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THE PASTORAL MISSION OF THE ARCHBISHOP FOR THE PAST 50 MONTHS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PONDICHERRY AND CUDDALORE FROM JULY 2004 TO AUGUST 2008
"Together let us build the church" was the clarion call of our Archbishop Most Rev.Dr. Antony Anandarayar on the day of his installation as the Archbishop of Pondicherry and Cuddalore. As we look back to the journey of the 50 months of the episcopate of the Archbishop in the Archdiocese, we were wonder struck to see how the grace of God has blessed us beyond our expectations. It is comforting to see through the pastoral ministry of our Archbishop for the past 50 months that with our Chief Shepherd we could do greater things for the greater glory of God.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS AND THE PASTORAL CARE FOR THE SOULS
SETTING UP OF A NEW PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Archdiocese had its new pastoral council constituted on10.03.2007 by the initiatives of the Archbishop. Total number of the members of the pastoral council stands as high as 137 which include 21 priests, 11 religious and a record number of 105 lay catholic faithful.
ORDINATIONS
Total numbers of ordinations in these 50 months are 84 out of which 38 are the archdiocesan priests and the other 46 are from different congregations and Dioceses.
CONSECRATIONS
The Archbishop has been the principal consecrator in the consecration of Bishop Anthonysamy, Bishop of Kumbakonam and the co-consecrator of Bishop Yvon Ambroise, Bishop of Tuticorin, Bishop Amalraj, Bishop of Ooty, and Bishop Soundararaj, Bishop of Vellore.
CONFIRMATIONS
So far the Archbishop has administered the sacrament of confirmation to 13,168 catholic children, men and women.
PASTORAL VISITS
In these 50 months the Archbishop has completed 50 pastoral visits to different parishes of our Archdiocese apart from the visits for feasts, confirmations and blessings. The list of his pastoral visit follows.
  • Christ the King Parish, Villupuram
  • Akkrapaklayam
  • Melnariappanur
  • Marakanam
  • Kurumbagaram
  • Thirupapuliyur
  • Kommedu
  • Therkunam
  • Nelikuppam
  • Munnur
  • Mel- pazhangur
  • Aggarakottalam
  • Viriyur
  • Ayandur
  • Kallakurichi
  • Konankuppam
  • Manalurpet
  • Thurinjicollai
  • Periapattu
  • Sathiyamangalam
  • Mel-sithamur
  • Atthipakkam
  • Sengadu
  • Alagappasamuthiram
  • Vadalur
  • Velanthangal
  • Odiathur
  • Kottucherry
  • Cuddalore O.T
  • Vikravandy
  • Anaiyeri
  • Nedungapattu
  • St. Francis Xavier Parish, Villupuram
  • 34. Kurusukuppam
  • Adanur
  • Thely
  • Sathipattu
  • Veerareddikuppam
  • Mandarakuppam
  • Kunankurichy
  • Eraiyur
  • Irundai
  • Kanakankuppam
  • Mugaiyur
  • Arcade
  • Memalur
  • Pennadam
  • Virudhachalam
  • Eraiyur
  • Kalpet
VILLAGE AND FAMILY VISITS
The Archbishop took the initiative of visiting individual families of the different parishes of the Archdiocese to know concretely their faith, and life situations. Total number of families visited in 50 months 352 apart; from these the Archbishop also visited about 300 villages and substations of the main parishes.
PASTORAL LETTERS
The Archbishop so far has penned 2 pastoral letters
  • A pastoral letter stressing the importance and the significance of the Eucharist was written on 14.11.2004.
  • The second pastoral letter by the Archbishop was written in February 2008 underlining the significance on the observance of lent.
THE PRESENCE OF NEW CONGREGATIONS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE
  • June 2005, CIC, Irundai
  • Dec 2005, Guanellian Sisters at Samupillai Nagar.
  • June 2006, Sisters of St.Thomas (Trichy), Melvazhy.
