Sacred Heart Monastery, Palampur

SACRED HEART MONASTERY, Thakurdwara P.O., Palampur – 176 108

Sacred Heart Monastery and Mount Carmel School, Thakurdwara, Palampur, are cosily cradled in the sylvan and leafy foothills of the snow-clad Dhauladhar ranges blessed with the fresh and crispy breeze from the surrounding tea gardens and pine groves. This pristine and salubrious site of scenic beauty is indisputably the fruit of the indomitable spirit of determination of the fresh faced and bright-eyed pioneer of our mission, Rev. Fr. Ambrose Panackal. In unremitting pursuit of his goal, Rev. Fr. Ambrose, who was stationed at Yol camp, zeroed in on this coveted site with the help of Sadhu Subash in 1987 when Fr. Thomas Vadakkedom was the Mission Superior, and in 1988 purchased the land from Fr. Rajinder Thakur and his brothers. Though the purchased land was insufficient to begin a station, the unflinching missionary wasn't ready to relent. Consequently, against all odds Fr. Ambrose managed to add more land to the already purchased plot and in 1992, with the support of the Mission Superior, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mootheril, the long-cherished dream came true. Thus, the pioneer of our mission, Rev. Fr. Ambrose, became the founding Director Mount Carmel School, Thakurdwara, and the first Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Palampur.

     Though various congregations of religious sisters were invited to collaborate with us at this station, it was only the S.H. Sisters who appreciated the worth and beauty of this charming hill-station. On 18 March 1992, Sr. Rosilda and Sr. Jossy reached Palampur as the trailblazers of S.H. presence here. The sisters purchased a block of land adjacent to the school-land for the construction of a convent and a dispensary. To begin with, the sisters were accommodated in a rented house belonging to Mr. Vijay Palania, situated close to the school-compound. S.H. convent was formally blessed by Rev. Fr. Patrick Mootheril, Mission Superior, on 25 March 1992. On 29 March 1992 Fr. Ambrose celebrated Sunday Mass for two Catholic families and the sisters and began his parish ministry.

     On 09 April 1992 Mount Carmel School, Palampur, was inaugurated in the rented house by the SDM of Palampur, Shri. Ram Subagh Singh, in the presence of Shri. Shiv Kumar, MLA, other dignitaries, newly admitted Nursery-children and their parents. On completion of the construction of a few class-rooms, Rev. Fr. Ambrose blessed them on 19 April 1993, and shifted the classes to the new building. On 30 June 1993 Fr. Peter Kappalumackal took charge as the Parish Priest and Director of the School following the transfer of Fr. Ambrose to Una. On 21 April 1994 Rev. Fr. Martin Pananthanam, Regional Vicar, laid the foundation stone for the Presbytery and blessed the completed house on 13 October 1994 naming it Carmel Nivas. Later on, when the required permissions for a Canonical House were secured, this house was rechristened as Sacred Heart Monastery, Palampur.

     As time passed by, thanks to the relentless efforts, unflagging enthusiasm and unflinching determination of our fathers and sisters, this station earned name and fame with alacrity.
 

• FR. JOSEPH VELLANAL OCD (SUPERIOR)

• FR. MATHEW THAKIDICKAPARAMBIL OCD

• FR. MATHEW VENGALOOR OCD (GAGGAL)

• FR. JOHNSON KANJIRATHAMKUNNEL OCD (GAGGAL)

• FR. JACOB PUTHETTUKALATHIL OCD (BAIJNATH)

"Do not Let the Past Disturb you, Just Leave Everything in the Sacred Heart and Begin Again with Joy"
-Mother Teresa