Amid the lush hills of Wayanad in Kerala, St. Jude’s Church at Jude’s Mount, Vellamunda, stands as a spiritual sanctuary and beacon of Catholic unity under the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Mananthavady. For decades, this church has anchored the local Catholic community, offering solace, guidance, and a vibrant environment for faith-based activities.
Founded in the spirit of early Catholic settlers in the high ranges of Kerala, St. Jude’s Church was established to serve the faithful migrating from central Kerala during the post-independence period. As part of the Mananthavady Diocese, which was established in 1973 by Pope Paul VI through the apostolic bull Quanta Gloria, the parish has played a significant role in nurturing faith and culture among its people.
Currently, Rev. Fr. Thomas (Manoj) Kakkonal serves as the parish priest. Born on September 6 and ordained on April 18, 2006, he brings pastoral experience and heartfelt dedication to the community. Hailing from Infant Jesus Church, Sisumala, Fr. Kakkonal was appointed vicar of St. Jude’s Church in 2022, and continues to serve with devotion.
The parish has also been blessed with the leadership of former priests who helped lay a strong spiritual and administrative foundation over the years, contributing to the parish's present vitality.
The heart of St. Jude’s Church’s vibrancy lies in its dynamic parish organizations that actively engage the faithful of all age groups and backgrounds:
KCYM (Kerala Catholic Youth Movement): The youth are the energy of the Church, and KCYM at St. Jude’s fosters leadership, community service, and faith formation among young people. Through charity drives, liturgical involvement, and social outreach, KCYM members help integrate faith into action.
CML (Cherupushpa Mission League): Catering to the missionary spirit of children and teenagers, the CML chapter at the parish trains young minds in the values of evangelization, sacrifice, and Catholic social responsibility.
Mathruvedi: The mothers of the parish play an essential role in spiritual and social development through Mathruvedi. This organization provides a platform for women to grow in faith, lead family prayer initiatives, and engage in charitable works.
Thirubalasakyam: Designed for the youngest members of the parish, Thirubalasakyam introduces children to the basics of Christian living, scripture, and community prayer through fun-filled and faith-centered activities.
St. Jude’s Church is not only a house of worship but a center for spiritual education, cultural bonding, and social action. Regular catechism classes, feasts, retreats, and family gatherings strengthen the parish’s spiritual fabric.
Each year, the feast of St. Jude is celebrated with great reverence and participation, drawing devotees from nearby areas to seek the saint’s powerful intercession.
With strong leadership, dedicated parishioners, and the vitality of its spiritual organizations, St. Jude’s Church, Jude’s Mount, continues to thrive as a deeply rooted Catholic community. It reflects the unity, mission, and hope that defines the Syro-Malabar Church in the high ranges of Kerala.
As the parish marches ahead, it remains a shining example of how faith, community, and commitment can transform not only individual lives but entire generations.