Concentrates on creating Anbiams (Basic Christian Communities) in all villages of the Diocese. The secretary and his co-workers make periodical visits to encourage the faithful to live the spirit of Anbiam, a felt need of today's church.

Rev. Fr. M.P. Jesuraj

Secretary

Anbiam Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

It is a new emerged commission last year in order to help the non-dalit Christians in their social, political, educational and economical developments. It focuses on the labourers of the cottage industries, viz. Beedi-making, Match-Making, Palmera climbers and coolie workers. It has also tuition centres in the various villages, conducting evening classes for the poor students.

Rev. Fr. Sahaya Chinnappan L

Secretary

BC / MBC/ DNC Commissions, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

Promotes the knowledge about the Bible among the faithful. Conducts seminar on the Bible for ordinary lay people in parishes. The commission organizes various programme for children to have a taste in the Word of God. Every year the commission conducts Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children during the first ten days of summer vacation.

Rev. Fr. Vianney Raj

Director & Secretary

Bible Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

To develop the social and political leadership among the Christian community and to ensure their democratic participation, thus protect and promote their rights the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council has evolved a lay social forum for the entire Christian community. . This is to grow as a movement, from the bottom-up, embracing Christians of all shades.

Rev. Fr. Michael Raj C.P

Secretary

Christhuva Vazhvurimai Iyakkam, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

Responsible for school catechism and Sunday catechism in the parishes. Conducts various seminars for teachers on catechism and examinations to the students. This commission is also catering to the non Christian pupils through value Education programme. Organises meetings and seminars for the untrained catechists working in villages.

Rev. Fr. Vianneyraj A.

Secretary

Commission for Catachism, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

Through the means of social communication the commission strives to spread the Word of God, to preserve and promote Christian and Tamil culture. The commission is involved in conducting awareness programme with the help of a specially formed cultural troop. The commission brings out a periodical called Uyirtha Parvai produces documentary films to permeate the society with Gospel values.

Rev. Fr. Arul Ambrose

Secretary

Porunai Social Communication Centre, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

This is a commission consisting members of various religions. These members come together periodically and discuss ways and means of deepening relationship among people of different religions. Besides such discussions, meetings, inter-faith celebrations, common prayer services this commission remains a linking force to face some social issues.

Rev. Fr. Amalan

Secretary

Dialogue Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

Organises joint services of worship among different Churches and Communities. Strives to promote unity among Christians in facing some social challenges. Conducts ecumenical prayer services, fasting etc. Gives special stress to the observance of the Unity Octave as per the norms of the Church.

Rev. Fr. Amalan

Secretary

Ecumenism Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

This commission consists of 65 primary schools, 23 middle schools, 10 High Schools and 4 higher secondary schools, all aided by Tamilnadu Government and abides by the rules and regulations of the Tamilnadu Government, enjoying the minority rite privilege in appointing the teachers independently of the Government. It focuses on the education of poor students (mostly village poor students) not only on the academic education but also on catechism to the Christians, moral and value education to the non-Christians. Periodical training programmes and refresher courses are given to the teachers in order to update themselves to the signs of the times. It helps catholic trained teachers get job opportunities if and when vacancies arise in the schools, following seniority lists of the unemployed trained hands.

Rev. Fr. Alphonse S.

Secretary

Education Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

Involved in spreading the Word of God through direct and indirect evangelization. This is done by house visits, prayer meetings and gospel conventions with the help of prayer groups and full time and part time Gospel workers. The commission makes use of the communication media as well.

Rev. Fr. Aloysius Durairaj

Director

Evangelization Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

Primarily engaged in offering pre-marital preparation courses for the would be brides and grooms. It also conducts seminars for married people. Besides, the commission renders service to the faithful in and outside the diocese through its Marriage Information Bureau.

