St Antony's Church, Kanjiracode

St Antony's Church
8°58′13″N 76°40′11″E
Location	Kanjiracode, Kundara, Kollam-691 501
Country	India
Denomination	Latin Catholic
Clergy
Priest(s)	Very Rev.Mary John

St Antony's Church, Kanjiracode is a Latin Catholic Church located in Kollam district, Kerala, India.

Background

The Church in Kanjiracode is listed among the first churches of Quilon diocese and of Kerala at large. St. Antony's Church, Kanjiracode is situated in three acres of land on the northern side of old ceramics road (Sir C.P. Road) and the area is dominated by fishermen community for centuries.

HISTORY OF PARISH: St. Thomas Christians migrated to areas around Kundara in the ninth century. The Parish was officially erected in 1502. St. Antony's Latin Catholic Forane Church, Kanjiracode was originally built and blessed in the name of St. Lucia by the administrator of Cochin diocese and the construction was financed by one Lakshmi Ammal ( Mary Ammal) a Brahmin convert. . The foundation stone was laid on 27-10-1609 and blessed the church on 30-04-1609. The church was reconstructed and named after St. Antony of Padua in 1633 AD.Even after the diocese of Quilon was officially set up, Kanjiracode remained under the juriscdiction of the cochin Diocese, under Padravado and remained so till 1893. In the year 1975 the reconstruction activities was actively started to accommodate more believers during services and church was finally blessed on 1986 January 26 by his Excellence Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph G. Fernandez the Bishop of Kollam in the presence of Rev. Fr. A. Solomen, Parish Priest of the church and dedicated to the Papal visit of pope John Paul II in Kerala. St. Antony's church Kanjiracode is a symbol of the living faith and fervent devotion of the Catholic Community at Kanjiracode.

VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT OF THE PARISH

St. Antony's church not only provided spiritual healings to its followers but also the church is providing better education, health care and women empowerment through its allied organizations.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE PATRON SAINT

St. Antony of Padua is the Patron Saint is celebrated on the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday. The Celebration of the feast starts with the unfurling of the flag on the Sunday previous to the feast. Unfurling of the flag is a colourful function with religious pageantry attended by thousands of devotees. Besides liturgical functions in the church, a religious discourse guided by eminent personalities is organized at St. Antony's shrine, Mukkada in the evenings. A cosmopolitan crowd of all religious faiths attends these functions. On Saturday the day before the festival a procession is taken from the Church along with tastefully decorated colorful floats of saints. The procession goes up to Perayam, the northern boundary of the Parish and touches the southern boundary at Elampalloor and Mukkada. The Procession is attended by thousands of devotees from the all Parishes of the Diocese and beyond.

On the feast day the High mass is celebrated in the morning by a senior functionary of the church. This is followed by �Snehavirunnu�(agape) a community Lunch partaken by ten thousand and more devotees, distribution of cloths to the poor etc. The closing ceremony is the lowering of the flag in the evening with a procession around the church.One of the important features of the festival is the association of non-Catholics in the celebrations.

THE RELIGIOUS STATUS

Average Church attendees come to two thousand. The Bible study groups, Charismatic movements, Little way association, legion of Mary, Sodality, Franciscan 3 rd order, Jesus youth movement and KCYM are actively functioning. St. Antony's Novena is conducted on all Tuesday evening for one hour.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PARISH

he Parish council consists of 25 members and Parish Priest is the President of the council. The members are elected from the 8 words of the Parish. A four-member finance committee is selected from the Parish council. This four-member committee is assisting the Parish Priest in other financial Activities of the Parish. B.C.C.:- 54 B.C.C. group are actively participating in all the church activities.

STATUS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Women of Kanjiracode Parish are highly educated and enjoy a very high status in Society and they are independent and employed. Children are strong followers of our Lord Jesus Christ and have very good moral values and show the character. FORMATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH: Catechism classes are conducted by sisters of St. Margaret's Convent, Kanjiracode for the children of age group 5 to 17.Bible festival is conducted every year and children from Kanjiracode Parish has won prizes in Forane, Diocese and State level.

EDUCATION STRENGTH

It is of special mention that Kanjiracode parish is enjoying the enviable status of an educationally advanced community. Literacy - Men: 100%, Women: 100%.

SOCIO PASTORAL PRIORITIES

Financial assistance to poor family for educational purpose and also to poor who suffers serious illness. And also take initiative steps for solving family disputes especially between family members and neighbors wherever possible.

FORMER PASTERS OF THE PARISH

The names of the Parish Priest up to 1888 are not known at present. The name of the Parish Priest from 1888 are as shown below:-

FORMER PASTERS OF THE PARISH

Rev. Fr. Antony Disusa	Rev. Fr. John
Rev. Fr.Mathew Cathanar	Rev. Fr. Simon Netto
Rev. Fr. Joseph Rodrigues	Rev. Fr. Francis Pulickal
Rev. Fr.Joseph Fernandez	Rev. Fr. Joseph Cruz
Rev.Fr.Antony Fernandez	Rev. Fr. Stephen Netto
Rev.Fr.Francis Fernandez	Rev. Fr. K.J. Yesudas
Rev.Fr.Charly Consekha	Rev. Fr. A. Solomon
Rev.Fr.Sebastian Conception	Rev. Fr. Peter Jose
Rev.Fr.GrigaryJohn Aravijo	Very Rev. Msgr. Albert Parisavila
Rev. Fr.Yacoob Cathanar	Rev. Fr. Silvy Antony
Rev. Fr.Martin Fernandez	Rev. Fr. Paul Cruz
Rev. Fr. J.P.Renaira	Rev. Fr. James Puthenpura
Rev. Fr. Bernad Decrues	Rev. Fr. Xavier Laser
Rev. Fr. Michel Netto	Rev. Fr. Mary John
Rev. Fr. Dominic	Rev. Fr. Tomy Kamans
Rev. Fr. K.J. Kameyonce

Mass Schedule

Sunday Mass 07.00 am, 8.30 am, 5 pm (Kanjiracode) Monday to Saturday 6.30 am daily mass (except Tuesday)

Tuesday 5.00 pm Novena of St. Antony followed by Mass.

CHAPPEL AND SHRINES

St. Antony's shrine, Mukkada who is patron saint and feast is celebrated during the month of June every year.

Little flower, Perayam Jn. Feast celebrating during the month of October every year.

Shrine of St. Patric, Kanjiracode

Shrine of St. Jude, Kanjiracode.

Shrine of St.Alphonsa, Edakkara. The feast is celebrated during the month of July every year.

Shrine of Christ the king and lord, Kanjiracode. The feast is celebrated during the month of November every year.

St. Antony's church Kanjiracode is a vital centre for faith and spirituality. You are invited to join us for worship and to be part of our community. If you are from another Christian tradition, you are welcome to receive communion and join in our life as fully as you wish. If you are seeking Baptism, confirmation and first communion or admission into the Latin Church, you may speak to any of the clergy about instruction. There are opportunities for people of every age to learn, grow and meet others who are seeking to deepen and inform their faith, the church clergy are available for the sacraments of reconciliation, marriage, visiting anointing the sick.

Currently

The church is a place for worship and Catholic faith. Now the church is under the charge of parish priest Very Rev. Fr Tomy Kamans & Asst. Parish priest Rev. Fr. Lenin Darwin Leon. About one thousand and five hundred families attend this Catholic church and take part in church services.