Bishop Dennis Sullivan is pictured at the altar of St. Paul Church, Stone Harbor, on June 19 with Msgr. John T. Frey and Deacon Michael Carter.
Photo by Alan M. Dumoff
Msgr. Eugene Kernan, left, who served as pastor of St. Paul Parish from 1986 until his retirement in 2000, is pictured with Father Michael P. Orsi, who also served at St. Paul. Father Orsi currently works at Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Fla.
Photos by James A. McBride
Bishop Dennis Sullivan sings Irish songs at the reception with Msgr. William Quinn, who was pastor of the parish 2000-09.
STONE HARBOR – Nearly 400 people attended a Mass at St. Paul Church on June 29 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of its dedication.
St. Paul Parish merged with Maris Stella Parish of Avalon in 2010 to form St. Brendan the Navigator Parish.
Bishop Dennis Sullivan was the celebrant of the St. Paul anniversary Mass. Concelebrants included Msgr. John T. Frey, pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator; Msgr. William Quinn, pastor emeritus, former pastor Msgr. Eugene Kernan; and other priests who served at St. Paul over the years.
Msgr. Frey said the combined choirs of St. Paul and Maris Stella sang and the combined servers of both churches were in attendance.
“Even the former altar servers attended the Mass,” said the pastor.
In his homily the bishop indicated the parishioners were resolute as they followed Jesus Christ as disciples “which takes priority. Catholics are resolute in living their faith” and 100 years later “are still going strong.”
After the Mass a dinner was held in Quinn Hall for about 150 people.
The first St. Paul’s Church was built on the corner of 99th Street and Third Avenue. Construction of the second, larger church at 100th Street and Third was completed in 1953.
One of the church’s features is a series of 18 stained glass windows that depict the life of St. Paul.