ST PAUL AND SCHOOL

2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT WARM GREETINGS

Greetings and Peace to all! Dear Fellow Parishioners, Here is our annual report. You will find photos and information about Our fiscal year ended in June and as a the activities that happen at St Paul new one begins I am reminded of how weekly, beginning with our Sunday grateful I am to our parish community Liturgies and flowing outward from that into which continues to demonstrate faith formation and evangelization. generosity with time, talent and treasure. As we move forward - as your Also in this report you will find data on the Finance Chair please be assured of my finances for our parish and school. commitment to the highest standards of I would like to personally thank all parishioners stewardship. Peace! for their generosity sharing time, talent and treasure for the Greater Glory of God.

James Richardson Father George Pastor, SP Finance Committee Chair St Paul Catholic Church & School

Our Mission We are the temple of the living God, transformed by the spirit into sacred vessels for the treasure of Christ. Like the monstrance, we present the love and light of Christ for all to see. Together we become the dwelling place of God. OUR MISSION

Like the monstrance, we present the love and light of Christ

2016-2017 BY THE NUMBERS

We continue to welcome new families every week at St Paul. Currently 715 families . Sacraments administered 2016-2017 Years registered in our parish:  42 Baptisms

0-5 years 409 30– 40 years 14 5-10 years 180 40– 50 years 5  27 Confirmations

10-15 years 52 50– 60 years 9  5 Weddings 15-20 years 15 60– 70 years 3 20-30 years 28  16 Funerals

Did you know? we welcomed 75 NEW families who joined our parish this year!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

Our Ministries at St Paul

Building our Community: Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament Altar Society Baptismal Classes Bereavement Committee Parish Nurse Christ Renews His Parish Knights of Columbus Faith Formation RCIA Music Ministry Youth Ministry Start by doing what is St Paul Guild necessary; then do what is Legion of Mary Society of St Vincent De Paul possible; and suddenly you are Homebound Ministry doing the impossible. Extraordinary Ministers of The Holy Eucharist Altar Servers Through numerous ministries, our St Paul Hospitality Ministry (Ushers) family comes together to share our time, talent St Paul Catholic School and treasure to make the impossible happen School Parents Auxiliary Parish Council everyday! Finance Council Let us remain dedicated to making a difference On February 11, 2017 Sister Grace Ford SSJ in our community and demonstrate a spirit of held a training program for our Extra hospitality to all we come in contact with. Ordinary Ministers of The Eucharist. The workshop was amazing! We had 44 parishioners attend. “For it is in giving that we receive” Currently we have several volunteers St Francis of Assisi visiting 46 homebound brothers and sisters. May God continue to bless all of our ministries at St Paul.

OUR MINISTRIES IN ACTION

Our Annual Parish Picnic sponsored by St Paul Guild was Sunday April 2nd. Over 100 parishioners attended and we had lots of fun and the food was delicious. Our children had a memorable time and the families had time for fellowship. Thank you St Paul’s Guild! For all the fundraisers this year!

Christ Renews His Parish: On February 18th and 19th the fourth Christ Renews His Parish weekend retreat was held at St. Paul's led by Sister Joan Gabbin. 16 women presented the spiritual weekend retreat to 17 women from the parish giving them an opportunity to grow deeper in their faith and come closer to God. Thank you!

Picture from Knights Our Knights are always serving our parish community. They are active hosting breakfast every Sunday, repairing areas around the church, painting among many other functions. In addition to serving a Thanksgiving meal for 180 families they held a fund raiser to help send 5 students to a Youth Conference in Orlando. Thank you for your service!

* We have so many other ministries serving our parish and the community in so many ways! Heartfelt gratitude for your good works! May God continue to bless your hard work for His greater Glory!

FAITH FORMATION

Confirmation Retreat The retreat was held December 15th in the Spirituality Center at St Vincent’s . It was a day the students will never forget. The day began with Mass, small and large group discussions about the seven gifts of The Holy Spirit . The highlight of the day was Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament. Faith Formation: Led by Sister Florence SSJ , Lisa Hart, Carlos Thomas, Loretta Fleming, Bleu Hilburn, Carolyn Tatum who assisted with Sacramental preparation. Enrollment – 29 students Baptisms- 4 students First Communion - 13 students received their First Communion at the 9:00 Mass on May 7, 2017. Nine children from the faith formation program joined the class from the school; four more children made First Communion during the Easter Vigil. (names noted above.) Confirmation took place January14, 2017 at 4:00 pm with our beloved Estévez .Three students were confirmed on this date; four others received Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults 2016-2017 What an amazing year we had. Led by Deacon James Scott our candidates and catechumens experienced a spiritual conversion while learning about our Catholic faith. Easter Vigil was such a memorable experience. We welcomed 18 members as new Catholics into our St Paul’s family. Welcome Home !

ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Practicing our Faith Student Activities Morning Prayers Student Council

Daily Religion Classes National Junior Honor Weekly Mass Society Sacraments Middle School Dances Faith, Values, and Ser- Yearbook vice in our daily inter- ICE actions Karate Stations of the Cross Dance Academic Competitions Drama Modern Woodman Service Opportunities Basketball Speech Contest Adopt-a-Family Volleyball Diocesan Science Fair Stuff the Turkey Soccer Battle of the Books Catholic Charities Food Softball Bishop Bowl Drive Cheerleading Brain Brawl Dance Your Teal Off Bishop Kenny STEAM Blessing Bags Day St. Paul Fundraisers Nursing Home Visits Pumpkin Patch Christmas Trees Support Programs Jog-a-thon Shop with SCRIP Chocolate Box Tops for Education Shoparoo Sponsored by PA Spirit Nights Carnival

The entire staff and student body of St Paul Catholic school would like to thank all parents and parishioners for the support. PARISH PROJECTS

Parish Hall Ramp This project sponsored by St Paul’s Guild started in 2010 . It received traction early in the fall of 2016. The design phase is now complete so is the site preparation. We received approval from the Diocese. Goal for completion of this project is planned for late August.

