Gift Benefits Longtime Parish

Mike Corrigan began worshipping at St. Paul (Jacksonville) Catholic Church in 1950 after his family moved from New York. He attended St. Paul Catholic School and was in the second graduating class of the new Bishop Kenny High School.

At 17, Mike left Jacksonville to serve his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. After completing his service, he attended college through the GI Bill at The Citadel in Charleston, SC, where he played football and earned All-City honors. Living next door was Caroline Shaw, a recent nursing school graduate from a small rural town in upstate South Carolina. Though their upbringings were different, Mike and Caroline shared a strong devotion to faith and family and were soon married.

The Corrigans returned to Jacksonville and to Mike's spiritual home at St. Paul's, where they raised five children, formed lifelong friendships, and deepened their commitment to faith through active service and generous stewardship. All five of their children graduated from both St. Paul Catholic School and Bishop Kenny High School, and twelve of their grandchildren attended Bishop John J. Snyder High School. Through the Catholic Foundation, the Corrigan family established the Nu-Trend Plastics Scholarship, which provides annual support for one student from St. Paul's and one from St. Matthew's to attend Bishop Snyder.

Throughout their 61 years of marriage, Mike and Caroline were pillars of St. Paul's parish, holding many leadership roles. Mike chaired the Finance Committee, served on the Parish Council, led the Building and Grounds Committee, and headed the Usher Committee. Caroline served as president of the Ladies' Guild, volunteered as an offertory counter, and regularly gave her time at St. Paul School. Affectionately known by students as "Taco Tilly," she brought joy to the lunchroom every Tuesday for years, serving tacos and sharing smiles.

In addition to their gifts of time and talent, Mike and Caroline were faithful, cheerful givers. Mike owned Nu-Trend Plastics, while Caroline worked as the head nurse on the OB/GYN floor at St. Vincent's. "I love St. Paul's and am happy to support it. I worked hard and saved. I am happy to share these blessings.", said Mike.

Even after Caroline's passing in 2018, Mike remained deeply committed to the parish they cherished. In her memory, he established the Caroline and Mike Corrigan Building and Grounds Maintenance Endowment Fund at the foundation to ensure that St. Paul's parish and school will continue to thrive in perpetuity.

Seventy-five years have passed since Mike first attended Mass at St. Paul's. And the legacy he and Caroline built-rooted in faith, service, and generosity-continues to inspire and bless the St. Paul's community and beyond.