Franciscan Parish Is a Great Place To Be

Joy – a parishioner at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church in San Francisco, California – attended Mass at the parish as a child in the 1950s and 60s. She was also a student at what was then the parish school. Looking at Conventual Franciscan St. Paul of the Shipwreck today, she says, “I’m glad to see the Church is still going strong.”

Friar Paul Gawlowski

Part of the parish’s energy no doubt stems from the Conventual friars’ involvement in the community. Friar Paul Gawlowski is the pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck. He and his brothers provide pastoral care to their multicultural parish. They along with other parishioners are also very active in working for the vulnerable on the streets of San Francisco. Fighting poverty is a key focus point for the friars and parishioners. The friars have been at St. Paul of the Shipwreck since 1998.

Brother Mark Folger - another Conventual Franciscan

at St.Paul of the Shipwreck

Joy – the parishioner from St. Paul of the Shipwreck – has also commented that it is largely thanks to the parish that she has lived a good life. Our faith and community instill in us values and allow us to develop a strong relationship with God. This is why Joy places so much importance on St.Paul of the Shipwreck Parish. The friars at the parish will continue to foster the bonds of their community and its members' relationships with God. This is what they have been called to do throughout their lives.

(Sources of all related photos on webpage and homepage: stpauloftheshipwreck.org.)