St. Sebastian Church Kadavanthra

1948 to 1950, the Latin Catholics of Kadavanthra relied on the following churches in and around the locality to celebrate mass and for other religious and spiritual needs.

St. Peter’s Church, Venduruthy

Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Varavukadu

St. George Puthanpalli Church, Perumanur

Guided by the able leadership of Rev. Fr. Antony Pullayil, the cornerstone of St. Sebastian’s Church, Kadavanthra was laid in 1961. Mr. C J Lewis donates 93 cents of land (1 cent = 434.6 sq. ft) for the construction of the church.On 19th January 1963, Mons. Alexander Lanthaparambil blessed St. Sebastian’s Church for its 200 parishioners and their families.

The priests who served in our church:

  • Rev. Fr. Varghese Valanthara
  • Rev. Fr. Cletus Parambaloth
  • Rev. Fr. Antony Maplaserry
  • Rev. Fr. George Vettaparambil
  • Rev. Fr. Varghese Paavanathara
  • Rev. Fr. Lawrence Nelliparambil
  • Rev. Fr. Augustine Isaac Kurisingal
  • Rev. Fr. Joseph Padiyaramparambil
  • Rev. Fr. Zachariah Paavanathara
  • Rev. Fr. Joseph Karikkaserry [Bishop Kottapuram]

During the time Fr. Joseph Karikkaserry was assigned to serve our church, St. Sebastian church boasted Kadavanthra’s first parochial house and in 1982, we had Kadavanthra’s first Family Units. Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) was also founded by our beloved Bishop

Vicars of St. Sebastian’s Church, Kadavanthra

  • Rev. Fr. Melvin Varghese Naduvilaveetil
  • Rev. Fr. Mons. Sebastian Lewis
  • Rev. Fr. John Kanakkaserry
  • Rev. Fr. Manuel Lopez
  • Rev. Fr. Thomas Pulikkan
  • Rev. Fr. Raymond Pallan
  • Rev. Fr. Joseph Benny Karinghat
  • Rev. Fr. Francis Desilva
  • Rev. Dr. Fr. Vincent Variyeth

After building a church and a parochial house For Kadavanthra, Rev. Fr. Melvin Varghese served as the primary vicar.

Late Mr. Peter Tharaserry finishes the construction of St. Sebastian’s Cappella (chapel).

For the construction of the capella dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Mr. Vakkachen Thirunilath and Mr. Paul Parappilli donated 5 cents of land to the church and on 29th May 2009, Rev. Fr. Joseph Karikkaserry (who was serving as the assistant vicar at the time) blessed the capella.

Rev. Fr. Manuel Lopez oversaw the laying of the foundation stone on 18th January 1994, which was later blessed by Most Rev. Fr. Dr. Cornelius Elanjikal and on 13th October 1996, he inaugurated the same.

Rev. Fr. Thomas Pulickal was serving St. Sebastian’s church in 22nd January 1998, when it was declared an independent parish by Archbishop Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil. Fr. Thomas Pulickal then became the primary vicar of the newly declared parish. In memory of Rev. Fr. Melvin Varghese Naduvilaveetil, Anjiparambil Shiji Joseph and Br. Joy Parayathra, the parish’s educational trust was founded. In 2001, the holy remains of St. Sebastian were brought over from The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. Fr. Thomas played an important role in bringing the patron saint’s holy relics to the parish. Santa Cecilia Music Academy was started in the parish and it was inaugurated by renowned playback singers Dr. K J Yesudas and Mrs. Usha Uthup.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Sebastian, during his service in St. Sebastian’s church, made virtuous use of the offerings and donations of the parishioners by starting the parish healthcare trust.

Rev. Fr. Francis DeSilva, in 13th October 2006, organized the anniversary celebrations of a decade since the renovation of St. Sebastian’s church. It was during his service in the church that the cornerstone for the major capella of the church, dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was laid, as well as the blessing of the new building for catechism on 10th October 2006 by Archbishop Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil.

The rebuilt parochial house’s corner stone was laid on 10th October 2006 and was blessed on 16th January 2008 by Archbishop Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil.

The first agape of the parish’s family unit blocks took place in December 2008.

