St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church sits on Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Belle Harbor, a coastal neighborhood on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens, New York. The parish describes itself as "steeped in tradition, rich in natural beauty and bountifully blessed with a community devoted in love to serve God and our neighbor." It is one of the parishes of the Diocese of Brooklyn and serves Catholics from Belle Harbor, Rockaway Beach, and the surrounding blocks between Beach 116th Street and Beach 149th Street, drawing families who live in the parish's territory and attend its parish school or religious education program.
A Mission Rooted in Devotion and Service
The parish mission statement, written by the community itself, reads: "We seek to live actively the Word of God through the example of our patron saint, a life devoted to energetic, generous and constant fidelity to the will of God. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we will grow in our faith through continuous education, formation, communication, and out-reach, while passing these values on to our future generations." The parish aims to be "a most vibrant community of faith which will effectively utilize the talents, resources, and treasures of our parish for the good of all God's people." The pastor is the Very Rev. William F. Sweeney, and the associate is Rev. James K. Cunningham. Two deacons, Vincent LaGamba and Armand D'Accordo, assist with ministry, and retired Monsignor John J. Bracken serves as Sunday Assistant. A pastoral year seminarian, Paul Zwolak, is part of the team.
Mass Times and What to Expect
Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 9:00 a.m. The Saturday vigil Mass is at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, Mass is offered at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. The 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish site for those unable to attend in person.
The parish explains that the central Catholic act of worship is the Mass, or Divine Liturgy, which is divided into two main parts. The first, the Liturgy of the Word, includes a Penitential Rite, the Kyrie, Scripture readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, followed by the priest's homily. The congregation stands to recite the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed and joins in intercessory prayer with the saints in heaven and on earth. The second, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, brings the assembly to the altar with bread and wine. The priest consecrates the elements, and through transubstantiation the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Christ. Catholics in a state of grace are invited to receive Holy Communion, while non-Catholics and those not prepared to receive are invited to come forward for a blessing, indicated by crossing one hand over the opposite shoulder.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as the Sacrament of Penance or Confession, is offered every Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The parish teaches that the sacrament returns the faithful to the state of their baptism, freeing them from sin and allowing them to encounter God's mercy. The parish addresses common concerns directly: priests hear thousands of confessions and rarely remember what is shared, anything said in confession is sealed under pain of excommunication, and God's mercy, in the words of Romans 5:20, overflows wherever sin has increased. Those preparing to receive Holy Communion are encouraged to receive the sacrament frequently, and the parish recommends fasting for at least one hour before receiving the Eucharist.
The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
St. Francis de Sales offers all seven sacraments instituted by Christ. They are grouped into three categories. The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. The Sacraments of Healing are Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. The Sacraments of Service are Marriage and Holy Orders. The word "sacrament" comes from the Latin sacramentum, meaning "a sign of the sacred," and each sacrament is described as a ceremony that points to what is sacred and significant for Christians.
Baptism is celebrated in the parish church itself; baptisms outside of church are reserved for emergencies. The Church asks that an infant have at least one Catholic godparent who is baptized, confirmed, and living the faith, with a second sponsor, or Christian witness, who need not be Catholic. Parents are encouraged to begin the process before their child is born. Older children and adults who are unbaptized prepare through the RCIA or RCIC programs and usually receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Confirmation, received only once, imprints a permanent seal on the soul and brings an increase of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Marriage is described as "a sacred union celebrating the covenant between a man and woman as husband and wife," and couples seeking to marry in the Church are directed to the Diocese of Brooklyn's marriage preparation page. Holy Orders ordains a baptized Catholic man to the priesthood, diaconate, or episcopacy. Anointing of the Sick is offered to anyone in danger from sickness, old age, or a serious operation, and is no longer reserved only for those at the point of death; for those about to die, the parish also offers viaticum, Communion as food for the journey home.