  • June 2006, Sisters of St.Anne, (Madavaram) , Kattukuppam.
  • October 2006, St. John's Adoration Sisters, Kalapet.
  • May 2007, Capuchin Fathers, Thiyagadurgam.
  • April 2007, Catechists Sister of Sacred Heart (Italian congregation) at Vellakulam.
  • June 2008, Daughters of the Heart of Mary, Port Novo.
THE NEW PARISHES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE
  • 12.04.2005 Melpazhangur
  • 30.12.2005 Keezputhupattu
  • 10.07.2006 Arasakuzhy
  • 16.07.2006 Pennadam
  • 10.06.2007 Uluthoor- Prasannaramapuram
  • 24.06.2007 Thattanchavady
  • 29.06.2007 Arulambadi
  • 19.08.2007 Ulundurpet
  • 09.03.2008 Gorimedu (Personal Parish, Syrian Rite)
MISSION STATION
July 2006 Perianolambai Mission (CPPS Fathers)
THE INFRASTRUCTURE  Top  
Places of worship are as important as prayer itself. They help in the effective execution of the pastoral ministry. The Archbishop was instrumental in developing the infrastructure of the churches and presbyteries to have a desired effect on the pastoral ministry of the priests and the faithful. The lists given below enumerate the amount of human and monetary resources utilized by the Archbishop for the pastoral ministry alone.
NEW CHURCHES
  • 12.07.2004, Infant Jesus Church, Krishnanagar, Rainbow Nagar Parish.
  • 03.10.2004, Infant Jesus Church, Pidaripattu, Anilady Parish.
  • 30.01.2005, St.Theresa of Liseux Church, Thenpudupet, Kommedu Parish.
  • 06.02.2005, St.Sebastine's Church, Vallimaduram, Fathimapalayam Parish.
  • 06.04.2005, St.Theresa of Liseux Church, Ponpathi, Gingee Parish.
  • 13.05.2005, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Enadagirimangalam, St.Francis Xavier's Parish, Villupuram.
  • 23.05.2005, Church of St.Antony,Soolankurichy, Kallakurichy Parish.
  • 27.05.2005, Church of St.Antony, Thennerkunam, Vellaikulam Parish.
  • 07.06.2005, Church of St.Antony, Kizhnedungadu, Kurumbagaram Parish.
  • 05.10.2005, Church of St.Antony, K.Chellampattu, Akkkarapalayam Parish.
  • 21.10.2005, Church of St.Antony, Sorakalpet, Our Lady of Carmel Parish,Cuddalore-1
  • 25.10.2005, Church of St.Antony, Sithanangur, Irundai Parish.
  • 09.11.2005, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, M. Kuchipalayam, Christ the King Parish, Villupuram.
  • 20.11.2005, Church of St.Antony,Antoniar Akkravattam, Karaikal Parish.
  • 02.12.2005, St.Antony's Chapel at St. Antony's Higher Secondary School, Melnariappanur.
  • 03.12.2005, Church of St.Joseph the Worker, Kalpakkam, Tindivanam Parish.
  • 29.12.2005, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, See-Pudhur, Narasinganur.
  • 07.03.2006, Church of St.Antony, Kottapakkam, Kurumbagaram Parish.
  • 07.04.2006, Church of St.Francis Xavier, Karaikal Parish.
  • 22.04.2006, church of St.Antony, Antoniyarnagar, Irudayampattu Parish.
  • 19.05.2006, Church of St.Rita, Rita Nagar, Melvazhy Parish.
  • 23.05.2006, Church of Our Lady of Fathima,Vellakulam Parish.
  • 29.05.2006, Church of Periyanayagi Madha, Vellikunankurichi, Kunankurichi Parish.
  • 08.07.2006, Church of Infant Jesus, Nallavur, Therkunam Parish.
  • 28.08.2006, Bl.Mother Theresa's Chapel, Pope John Paul B.ed.College, Reddiyarpalayam.
