STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 More than 500 people flocked to Sacred Heart R.C. Church on Saturday to celebrate a solemn reopening of the church and ringing of the church bell following the parish\u2019s \u201cBrick-by-Brick\u201d restoration.<\/p>\n
Cardinal Timothy Dolan<\/a>, archbishop of New York, served as the honored guest. <\/p>\n \u201cDid you see the welcome that I had outside the school? All the kids and the signs, the bagpipes, the Knights of Columbus and the police? This was tremendous. I love coming to Staten Island. I don\u2019t even gripe about paying the toll,\u201d Dolan said, drawing laughter from the audience. <\/p>\n \u201cThis church is so crowded tonight, I think we might have congestion pricing. But we priests are always thrilled when it\u2019s standing room only. That\u2019s because it\u2019s much easier for the people standing to get to their wallets and into their purses,\u201d he added, evoking more laughter.<\/p>\n Dolan thanked the congregation for their loyalty to the church and for keeping Sacred Heart Church going for so long, and said he is proud to be their archbishop.<\/p>\n As Sacred Heart Church approached the 150th anniversary of its first Mass \u2014 which was celebrated by the Rev. William Poole on July 25, 1875 \u2014 the Rev. Rhey Garcia<\/a> led an earnest initiative to secure the parish\u2019s future with the launch of the Brick-by-Brick Capital Campaign. <\/p>\n The initiative served as a call to action for the community to raise crucial funds for several vital projects, including the much-needed repair of the church roof.<\/p>\n Father Garcia said, \u201cI\u2019m very excited. This is God\u2019s outpouring grace, and this is what a living church is all about \u2014 people helping each other to make sure the community is alive. This is a people of faith, and it\u2019s great to be here with all our parishioners.<\/p>\n \u201cThe church is alive, especially Sacred Heart. It\u2019s thriving. It might be old, but it remains young at heart,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Father Garcia thanked Borough President Vito Fossella, his wife, Mary Pat, and District Attorney Michael E. McMahon for attending. <\/p>\n Fossella said, \u201cMary Pat and I were thrilled to join the vibrant community of Sacred Heart Church in Staten Island for its 150th anniversary Mass, a joyous celebration of faith and history.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe church, a cornerstone of Catholic tradition and local sports culture, welcomed Cardinal Dolan, whose spirited leadership elevated the occasion. The milestone event highlighted Sacred Heart\u2019s enduring legacy, uniting parishioners in gratitude and pride for their shared heritage,\u201d added Fossella.<\/p>\n District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, a longtime supporter of Sacred Heart Church, said, \u201cFor a century and a half, Sacred Heart Church has provided tens of thousands of Staten Islanders spiritual counsel, communion and community.<\/p>\n \u201cA cornerstone of Staten Island\u2019s West Brighton neighborhood for generations, Sacred Heart Church is so much more than four walls and a roof \u2014 this parish has survived wars, natural disasters, and myriad moments of political, social and cultural upheaval throughout its storied history, all while remaining a beacon of peace and prayer in the lives of countless Staten Islanders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn this, the 150th anniversary of Sacred Heart, we thank the people and pastors of our parish, past and present, who are woven into the fabric and rich heritage of our faith community,\u201d said Tim Koller, a parishioner from West Brighton. <\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s Mass, with His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan as the principal celebrant, marks the culmination of over a year\u2019s efforts by pastor Father Rhey Garcia and countless volunteers,\u201d said Deacon Jim Cowan. \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cMany 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, who is truly a happy priest, and it shows every day,\u201d Cowan added.<\/p>\n Following the Mass, a 150th anniversary grand gala with dinner and dancing took place in LiGreci\u2019s Staaten, West Brighton.<\/p>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 More than 500 people flocked to Sacred Heart R.C. 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