March 23/24, 2024

As many of you have probably observed, the past couple of weeks Saint Christopher Parish has had visiting priests for the weekend Masses. Father John Gabage, the Pastor of Saint Christopher, recently lost his father and is in need of time to recuperate and will be spending some time away from the parish to accomplish this.

The parish sacramental needs will continue to be maintained by visiting priests for the foreseeable future. However, due to the shortage of priests, Daily Mass will be suspended for the time being. Please keep Father Gabage in prayer during his time of grief and know that you are in his prayers as well.

May 18/19, 2024

The Diocese would like to provide an update concerning Father John Gabage, our Pastor regarding his ongoing leave of absence. Father Gabage is recuperating, but it is anticipated that Father Gabage will continue to be away into the summer months. He thanks everyone for their prayers and support during this time.

The welfare and the care of the parish remains paramount, as such, Father Clement Vadakkedath, a Redemptorist priest at Saint Mary’s Church in Annapolis, has generously offered to assist the parish. Father Clement will be appointed as the temporary Administrator effective June 1^st on a limited basis, to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the parish. Father Clement has helped out at Saint Christopher these past weeks, and prior to his assignment at Saint Mary’s, he was Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Seaford.

Bishop Koenig is very grateful to Father Clement and even more so to Deacon Frank Hesson and the Staff of Saint Christopher’s, who have been doing a heroic job in maintaining parish life since Father Gabage had first taken leave. Deacon Frank Hesson will continue to provide operational support to the parish assisting Father Clement in his duties.

Due to the shortage of priests and to accommodate schedules and manage the limited availability of parish resources, the parish will shift and adopt a new Summer Mass Schedule. Starting on the weekend of June 1^st and 2^nd, the new Mass Schedule for St. Christopher’s will be as follows:

(1) Mass on Saturday will remain at 5:00PM.

(2) The Spanish Mass on Saturday at 7:00PM will be suspended.

(3) The three Sunday Masses at 7:00AM, 9:00AM, and 11:15AM will be replaced by two Masses. The two new Sunday Mass times will be at 8:00AM and 10:30AM.

Bishop Koenig realizes that this has been a challenging time for the parish, and he appreciates your patience, understanding, and flexibility as these needed changes are made to sustain consistent and quality ministry at Saint Christopher’s. Please continue to keep Father Gabage in prayer during his time of healing as he hopes to return to the parish as soon as he is able.

Diocese of Wilmington Website