When Kanyakumari District remained a mission territory under the Archdiocese of Changanacherry no mission work was taken up in the Taluk of Shenkottai in the District of Tirunelveli, although it was also part of the extended territory of the Archdiocese. As an exception one can say that a house of the Mission Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (M.C.B.S) was established there just one year (two year) before the inauguration of the Thuckalay Diocese.
In 1997 the Bishop sent Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Muttathukunnel (Protosyncellus), Very Rev. Fr. Phillip Kodiyanthara, and Very Rev. Fr. Phillip Vaikkathukaran to Shenkottai as explorers to find out the possibilities of the mission work in that area.As the team suggested, the Bishop sent two priests-Rev. Fr. Mathew Kuzhinjalil and Rev. Fr. Peter Kizhakkeyil - to Shenkottai.
Shenkottai is 160 kilometers away from Thuckalay . On August 10,1997 Fr. Mathew Kuzhinjalil started his work in a rented houses at Pulari .This village is 8 kilometer away from town . On September 5th of the same year Fr. Peter kizhakkeyil joined him for mission work. He too lived with Fr. Mathew kuzhinjalil.
The following villages are visited
1. Kesapuram
2. Iravitharmapuram
3. Keeleputhoor
4. Poolankudiyiruppu
5. Lalakudiyiruppu
6. Tolegatemukku
7. Katturavancolony
8. Thavanai
9. Moontruvaikal
10. Sathianmeedu
11. Kannupulimettu
12. Kaduvetty
13. Thamotharnager
14. Kattalakudy
15. Venebanalloor
16. Mekkara
On 30th of january 1999 first baptism was administerted to a grown up lady . Some Cathiolic Families also here .Now Seven priests are working in the area, three diocesan priests and four MCBS priests .There are five station in Shenkottai Region.
