Railaco was established as a mission station of the Parish of Our of Lady of Lourdes – Ermera right from the inception of pastoral activities in the area. The first recorded mass in Railaco dates back to 1947 under the mission superior Pe. António Gravaldo da Conceição Fernandes. Many years later, a succeeding superior Padre Carlos da Rocha Pereira identified Railaco as a potential mission station even with fledging number of residents. He then instructed a catechist by the name Alberto, from Letefoho to give catechetical instructions and prepare catechumens in Railaco waiting to receive the sacraments of initiation. First known catechetical instruction was held in Railaco in a shed owned by the administrator of Railaco, the first mass under the shed of a tree near the main road of what is now known Suco Liho. From there the baptisms and other sacraments paved way for the faithful of Railaco to feel that they belonged to a local church. The succeeding mission superior, Padre Frederico presided over the first baptism in Railaco. 4th of July 1954. The seed of faith has been planted since then in Railaco. The same faith that flourished through thick and thin as the whole nation struggled to gain independence only to be annexed to Indonesia and then restored its independence in 2002. The long journey ensued with challenges on building the Christian community in Railaco. The restoration of independence of the country in 2002 paved way for the first Jesuit to settle in Railaco as a resident pastor. Fr. Samuel Dizon, SJ settled in Railaco and single-handedly run the pastoral activities in Railaco with the help of some lay catechists whom he chose and given proper training. Shortly after, in 2002, he was joined by another Filipino Jesuit, Fr. Antonio Martin Pablo “Bong” Abad Santos, SJ. From being a small chapel community, Railaco eventually was elevated as a mission station of the parish of Ermera and then years after became a Quasi-parish in 2011 and then became a full parish in 2017. The 2011 elevation to quasi-parish was under the helm of Fr. Joseph Nguyen Thanh Phuong, SJ was the head pastor at that time. Fr. Joseph led the parish for almost 10 years. Railaco owes a lot of gratitude to these three great missionaries of immense dedication to the people. In 2020, the parish welcomed its new pastor, Fr. Erik John “EJ” Gerilla, SJ after Fr. Joseph moved into his well-deserved sabbatical.

Along its progress as a parish community, the years of pastoral activities have seen the rise of a pool of catechists and community leaders in all the chapels under the jurisdiction of the parish. These lay leaders in faith are still active to this day. Some have died but many thrived through the years of fostering sense of community and strengthening the faith of the people. There are many milestones noteworthy of our attention about the parish and one of this is the building of more solid structure of chapels and the main church of the parish. The lay leaders were organized to give more efficient pastoral care to the people. Each is equipped from their years of formation and training with the Jesuits.

There are reasons to be grateful for the many years of the journey of the people of Railaco. But there are areas of great need that remain wanting to this day. Hence, the parish has drawn for the frist time an apostolic plan as an effort to consolidate all resources of the parish and to steer the wheel of this local church towards the future that the faithful themselves desire to see for the generations to come.