About The Parish

About the Parish

Introduction
St. Thomas More Church is situated in a beautiful place called Alakode (Meenmutty), 6 kilometers away from Thodupuzha town and close to Thodupuzha – Poomala main road. This is the biggest agro-development area in low-range and a tourist area for natural beauty. This is the only church in Kothamangalam Diocese in the patronage of St. Thomas More, who took martyrdom for the protection of faith when he was the Chancellor of England. St. Thomas More is the patron Saint of the youth and the politicians.
Strength
There are 2422 members from 437 families in Alakode parish. The whole parish is divided into 20 prayer groups, named after Saints, to strengthen the faith of the parishners. They are led by the parish members elected from their respective wards. The 90 % of the people are farmers in the parish. Their strength and progress depends on the crops and their sales. There are 5 priests, 7 brothers and 35 nuns in service of the Church from this parish. This parish has many people working in high positions in the society, like teachers, social-political leaders, artists and Govt. employees etc.
Infrastructure
This church of St. Thomas More is one of the finest altars in Kothamangalam Diocese. The church, which is beautified with marble flooring and ceiling, is close to the main road and has enough space to contain a large group of people and vehicles. The parish of Alakode has beautiful statues, which depict the ‘Way of the Cross’, the stone cross known as ‘vishudhiude padavukal’ (Steps of Holiness), slivakurishu, steel flag-post, the grotto of Mother Mary and Child Jesus, the grotto of St. Alphonsa at Alakode town, the Cappela of St. Geevarghese in front of the church, the Cappela of St. Jude Thaddeus, where the Novena of St. Jude is being held on every Tuesday, two kurisumalas (mountains), which symbolize the Golgotha etc. Construction of a good presbytery is completed. The pilgrims are given sufficient facilities here.  This church of St. Thomas More, which is connected with tourist regions, is also a pilgrim centre of miracles and showers of blessings.
Activity Details
The prayer groups in 20 wards are the ‘voice of this parish’. In all these prayer groups, which are named after Saints, prayer gatherings are being conducted every month under the supervision of the parish priest and the Sisters. There are 3 trustees and 2 sacristans to look after the management of this parish. The Sisters from the Sacred Heart Congregation are here to assist the parish in spiritual matters. The common decisions regarding the parish matters are taken by the parish council comprised of the leaders of pious organizations and the parish representatives. The Alakode parish maintains efficient organizational leadership with the different parish organizations like Altharabalasakiam, Choir Group,Thirubalasakiam, CML, Yuvadeepthi, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Mathrudeepthi, Franciscan Third Order, Infarm and Family Apostolate etc. This parish has bagged many educational awards in Sunday school level. The parish has Eye Donation – Blood Donation Club and Parish Directory. Many experts conduct seminars and study classes every month.
Religious Houses in the Parish
A branch of Sacred Heart Congregation is here for the spiritual growth of Alakode St. Thomas More Church. The valuable services of Sisters are available in the areas of education, Catechism, altar decoration, parish leadership, house visit, visit to the sick and prayer etc. There are many exemplary personalities in this parish who are associated with charitable institutions and activities. A student of priesthood from the diocese of Kothamangalam serves in this parish during his regency period.
Institutions under the Parish   
Infant Jesus L P School is the oldest institution in Alakode – Thodupuzha region. Many talented and outstanding people have been moulded out of this school, which is under the management of the parish. Sri P A George, the winner of national award, ‘Gurusreshta’ award, was the former Headmaster of this school. Other than that, the best school and best teacher awards were also bagged in the diocesan level. Mar Mathew U P School, which is also under the management of the parish, had bagged the award of best teacher and the State Teacher award. St. Thomas More Nursery school, which is managed by the S H Sisters and which has also raised the gold medal winners of the PCM scholarship examination, is part of the success story of this place. There is a Rubber Producers Co-operative Society working in the church building at Alakode.