St. Columba Parish

St. Columba Parish Welcome to St. Columba's new page. St. Columba is a Roman Catholic Church located in the small town of Paxton, Massachusetts.

We are an active growing community with 500 families in our parish. Make sure to check out our page for upcoming events and new ways to get involved.

PREPARATION FOR ST. COLUMBA’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CONTINUES AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!Do you have pictures of St. Columba Chur...
06/22/2026

PREPARATION FOR ST. COLUMBA’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CONTINUES AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Do you have pictures of St. Columba Church activities from the early days, or the 25th, 40th, 50th , 60th celebrations? Do you have pictures of the family movie nights, the “shut in” mass in ‘86, boys basketball teams or games, the St. Columba Float created for the Worcester St. Patrick’s Day parade in ‘83, the parish flea market in ’83, children’s choirs, or the pre-school play groups from the 80’s-90’s? Might you have pictures of the various renovations, spaghetti dinners, pancake
breakfasts or other gatherings over the years? We are also hoping to find pictures of Sr. Catherine, Sr. Dorinda and any other sisters who served in our parish. Do you have pictures with our priests who have served over the years- perhaps at a special event like a wedding, First Communion etc.? We would love to copy your photos
to share at our 75th Anniversary Celebration and possibly include them in our commemorative history booklet. Please “take a picture” of your picture with
your cell phone and email to anniversary .org or contact us and we will be happy to take a picture of your photos for you. Jo-Ann Quigley (617-338-0375), Dan Quigley (631-338-0376). Please note the date, names and event with your photos.

06/22/2026

🇬🇧 Today is the feast of Saints Thomas More and John Fisher, both martyred in 1535 during the reign of King Henry VIII because they refused to take the oath rejecting papal authority.

Quotes taken from Joseph Pearce’s “Faith of Our Fathers: A History of True England”

Portraits of John Fisher and Thomas More by Hans Holbein the Younger

From the Pastor’s Desk:In the Gospel this week Jesus says: Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, ...
06/21/2026

From the Pastor’s Desk:
In the Gospel this week Jesus says: Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known … do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. It is easy to fear that we will be hurt (since it has happened to us before); it is also easy to expect that God will protect us by putting a stop to or getting rid of the people who harm us. Many people hear these words and think when Jesus says do not be afraid of those who kill the body that he is saying “Don’t be afraid - I got this. When I’m finished with them they won’t try to
mess with you.” But what he is really reminding us is that what they do is known to God, what harm they did to a beloved of God is not missed by God. God - who can
destroy both body and soul - will take care of things in due time (even if we will not get to see it). However, there is also an important point here: God also sees when we do harm to another. Instead of only focusing on how others are treating us wrong and wishing for their destruction, we should also think about when we do harm to another. Remembering what Jesus says we will seek to reconcile with them and gain forgiveness from God. Remember Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.
Peace,
Fr. Steve

Fine Arts Summer Workshop at Saint Paul:Saint Paul Diocesan Jr/Sr High School will hold a Fine Arts 2026 Summer Workshop...
06/19/2026

Fine Arts Summer Workshop at Saint Paul:
Saint Paul Diocesan Jr/Sr High School will hold a Fine Arts 2026 Summer Workshop on July 6 - 9 and July 13 - 16 from 8:30 - 11:00 am. Choose from Studio Art, Music, Acting and Play-writing. Open to rising 6th - 10th graders. Cost: $300. For information email: [email protected].

Volunteer Opportunities with Ignatian Volunteers Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) New England, a year long volunteer oppor...
06/18/2026

Volunteer Opportunities with Ignatian Volunteers Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) New England, a year long volunteer opportunity for women and men 50 years of age and better, is seeking service corps members for the upcoming (September to June) year. IVC service corps members give one or two full days/week of service and commit to a monthly spiritual reflection program in the Jesuit tradition. IVC works with nonprofits in the area that address problems of homelessness, education, immigration and more. Get info and application by contacting regional director, David Hinchen at [email protected], or visit ivcusa.org/newengland.

Thank you to all our parishioners who have made their gift to the 2026 Partners in Charity Appeal. We have received 60 g...
06/16/2026

Thank you to all our parishioners who have made their gift to the 2026 Partners in Charity Appeal. We have received 60 gifts for a total of $36,034. St. Columba is 90% toward its goal of $40,000!
Please make sure to note St. Columba on your donation so it is counted towards our parish goal.
If you have not yet made a gift or pledge, please consider filling out a commitment pledge envelope located at the front entrance to the Church and in the pews
Or visiting www.partners-charity.net to do it online.
You can even make your gift from a smartphone by texting DONATE
to 84576!
Through your generous support we are able to serve thousands of families and individuals in Worcester County. Thank you!

From the Pastor’s Desk: In the Gospel this week Jesus is looking out at a crowd that is too large, a need so great that ...
06/14/2026

From the Pastor’s Desk:
In the Gospel this week Jesus is looking out at a crowd that is too large, a need so great that one person alone can’t fill it. Even with his Divine power he is still one person in one place. He says: The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. He then commissions others to carry out his mission along with him. After his resurrection he will form us into one body with him so that his presence is not limited to one place but he can be present through us all over the world. It is tempting to leave the ministry to the “professionals,” to wish those doing works good luck, and to simply say … “well that’s not my problem.” The harvest of those needing to be cared for and brought to Christ continues to be abundant. They will rot on the vine unless laborers (that is all of us), join in that harvest. Some will operate the machinery, others will be the foremen of the crew, others will gently pick the precious fruits and make sure the plant will continue to produce for years to come. All of these roles are important. A human way of thinking is that roles differ in importance because of their status, or their authority, or their visibility. ALL roles in the harvest are vital, and to God they are equally important. So rather than leaving the harvest to get taken in somehow, Jesus calls us to say “what is MY job in that harvest?”
God Bless, Fr. Steve

06/13/2026

The memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a celebration of the complex visceral relationship of Mary with her Son's work of salvation: from the Incarnation, to his Death and Resurrection, to the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy 174)

The symbols of Mary's Immaculate Heart tell the story of a soul wholly given to God.

The Roses: Mary's love and suffering intertwined. The five rose correspond to the Five Joys of Mary: the Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption. They symbolize her complete offering of herself, her joy in God's plan and her willingness to suffer alongside Christ, and her Queenship.

The Sword: Simeon's prophecy to Mary at the Presentation: "A sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2:35). The sword is not an instrument of violence but of sorrow, the spiritual anguish of witnessing her Son's redemptive suffering and death.

The Lily: The lily is the traditional flower of purity and virginity. It represents Mary's spotless innocence, her freedom from sin, and her consecrated state.

The Flame: The flame atop the heart represents divine love, both God's love burning within Mary's soul and her burning love for God and for humanity. It is the fire of the Holy Spirit, the warmth of charity that animates her intercession. The flame is active, living, and perpetual, like Mary's love for us.

Jesus, you chose the Blessed Virgin Mary as your Mother; keep us in her protection.

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.Jesus meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like Yours!
06/12/2026

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Jesus meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like Yours!

06/11/2026

Today the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, joined by parishes and faithful across the country. The act of consecration takes place as part of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Join the livestream this afternoon at 4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT. Watch along, pray with us, and entrust our nation to the love of Christ's Sacred Heart.

Address

Paxton, MA

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 12pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
Thursday 9am - 12pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+15087550408

Website

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