PARROCO/PASTOR

VICARIO PARROQUIAL/PAROCHIAL VICAR

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 Parish History and Development

            The primary mission of St. Michael's Parish is to serve the spiritual needs of the Catholic population of East New York especially those who are newcomers to this country. This mission began in 1860 when a group of German Catholics petitioned the Bishop of Brooklyn for the opportunity to build a church where they could worship in their own language and culture.

            The small wooden church built on Jerome Street in 1860 was replaced in 1922 by a large brick structure. Three school building were eventually constructed to provide for the needs of elementary and secondary school students. Invitations were given to religious communities to minister to the people. The Capuchin-Franciscan Friars were in charge of the parish for eighty years beginning in 1897; the Sisters of Saint Dominic came in 1872 to teach in the elementary school and they still maintain a presence in the parish; the Brothers of Mary taught the boys during the first half of the twentieth century.

            Demographic and social changes have affected the life of St. Michael’s. English replaced German as the official language in 1928. Parishioners today are mainly Hispanic with a minority of white and Afro-Americans. Presently, one of the school buildings provides education for elementary pupils.  Another building is rented to the public schools and the third serves as the Pastoral Center with parish offices, classrooms and meeting rooms.

The Institute of the Incarnate Word

            The Institute of the Incarnate Word is in charge of St. Michael’s Parish today. One of the pastoral priorities of this Institute is to emphasize the solemn celebration of the Sunday liturgies. These liturgies are scheduled at times that are convenient for most parishioners. A 5:30 pm Mass on Saturday evening meets the needs of children and young people who attend religious education classes. Sunday morning liturgies at 9:00 am and 11:00 am serve the English and Spanish communities respectively.  Lay people are encouraged to participate as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ministers of Hospitality, Altar Servers and Choir Members.

            The focus of the Institute on other aspects of liturgical life is readily apparent to the parishioners of St. Michael’s. Holy Week services are carefully prepared with emphasis on close observance of church rituals. Public processions on Palm Sunday and Good Friday and on special occasions such as Corpus Christi, St. Michael’s Feast day and the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception provide the community with a living witness of the Catholic faith. Ethnic groups are encouraged to celebrate their own traditions such as the feast of Our Lady of Divine Providence by Puerto Rican people, the feast of Our Lady of Altagracia by Dominican people and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe by Mexican people.

            Participation in liturgical celebration is reinforced by instruction in the Catholic Faith. This is carried out in St. Michael’s Elementary School, by a Religious Education Program for public school students and through the RCIA program for those desiring full communion in the Catholic Church. Sacramental preparation classes are offered for those who want to receive Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation.

            The Institute of the Incarnate Word recognizes the value of lay groups to foster the spiritual life of parishioners. A Parish Council expresses the needs of parishioners and suggests programs to benefit the parish; the Cursillistas group is available to Spanish speaking people; a Jornada group is geared to young people; the Christian Mothers Society invites English-speaking women to join them.  Recently, meetings of Senior Citizens have been organized.

            A significant aspect of the work of the Institute of the Incarnate Word is to reach out to the parish and community through an annual Mission. The Lenten Mission at St. Michael’s is designed to revitalize and focus the attention of parishioners on their religious beliefs and their spiritual life. This is a time of great blessing to the parish during which parishioners can renew and strengthen their Catholic Faith.