  • 08.09.2006, Church of Our Lady of Vellanganni, Omiper, Munnur Parish.
  • 23.09.2006, New Prayer Hall, Konankuppam Parish.
  • 28. 03.12.2006, Church of Sacred Heart, Thennenkudy Parish.
  • 25.03.2007, Church of Infant Jesus, Ulundurpet Parish.
  • 09.04.2007, Church of Precious Blood, Chitheripattu, Ayandur Parish.
  • 21.05.2007, Church of Infant Jesus, T. Thevannur, Thirukoilur Parish.
  • 22.05.2007, Church of Our Lady of Fathima, Kotamarudur, Thirukoilur Parish.
  • 29.05.2007, Church of Christ the King, Christu Nagar, Eraiyur Parish.
  • 29.06.2007, Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Sembadi, Irudayampet Parish.
  • 27.10.2007, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Ko-Pavazhangudy, Konankuppam Parish.
  • 10.11.2007, Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Neykuppi, Tindivanam Parish.
  • 25.11.2007, Church of Infant Jesus, Anaivari, Irundai Parish.
  • 17.01.2008, Church of St.Sebastine, T.V. Nagar, Kurusukupppam Parish.
  • 20.01.2008, Church of St.Antony, Wakkur, Sengadu Parish.
  • 08.04.2008, Church of St. Antony, Devanandal, Munnur Parish.
  • 16.05.2008, Infant Jesus Church, Peravur, Vellakulam Parish.
  • 16.05.2008, Our Lady of Good Health, Pudukuppam, Vellakulam Parish.
RENOVATED AND EXTENDED CHURCHES
  • 23.07.2004, Renovated church of Sacred Heart, Thurinjipoondi
  • 04.08.2004, Renovated and extended church of Christ the King, Villupuram.
  • 30.08.2004, Renovated and extended church of Our Lady of Good Health, Ariankuppam.
  • 21-11-2004, Renovated cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Puducherry.
  • 28.05.2005, Renovated chapel of St.Sebastian, Mudalimedu,T.R.Pattinam.
  • 03.06.2005, Renovated church of Sacred Heart, Irrupukurichi.
  • 14.08.2005, Renovated church of St.Sebastine, Manicollai.
  • 18.09.2005, Renovated and extended church of Our Lady, Oulgaret, Reddiyarpalayam.
  • 30.10.2005, Renovated church of St. Antony,Melakolakudy, Vadalur.
  • 30.10.2005, Renovated church of Our Lady of Velanganni, Kalkunam.
  • 13.05.2006, Renovated church of St.Antony, Attupatti, Puducherry.
  • 03.06.2006, Renovated church at Manalapady, Sathiyamangalam parish.
  • 13.06.06, Renovated shrine of St.Antony, Melnariappanur.
  • 12.11.2006, Renovated church of St. Joseph's, Nellikuppam
  • January 2007, Extended church and portico of Our Lady of Periyanayagi, Kunankurichi.
  • 18.02.2007, Renovated church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Munnur.
  • 06.03.2007, Extended church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Kanakankuppam.
  • 26.05. 2007, Renovated church of St.Antony, Kuppathumedu.
  • 31.08.2007, Renovated sanctuary and the altar of the old church of St. Paul the Hermit Shrine, Kalpet.
  • 24.02.2008, Renovated church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Melsithamur.
  • July 2008, Renovated church of Our Lady of Refuge, Viriyur.
  • 16.08.2008, Renovated church of St.Anne, Uluthoor- Prasannaramapuram.
  • 22.08.2008, Renovated church of Our Lady of Queen of Heaven, Irudayampet.
NEW STATIONS OF THE CROSS
  • 13.06.2006, New Stations of the Cross, Melnarriappanur.
  • 29.08.2007, New Stations of the Cross, Ariyankuppam.
NEW PRESBYTERIES
  • 12.04.2005, New presbytery, Melpazhangur.
