About St. Francis of Assisi (St. Brendan the Navigator Parish) · Belfast, Maine
St. Francis of Assisi Church is the Belfast worship site of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, a Roman Catholic community serving Mid-Coast Maine from three churches in Camden, Rockland, and Belfast. Located at 81 Court Street in Belfast, the parish traces its roots to 1827, when Bishop Benedict Fenwick of Boston discovered a small group of Irish Catholic families in the town. The current church was completed in 1891 through the generosity of longtime benefactor William Brannagan and dedicated by Bishop James A. Healey on Thanksgiving Day. Today the church hosts Mass on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and serves as one of about 350 registered families in the clustered parish.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Anthanasius S. Wirsiy (Administrator since January 16, 2023)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland (Maine)
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi in Belfast offers a small, historic Catholic community with deep 19th-century roots and an active sacramental life centered on the Eucharist and Reconciliation. The parish proclaims itself 'a beacon that helps people encounter the transforming love of Jesus Christ through full, conscious, and active celebration of the Sacraments,' and parishioners can plug in through a full range of liturgical ministries (lector, cantor, usher, altar server, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion), Faith Formation for children and families, and Knights of Columbus service. It is also currently a destination church for pilgrims during the Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, running through January 2027.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi (St. Brendan the Navigator Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Half hour before weekend Masses (Saturday 4:00 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM)
- Wednesday evenings during Eucharistic Adoration (5:30 PM – 6:30 PM)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday evenings at 5:30 PM, preceding the 6:30 PM Mass
History of St. Francis of Assisi, Belfast
Catholic life in Belfast began in 1827 when Bishop Benedict J. Fenwick of Boston visited and discovered two Irish families gathered in one room. The community grew through the 19th century, served for a time in a building on Primrose Street donated by benefactor William Brannigan, and later in halls including Hayford Hall and Johnson's Hall. The present St. Francis of Assisi Church on 81 Court Street was completed in 1891 and dedicated on Thanksgiving Day (November 26) by Bishop James A. Healy, the second Bishop of Portland. Brannigan donated the adjoining lot and funded a rectory in 1895; he died in that rectory on January 16, 1901.
- 1827: Bishop Fenwick visits Belfast Irish Catholic families
- Early 1840s: William S. Brannigan of County Meath, Ireland becomes the parish's leading benefactor
- 1891: Church completed and dedicated Thanksgiving Day by Bishop James A. Healey
- 1895: Rectory built on adjoining lot, also funded by Brannigan
- 1901: William Brannigan dies in the rectory he helped build
- 1985: Parish hall rebuilt and enlarged, linking church and rectory
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish (Cluster)
By decree of Bishop Richard J. Malone effective January 2009, the parishes of St. Francis of Assisi (Belfast), Our Lady of Good Hope (Camden), and St. Bernard (Rockland) were merged into a single parish under the new name St. Brendan the Navigator. The parish describes itself as 'a Roman Catholic community serving as a beacon that helps people encounter the transforming love of Jesus Christ through full, conscious, and active celebration of the Sacraments, with special attention to Reconciliation and Eucharist.' Father Mark Reinhardt was appointed first pastor. In addition to its three main churches, the parish serves summer mission churches on Islesboro and Vinalhaven from July through September.
- Three main worship sites: Our Lady of Good Hope (Camden), St. Bernard (Rockland), St. Francis of Assisi (Belfast)
- Summer mission Masses: 318 Pendleton Point Rd, Islesboro; and Union Church, Vinalhaven (July–September)
- Parish motto: Catholic Life in Mid-Coast Maine
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently led by Father Anthanasius Sangnyuy Wirsiy, a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Kumbo in Cameroon who was appointed Administrator in January 2023 by Bishop Robert Deeley. He is assisted by Father Javis Laban, a fellow Kumbo priest appointed parochial vicar effective August 1, 2024, and Deacon Vincent Coates. Father Anthanasius was ordained April 24, 2003, and previously served as parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, as a hospital chaplain at Mercy and Maine Medical Centers, and as parochial vicar for Cluster 11 (Stella Maris, Bucksport; St. Joseph, Ellsworth; Holy Redeemer, Bar Harbor).
