St. Paul of the Shipwreck

About St. Paul of the Shipwreck

St. Paul of the Shipwreck Catholic Church is a multicultural parish serving the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco since 1915 as part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The parish community is predominantly African American, Hispanic, and Filipino, and offers three distinct liturgical traditions: a Gospel/African American Liturgy at 10:45 AM Sunday, a Spanish Liturgy (since 1998), and English Masses. The parish is active in community outreach and social justice, with a stated mission to be 'a welcoming Church, loving and embracing all people' who 'aspire to live and preach the Gospel through our words and actions.'

How We Got Our Name

The parish takes its name from the Acts of the Apostles, which describes how the imprisoned Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta and welcomed with extraordinary hospitality by the islanders. In 1913 some 300 Maltese immigrants settled in Bayview Hunters Point, joined with the local Italian community, and petitioned the Archbishop to establish a Maltese national church — naming it St. Paul of the Shipwreck in honor of the event that tradition holds gave birth to the Church on Malta.

Our History: From Maltese Hall to a Full Parish Campus

In 1915 Archbishop Edward Joseph Hanna bought a hall (built in 1874) in the Bay View District and gave it to the Maltese community for worship. Fr. Andrew Azzopardi, OFM, founded the parish that same year and was succeeded in 1919 by Fr. Theophilus Cachia, OFM, who served for 34 years and enlarged the original frame church (consecrated February 12, 1922 by Archbishop Hanna at 1509 Oakdale Avenue). In 1955 Fr. Benvenute "Benny" Bavero, OFM, purchased the condemned Bret Harte Public School property for $1 and rallied parishioners to build the parish's modern campus. The Franciscan Sisters of Charity of Malta arrived in August 1956; St. Paul of the Shipwreck School opened in October 1956 and was dedicated by Auxiliary Bishop Merlin Guilfoyle. A new convent followed in 1957, groundbreaking for the new church was held on July 24, 1960, and the new hall and auditorium were dedicated on March 2, 1962. The Conventual Franciscans served the parish until June 2015, when pastoral care passed to the priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The parish is currently served by Augustinian friars (OSA) of the Province of St. Augustine of Nigeria.

• 1915: Parish founded; hall at 1509 Oakdale Avenue dedicated.
• 1919–1953: Fr. Theophilus Cachia, OFM, pastors for 34 years.
• 1953–ca. 1994: Fr. Benvenute "Benny" Bavero, OFM, builds the modern campus.
• 1956: St. Paul of the Shipwreck School opens (operated through 2003).
• 1960: Groundbreaking for new church; 1962 hall and auditorium dedicated.
• June 2015: Conventual Franciscans hand ministry to Archdiocese of San Francisco priests.
• Currently served by Augustinian friars (OSA) from the Province of St. Augustine of Nigeria.

Mission, Vision, and Core Values

St. Paul of the Shipwreck states that it is 'called to be disciples of Jesus Christ' — a welcoming Church, 'loving and embracing all people,' that 'aspires to live and preach the Gospel through our words and actions.' The parish stands on 'a foundation of Spirit-filled Eucharistic celebrations, shaped especially by our Black Catholic and Hispanic spiritualities.' Its published values emphasize Unity through multicultural liturgies and shared leadership, Evangelization of youth and young adults, Stewardship of time, talent, and treasure, and Outreach to families, neighbors, the poor, and the marginalized.

• Unity — multicultural liturgies, shared values, diverse leadership.
• Evangelization — reaching out especially to youth and young adults.
• Stewardship — offering time, talent, and treasure in response to God.
• Outreach — caring for families, neighbors, the poor, and the marginalized.

Parish Staff and Clergy

The parish is currently administered by Augustinian friars on mission to the Archdiocese of San Francisco, supported by two deacons, a pastoral associate, and operations staff.

• Rev. Andrew Chioma Ibegbulem, OSA — Administrator (ordained July 3, 2004; M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Villanova 2016)
• Fr. Chinonso Egbedike, OSA — Parochial Vicar (ordained July 19, 2014; M.A. Jewish-Christian Studies, Seton Hall)
• Rev. Mr. Sergio Gomez — Deacon (ordained May 2017; archdiocesan director of Hispanic Youth ministries)
• Rev. Mr. Larry Chatmon — Deacon
• Sr. Estela Martinez, MFP — Pastoral Associate
• Emma Chan — Operations/Finance Manager

Sacraments

St. Paul of the Shipwreck celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The Sacraments page describes them as 'outwards signs from God to us' — 'a sign of the sacred' — through which God shows His grace. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons before the Vigil Mass or by appointment.

