St. Thomas’ Church
Perumalmalai, Kodaikanal, Dindigul Dt. - 624 108, Ph. 04542 – 230235
Perumalmalai is a newly created parish separated from Shembaganur parish. The first parish priest was Fr. Augustine S.J., who had the experience of helping the Repatriates of Sri Lanka. The second parish priest was Fr. Santiago S.J. who had been serving the people in places like Irudayakulam, Manamadurai, and Thangachimadam. He was planning to begin a primary school in Poompparai and to conduct a fortnightly inter-faith prayer meeting on Fridays in the popular way-side shrine of Vanathuchinnappar. His bigger project was to liberate the poor Dalits from the clutches of the rich in Pannaikkadu by building them houses in a colony close to the church. Frs. N.A.Manuel, Susai Michael Raj and Vimi Charles have carried out the initial plan of the Jesuit fathers.
It was Fr. Susai Michael Raj (1989 – 1997) who formed “Village Development Societies” in which he included all the leaders of different faith in order to do service collectively for the people. He built the present presbytery and got it blessed by Archbishop Justin Diraviam. Fr. Susai Michael Raj built a chapel at Uppuparai. He is gratefully remembered by the people for the educational help he rendered through sponsorship programme. This help continues to the children of this parish even now. He built two kurusadis.
Fr. N.A. Manuel renovated the chapel at Uppuparai and it was blessed by the Auxiliary bishop Antony Pappusamy. During the period of Fr. Antonysamy anbiams were started and took initiative for the bifurcation of Mangalamkombu parish, which was created in 2004. He constructed St. Joseph’s Community Hall, blessed by Archbishop Peter Fernando in 2007. During the time of Fr. VIMI. Charlie renovation of St. Paul Kurusadi was done. He also built 20 houses for the poor people with the help from friends in USA. During the period of Fr. Louis he is creating records and pattah to all the diocesan properties existing in the parish territory.
Bodi Zendo: A Zen meditation center administered by the Jesuits, having its founder Fr. Ama Samy, offers meditation and courses for the inmates. Fr. Ama also runs a creze called Little Flower Montessori School at Perumalmalai in which free education is offered to the children who are at the age group of 3 – 5.
Succesion of Parish Priests
Fr. Agustine S.J., Fr. Santiagu, Fr. Susai Michael Raj, Fr. N.A. Manuel, Fr. V. Antonysamy, Fr. Vimi Charlie, Fr. Edwin Sahaya Raj, Fr. A. Louis
Substations:Uppuparai, St. Antony’s Church; Pethuparai, Arockiamatha Church; Panaikadu, Panimayamatha Church, Samakkadu and B.L. Shed.
Associations:Vincent De Paul Society; Mariyain Senai; Holy Childhood; Youth.
Religious in the Parish:
Ø Immaculate conception, Perumalmalai
Ø DMI sisters
Ø Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary
Ø Franciscan sisters of St. Joseph, Pannaikadu
Ø SVD Fathers
Institutions under the Religious:
Ø St. Joseph’s Agrifarm, Society of Jesus, Perumalmalai
Ø Zen retreat House Perumalmalai
Ø Palamalai Estate, Sociey of Jesus
Ø Poiyavilaku Estate
Perumalmalai, Kodaikanal, Dindigul Dt. - 624 108, Ph. 04542 – 230235
Perumalmalai is a newly created parish separated from Shembaganur parish. The first parish priest was Fr. Augustine S.J., who had the experience of helping the Repatriates of Sri Lanka. The second parish priest was Fr. Santiago S.J. who had been serving the people in places like Irudayakulam, Manamadurai, and Thangachimadam. He was planning to begin a primary school in Poompparai and to conduct a fortnightly inter-faith prayer meeting on Fridays in the popular way-side shrine of Vanathuchinnappar. His bigger project was to liberate the poor Dalits from the clutches of the rich in Pannaikkadu by building them houses in a colony close to the church. Frs. N.A.Manuel, Susai Michael Raj and Vimi Charles have carried out the initial plan of the Jesuit fathers.
It was Fr. Susai Michael Raj (1989 – 1997) who formed “Village Development Societies” in which he included all the leaders of different faith in order to do service collectively for the people. He built the present presbytery and got it blessed by Archbishop Justin Diraviam. Fr. Susai Michael Raj built a chapel at Uppuparai. He is gratefully remembered by the people for the educational help he rendered through sponsorship programme. This help continues to the children of this parish even now. He built two kurusadis.
Fr. N.A. Manuel renovated the chapel at Uppuparai and it was blessed by the Auxiliary bishop Antony Pappusamy. During the period of Fr. Antonysamy anbiams were started and took initiative for the bifurcation of Mangalamkombu parish, which was created in 2004. He constructed St. Joseph’s Community Hall, blessed by Archbishop Peter Fernando in 2007. During the time of Fr. VIMI. Charlie renovation of St. Paul Kurusadi was done. He also built 20 houses for the poor people with the help from friends in USA. During the period of Fr. Louis he is creating records and pattah to all the diocesan properties existing in the parish territory.
Bodi Zendo: A Zen meditation center administered by the Jesuits, having its founder Fr. Ama Samy, offers meditation and courses for the inmates. Fr. Ama also runs a creze called Little Flower Montessori School at Perumalmalai in which free education is offered to the children who are at the age group of 3 – 5.
Succesion of Parish Priests
Fr. Agustine S.J., Fr. Santiagu, Fr. Susai Michael Raj, Fr. N.A. Manuel, Fr. V. Antonysamy, Fr. Vimi Charlie, Fr. Edwin Sahaya Raj, Fr. A. Louis
Substations:Uppuparai, St. Antony’s Church; Pethuparai, Arockiamatha Church; Panaikadu, Panimayamatha Church, Samakkadu and B.L. Shed.
Associations:Vincent De Paul Society; Mariyain Senai; Holy Childhood; Youth.
Religious in the Parish:
Ø Immaculate conception, Perumalmalai
Ø DMI sisters
Ø Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary
Ø Franciscan sisters of St. Joseph, Pannaikadu
Ø SVD Fathers
Institutions under the Religious:
Ø St. Joseph’s Agrifarm, Society of Jesus, Perumalmalai
Ø Zen retreat House Perumalmalai
Ø Palamalai Estate, Sociey of Jesus
Ø Poiyavilaku Estate