Friday 25 November 2016

St. Mary's Church Manathoor, Pizhaku

ST. MARY'S CHURCH MANATHOOR 

PIZHAKU, PALA

(DIOCESE OF PALA)


         St. Mary's Church Manathoor, Pizhaku is established in 1910 A.D. which was dedicated to the Holy Mother of Jesus. It is a Syrian Catholic Church following Syro-Malabar Rite. It falls under the  Eparchy of Palai. Manathoor Church is located at Pizhaku aside the busy Pala - Thodupuzha highway in Kottayam District.

History


A plot of 30 cent near the Pala-Thodupuzha road was bought from Manathoor family by native priests Rev. Fr. Mathai Paremakkal and Rev. Fr. Chandy Uppumakkal and established a capela there. It was to help the Catholic migrants in Pizhaku area as it was difficult for them to attend church services at kadanad church, which was 4 miles away. The first Holy Mass was offered on September 8, 1910. Priests from Kadanad church used to come for the Holy Eucharistic celebration on every Sunday since then. A two storey presbytery was built shortly due to the initiative of the then parish priest of kadanad Rev. Fr. Mathai Kuzhumbil. A permanent priest was appointed in August 1927. Mr. Augusthy Tharayil, a native of this parish, purchased the land and made a cemetery for the church in his own expense in 1928. Manathoor was raised to a parish with 129 families and Rev. Fr. Thomas Parekunnel was appointed as the first parish priest in October 1928.
The L P School, which was started adjacent to the church in 1908, was shifted to the present location in 1931. It was raised to U P School and High school later. A filial church was established at Matathipara in 1933. A school too was opened there. Matathipara was raised to a parish in 1951. The old church was demolished and reconstructed having a length of 120 feet and a width of 30 feet under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Joseph Thannipara in 1955. During the tenure of Rev. Fr. Geo Kappalumakkal the presbytery was reconstructed in 1974. A branch of Sacred Heart Convent is present here since 1985.
          Before 1910 Pizhaku was under the parish of Kadanadu. But it was difficult to attend mass as it was 3.5 km away. So this church was derived from Kadanadu in 1910. They bought land from 'Manathoor' family later which led to the coining of parish name as Manathoor. Blessed Kunjachan was in-charge of this church once. As the parishioners increased the need for a new church building arised. The now-seen church was build around 60 years back. A school (St. Joseph's High School Manathoor, Pizhaku) was also started in 1960's which was later upgraded to highschool. Mattathippara was the shrine of Manathoor Church later Mattathipara became an independant Parish. This parish has plenty of vocations serving inside and outside of Kerala.


Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt at 100th Jubilee Celebation of the Church in 2010




Church Feast

September 8th, the birth day of Mother Mary is celebrated as the main 'Perunnal' of this church. The flag is risen on 1st of September followed by 8 day celebrations, lent, Holy Qurbana and Novena. The main days fall 7th and 8th Sep. On 7th Processions take place along with Holy Mass, Novena. 'Chenda Melam' is organised as per St. Thomas Christian traditions. On 8th the day is Celebrated as the main feast day. Fire Crackers are burst with entertainment show such as Drama or Music Show is held. On sep 9th Remembrance of the Dead is held and the 'Perunnal' is officially over.
The feast of  St. Sebastian is also held in the month of January or February on a Sunday just before the Ash Wednesday (Vibhoothi). Procession takes place all over the parish at that day.









INSIDE VIEW OF THE CHURCH




Holy ALTAR (Madbaha)

KURISH - PALLY -  St. Joseph's Shrine



St. Joseph's Shrine is located 300 metres away from church towards Thodupuzha side. Yearly the feast of St. Joseph is celebrated in the month of March.

St. Joseph's High School Manathoor, Pizhaku


St. Joseph High School was build in 1960s managed by St. Mary's Church. It cater the educational needs of Children in and around Pizhaku.
The St. Mary's Sunday School functions here.

VICAR: Fr. Thomas Pullatt
(2014-2019)


Fr. Kuriakose Narithookil wasAppointed as Vicar from February 2019.

Image result for kuriakose narithookil
Fr. Kuriakose Narithookkil (2019- )

Parish Hall

Laying of Foundation Stone by Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop of Palai in 2010 as a memory of 100th Jubilee Celebrations.
Crib Made during Christmas

KURISHU MALA - Maniyakkumppara


St. Mary's Church at a Glance

Name: St. Mary's Church
Parish: Manathoor
Place: Pizhaku
Vicar: Fr. Thomas Pullatt (2014-)
Diocese: Palai
Bishop of Palai: Mar Joseph Kallarangatt
Major Archbishop: MAR GEORGE CARDINAL ALENCHERRY
Forane: Kadanad (Formerly Ramapuram)
Denomination: Syro-Malabar Catholic
Type: Catholic Church (Communion with Holy See of Vatican)
No. of Families: 412
Population: 2058
Estd: 1910
No. of Wards: 23
Area: 5 sq. km.
Pin Code: 686 651
Phone: 04822 260365
Feast Days: September 7 & 8
Spititual Groups: KCYM, Mathruvedi, Vincent De Paul, CML
Convents Associated: SH Convent

CONTACT DETAILS 

Address

St. Mary's Church Manathoor
Pizhaku P.O.
Pala - Thodupuzha Highway
Pala, Kottayam Dt.
Kerala, India - 686651

Ph: 04822 260365


HOLY MASS TIMINGS

 6:30 am on weekdays
 5:45 am, 7:15 am, 9:45 am on Sundays
 Novena for Our lady of Perpetual Help on Saturdays

HOW TO REACH CHURCH?
 By own vehicle: It lies aside of Pala - Thodupuzha Highway  at                                                  Manathoor, Pizhaku.
By Bus: From Pala or Kottayam take  bus to Thodupuzha and get down at Manathoor Church Junction,Pizhaku. From Thodupuzha take bus to Palai or  Kottayam bus.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is Kottayam Railway Station which is 42 km away.
By Air: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport which is 63 km away from church.