St. Paul Catholic High School provides a safe and nurturing faith-based environment in which students are encouraged to reach their full potential.

Monthly Mass

Every month our entire school community comes together to celebrate the Eucharist and join in praying for one another.


All Souls Remembrance Mass

Wednesday, November 2, 2022; 10:00am in St. Paul’s Auditorium – Our friends and family of St. Paul are invited to join us for this Remembrance Mass. If you are interested in attending or would like to leave a name and prayer for a loved one who has passed, Please email smendoza@spchs.com.

2022 Remembrance Mass Program
2022 Remembrance Mass Presentation

If you know an alum, coach or faculty member of St. Paul who has passed please email us at advancement@spchs.com so we can add their name to future programs.


Assisting Campus Ministers

Assistant Campus Ministers are Christian 2nd semester Freshmen through Seniors who, through their leadership and example and in close collaboration with the Campus Minister, work to strengthen and maintain a strong Catholic life at St. Paul Catholic High School. Assistant Campus Ministers aid the Campus Minister with the St. Paul youth group, school liturgies, and promotion of community service. In addition to ministry in these areas, Campus Ministers strive to build up and nurture the Catholic life and mission of St. Paul Catholic High School through their words and actions both on and off campus. Assistant Chaplains make a one-year commitment that begins in the summer and continues through to the end of the following academic year.


Chapel Tapestries
Photo taken in the St. Paul Chapel on 9/23 during Eucharistic Adoration

 

Mr. John Leary – a 2013 and 2016 past parent and husband of alum Karen Matthews ’82 Leary, shares the story of the tapestry that now hangs in the St. Paul chapel.

The year was 2014 and it was Holy Week. Our son Matthew Leary (SPCHS 16’) was in his Sophomore year at St Paul. Fr. Michael Casey had been ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford in 2013 and was back in Rome attending the Pontifical North American College completing a license in moral theology. Fr. Mike and Matt were both in Boy Scouts at Troop 3 Waterbury and had the same Scoutmaster, although many years apart. Matt later joined Fr. Mike in becoming a Troop 3 Eagle Scout.

I reached out to Fr. Mike after seeing him at BSA Camp Mattatuck over the summer. I had been mentioning going to see him in Rome and he reminded me 2014 was his last year overseas. Fr. Mike invited Matt and me to come to Rome to celebrate the Easter Triduum at the PNAC with him. We took him up on that offer and headed to Rome. Fr. Mike was a great host and we did a few memorable, once in a lifetime, things with him. First was a private tour of the Sistine chapel where it was just the three of us and the guards. Fr Mike gave us a tour of St Peters basilica and then celebrated Mass with just the three of us, at one of the side chapels. We attended the papal Mass on Palm Sunday and also participated in the Easter Masses of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil at the PNAC. One of the highlights was visiting all the other churches following Good Friday Mass when the Blessed Sacrament was in repose. Many churches remained opened late into the night, with choirs solemnly chanting and singing, used candles for lighting, and open to visitors for prayers.

The Blessing – So we entered St. Ann Gates into Vatican City. Fr. Mike knew the Swiss Guards, as they play soccer at the PNAC which has a turf field and is very close to Vatican City. They let us into the heavily guarded Vatican City State. We headed to an office where a group of nuns facilitate the blessings. It was noisy and appeared chaotic, like the New York stock exchange. There was no formal process for what should, have been a formal process. I guess the nuns like keeping it Italian Style, with every aspect open to negotiation. First we wrote down the wording and name of the School. We picked a blessing format from several options. The nun argued with Fr. Mike, in Italian, over the wording and through collaboration it was changed. All the while other clergy were in the office negotiating blessings so it was a bit noisy and chaotic. Then came the part to arrange the shipping information, that was another horse trade. As crazy and chaotic it was, its lack of process made it a memorable experience. I was surprised the blessing eventually arrived at our house. Karen had it professionally framed and it was presented to SPCHS, to Mr. Cary DuPont, President, during a School Board meeting and Matt spoke to the Board about his trip.

The Tapestry – In the Area to the right of St. Peters square and Basilica are the St. Ann Gates. This is the formal entrance into Vatican City. Across from the gates is a street called Borgo Pia. The street is lined with restaurants with outdoor seating and many shops selling religious souvenirs and clerical clothing and church items. About half way down the street was a shop that sold rolled up tapestries. It was run by an elderly gentleman and his daughter. It was like walking into the wand shop from Harry Potter. There were tapestries hanging from the ceiling, the shop was not well lit and a bit messy. It had a very old look and feel. There were wooden bins like a huge wine rack covering the walls. In then bins were rolled up tapestries. We asked for Santo Paulo. We choose one from several styles, sizes, and materials. We carried it home and had it professionally matted and framed. It was an awesome shopping experience. We did travel to Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura (St. Paul Outside the Walls) the basilica dedicated to St. Paul where his bones can be seen under the main altar. So going there and getting the Tapestry was special.

It is nice to see both the tapestry and the blessing nicely displayed in the chapel. I hope St Paul Catholic High School, its students, faculty, staff, and alumni benefit from God’s continued blessing. I hope you find a few parts of the story interesting and look at the blessing and tapestry in a new way.


Senior Class Retreat 2022

The entire senior class traveled to Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford for their Senior Retreat. Picking up on the theme of #charactercounts, speakers Sam and Kristin Todzia from Red Barn Ministries spoke to the students about the importance of their relationship with Christ and their relationship with one another. The students reflected on the definition of love (willing the good of the other) and even discussed the virtues that they look for in a future spouse.


