by Tablet Staff  

ROCKAWAY PARK — St. Camillus Church will remain open.  

“He heard you. I am happy to tell you today that our bishop has decided that St. Camillus is to remain open,” announced Father James Rodriguez, the church administrator, on March 15. 

Father Rodriguez informed parishioners at the 11:30 a.m. Mass of Bishop Robert Brennan’s decision to preserve the church, which has served the community for more than 115 years. Last June, parishioners were told that St. Camillus would be closing due to declining attendance and debt.  

“Throughout this time, there was a growing sentiment that this could not be the end, that there had to be something we could do,” Father Rodriguez said. “In October, we met with Bishop Brennan, who agreed to prayerfully consider the upswell of support and hope represented in that crowd. 

As part of the decision, Father Rodriguez, who is also pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church, said Bishop Brennan will assign a new administrator to St. Camillus, “whose attention can be solely focused on building up with you what you have so lovingly fought for.” 

Last June, parishioners were informed that St. Camillus Church in Rockaway Park would close. Eight months later, Father James Rodriguez informed parishioners at Mass on March 15 that it would remain open. (Photos: Katie Vasquez)

St. Camillus was founded in 1908. It merged with St. Virgilius Church in Broad Channel in 2008.  

At the time the decision to close St. Camillus was announced, St. Camillus averaged 175 people at their Sunday Mass and was more than $3 million in debt, which the diocese said, “can only be addressed by selling or leasing this expansive property.”  

On March 15, Father Rodriguez emphasized that the diocese’s decision to preserve St. Camillus “does not mean that our work is done.” He noted that while Mass attendance has “consistently and dramatically” increased, solving the church’s financial challenges will require “inventive solutions and sacrifice.”  

“Over the next few months,” he said, “we will continue planning fundraisers and events, praying together for guidance from God, who is the source and summit of all our joy.”