Photos of Parish Life

September 20-21, 2021

The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima made its way through southeastern Wisconsin in September and spent two days at St. Francis Borgia Parish. The statue, sculpted in 1947 by José Thedim, reflects the precise instructions of Sister Lucia regarding her vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima in 1917. The statue arrived at the South Church on Monday morning, Sept.20, and was visited by hundreds throughout the day and night during Eucharistic Adoration. Rosaries were recited at 8:30 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Tuesday Sept. 21, a consecration prayer to the Blessed Mother was recited after Mass at the South Church. The statue was processed out of and around the church to the vehicle in which it travels. The rest of the day was spent at the North Church where the Pilgrim Virgin Statue was visited by 300 school children and parishioners throughout the day. Rosaries were recited at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and the statue departed later that evening. Mr. Larry Maginot, one of the custodians who travels the country with the statue, made presentations about the messages of Fatima to various adult, middle-school, grade-school and pre-school audiences.

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.

May 7, 2017

One of the defining aspects of being Catholic is our devotion to Mary, the mother of God. May Crowning is the Catholic tradition of recognizing and celebrating Mary, our Heavenly Mother as the queen of heaven and earth. On May 7, recent First Communicants, their families and other parishioners gathered on the plaza after the 10 a.m. Mass at the North Church. From there, they processed with Fr. Patrick Burns to our Marian shrine (the Shrine to Mary, Mother of the Divine Word). The children wore their First Communion attire. One of the children placed a wreath of flowers on the head of the statue of Mary, other flowers were placed at the shrine in Mary’s honor.