Rev. Fr. Augustine Baiju Kuttikkal becomes the parish’s first priest. On 27th March 2008, he received holy orders and this ordination ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil. On 3rd April 2008, Fr. Augustine celebrated his first mass as a priest.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Vincent Vaariyath

  • Renovation of the parish hall.
  • Beautified the church grounds by covering the pathways with gravel.
  • Built a grotto dedicated to the Holy Spirit in the church yard.

    • It was laid on May 9th 2010 by the children who received their first holy communion on the same day. It was sponsored by Mr. Roy Kovattuparambil in memory of his late father Mr. Joseph Kovattuparambil.

  • The cemetery was rebuilt and renamed as “Memorial Park” or “Harita Park” (?)
  • Funds for the parishioners’ healthcare and financial assistance for marriages were started. In conjunction with the 50th year commemorative celebrations of the church, financial assistance was provided towards constructing houses for 10 families.
  • Renovation of the church’s altar as well as extending the garden in the church yard was also done.
  • A grand and new flagpole was erected.
  • Walls were built around the capella in honour of Our lady of Perpetual Help.
  • Bank accounts were given to the altar boys to inculcate qualities of saving and better money-management.
  • All the church staffs were given medical insurance.
  • Over 1000 people signed up for eye donation via the church’s eye donation program, of which 6 people donated their eyes.
  • Medical camps were conducted for allopathic, homeopathic and ayurvedic treatments for the parishioners.
  • Initiatives were taken to start a parish youth forum as well as a group for the altar boys. Also, a society for young girls called Angel Girls was also started in the parish.
  • Environmental conservation programs were started along with the Harita Kadavanthra movement.
  • Tree saplings and vegetable seeds were distributed to the parishioners to start a backyard vegetable garden in every home.
  • A contest for the best backyard vegetable garden was held and a cash award was presented to the winners.
  • A garden exclusively for herbs with medicinal value was also made.
  • The parish’s golden jubilee was celebrated with much joy by the parishioners. In conjunction with this, a cultural parade was organized with the title Pazhamayilekku Oru Madakuyathra (A Return to the Old Traditions)
  • The family units helped the parish grow in love and become one big family.
  • The parishioners of St. Sebastian’s church, Kadavanthra participated in and won various inter-parish competitions in the archdiocese level cultural competitions.
  • For 3 years in a row, the catechism department claimed the Best Unit Award and the title of The Best CEP Unit.
  • On 12th April 2011, Fr. Tijo Thomas Kolothuveetil becomes the parish’s second ordained priest by receiving holy orders from Fr. Francis Kallaraykal.
  • Rev. Fr. Tijo Thomas celebrated his first holy mass in the parish on 16th April 2011 at 4:00 PM.
  • In 2012, the construction of the new garden in the church yard named Paradiso Sanctorum (Garden of Saints) was started and the corner stone was laid by the members of the Legion of Mary. On 21st September 2012, Rev. Fr. Francis Kallaraykal inaugurated the newly constructed garden. The grotto, statues of the saints and the garden itself was designed and made by Mr. Baiju Mudavasserry.
  • “Angel of Hope” ANGELUS SPEI – Statue sculptor – George Francis in the year 2011
  • Offering over 250 meals for orphanages at least once every month under the name “Spandanam” run by the Rosa Mystica Youth Forum.
  • Exhibitions conducted on the following themes:
    • Drug and Alcohol Abuse Awareness
    • Exhibitions on the New Testament, especially on The Gospels of St. Matthew, St. Luke, St. John and St. Mark
    • In 2011, an exhibition titled “Satum Santhorum” was conducted with the slogan “To know the saints and to grow in sanctity”
    • In 2012, The Arts & Handicrafts Exhibition had the parishioners bringing handcrafted articles that they themselves had made and were exhibited.
  • Medical Check-up camp for the parishioners was conducted. Blood pressure, blood sugar levels, blood group, height and weight analyses were done.
  • Rosa Mystica Youth Forum actively participated in the 2012 Blood Donation Camp conducted by Govt. Hospital, Aluva.
  • Continuous rosary and continuous Bible reading (for 24 hours) took place with active participation from the parishioners. All 4 gospels were read within 24 hours.