Palimar is situated on the quiet banks of river Shambhavi with Mulki and Balkunje on either side.
Some 60 years ago, Palimar was just another remote village, with no proper basic amenities. For all their needs, people had only the option of going to Mulki. The spiritual needs of the people were catered to by Bolkunje and Mulki parishes.
However, as time passed, a strong need to have a chapel at Palimar was felt and the same was made known to the then Bishop Basil Peres of Mangalore through Mulki parish priest Fr S C Rodrigues. Having understood the people's plight, Bishop Peres gave approval to start a chapel in Palimar on January 30,1956.
So the present-day Palimar parish was carved out of Mulki and Balkunje parishes. Since the people of Palimar had to cross the Shambhavi (Mulki) river to go to these churches, they, with Fr S.C. Rodrigues of Mulki in the lead, bought 1.22 acres of land and built a presbytery. Palimar was made an independent chapel and Fr Peter Lobo was appointed resident chaplain on February 12, 1956. A thatched roof chapel was built. The foundation stone was laid for the new church in 1957. Palimar became a full-fledged parish on April 9, 1967. Fr Peter Lobo (1956-1967) became the first parish priest. Bishop Basil S D'Souza blessed the church on March 27, 1967.
Fr Peter Lobo, the first parish priest of Palimar : He was a visionary of high calibre. Though the chapel was set up in 1956, there were only a few Catholic families in the vicinity. Fr Peter Lobo understood the need of having their own parish structure and set on a trip to Mumbai (then known as Bombay). His efforts were blessed as the new church was inaugurated on March 27, 1967.
Fr Maurice Paula: He not only succeeded Fr Peter Lobo, but also continued the mission and vision of the latter. He established various organizations in the church. It was during his time that the church saw electricity for the first time. It was owing to his untiring efforts that the vacant government plot in front the church was handed over to the church.
Fr Casimir Mathias: The belfry and portico of the church were constructed by Fr Casmir Mathias to commemorate the silver jubilee of the church.
Fr Peter Nazareth: Though he was in the church for a short period, he established the Society of Vincent De Paul for the aid of the poor. Even the sound system and fans were provided during the time of Fr Peter Nazareth to the church.
Fr Hilary Sanctis: It was during his tenure that the church got a hearse and a telephone connection to the presbytery.
Fr Gregory Serrao : Fr Gregory Serrao followed Fr Hilary as the parish priest. The present church and presbytery were built by Fr Gregory Serrao and these were inaugurated on May 18, 1999 by Bishop Aloysius P. D'Souza of Mangalore. It was during his term that SJSM nuns set up their convent in Palimar.
Fr Victor Gerald D'Souza : He was the seventh parish priest of the Palimar church. He has a great concern for the poor and needy. Accordingly ,he enlivened the parish activities and spiritual movement in the church. He is instrumental in building the new belfry in commemoration of the golden jubilee of the church.
Fr Valerian Rodrigues: He showed immense interest in organizing the Golden Jubilee celebrations. He organized a number of spiritual as well as social activities and gatherings for the youth, children and elders. The children's day, senior citizen's day etc became more meaningful to the parishioners after his coming.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Church were held on February 20, 2006. Various cultural activities were organised to mark the celebrations. The Bishop Dr Aloysius D'Souza of Mangalore and other dignitaries graced the program.
Parish Priests who have served in the parish :
- Fr Peter Lobo (1956-1967)
- Fr Maurice Paula (1967 - ...)
- Fr Casimir Mathias
- Fr Peter Nazareth
- Fr Hilary Sanctis ( ... till 1993)
- Fr Gregory Serrao (1993 - 2000)
- Fr Victor Gerald D'Souza (2000 - 2005)
- Fr Valerian Rodrigues (2005 - 2012)
- Fr Charles Noronha (2012 - 2018)
- Fr Roque D'Souza (2018 - 2022)
- Fr Jerald Sandeep D'Mello (from 2022 onwards)
(complete list will be published soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff.
Last updated in Dec 2022.
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