Canopy Replacement The canopy replacement project started in November 2016. The previous canopy was beyond repair or cleaning. Thompson Awning produced the new and replaced the old canvas. Work started in February and was Completed in April 2017.

PARISH PROJECTS

Stained Glass Windows Project Thanks to the generosity of St Paul’s parishioners and Father Sal Di Fazio’s vision to protect our windows for many years this project became a reality. The Installation was approved by the Diocese and done by Lynchburg Stained Glass. This conservation project commenced May 9th and was completed on May 19th. CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORT

SCHOOL FINANCIAL REPORT

17-18 Strategic Plan

1. Re-assign Adoration from the current Chapel to the Chapel located in the Church. 2. New Youth Ministry Launch. 3. Formal training program for ushers, altar servers and Eucharistic Ministers. 4. New St Paul Catholic Church website* 5. Form a Stewardship committee to help implement a stewardship spirituality. 6. Repair the sitting area located in the parking lot on the east corner of the property. (V) 7. Formulate a plan for effective use of the tribunal location that will be vacated in November* 8. St Paul Catholic School Day Care* 9. Formation of St Paul Alumni and School Foundation * 10. Neighborhood fellowship gatherings at parishioners homes. 11. Church Landscape project planned by a generous donor. (V) 12. Clean the cement frames around the stained glass windows.* 13. Re- Stain the church front doors. (V) 14. Complete the fiber optics communication project.* 15. Re-assign the storage area located in the back of the auditorium.* 16. Repair the church electronic bell to be operational.* 17. Start discussion regarding the renovation of the auditorium kitchen.* * Pending Councils review and approval—(V): Volunteers are appreciated. Please pray for the success of these projects for our beloved parish. MEMORY LANE

In 1922, 250 people petitioned the Bishop of St Augustine Rt. Rev. to form a new parish in the Riverside area of Jacksonville. The petition was granted and Father William Barry became the first Pastor. Father Barry offered the first Mass on September 16,1923 in what is now our school. Bishop Barry dedicated the new building on November 25, 1923. Despite the depression and the impact it had on the parishioners of St Paul, they perse- vered and raised the necessary funds to build the church . In 1939 ground was broken for the church we know and love today. The new $100,000 Church built in the Mediterranean Revival with Sun-bleached yellow bricks and Ludowici roof tiles. It was opened on March 24th 1940. St Paul has been blessed to have the following Pastors: Rev. William Barry 1923-1926 Rev. Jan Ligeza 2007-2011 Msgr. Dennis Lyons 1926-1949 Rev. Sal Di Fazio 2011-2015 Msgr. Patrick Nolan 1949—1970 Rev. George Vaniyapurackal 2016 - Rev. Michael Kelly 1970– 1983 Rev. Thomas Sullivan 1983-2007

WE BELONG TO THE FAMILY OF

DIOCESE OF ST AUGUSTINE

On Sept. 8, 1565, a small band of Spaniards celebrated Mass on the shores of North in preparation for starting a settlement there. They named their new home St. Augustine in honor of the saint on whose feast day they sighted land. Thus the seeds of Catholicism were first sown in what is known today as the and Canada. St. Augustine is the site of the first permanent parish church – today known as the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine. The famed Santa Fe Trail originated here. It was from here that Franciscan missionaries began the trek North and West to proclaim the Good News – to evangelize! It was here that the first schools and hospitals were established. It wasn’t until March 11, 1870, that Florida, east of the Apalachicola River, was designated as the Diocese of St. Augustine. The growth of the church in Florida from this Mother Diocese to six additional dioceses and more than 2 million Catholics is a significant part of the story of the Catholic Church in the United States.

Today, the Diocese of St. Augustine embraces 17 counties throughout northeast and north central Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, covering 11,032 square miles, and serving more than 172,000 registered Catholics in 61 parishes and missions.

We have been blessed to have the following in our Diocese: Bishop Jean-Pierre (1870-1877) Bishop John Moore (1877-1901) Bishop William John Kenny (1902 – 1913) Bishop (1913-1921) Bishop Patrick Joseph Barry (1922-1940) Archbishop-Bishop (1940-1967) Bishop Thomas Joseph McDonough (Auxiliary: 1947-1957) Bishop (1968-1979) Bishop John Joseph Snyder (1979-2000) Bishop Victor Benito Galeone (2001-2011) Bishop Felipe De Jesus Estévez (2011– Present)

FOUR PILLARS OF STEWARDSHIP

When most people hear the word stewardship, they grab their wallet or purse, either to open it or get a firmer grip. What identifies a steward? Safeguarding material and human resources and using them responsibly is one answer; so is generous giving of time, talent, and treasure. But being a Christian steward means more. As Christian stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord. The life of a Christian steward models the life of Jesus. It is challenging and even difficult, in many respects, yet intense joy comes to those who take the risk to live as Christian stewards. Women and men who seek to live as stewards learn that "all things work for good for those who love God" (Rom 8:28). WELCOME TO ST PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SCHOOL

SAINT PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL Want to stay connected? 2609 PARK STREET Search for “My Parish JACKSONVILLE, FL 32204 App” Download the Free App. REV. GEORGE VANIYAPURACKAL, PASTOR Select our parish using JAMES SCOTT, DEACON our zip code 32204