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.
October 24, 2016
On Monday, October 24, Fr. Carlos Martins—an expert in the study of Relics of Saints—addressed St. Francis Borgia parishioners and visitors with a beautiful explanation of why relics are part of church teaching as well as biblical references to them. After the presentation, 300 people spanning many generations processed to the church hall to venerate nearly 150 certified relics. Rosaries, prayer cards, medals, scapulars and other objects were touched to the reliquaries which in turn makes these objects third-class relics. For more than two hours, the hall was virtually silent as young and old alike viewed, held and learned about some of the most influential saints of all time. Click to view gallery.
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