Founded on August 15, 2006, the Arockia Annai’yin Dallas Tamil Catholic Association brings together Tamil speaking Catholics in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for monthly Tamil Mass and shared spiritual growth. Supported by several Tamil priests and families across DFW, the community strives to preserve and share Tamil Catholic spiritual, cultural, and social values.
DTC currently serves as a Tamil cultural ministry at Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church, located at 2330 Cheyenne St., Irving, Texas 75062, in the Diocese of Dallas.
Founder’s Profile – Rev. Fr. Peter Chinnappan
Rev. Fr. Peter Chinnappan, originally from Trichy, Tamil Nadu, studied for the Diocese of Kohima, Nagaland, near the borders of China and Myanmar. He was ordained on April 17, 1985, and served as a pastor, missionary, seminary dean, and administrator.
Education & Formation
- Undergraduate degrees in Philosophy, Economics, and Political Science
- B.Th from the University of Urbanium, Rome
- Master’s degrees in Political Science (Madras University) and MBA (University of Wales)
- Certificate in TV Program Production (Mt. Saint Michael, West Dallas)
Media & Teaching Contributions
Fr. Peter produced 30+ television programs on social, cultural, and biblical themes and founded North East Social Communications (NESCOM).
He taught Visual Communications and Homiletics for nearly eight years and conducted 500+ seminars on media literacy across 15 dioceses in Northeast India.
Service in the Diocese of Dallas
- 1993–1997: St. Cecilia (Dallas) and media work in New York
- 2003–2004: St. Mark Catholic Church, Plano
- 2005–2006: All Saints Dallas — founded Arockiya Annaiyin Dallas Tamil Catholics
- 2007–2008: St. Michael, Garland (Pastoral Administrator)
- 2010 onward: Served All Saints (Forney), Prince of Peace (Plano), Holy Family of Nazareth (Irving), and St. Michael (McKinney)
- 2023: Appointed Chaplain for hospitals associated with St. Paul’s Church, Richardson, and Chaplain for the DTC community
A Community Built on Vision and Commitment
The DTC community proudly honors Fr. Peter’s vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Diocese of Dallas and to Tamil Catholics across North Texas.
Ministry with Dallas Tamil Catholics
A Report to Rev. Bishop Greg Kelly
Dated: August 2023
📖 Our History
Arockia Annai-yin Dallas Tamil Catholic Association is a part of Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church’s multicultural ministries. It was founded by Rev. Fr. Peter Chinnappan, then the Associate Pastor of All Saints Catholic Church, Dallas, Texas.
The first gathering with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in Tamil took place on August 15, 2006, with due permission from Most Rev. Charles V. Grahmann, then Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas. At that time, only five Tamil Catholic families were the founding members of Dallas Tamil Catholics (DTC).
Over time, the number of families steadily increased. Initially, the Tamil Mass was celebrated in various parishes within the Diocese of Dallas. However, to establish a regular monthly celebration, a permanent place of worship became necessary.
Prior to moving to Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church in Irving, Texas, the Tamil Mass was celebrated for a period of three years at Holy Cross Catholic Church, The Colony, under the Diocese of Fort Worth.
Dallas Tamil Catholics is supported by Tamil-speaking priests and families residing in and around the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex. In the year 2013, Rev. Albert Becher, after consultation and approval by the Parish Pastoral Council, graciously shared the sanctuary at Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church, Irving, for the celebration of the Holy Mass in Tamil.
With this blessing, more than 60 Tamil-speaking Catholic families became an integral part of the parish’s multicultural ministries. Today, DTC has grown to more than 200 families.
Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church became the permanent abode of Our Lady of Good Health (Arockia Annai / Vailankanni Madha). The installation of the statue took place on December 8, 2018. Rev. Fr. Albert Becher blessed and dedicated the statue of Our Lady of Good Health to Holy Family of Nazareth.
🌿 Our Vision
To strengthen our faith and nurture it within our families through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in Tamil, catechizing our children, and forming them with strong social, ethical, spiritual, and family values—thus building a vibrant, faith-filled Catholic community.
🎯 Our Mission
The DTC community reaches out to all Tamil Catholics in and around the DFW metroplex to share social, cultural, traditional, and spiritual values, celebrating life together as one family.
We involve every Tamil Catholic family in worship and traditional celebrations such as Adoration, Lenten Retreats, Quarterly All-Night Adoration, Novena for the Birthday of Our Blessed Mother (September 8), and Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Currently, Mass is celebrated on the Second and Fourth Saturdays of every month.
✝️ One Faith • One Hope • One Love
One Faith
Faith is man’s response to God who reveals Himself and gives Himself to us. It is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen, lived through prayer, sacraments, commandments, and love.
One Hope
Hope is the desire for the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life, trusting in Christ’s promises and relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit.
One Love
God is Love. Through the Holy Spirit, His love fills our hearts, transforming us into Christ and calling us to love all as He has loved us.