Junior Class Retreat 2021

The Junior Class traveled to The Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield for their annual retreat. Lauren Lagassie, counselor at the Franciscan Life Center, was the guest speaker for the girls and Zachary Corey, history teacher at Platt High School was the guest speaker for the boys. Both speakers incorporated our school theme “Character Counts” and shared about the lives of the Saints or people in their lives who have demonstrated heroic virtue. The girls had the opportunity to pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross. It was the perfect time of year because the trail is lined with trees covered with beautiful autumn leaves. The boys had the opportunity to practice team building games that were focused on Character. School Chaplain, Father Joshua Wilbur traveled for both days of retreat to celebrate Mass for the students.

 

Sophomore Class Retreat 2021

The Sophomore class also had a blessed retreat. The boys traveled to Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center and the girls traveled to Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center. Alex Wells, police officer and Saint Paul alumnus, was the speaker for the boys and Lauren Wells, client director at Carolyn’s Place in Waterbury, was the speaker for the girls. Lauren and Alex introduced the “prayer process” by Matthew Kelly as a tool to help students learn how to go deeper in their prayer lives.

Freshman Class Retreat 2021

The Freshman class had their first St. Paul Catholic High School retreat on Wednesday, October 13.

The boys traveled to Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center and the girls traveled to Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center. Regis O’Neill, youth minister at Saint Bridget parish, was the speaker for the boys and Lauren Lagasse, the spiritual formation retreat planner for FOCUS, was the speaker for the girls.

Fr. Glen Dmytryszyn celebrated Mass for the boys and St. Paul graduate, Father Matthew Collins ’12 celebrated Mass for the girls.

Retreats are a yearly tradition and a part of the students overall formation at St. Paul Catholic High School. It is a time spent away from the classroom, devoted to prayer and growing closer to God.

Weekly Mass

Together we pray for sport teams, clubs or houses each week.

St. Paul’s Living Rosary 2021

Another amazing St. Paul Community gathering. On October 6th all students, faculty and staff entered McPhee field holding a rosary, stood around the track while praying the rosary together being led by student leaders. Thank you to the religion department for organizing this amazing event for everyone!

Celebration of the Eucharist with Fr. Matt Collins ’12

The St. Paul community was pleased to have Fr. Matthew Collins ‘12 celebrate his first Mass as priest on Consecration Day after being recently ordained in June. It was great to welcome Fr. Matt back home!


Congratulations to William Kurnik ’22 who received the St. Gianna Beretta Molla Award from Archbishop Blair on October 3rd at the annual Respect for Life Mass at St. Bridget of Sweden Parish, Cheshire. Also, receiving the award was St. Paul alum Alex Wells ‘13 and his wife Lauren.


Novena for Life – 2022

Novena for Life – 9 Days for Life


To view our All Souls Day Remembrance Mass 2020

https://spchs.com/remembrancemass/


St. Paul’s Living Rosary 2020
Such an amazing morning praying the rosary together as a whole community on McPhee field! This year’s school theme is #bethelight so it was decided to use the Mysteries of Light (Luminous Mysteries) this morning. Enjoy!!!

Introduction: Mr. Duffany

Creed: Ben Speaker
Our Father: Serena Hansen
Hail Mary: Barbara Retartha
Glory Be: Tricia Richardson

First Luminous Mystery: Baptism in the Jordan
Gospel passage: Josh Silva
Decade prayers: Greta Panke
Second Luminous Mystery: Miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana
Gospel passage: Colin Ivers
Decade prayers: Sammi Bray
Third Luminous Mystery: Proclamation of the Kingdom
Gospel passage: Serena Hansen
Decade prayers: Maddie Farrell
Fourth Luminous Mystery: Transfiguration
Gospel passage: Ben Shea
Decade prayers: Will Barton
Fifth Luminous Mystery: Institution of the Eucharist
Gospel passage: Patrick Russo
Decade prayers: Brycen Kennedy

Hail, Holy Queen: Grace Perugini
Final Blessing: Father Glen Dmytryszyn

St. Paul Students and Fr. Hector – WJMJ Daily Mass – September 23, 2018

 

WORSHIP

Prayer Services or a celebration of the Mass occur monthly for the entire school community (St. Gregory the Great Church OR our Auditorium). Mass and Eucharistic Adoration are available once a week in our chapel (Every Wednesday at 7:15am). Students also visit the chapel frequently as part of their religion class. Special occasions for prayer during Advent and Lent supplement the program. As a whole, these events encourage students to worship God “in Spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Students also have various opportunities throughout the year to participate in the worship activities of the wider Archdiocesan community.

RETREATS

Each student is required to attend a yearly retreat with other members of their grade. The retreats are designed to enrich their relationship with God and their classmates as “companions on the journey.” Led by speakers who guide students in delving deeper into their faith, these days of rest feature a celebration of the Mass, as well as other opportunities to grow in community and worship. Themes of St. Paul retreats range from Christian identity to service, from the call to discipleship to theology of the body.

CAMPUS MINISTRY

Built on the pillars of faith, formation, and fellowship, Campus Ministry endeavors to meet the daily spiritual needs of St. Paul students. During free periods and after school, students may meet in the Campus Ministry lounge for various activities, including faith reflections, discussions of the relevant moral issues of today, and community prayer. Consistently growing, the Campus Ministry of St. Paul is driven largely by student initiatives under the guidance of the campus minister.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Each student at St. Paul is expected to understand and fulfill the Christian call to service at the school and within the wider community. Each grade has its own set of requirements monitored by the Religious Studies Department. Students are encouraged to go beyond the requirement of service in responding to God’s call to love one’s neighbor as oneself, and opportunities to do so are frequently provided by the school. These include visits to the soup kitchen, youth sports camps, an annual trip to Washington DC for the March for Life, and other diverse projects.