FATHER FRANK PALMIERI, CRM.

The son of Guido and Ada Garbuglia, Father Frank was born in Chiesa Nuova, Treia (Macerata), Italy, on November 18, 1938. After attending the local grammar schools, he entered the Minor Seminary of the Clerics Regular Minor in Anagni on October 10, 1950, where he continued his studies, made the Novitiate and the Simple Profession. Afterwards, he attended the Pontifical University “Angelicum” in Rome where he obtained a Bachelor in Philosophy.

He came to the United States on November 11, 1958 to study theology at the St. Francis Seminary in Loretto, Pennsylvania. On January 2, 1960 he took his Solemn Vows and on December 22, 1962 was ordained a priest by Bishop Joseph Canestri in the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Rome. Following his ordination, he continued his studies at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, where he obtained in 1965 a BS in Secondary Education.

In 1964 he was assigned as an Assistant to the Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Lodi, New Jersey. Here he worked in almost all aspects of parish life—with the St. Joseph School children, the youth of Public Schools, the Pre-Cana Program, Marriage Encounter, St. Joseph Festival and the Bingo games to raise funds for the St. Joseph School.

On September 21, 1981, he was transferred to St. Michael’s Seminary in Ramsey, New Jersey, and worked there several years with Father Americo, Father Thomas and Father John Paul in furthering the physical development of the seminary and the recruiting of vocations.

During the summer of 1996, Father Frank was asked to replace Father Nicholas in the parish of Immaculate Conception in Goose Creek, South Carolina, where he first enlarged the rectory and then began the campaign for the construction of the All Ministry Center, which was opened and blessed by Bishop Robert J. Baker on December 10, 2006. In addressing the physical needs of the growing parish, Father Frank was also sensitive to the new arrivals of Latino and Brazilian immigrants. He responded by instituting additional Masses in Spanish and Portuguese for them, while maintaining the usual ministry to the English speaking and the many Filipinos in the area. From the opening of the new church to the dedication of the All Ministry Center, the parish grew from 750 to 1800 families.

In 2009, Father Frank was assigned to the new parish given to the Adorno Fathers by the kindness of Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone: the Church of Jesus, Our Risen Savior in Spartanburg, South Carolina. There, he is still ministering as Superior and Pastor.