St. Dominic Catholic Church

Pastor's Corner

June 24, 2018

to us this word of salvation has been sent…Acts 13:26

This week we are joined by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Kumbakonam, India, Monsignor Amirthasamy Amalanathan, who will be preaching about the missionary work in his diocese.  The diocese is located in southeast India, and was formed in 1899. The approximately 2 million Catholics in the area make up about 5% of the population, Muslims another 5%, while the vast majority of the populace is Hindu. 

The diocese maintains 123 schools, including 13 secondary schools, 8 high schools, 42 middle schools, 61 elementary schools, 2 technical schools and one school for the deaf and mute.  The diocese also serves thousands of children in 42 hostels and children’s homes where they receive education and character formation. The diocese maintains 75 parishes and 525 sub-stations which are served by 124 diocesan priests, 30 diocesan priests, 17 religious brothers and over 450 religious sisters.  Many social works are carried out by the faithful in the diocese that serve people irrespective of their caste or religious background – all aimed at helping people help themselves.

Health and hygiene is one of the basic needs of Indian society.  Motivated by the same spirit of Jesus, who went about healing the sick, the diocese has established two leprosaria, 8 hospitals, 20 dispensaries and two homes for the handicapped and two for the elderly.

St. Paul reminds us that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) Thank you for helping to care for members of Christ’s body – our brothers and sisters in India.