KEELA ERAL
We the Salesian Community of Keela Eral envisage
Don Bosco mission started with the parish along with its sub-stations. This parish was part of Vilathikulam till 6th of August 2000. Earlier it was part of Keelavaipar and later KeelaMudiman. In 1981, it was attached to Vilathikulam parish. The Salesian Mission came into existence at Vilathikulam as a result of the Provincial Chapter 1992 which spoke about new vision. At the request of the Bishop of TuticorinMost.Rev.Bp.Amalanathar to the Salesian provincial of Chennai Province Fr.VincentDurai raj, a study was done by Fr.Solomon and Fr. Antony Samy in 1993 in Vilathikulam area. The Salesians took over the Vilathikulam parish in 1994. Fr. Lawrence, S.D.B. became its first Salesian Parish Priest. In 1996, Fr.Lawrence bought 8 acres of land at KeelaEral and built a house for the Salesians to stay. In 1997, the Salesian sisters came and started working in this area, initially staying at Valampatti and from 1998 at KeelaEral. After Fr. Lawrence, Fr. Vincent Sebastian took over as the parish priest. He was in charge for two years from 1998 May to 200 May. In 1999, a community hall was built at KeelaEral to look after the villages of this area for training the girls in tailoring and for common animation.
On the 6th of August, 2000, the parish was bifurcated from Vilathikulam parish and officially inaugurated by the Bishop of Tuticorin. Fr. Rosario Perez took charge as the first parish priest on the same day. This parish was part of the Vilathikulam community. Fr. Amala Joseph was installed as the Rector of this community on the 25th August 2000. On 24th May 2001 Fr. Felix took charge of the parish. In 2001, Anbiyams were started at KeelaEral. The vocational bible school also was started this year. In the academic year 2002 – 2003, a little boarding with 9 boys was started. The same year also enjoyed the beginning of help from CFCA for 26 children. Fr. Felix took special interest in developing the economic situation of the people by teaching them candle making and other useful trades.
From 24th of May 2003, Rev.Fr. Gerard Britto took over as the parish priest. A new building was built for providing non formal technical training with the help of German Government agency. The building got completed in June 2006. From July 2006 the non formal technical centre started to function with 63 students with Bro. Chinnapparaj as its first principal. DTP course, two wheeler and four wheeler mechanism, electrician and electronics trades were started. From June 2007 onwards Fr. Amaladoss took charge as the parish priest and Fr. Joe Augustine took charge as the new principal of the technical centre.
On June 26th 2007 the parish church at KeelaEral was inaugurated and it became the official parish church. In the year 2007-08, 118 students were admitted and a new trade welding was also added. A training hall was built in the same year with the help of program project and was inaugurated in August 2007. On August 15th, the new chapel at Bommiyapuram was blessed by the Provincial.
Since its registration as Keela Eral Don Bosco Society (Reg. No. 17/2008) in January 2008, the parish has witnessed steady growth and renewal. In mid-2008, the small student boarding was discontinued, encouraging students to move to Vilathikulam. Significant pastoral initiatives began, including the launch of Sunday Catechism, Anbiams, and the Parish Council. In 2009, the Don Bosco Community College was affiliated with Tamil Nadu Open University. Leadership changes took place with Fr. Joe Augustine, Fr. John Vellayil, and Fr. Amaladoss playing key roles.
From 2010 to 2012, Fr. Justin Sengol served as Parish Priest and Director. The community was canonically erected on May 24, 2012, with Fr. Amaladoss as its first Rector. New leadership including Fr. Vincent Sebastian and Fr. Ashok Lawrence brought renewed pastoral care, especially to neglected substations. Liturgical celebrations were regularized, youth and catechism groups revitalized, and pious associations like Legion of Mary and Vincent de Paul Society were formed.
Efforts such as family visits, rosary prayers, and sacramental preparation enhanced community life. Spiritual programs included retreats, adoration, processions, and charismatic prayer meetings. A monthly family subscription system was introduced in 2013 for financial accountability, with substation-based finance committees managing income and development.
From 2014, Sunday Masses were introduced in all substations, freeing weekdays for pastoral outreach. Devotions like monthly remembrance of Don Bosco and Our Lady, First Friday adoration, and first Saturday night prayers deepened faith. A new parish council was elected through secret ballot, approved by the Bishop, and the parish office was relocated to the new Salesian quarters.
The Provincial team was making all efforts to start a college at KeelaEral. And so to speed up the process the council had decided that the non-formal technical training be stopped. And so from 2012 – 2013 there was no training under Tamil Nadu Open University whereas the community catered to the local drop outs with the training in House Electrician and DTP, with the available machineries.
In May 2012 Salesian Community of KeelaEral was erected. The Community was asked to study the feasibility of starting an Arts and Science College. Thus the Community college (TNOU Programme) was closed from June 2012 onwards. Fr.Amaladoss the Rector was asked to look in to legal procedures and obtain required permissions from the Government and University to start the College.
The need and justification for an Arts and Science College in this area may be summed up as follows:
The growth of the Keela Eral Salesian community and its institutions has been marked by continuous development since 2013. Following the decision to establish an Arts and Science College, the foundation stone for a new Salesian residence was laid in March 2013. Over the years, significant milestones included the inauguration of the college in July 2013, the expansion of academic programs, construction of residential facilities, and consistent infrastructural enhancements such as classrooms, a canteen, a library block, solar installations, and sanitation facilities. The Salesian presence also grew with various priestly appointments and transfers. The Don Bosco Shrine and Women Empowerment Centre further extended their spiritual and social outreach. The first graduation in 2017 and the establishment of the Don Bosco Alumni Association were noteworthy achievements, reflecting the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and community engagement.
PARISH: St. Sebastian’s Parish at Keela Eral consists of 7 Substations. There are altogether 177 families and 13 Anbiams in the Parish. Around 90 children attend the Sunday Catechism classes. Parish has got pious associations like Vincent De Paul and Legion of Mary that have their regular meetings and prayer animations. There is an Altar servers unit with 15 members. Parish has got a youth group with 23 members.
DBCAS: Don Bosco College of Arts and Science with the motto, Enlighten and Empower, imparts quality education, focusing on the rural, poor and marginalized young. There are 6 UG courses and 1 PG course. There are altogether 717 students (301 Boys 416 Girls) studying in the college this academic year. There are 32 teaching staff and 6 non-teaching staff working in the college.
HOSTEL: Don Bosco Hostel accommodates the distant students studying in the college. There are altogether 62 students residing at the hostel.
NEIGHBOURHOOD MINISTRY: The community concentrates on the neighbourhood ministry. There are 10 Evening tuition centres with 295 children. There are 6 children parliaments with 213 members. There are 9 Eco Clubs with 168 members. There are 12 Women Self Help groups with 138 members.
Don Bosco Mission
Don Bosco College of Arts & Science
Keela Eral, Ettayapuram Taluk,
TUTICORIN DT – 628 908
House: (04632) 271468
College: (04632) 271558
College: (04632) 271448
College: 8300058840
College: 8300058842
Anbu Illam: 95855 58189
Email:
[email protected]
Website: www.dbcas.edu.in