Even the standing places at the Church of the Sacred Heart required a ticket for the Staten Island parish’s 150th anniversary Mass, principally celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, on Saturday, October 18, such was the overwhelming interest and support. 

“Congratulations, Sacred Heart Parish on Staten Island, on 150 years! Alleluia!” Cardinal Dolan said in his welcome remarks. 

The interior of the West Brighton church was painted, and the roof was repaired ahead of the anniversary celebrations. The parish’s first Mass was celebrated on July 25, 1875, by Father William Poole, the founding pastor. That Mass took place at St. Rose of Lima Parish on Taylor Street before the current Sacred Heart Church was constructed. 

In his homily, Cardinal Dolan thanked his many concelebrants and the parish community for both the day’s commemoration and its long history. “Thank you for your loyalty and your love for Jesus and this church that has kept this spirit going strong. It gives me a chance to let you know how proud I am of your parish. It gives me the chance to let you know that I love you, I love you very much, and that it is a great joy for me to be here with you.” 

Cardinal recalls prayers to the Sacred Heart 

Referring to the name of the parish, Cardinal Dolan recalled prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that he learned as a child from Sister Mary Bosco Daly and says daily even now. “Every morning, I was taught to start the morning when I literally got out of bed: ‘All for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,’ as I would dedicate the entire day to Jesus. Then, Sister said, ‘During the day, especially if you have any troubles, say, “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.”‘ And the last thing we do before we go to bed: ‘Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” 

At the conclusion of Mass, Father Rhey Garcia, Sacred Heart’s pastor, addressed Cardinal Dolan, along with his parishioners and guests. “Your Eminence, what stands before you this evening is not just a beautifully restored church. It is, as you have witnessed, a living church. A church filled with hope, love, faith, and life. Sacred Heart may be 150 years old, but it remains young at heart. 

Pastor thanks the cardinal for his presence 

“Your Eminence, thank you once again for being here with us, for witnessing firsthand the enduring spirit of Sacred Heart Church. And so, as we look ahead for the next 150 years, may we be filled with the same joy and love that brought us here tonight. And maybe, just maybe, with the next pastor, fewer roof repairs—that would be great. Thank you so much. May God bless us.” 

Concelebrants of the Mass included Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne, episcopal vicar of Staten Island; Father Garcia; Monsignor William Belford, pastor at St. Theresa Church in St. George and dean of Staten Island; Monsignor Greg Mustaciuolo; and Father Brian McWeeney. 

Community leaders, including Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella and his wife, Mary, and District Attorney for Richmond County Michael McMahon, attended the Mass. 

Parishioners praise restoration and community spirit 

Deacon Jim Cowan, who served at the Mass, told The Good Newsroom, “The generosity of so many benefactors enabled us to replace the slate roofs, repaint the interior of the church, and refurbish the pews so that our spiritual home truly reflects the vibrancy and stability of our parish community. 

“Many of our parishioners have told me that they see and feel a resurgence of the spirit of Sacred Heart parish that was so vibrant years ago. That can be attributed to our pastor, Father Rhey, as he truly is a happy priest, and it shows every day.” 

“I love this parish because it’s diverse. It’s always fun. And listen, to me, history, the 150th anniversary of anything, is great. I was very pleased to be able to donate to them for the bricks and for the restoration. I think it’s important that we spend time emphasizing our Catholic faith these days. I feel like we’re under just a lot of scrutiny. I’m thrilled to be here,” Donna Wilson, a Staten Island native who has been a parishioner at Sacred Heart for 23 years, told The Good Newsroom. 

Cardinal Dolan and many parishioners continued the celebration at the parish’s 150th anniversary gala, held at LiGreci’s Staaten, also in West Brighton.