Photos of Parish Life

April 11, 2021

On April 11, Divine Mercy Sunday, Fr. Shane Johnson presided at the 10 a.m. Mass at the North Church, with Deacon Michael Malucha assisting. Since the beginning of Lent 2021, the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass has been celebrated ad orientem. This means that for parts of the Mass, the priest and the people face the same direction, symbolizing that the words during that time are spoken directly to God. When the priest turns toward the people, he is in dialogue with the people. Fr. Shane is a priest-son of St. Francis Borgia; he attended Mass at the historic stone church and graduated from the parish grade school. He was ordained in 2009 and since 2012 has served parishes in New York City. Fr. Shane’s parents are parishioners Alan and Cheri Johnson.

Shortly after being ordained, Deacon Kevin Tanel joined the parish for daily masses at the South Church and weekend Masses at the North Church. Among preaching at daily and weekend Masses, he was involved with Totus Tuus and visits with parishioners. Deacon Kevin has served St. Francis Borgia in the past three years as a seminarian.

October 12-13, 2019
Six members of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Mukono arrived here in October 2019, marking the tenth time our two faith communities have exchanged visitors since 2001. They joined us for various activities including two Sunday Masses. The first was on October 6 to help us celebrate our 175th Anniversary Mass and celebratory brunch. The following Sunday, October 13, St. Paul’s pastor Fr. Paul Ssebitoogo delivered a mission appeal at weekend Masses. The purpose was to raise awareness and financial support for the mission work done in the Lugazi Diocese, in which St. Paul Parish is located. Afterwards, our parishioners and visitors enjoyed hospitality in the North Church gathering space. 

August 3 – 13, 2017

In August 2017, a team of nine parish “pilgrims” departed for a visit to our sister parish, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, in Mukono, Uganda. Their plan included visiting many families, along with schools and other sites. Among the stops was St. Francis Borgia High School, built with the generous donations of our parishioners and named in our honor. Enrollment had reached 600 students, which was up 200 children from two years prior. Photos in this gallery illustrate various aspects of St. Paul Parish in Mukono that were experienced on this visit to Uganda.