  • 22.05.2006, New presbytery, Ayandur.
  • 16.07.2006, New presbytery, Pennadam.
  • 24.09.2006, New presbytery, Uluthoor - Prasannaramapuram .
  • 29.06.2007, New presbytery, Arulambady.
  • 19.08.2007, New presbytery, Ulundurpet.
  • 04.11.2007, New presbytery, Narasinganur.
  • 18.11.2007, New presbytery, Peria Noolambai.
  • 30.12.2007, New presbytery, Keezhputhupattu.
  • 16.08.2008, New presbytery, Panikankuppam.
RENOVATED PRESBYTERIES
  • October 2005, Renovated presbytery, Kurusukuppam
  • 02.02.2006, Renovated presbytery, Nangathur.
  • 02.06.2006, Renovated presbytery, Sathiyamangalam.
  • October 2006, Renovated presbytery, Thely.
  • 18.02.2007, Renovated presbytery, Vadalur.
  • 15.09.2007, Renovated presbytery, Tindivanam.
  • September 2007, Renovated presbytery, Kottucherry.
  • October 2007, Renovated presbytery, Therkunam.
  • 27.10.2007, Renovated presbytery, Konankuppam.
  • 11.11.2007, Renovated presbytery, Arasakuzhy.
  • 25.11.2007, Renovated presbytery, Irundai.
  • 03.03.2008, Renovated presbytery, Mugaiyur.
OTHER STRUCTURES  Top  
  • 04.02.2006, Renovated St. Xavier's Pastoral Centre, Uppalam, Puducherry.
  • 10.05.2006, New Block at Emmaus House, Colas Nagar, Puducherry.
  • 27.10. 2007, New Stall and Museum, Konankuppam.
  • 24.04.2008, New Building, St. Agnes' Seminary, Cuddalore-1.
NEW MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY HALLS
  • 02.05.2005, Multipurpose Community Hall, Ariankuppam.
  • 19.06.2005, construction of the new building behind the church, Uppalam, Puducherry.
  • 10.07.2005, Multipurpose Community Hall, Marakaanam.
  • July 2005, Multipurpose Community Hall, Akkrapalayam
  • 20.03.2006, Multipurpose Community Hall, Vinoba Nagar.
  • July 2006, Multipurpose Community Hall, Vellakulam.
THE ON-GOING FORMATION OF PRIESTS  Top  
  • The Archbishop re-introduced the junior clergy examinations in 2005 and personally conducts Viva - Voce for the Priests in their first three years of Priesthood.
  • In the year 2007 the Archbishop arranged for two seminars
    • For the priests ordained from 1982 to 1993 and
    • For the priests ordained from 1994 to 2002
A STATISTICAL GLANCE  Top  
  • CONSTITUTING OF A NEW PASTORAL COUNCIL ON 10.03.2007
  • TOTAL NUMBERS OF ORDINATIONS - 84
  • CONSECRATIONS
    • PRINCIPLE CONSECRATOR -1
    • CO- CONSECRATOR-3
  • ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION - 13,168
  • PASTORAL VISITS TO THE PARISHES - 50
  • VILLAGE AND FAMILY VISITS
    • VISIT TO THE VILLLAGES -300
    • VISIT TO THE INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES - 352
  • PASTORAL LETTERS PENNED - 2
  • PRESENCE OF THE NEW CONGREGATIONS - 8
  • NEW PARISHES -9
  • NEW MISSION STATION - 1
  • NEWLY BUILT CHURCHES - 42
  • CHURCHES RENOVATED - 23
  • NEW STATIONS OF THE CROSS - 2
  • NEWLY BUILT PRESBYTERIES - 10
  • PRESBYTERIES RENOVATED - 12
  • NEW MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY HALLS - 6
  • OTHER STRUCTURES - 4
Rev. Fr. S. Sandou Cyril
Secretary to the Curia
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