- Rev. Anthanasius S. Wirsiy – Pastor/Administrator (since Jan 16, 2023)
- Rev. Javis Laban – Parochial Vicar (since Aug 1, 2024); ordained July 3, 2020 in the Diocese of Kumbo
- Deacon Vincent Coates
- Pastoral Teams in place at St. Bernard and Our Lady of Good Hope (St. Francis pastoral team listed as TBA)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for children and families across the clustered parish is coordinated by Jacqueline Biddle (Parish Catechetical Leader) and Jennifer Parker (Faith Formation Coordinator). A current Faith Formation calendar, registration form, home-education letter, and photo release form are published on the parish website. The parish also participates in Formed.org, which it uses for parish-wide study programs such as teachings on St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Jacqueline Biddle – (207) 236-4785
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Jennifer Parker – [email protected]
- Resources: Faith Formation Registration, Calendar 2025-2026, Home Education Letter, Photo Release Form
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for all the Sacraments of Christian Initiation and others. Baptism is celebrated in infancy or, for adults and children over the age of eight, through the RCIA process; families complete a Baptism Information Form up to two months before birth. Couples preparing for Holy Matrimony are asked to contact the Parish Office at least six months before their planned wedding date so the church can be reserved and marriage preparation can be scheduled. Reconciliation is offered half an hour before weekend Masses, on Wednesday evenings during Adoration, and by appointment. The Liturgy & Sacraments page also covers End of Life / Anointing of the Sick.
- Baptism (infant, child, or adult / RCIA)
- Confirmation (through parish Faith Formation)
- Eucharist (weekend and weekday Masses)
- Reconciliation / Confession
- Holy Matrimony (6-month notice required)
- Anointing of the Sick / End of Life care
Liturgical Ministries
The parish welcomes laypeople to serve in the sanctuary as Cantor, Usher, Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, or Altar Server. According to the parish's description, 'Serving at the Liturgy is an act of self-giving, not self-seeking; an act of love that must be continued in the ordinary of our lives for the glory of God.' Those interested are asked to call the parish office at (207) 236-4785. The ordained ministers — priest and deacon — retain their indispensable roles; lay liturgical ministers exercise a 'genuine liturgical function' under the authority of the Bishop and local pastor.
- Cantor
- Ushers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers
- Deacon
- Priest (Main Celebrant)
Parish Outreach & Community Life
The parish community gathers around the Sacraments and through a number of service and fellowship groups. The Knights of Columbus Limerock Council #136 is chartered at 148 Broadway in the Stella Maris House, Rockland, with officers including Grand Knight Kevin Bailey, Deputy Grand Knight Joseph Cammelieri, Chancellor John M. Kurowski, Recorder, Treasurer Bob Ohrt, and Chaplain Fr. Nathan D. March (as listed). The parish also runs a 'Catholics Come Home' outreach for returning Catholics and has published appeals in support of those affected by the recent Lewiston mill explosion and other local needs.
- Knights of Columbus – Limerock Council #136
- Catholics Come Home – welcoming returning Catholics
- Parish breakfasts and fellowship events
- Pastoral Teams at each worship site
Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi
Through January 2027, St. Francis of Assisi Church at 81 Court Street in Belfast is a designated pilgrimage church for the Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi. The parish has welcomed pilgrims during this period and uses the occasion to highlight the life and spirituality of the patron saint.
- Pilgrimage church: 81 Court Street, Belfast, Maine
- Jubilee observance: through January 2027
- Companion learning resource: Formed.org
Weather, Cancellations & Practical Information
Because Maine winters can be severe, the parish maintains a clear weather-cancellation policy tied to local school closures (RSU71 for Belfast, RSU28/MSAD28 for Camden, RSU13 for Rockland). Saturday Vigil cancellations are posted by 2:00 PM on WABI Channel 5 and WCSH Channel 6, and Sunday cancellations are posted by 6:00 AM. Flocknote email subscribers are notified directly. If school is delayed or cancelled on a weekday, there will be no morning Mass. St. Francis parishioners are asked to park on one side of the street during snowstorms to leave room for plows.
- Weekend cancellation alerts: WABI Channel 5 and WCSH Channel 6
- Weekday rule: no morning Mass when local schools are delayed or cancelled
- Snow parking guidance: park on one side of the street
- Parish communication: Flocknote email notifications
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Mark ReinhardtJanuary 2009 – c. 2022
Appointed first pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish after the 2009 merger.
- Father Nathan D. Marchc. 2022 – December 2022
Departed in late 2022 to become Pastor of a parish in Augusta.
- Father Anthanasius Sangnyuy WirsiyJanuary 16, 2023 – present
Appointed Administrator by Bishop Robert Deeley in December 2022; diocesan priest from the Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon; Fidei Donum missionary priest.
- Father Javis LabanAugust 1, 2024 – present
Appointed parochial vicar; ordained in the Diocese of Kumbo on July 3, 2020.