Fr. Robert Pallichankudy, PIME is pastor of San Pedro parish in Rio Preta da Eva, Brazil. From this parish center in a small municipal territory, he serves the 40,000 people of the region, many of them Catholics.

The PIME Missionaries have been serving in the Amazonas region since the 1960s, when they began to visit the indigenous peoples who lived in small groups on the shores of the great river. Due to their tireless efforts, there are now 34 Catholic communities, each composed of 50 to 100 families. These hospitable, simple and religious people walk miles and miles to receive the Eucharist, usually only once a month. Fr. Robert visits each community; many have constructed a chapel in which they may meet and he can provide the Sacraments.

In several of these communities, there are no chapels built. Two, however, are ready to begin construction. They are willing to work hard to raise at least 30% of the costs, which means they need approximately $13,500 to complete each structure.