ST. ANTONY’S CHURCH – VEERALUR
St. Antony’s Parish
Veeralur has been a Salesian parish since 1969. Presently, the parish of St. Anthony’s, has 357 Catholic families spread out in 12 villages, divided into 11 anbiams which have weekly meetings of animation and reflection on the Word of God. The Parish Pastoral Council meets regularly once a month and is quite active. Parish activities and liturgical celebrations as well as the celebration of the Parish feast are well organized. The 8 existing chapels in the different villages have been beautifully renovated, thanks to the assistance of Salesian Missions, New Rochelle, USA. The parish has started groups from all ages beginning from Palar Sabai (4 – 8 years), Siru Vazhi ( 9 – 10), Narkarunai Veerar Sabai (11 – 13) Theenkudu (14-15), Don Bosco Youth (16 and above) and Mamma Margaret group for senior women. In addition, the parish has a good choir, an altar boys association. For those who are not in any of the above associations, the parish intends to start the Legion of Mary for women and the St. Vincent De Paul’s Society for men. The idea behind this series of groups from “womb to tomb” is to inculcate a deep sense of belonging to the Church and to impart a solid Christian formation.
Fr. Villanova Memorial – Sagaya Madha Hospital
Built and blessed in 1995, the hospital is looked after by the Superior of FSJ community under the charge of the parish priest. There is no resident or visiting doctor on the staff, and the medical services of the hospital are used only by a few patients. At present, some of the rooms are utilized to house the small boarding, and a toilet block & kitchen block are being constructed for the purpose.
The Farm
The parish runs a farm of nearly 8 acres of land at the foot of the Parvathamalai, 2 kms away from the parish church. On the farm there are nearly 50 coconut trees, which yield thrice a year, and 80 mango trees. Paddy, sugarcane, groundnuts and some vegetables are cultivated every year with 2 pump sets. A lay person is appointed to look after the farm and the cultivation. The farm has been leased out to some persons, who give a share of the produce. However, shortage of water in the well, has reduced the income.
Boarding
This boarding, with 22 children from the substations, was started in the month of July this year, in order to give them a chance to study. All of them are unable to be educated by their parents. They have daily mass, morning and evening prayer, rosary and goodnight talks. Special care is taken to train them in personal hygiene and care. An FSJ Sister lovingly looks after the children.
Village Integral Animation (VIA)
In addition to the pastoral ministry of the Sacraments, Catechesis and Marian devotions, the Parish is also engaged in a big way in the empowerment, social and political awareness of the Dalit population, and the education of the children through VIA, which has its office in Pudur, about 6 kms from the parish. Some of its main activities are: conducting evening study centres (5pm to 8pm) for the children in the 30 selected villages, conducting morning coaching classes (6am to 9am) at Adamangalam Pudur for the poor children who study in the Govt. Hr. Sec. School Pudur, Bosco Computer Education for the rural poor boys and girls (33 students), Villanova Tailoring Institute (25 students), Sagayamatha Typing Institute (35 students), animation of Self-Help Groups (70 groups), animation of young girls –Agni Pengal Association (16 groups), and animation of youth - Ilanchudar Ilanjar Iyyakkam (20 groups) and Crèches (10 Centres). The parish priest is the Director assisted by a full-time assistant director and 2 FSJ Sisters.
St. Antony's Church
Adamangalam (Via)
Veeralur
T.V. Malai.Dist. - 606 901
Cell – 94439 21998
