PRAIRIE DU CHIEN — Fr. Paul Fagan, CP, a native of the Diocese of Madison area, is celebrating 55 years of ordination to the priesthood.
Father Paul was ordained on June 11, 1960, at Maryknoll, N.Y. He was assigned to the Diocese of Shinyanga in what was then Tanganyika Territory, now Tanzania.
After 47 years as a missionary, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Shinyanga, in which he has served all of his 55 years as a priest.
After seven years at the Cathedral Parish of Buhangija, he was assigned to Old Maswa Parish in Bariadi District, where he has lived for the past 48 years. The three centers that he constructed in Old Maswa parish have now become new parishes, one of which is St. Peter Parish in Nkololo, where he is pastor.He is also the founder of the 45-bed Songambele Hospital located on the parish property. During his 55 years he did agricultural demonstrations, sponsored about 300 students, constructed 46 miles of roads, and opened two dispensaries.
Everyone is invited to join Father Paul on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 12:30 p.m. for a Mass of thanksgiving at St. John Church of Holy Family Parish, located at 710 S. Wacouta Ave., and from 2 to 6 p.m. at Huckleberry Banquet Hall, 1916 S. Marquette Rd., for reminiscing, food, drink, and fun. No invitations will be sent.
His current goal is to expand Songambele Hospital to have 180 beds. The present challenge is to equip the 11-room operating suites building that includes two operating rooms and to finish the 28-bed surgical/medical ward that is under construction. A back-up generator will also be needed for the equipment in the operating rooms.
Father Paul’s work can be seen in a video presentation on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m. at St. John School cafeteria, 710 S. Wacouta Ave. All are welcome.