Infant Jesus Church – Sengoalnagar, Olaikuda, Rameshwaram
History
Olaikuda was bifurcated from St Joseph Church, Verkottu, Rameshwaram in the year 2009. Fr. Ravi Earnest sss was the first Parish Priest. Fr M I Raj sss was visiting the parish on a regular basis to conduct the charismatic prayer for the faithful. The parish began to function with all its activities by forming different groups and animating them with SSS essence.
In the month of June 2010, Fr. Peter Jeyakanth sss joined Fr. Ernest sss as an assistant. The different groups were actively participating in the parish activities. There were sessions to move further to the development of the parish. The SCCs were formed with the names of saints including the name of our founder St. Peter Julian Eymard. From April 1, 2011, onwards, Fr. Johnson sss joined with Fr. Ernest sss as an assistant. From the end of Jan. 2012 onwards, Deacon Sesu Augustin joined the community. Bishop Susai Manikkam, whose pastoral visit was held from 11.3.2012 to 12.03.2012. It was well planned to meet all the associations and the people. Bishop was happy about the progress of the parish as a whole. Fr. Arockia Punithan sss was appointed as the parish priest of Olaikuda in the month of June 2012. He visited all the families to get to know the pulse of the parish, it took almost three months.
Purpose
The parish associations were taken for various programs and competitions that were held outside of our parish to participate. Altar boys took part in the quiz competition held at Bamban Parish (one of the Island parishes) based on CCC. The Sunday school children also took part in the competition on drawing held at the Diocese level. Altar boys were taken to Kodaikanel as the yearly picnic by Br. Inigo. Once in a month, island-level Sunday school teachers training program were held, the teachers were sent without fail. We have two Holy Eucharist every day except Monday and Saturday. Holy Eucharist in the morning’s proceeds with prayer before the Blessed Sacrament for half an hour. The priest residence (Named MANNA ILLAM) was built and inaugurated on 19 Jan. 2014 by Rev.Fr Gnanasekar sss the Provincial and blessed by Bishop Susaimanikkam, the Bishop of Sivagangai.
Fr Sesu Augustin sss was appointed as the Parish Priest in the month of June 2014, who built the sacristy since there was no sacristy. Dn Gnanapragasam Lazar, SSS was doing his diaconate ministry and continued after his ordination. Now, Fr Julian Prakash sss is appointed as parish priest in June 2017 along with Fr Inigo sss as an assistant. In June 2019, Fr.Christopher sss joined Fr. Julian sss as an associate Pastor replacing Fr. Rajesh SSS who served for a year in the Parish. The Dn. Sebastin also joined the community. It was the time of the pandemic and various steps were taken by the parish in reaching out to the poor people. After this Fr. Ruban sss joined last year with Fr. Julian sss Combined with his studies at Don Bosco Media College – Trichy.
The following groups were formed in view of SSS mission statement :
1.Yesuvin Kanmanigal [for children], 2. Irai Pugazh Panikkuzhu [Choir], 3. St. Peter Julian Young Students group, 4. Altar Servers, 5. Liturgy Group, 6. Lectors’ Group, 7. Legion of Mary, 8. St. Vincent de Paul Association started functioning with full vigor after our coming, 9. Youth Group for boys [Iraiarasu ilayor iyakkam], 10. Small Christian Community, 11. Peace Committee, 12. Education Committee, 13. Kalai kuzhu [Local Arts], 14. Evening tuitions for Primary students, 15. Youth group for the Girls [Narkarunai Annai Ilam Pengal iyakkam], 17. Sunday Catechism.
Now the present parish team is consisting of two priests, Supeior & parish priest Fr. Johnson Britto SSS and assistant parish priest Fr. Stephen Raj sss.
Fr. John Britto (Johnson) SSS
Parish Priest, Administartor & Superior
Fr. Stephen Raj SSS
Asst. Parish Priest