Pochampalli is a small town and the taluk headquarter in the district of Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. This little town is surrounded by Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri Block to the West, Bargur Block to the North, and Kandhili and Uthangarai Block to the East. Pochampalli is known for housing one of the largest weekly markets on Sundays in Tamil Nadu, especially for the Muslim feast of Ramjan, when over 5000 goats would be sold in this market. The town is located near one of the fastest-growing SIPCOTs in the state of Tamil Nadu, where Fairway Enterprises Company Limited and OLA Electric Scooters have their manufacturing plants. There is a Government School for boys and Girls. The people belonging to three major religions are living in peace with fraternal solidarity. The Hindus comprise 96.4 %, Muslims form 3.18 % and Christians are 0. 25 % of the total population. There are only 40 Catholic families in this small town. Pochampally was the substation of Nellimarathuppatti parish until its creation as an independent parish.
When Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius, the bishop of Dharmapuri decided to erect Pochampalli as a separate parish, he invited the MSFS missionaries as they already serve the diocese through Nalam, the deaddiction center. Fr. K. Ignaci Muthu, msfs gladly responded to the bishop’s offer, expressing his desire to take up the parish. Hence, he designated Fr. S. Arockiya Christu Raj, msfs to the bishop who appointed him as the first parish priest, and he took charge of the parish on 07- 07-2021. The province had entered an agreement with the bishop to take care of the parish for 25 years. As there was no presbytery, he was staying initially in a rented house for 15 months and mass was celebrated in the sisters’ school. Many of the people attend mass every Sunday, and they get involved actively with dedication in the parish activities like singing, praying and offering their time to help at the Church. The parish priest serves the parish with dedication and enthusiasm by taking care of the spiritual needs of the people, and through house visits periodically. He also encourages and motivates the children and youth to grow in faith.
Developments undertaken at various times
Fr. S. Arockiya Christu Raj, msfs is very committed as a pioneer and the first parish priest in taking care of the spiritual needs of the people and working out plans for the temporal developments of the parish. When he took charge of the parish, there was a piece of land bought by the diocese and there was no presbytery or church. He was staying in a rented house and later he took the initiative to build the presbytery with the help of the province, spending 38 lakhs and on the first floor of the presbytery a hall was constructed to be used as a temporary chapel. The new house was blessed by Most Rev. Lawrence Pius, the bishop of Dharmapuri diocese and inaugurated by Fr. K. Ignacimuthu, msfs the provincial of South-East Province on September 17, 2022. Understanding people’s special devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary, he coordinated the people and raised the needed funds and constructed a beautiful tower which is 53 feet high and South-East Province also supported his effort, and it was blessed by Most Rev. Lawrence Pius, the bishop of Dharmapuri and inaugurated by Fr. A. Patrick Jayaraj, msfs the provincial of South-East province. Now he has made efforts with the support of the people to mobilize funds needed to construct a new parish church.
Participatory structures in the Parish: Parish counsel, Anbiyams (BCC)
Association: Youth group, Altar Servers, Legion of Mary, Choir
Religious in the Parish: Sisters of Notre Dame Congregation who run ICSE school
Succession of Parish Priest
Fr. S. Arockiya Christu Raj, msfs 2021