Faith Formation for Children and Teens
The parish's Office of Religious Education, directed by Anne Marie Greene with assistant Suzanne Blum, prepares children for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. The Religious Education program operates from the Parish House at 216 Beach 130th Street. Parents fill out a parent handbook, a registration form, a sponsor activity form, and a Mass attendance sheet as part of the process. First Holy Communion is celebrated in the spring, with multiple Mass times offered to accommodate the children and their families. Confirmation is celebrated in the fall for teens who have completed the required two years of catechesis.
The Youth Faith Formation program serves baptized students who did not make First Penance and Holy Eucharist in the second grade, walking them through a specially designed curriculum to receive the sacraments. Students 16 or under who have not been confirmed but are in the eighth grade or beyond need at least two years of catechesis before being confirmed. Students older than 16 who are beyond ninth grade are directed to the parish's RCIA program.
For children beyond their seventh birthday who have not yet been baptized, the parish runs the RCIC, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children. The program mirrors RCIA in structure and prepares children to be fully received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
Becoming Catholic: RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is offered for non-Catholics thinking about becoming Catholic and for Catholics who wish to learn more or embrace the faith more fully. The program begins with a period of instruction, deepens into a fuller experience of Catholicism, and invites participants into a process of initiation that culminates in the Sacraments of Initiation, which include Baptism for those not yet baptized (or baptized in another Christian denomination), Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. Participants are encouraged to choose a sponsor to walk with them through the journey, and a sponsor is provided if needed. Those interested are asked to contact the parish office for the next schedule of OCIA classes.
Liturgical and Music Ministries
The Music and Choir ministry, directed by Michael Fontana, leads the music at Sunday Masses through hymns and songs that foster "full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgical celebration." New members are welcomed, and information packets are available for those interested in joining.
The Lector Ministry invites volunteers to grow in a warm and loving knowledge of Scripture. Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Mass and other liturgical services, reading in a clear and meaningful way so that all can hear and understand. The ministry is open to anyone who feels called to read the Word publicly.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion during Mass. They are scheduled for specific Masses and are expected to distribute communion reverently and with awareness of the sanctity of the role.
Altar Servers assist the priest at the altar during the celebration of the Mass, taking on roles such as cross bearer, candle bearer, and those who assist with the preparation of the chalice, the washing of hands, and the bringing forth of the bread. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal requires that an altar server be present at every Mass. While historically the role was filled by young men discerning priesthood, it has been open to women since the 1990s, and adults now serve in many parishes. Families are encouraged to consider this ministry for their sons or daughters.
Praying the Rosary on Monday Nights
The Rosary Prayer Group gathers in the church every Monday at 7:00 p.m. for the recitation of the Rosary. The prayers used are available for download on the parish site so that anyone can follow along, and the rosary is livestreamed on the parish website and on the parish's Facebook page for those praying along from home. The group is open to all and serves as the parish's weekly Marian devotion.
Senior Ministry: The Sea Breeze Golden Age Club
The Sea Breeze Golden Age Club is the parish's ministry to its older members. It meets at the SFDS Catholic Academy at 219 Beach 129th Street on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., September through June. Members gather for fellowship, conversation, and shared time together. Ellen Mendonca, the contact for the club, can be reached at 631-923-7866 for more information.
A Family Life Ministry Born from 9/11
The parish's Family Life Ministry takes its inspiration from the life and death of Timothy Stackpole, a New York City fireman and father of five who perished in the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. His widow, Tara, shares his story as a testament to what a true life of faith and service looks like. The ministry draws on the theme of the World Meeting of Families, held in Philadelphia in 2015 under the banner "Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive," and seeks to encourage the parish's families in the spirit of that gathering.
Active Military in Our Parish
The parish keeps a prayer list of parishioners serving in the United States armed forces. The list is maintained in the bulletin and on the parish site, and the names of those deployed are marked with an asterisk. The current list includes members serving in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. The parish invites families to add sons, daughters, relatives, or friends to the list by contacting the rectory, and to notify the parish of any change in rank or service status. The prayer used for the list reads: "Lord, hold our troops in Your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. Amen."