Rev. Fr. Amalan G J

Secretary

Family Welfare Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

Rev. Fr.M. Arul

Secretary

Health care Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

This commission known as Tirunelveli Social Service Society (T.S.S.S), a registered independent society in the Diocese, focuses on Justice, peace and development of the so called suppressed, oppressed and downtrodden of the society, irrespective of Caste and Creed. It also focuses on the development of women, through self-help groups, providing loans through banks. This commission also has homes to shelter the street children, abandoned babies and unwed mothers in the name of Saranalayam and Vidiyal . It goes hand in hand with Government schemes and developmental projects of the two districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Kennedy

Director,

T.S.S.S., Post Box No.108, Palayamkottai, TIRUNELVELI – 627002

Rev. Fr. Motcharajan M

Administrator

Saranalayam, Babuji Nagar, Opp. Hotel Aryaas, TIRUNELVELI – 627001

This commission plays a vital role on social, political, and economical changes and developments of the labourers. It conducts awareness programmes in order to help people to be competent for any job, to be aware of their problems, to fight for their rights and to eradicate the social discrimination as far as ‘labour' is concerned. It also unfolds the various job opportunities to the jobless in the Region (Tamilnadu) as well as in the centre (Central Government) at large.

Rev. Fr. Sahaya Chinnappan

Secretary

Labour Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

The commission focuses on the Laity, and makes them realize and carry out their participatory role in the Ministry and Life of the Church. It arranges various kinds of trainings, meetings, seminars in the diocesan, regional and national level.

Rev. Fr. Stephen S L

Secretary

Prison Ministry, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

This commission provides free legal aid help to the people to approach easily the court for settlement of their civil and criminal problems. It has a team of lawyers to do free service to the poor people who need advice in the law and order problems. It arranges seminars for the people to be in the know of the Indian laws and their binding forces.

Rev. Fr. Antony Xavier

Secretary

Legal Cell, Adaikalamatha Church, Tirunelveli Town, Tirunelveli – 627006

Commission for Liturgy is responsible for the proper and meaningful conduct of liturgical celebrations. It conducts on various occasions training programmes and seminars and thus imparts correct knowledge about liturgy to the people.

Rev. Fr.Jeyabalan A

Secretary

Liturgy Commission, Thembavani Thottam, Palayamkottai.

It is a wonderful ministry done to the prisoners in the jail. Periodical visits are made to the prisons in order to help the prisoners free from their mental stress and depression through counselling. This commission is able to build up a bridge and relationship between the prisoners and their families too. During Christmas and Easter times entertainment programmes with gifts of tiffin items are provided to the prisoners in the jail to make them happy.

Rev. Fr. Stephen S L

Secretary

Prison Ministry, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

It is a special commission for Dalit Christians who, in the name of religion, are denied all privileges of the Government jobs and scholarships. It caters to the needs of education of poor students, having tuition centres in 120 villages, providing scholarships, loans through Uthayam Trust and Anawim projects. It conducts various periodical training programmes on Leadership, Law, Personality Development, etc. It helps them giving training in tailoring, typing, computer and small scale industries for job opportunities.

Rev. Fr. Motcha Rajan

Secretary

SC/ST Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

The task of this commission is to sow the seed of God's call in the minds of the young people and to promote vocation among them. Each year camps are conducted to help the young ones to discern the voice of God and to follow Him through priestly or religious vocation.

Msgr. Dr. S. Antonysamy

Vocation Promoter

St. Mary's Seminary, Post Box No.108, Palayamkottai, TIRUNELVELI – 627002

Engaged in the uplift of women in the Church as well as in the society. It organaises various programme for women and helps them to realize their special place and role in the church, especially taking active participation in church administration, viz, parish council, financial committee, liturgical services etc.,

Mrs. Esther David

Secretary

Women Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011

The commission for the Youth in committed to motivate and mould the younger generation and to channalize their energy, talents for the good of the church and the society at large. Various training programme and camps are conducted to this effect

Rev. Fr. Michaelraj C.P.

Secretary

Youth Commission, Jubilee Pastoral Centre, THEMBAVANI THOTTAM, Shanthi Nagar, TIRUNELVELI – 627011