Parish with large missionary vocations celebrates church dedication’s centenary

By Felix Anthony

Pallam, Sept 23, 2022: A southern Indian parish has risen from the ashes of communal violence forty years ago to become a major producer of missionaries for dioceses and religious congregations across the country.

The story of St Matthew’s parish “is a tale of ashes- to- glory,” says Father Hillarius, who was appointed as the parish priest immediately after the 1982 communal riot ravaged the place.

“Some Hindu radicals torched more than 50 houses and destroyed the fishing tools forcing the people to flee the village,” the priest told Matters India.

He was present among several native priests who were present in the Kottar diocesan parish September 21 when it concluded its ten-day celebration of its patron saint’s feast as well as the centenary of the dedication of its church.

The ten-day celebration, which began with a Mass for the departed souls who had helped shape the community, organized several events such as including a book festival, a blood and organ donation drive.

Leading the celebrations, Bishop Nazarene Soosai of Kottar congratulated the parishioners for facing many challenges in the past 100 years with their hard work, sacrifices and a strong faith.

“This church is not merely a building. It is the face of your sweat and blood, sacrifices, support and kindness. This celebration today takes us back to our roots, our humble beginning and how God has been guiding us,” the prelate added,

The parish on the Arabian Sea coast now claims to have produced the largest number of priests who serve various parts of India and overseas. The parish has 56 priests together with Annai Nagar that was bifurcated from it in 2002.

“What Pallam today is nothing but a miracle,” said Father Hillarius.

It is among the first villages in Kanniyakumari district to send vocations to north and northeastern India. Only six of its 56 priests work in Kottar diocese now. The others work in almost every part of India as members of various dioceses and religious congregations. The parish also has produced 55 women religious who work all over India.

“Tears, pain, and difficulties have led to this glory, says Father John Rufus, another former parish priest who initiated the church renovation work in 2005. “This church,” he told Matters India, “is a symbol of the generous contributions of the hardworking people of Pallam.”

The village has also created the first woman graduate and first government advocate in the district. The village’s higher secondary school has produced qualified professionals in every stream such as medical doctors, scholars, scientists, engineers, professors, pilot, and cricket players.

Father Francis Borgia, who completed the church renovation work in 2007, also congratulated the people on the occasion. “The involvement of the people in running the parish is truly praise worthy. This aspect makes this church synodal in many ways,” he added.

Father Soosai Anthony, the present parish priest, credited catechism classes, Legion of Mary, and the Society of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with laying a strong foundation for the parish faith.

“I am happy to be working here. We have a very strong and active young people in the village. Every faithful, worship team and parish pastoral council, everyone cooperates. They take suggestions and execute ideas. I am sure this will grow to greater heights in the days to come,” he added.

Sister Shoba Peter, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, Coimbatore, now serving as a school principal in Mumbai, said, “It is an awesome privilege and great blessing to be a part of this auspicious event.”

Father John Britto, who works in Patna Archdiocese, said he did not want to miss the hundred-year celebration that “comes once in a life time.”

Father Angelus Anthony, working in Shimla Chandigarh diocese, expressed the hope the centenary celebrations do not end with these ten days but “become a new starting point for new goals for the next hundred years.”