominic Savio Altar Boys Association.
Religious in the Parish:
Ø Sacred Heart Sisters (Velur), Lourdupuram, Attuvampatti (P.O), Kodaikanal – 624 101.
Ø Lourdu Annai Dispensary
Ø Social work institution by Servite Sisters
Institutions under the Parish Priest:
Ø St. Mary Primary School: 3 teachers, 108 students
Lourdupuram, Attuvampatti Po, Kodaikanal – 624 101, Ph. 04542-240458
The devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes at Attuvampatti had been prevalent for more than hundred years. In 1927 a. 75 cents of land was gifted to the Church, to Fr. Ignatius S.J. by a parishioner. The original church on a hill was constructed with the colloboration from Savarimuthu family, Antony Cruz family and Devasahayam family. In 1972 itself masses were offered in this church. Fr. Amalorpavam started the traditional ‘Pascha’ which disappeared by the arrival of television and media in 1990s. Another 25 cents were gifted to the church by Mr. Antony Xavier of Chennai. As Mr. Irudayam of this area donated 3 cents to the church a Primary School was started by the Jesuits. Fr. Hagen S.J. obtained recognition for this school.
The pioneering ministry done by the Jesuits in this part of Kodaikanal, in particular the ministry of Fr. Santiago S.J. is noteworthy. Having their centre at Shenbaganur, the Jesuits extended their missionary work all over the hills. Sunday Masses were offered in the chapel at Lourdupuram which was earlier a substation of Munjikkal parish. When Packiapuram, once a substation of Munjikkal became an independent parish on 10 September 1980, Lourdupuram became its substation. On 14 March 2007, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of a new church and a presbytery at Lourdupuram. On 15 June 2008, the consecration of the new parochial church took place and Lourdupuram was erected as a new parish by the Archbishop Peter Fernando. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. Lourdupuram borders the diocese of Dindigul, having Palani on one side and Vijayapuram diocese on the other. On the request of the parishioners and through the efforts of Fr. Jai Joseph, the patron of the parish church was changed as St. Joseph the Worker. Fr. Jai Joseph also constructed Infant Jesus Church at Pragasapuram with the help of a donor from Bangalore, Mr. Selvian Noranha. The road leading to Lourdes Shrine was constructed by MMSSS.
Fr. Pappuraj has started the regular novena masses to Our Lady of Lourdes and other regular novena celebrations.
Succession of Parish Priests:
Fr. Gnanapragasam S. (2008-09), Fr. Daniel Jai Joseph (2009-11), Fr. Arockiam SDM (2011- )
Substations with chapels:Lourdes church-Malai Koil; St. Paul of the Forest (St. Paul the hermit) church-Pallangikombai; Infant Jesus church-Piragasapuram; Pikini Chola; Sinnal Pallam; Vilpatti Kombai; Kovilpatti; Attuvampatti Colony; Kannikadu; Bharati Nagar; Nagar Marathu Alai; Attuvampatti; Mattupatti; Kandalkudai.
Associations: Our Lady of Lourdes Youth Group; St. Vincent De Paul Society; Holy Family Association (for women); O.L. of Lourdes Choir; St. Dominic Savio Altar Boys Association.
Religious in the Parish:
Ø Sacred Heart Sisters (Velur), Lourdupuram, Attuvampatti (P.O), Kodaikanal – 624 101.
Ø Lourdu Annai Dispensary
Ø Social work institution by Servite Sisters
Institutions under the Parish Priest:
Ø St. Mary Primary School: 3 teachers, 108 students