Fr. Panoor, after his Ordination in 1969, spent most of his life in the parishes, engaging in the integral Socio-Pastoral and Spiritual ministries.When he took over as Parish Priest of Alavanthankulam in 1973, the people in and around the village were worst affected by a severe drought. With the support of the Tirunelveli Social Service Society, he distributed wheat and oil for work to people, and protected them from hunger and malnutrition. He helped them all to become economically independent through his innovative ideas such as the introduction of Jasmine flower cultivation in and around the village.
Twice he was the parish priest of Alavanthankulam for a total of 30 years. He built there the second biggest church in Palayamkottai Diocese with the generous contributions of parishioners. Practically every day before Mass, he used to sit in the confessional and help people experience the love and mercy of God. Through his simplicity and holiness of life, he promoted nearly 50 vocations from Alavanthankulam to different religious congregations (including eight Jesuit vocations). He strived hard to empower the poor, particularly the Dalits, through education. He upgraded the Middle School in Alavanthankulam to High School in 1996, and to Higher Secondary in 1999.
Today, the people look up to him as a great prophet, missionary and visionary who promoted selfsufficiency, self-respect and self-governance.
He passed away on 22nd April 2021 at Beschi, Dindigul, where he was in retirement since 2018. Months before his death, the parishioners of Alavanthankulam had submitted a memorandum signed by all requesting that at his death his mortal remains should be given to them for burial in front of the Church built by him. And so it was done on 23rd April, after a solemn funeral Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Dr. Antonysamy, Bishop of Palayamkottai.
John Michael, SJ and Vargheesh Antony, SJ