• Baptism
• Eucharist
• Confirmation
• Penance (Reconciliation) — Saturday 3:30–4:00 PM or by appointment
• Anointing of the Sick
• Holy Orders
• Marriage

Gospel Mass and the Inspirational Voices of Shipwreck

The 10:45 AM Sunday Gospel/Jazz Mass is described by the parish as 'a lively spirit-filled Liturgy steeped in the traditions of the African American Church,' where 'passionate, moving song and worship enhance our Catholic Liturgy.' The Inspirational Voices of Shipwreck (IVS) choir ministers in song every Sunday at this Mass.

• Every Sunday at 10:45 AM
• Lively, spirit-filled liturgy rooted in African American Catholic tradition
• Inspirational Voices of Shipwreck (IVS) choir ministers in song every week

Hispanic Ministry and the Spanish Liturgy

In 1998, then-pastor Fr. John Heinz, OFM Conv., invited Alfa & Omega, a Spanish-speaking charismatic prayer group, to the parish. Members of the prayer group formed the Hispanic Council to advise the pastor on ministering to and building the Spanish-speaking community. The Spanish-language liturgy has been celebrated at St. Paul of the Shipwreck since 1998 and remains an active part of parish life.

• Spanish Liturgy began in 1998 at the invitation of Fr. John Heinz, OFM Conv.
• Alfa & Omega — Spanish-speaking charismatic prayer group
• Hispanic Council advises the pastor on Hispanic ministry

Faith Formation: Religious Education, Confirmation, RCIA

The parish offers formation for children, teens, and adults. Religious Education classes are held on Saturdays, and the Confirmation Program is a two-year preparation for students in grades 9 through 12. Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church are welcomed through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), with candidates typically baptized and received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

• Religious Education — Saturday classes for children
• Confirmation Program — two-year preparation for grades 9–12
• RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; new Catholics welcomed at the Easter Vigil

Youth Ministry: JAC (Junior Apostolates for Christ)

JAC is a Catholic charismatic youth and young adult movement of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and neighboring Bay Area dioceses. Its home is St. Paul of the Shipwreck. Its mission is to 'Bring Christ to youth and youth to Christ,' and it has been active for more than 30 years.

• Active for more than 30 years
• Mission: 'Bring Christ to youth and youth to Christ'
• Bay Area Catholic charismatic youth and young adult movement

Outreach, Health, and Prison Ministry

St. Paul of the Shipwreck has a long history of parish-based social outreach in Bayview Hunters Point, including a food pantry that has served over 275 families weekly, the Sports and Arts Academy after-school program for over 150 families, neighborhood Health Fairs, weekly street vigils for peace, and participation in the San Francisco Organizing Project which helped bring $2.5 million to the Bayview Hope House project.

• Food Pantry (served 275+ families weekly)
• Sports and Arts Academy after-school program (150+ families)
• Health Ministry with Arthur H. Coleman Medical Center — diabetes education, nutrition, flu shots, exercise classes
• Weekly street vigils for peace at Sunnydale & Hahn and 3rd & Palou
• Restorative Circle Support Group for those affected by incarceration
• Angel Tree Project (prison ministry — gifts for children of incarcerated parents)

FRANCIS Center and Community Partners

The FRANCIS Center (Family Resource Addressing the Needs of our Community with Information and Services) is located at 1122 Jamestown Avenue, across the street from the church. It includes a Learning Center and Recreation Center housed within the parish's larger facility. The parish also partners with KIPP Bayview Academy, whose mission is to 'develop critical thinkers and change-makers' equipped to succeed at top colleges and lead meaningful lives.

• FRANCIS Center — Learning Center + Recreation Center across from the church
• KIPP Bayview Academy — community partner
• Located at 1122 Jamestown Avenue

Parish Leadership Councils

The parish is served by a Parish Council and a Finance Council, which consult with the pastor to carry out the parish mission. In addition, a Hispanic Council advises the pastor on ministering to the Spanish-speaking community.

• Parish Council — Chair: Guillermo Reece; Members include Keiru Ugo, Yessica Joya, Dinia Wright, Michael Vezzali, Yolande Haskin, Evette Monachino
• Finance Council — Chair: Debra Greenblat; Members include Mariella Anguiano, Grant Stewart, Diane Wright, Kathy O'Brien, Renee Thierry-Jones
• Hispanic Council — advises the pastor on Hispanic ministry

Visit and Contact

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone at (415) 468-3434 or by email at [email protected]. The church is located at 1122 Jamestown Avenue in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco. Those interested in getting involved are encouraged to contact the parish office for information about ministries, Religious Education, RCIA, the JAC youth movement, or outreach programs.

• Phone: (415) 468-3434
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.stpauloftheshipwreck.org/
• Address: 1122 Jamestown Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124