Parish History
St. Paul’s Parish was established in 1986 as a division of St. Gabriel’s Parish. During the previous year the priests of St. Gabriel’s offered Sunday morning mass in Canadian Martyr’s School.
In April of 1986, Bishop Tonnos decided to establish the new parish and Father Paul Boucher was appointed the founding pastor. The first parish mass was celebrated on the weekend of June29th, 1986 – The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul in Canadian Martyr’s School on Lansdown Drive. About 400 families formed that core group of worshippers.
In March, 1987 a building committee was formed, and they worked diligently with architect John Harkness to design and build our new home for the Church.
The blessing of the New Church took place June 17, 1990, by Bishop Anthony F Tonnos. The Art Committee commissioned local artists to decorate the church. Sarah Hall for the windows and glass work, Les Drysdale to Sculpt St. Paul, Fr. Herman Falke, the Stations of the Cross and Joseph Stanek carved the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Our current Pastor is Fr. Francisco Sordo. Please click click here to find more about his life and vocation story.
Former Pastors of Saint Paul
Rev. John Schnurr (2021-2025)
Rev. Ed Henhoeffer (2012-2021)
Rev. Robert Stainsby (2000-2012)
Rev. Paul Boucher (1986-2000)
Former Associate Pastors of Saint Paul
Rev. John Ha (2024-2026)
Rev. Pawel Stankiewicz (2022-2024)
Rev. Gregory Ogorzalek (2021-2022)
Rev. John Schnurr (2019-2021)
Msgr. Philippe Jean Pierre (2018-2019)
Rev. Paul Hrynczyszyn (2014-2016)
Rev. Van Duy Nguyen (2012-2014)
Rev. Malcolm Katzenberger (2009-2012)
Rev. Mariusz Durbajlo (2007-2009)
Rev. Jeff Bergsma (2005-2007)
Rev. Peter Meyer (2002-2005)
Rev. James Petrie (2000-2002)
Rev. Kevin McTiernan
Rev. Luc Payette
Rev. Wallace Metcalf
Rev. Kevin Cull
Rev. William Trusz
Rev. David Lewis
Clergy and Staff
Fr. Francisco Sordo, Pastor
Fr. Francisco Sordo was ordained a priest in 2020, and joined our parish as Pastor in June 2025. Originally from Mexico he had a long career in banking prior to joining the seminary in 2016. Most recently he served as Pastor of St. Joseph in Port Elgin.
Fr. Christian Israel, Associate Pastor
Reverend Mr. Brian Dunn, Deacon
Fr. Malcolm Katzebnerger, In Residence
Father Malcolm is a retired priest living in residence at Saint Paul the Apostle Parish. He served as Associate Pastor here from 2009 to 2012 and has considered Burlington as home for over 55 years so St. Paul's is very familiar territory to him. You will see Fr. Malcolm around the parish assisting our clergy, staff and parishioners in a variety of ways. When asked how he is enjoying retirement he responds with "I kinda like being a grand-father"
Dorata Marcinowski, Secretary
Dorota Marcinowski is a parishioner of St. Paul’s and the Parish Secretary since 2023. Dorota studied at Wilfrid Laurier University and has a background in Education and Human Resources. She has previously worked in Training and Development as a Coordinator and Training Specialist. Dorota enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling.
Angela Kim, Bookkeeper
Angela Kim originally acquired her Masters of Music degree in South Korea before coming to Canada with her two sons in 2004. She enjoys teaching music in her home to young children and is the organist at St. Andrew’s Parish in Oakville. Angela has been with us as our bookkeeper since 2021 and we share her talent with St. Matthew Parish in Oakville. In her free time, Angela enjoys travelling, visiting her mom in South Korea and spending time with family and friends.
Arden Ouelette, Pastoral Minister
Arden entered parish ministry in November 2005 following a career in Human Resources. She grew up in Toronto and later attended Kings University College at Western University where she met her husband of 33 years JP, and with whom she has raised 4 children. Arden enjoys travel, in particular visiting her children who have moved abroad. When at home she uses her free time to play golf, read and challenge herself with gourmet cooking and baking.
Melanie Gaddie, Pastoral Minister
Melanie Gaddi is a devoted wife to Joey and proud Mom to three boys, all of whom keep her on her toes. Prior to joining St. Paul’s, Melanie had a career in Sales & Marketing but also volunteered extensively with Children’s Liturgy, Rosary Apostolate, and Catechetical Studies at the parish. Growing up in the Philippines, she was involved in youth ministry, catechism and many outreach programs. Melanie enjoys traveling, camping, reading and watching K-dramas.
Cydney Speers, Music Director
Born and raised in Edmonton Alberta, Cydney attended the University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University where she studied both piano and voice. From a very early age due to her mother’s encouragement, Cydney was playing for mass by the time she was 12 years old. As a solo pianist, accompanist, and repetiteur, she has worked with many of Canada’s gifted artists. Since residing in Ancaster in 2005, she has maintained a very successful private studio teaching both piano and voice. She assisted at St Ann’s parish in Ancaster, assisted as a cantor at Christ the King Cathedral and was music director at St. Mary’s parish in Hamilton until 2023. Cydney became the music director for St Paul the Apostle parish in August of 2023.
Alan Macintosh, Custodian
Alan began his position as Custodian in March 2013. Alan served with the Peel Regional Police Service, retiring after 34 years and began his new career at St. Paul's. Alan strives to maintain a welcoming, safe and clean environment for our parishioners.
Lola Pedreschi
Lola was born in Peru, but has lived in the Hamilton area for many years and is the proud mother of 3 adult children and 3 adored grandchildren. When Lola is not managing the rectory meals, her love of music, dance and food takes her to various locations around the world visiting family and friends.