CYO and the Summer Classic Basketball League
The parish runs one of the most active youth athletics programs in the area. The SFDS CYO serves participants from kindergarten through ninth grade (with ninth grade limited to swimming) and offers a variety of sports with the primary goal of skills development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun. Eligibility for the program requires that a family live within the parish boundaries (Beach 116th Street to Beach 149th Street, regardless of religion), attend the parish school or Religious Education program, and worship at the parish as evidenced by the active use of weekly collection envelopes. The CYO is an all-volunteer program overseen by a Parish Athletic Representative who reports to the moderator, one of the parish priests, and is supported by a treasurer. Parents must commit to a fair-share support of their children's sports, and families are asked to consider this responsibility carefully before registering. Each participant must also register with the Diocese of Brooklyn CYO and obtain a DOB CYO membership number before in-person registration.
The Summer Classic is the parish's separate summer basketball league, run from June through August in the St. Francis de Sales schoolyard and gym. Games are played Monday through Friday between 5:30 and 10:00 p.m. Competition is organized by age, beginning with those completing second grade through those who have just graduated high school, and there are Men's and Women's Open divisions. Registration opens to parishioners first, then to previous Summer Classic participants, and finally to new non-parishioners on a space-available basis. The Graybeard Basketball League is also affiliated with the Summer Classic. All coaches and volunteers must complete Diocesan Virtus training before working with the children. Keith Goldberg coordinates the league.
Online Catholic Homeschool
For families seeking a Catholic homeschooling option, the parish offers an Online Catholic Homeschool program using the MCFD Faith and Life series. Orientation materials, a preview video, an introduction to the Faith and Life curriculum, an explanation of the benefits of online learning, instructions for accessing the platform, and a list of important reminders are all available through the parish site.
AA Meetings, Bereavement, and Pastoral Care
The parish hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for those dealing with alcohol abuse, with an open meeting on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. and a closed meeting on Sundays at 8:00 p.m. The AA Clean and Dry Group, which assists people dealing with dual addictions to drugs and alcohol, meets on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in a closed meeting.
The Bereavement Ministry assists those who are suffering or troubled about the death of a loved one. Trained facilitators gently guide participants through the bereavement process. Those wishing to speak with a priest can contact the rectory at 718-634-6464.
Patron Saint: St. Francis de Sales
The parish takes its name from St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), the patron saint of journalists and writers, whose feast day is January 24. Born in France to a noble family, Francis waited thirteen years after first sensing his vocation to the priesthood before telling his family. Sent to Paris to study for a career as a soldier and then to Padua for a doctorate in law, he studied theology and practiced mental prayer while still entering into the social life around him. While riding, his horse threw him three separate times, and each time the sword and scabbard landed on the ground in the shape of the cross. He was ordained and made provost of his diocese, second in rank to the bishop.
Francis became famous for a missionary expedition to bring the 60,000 Calvinists of nearby Switzerland back to Catholicism. Setting out with only his cousin, he trudged through the countryside for three years, had doors slammed in his face and rocks thrown at him, slept in haylofts and once in a tree to avoid wolves, and made no converts. Refusing to give up, Francis wrote out his sermons by hand and slipped them under doors, the first known use of religious tracts to communicate with people. He befriended the children of the villages so that their parents would talk to him, and by the time he returned he had converted 40,000 people back to Catholicism.
In 1602 he was made bishop of the diocese of Geneva, in Calvinist territory, where he set foot in the city itself only twice. He is most famous for his Introduction to the Devout Life, written in 1608 for lay people living ordinary lives. It was an instant success across Europe. Francis taught that love of God is like romantic love, with the soul filled with longing for the beloved and never able to stop thinking about him; that holiness was open to everyone, not only monks and nuns; that the test of prayer is a person's behavior toward others; and that the worst sin is to judge or gossip about another person. His prayer remains one of the most beloved devotions in the Catholic Church: "Be at peace. Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope as they arise." Francis died on December 28, 1622, leaving as his last word to a nun the single syllable: "Humility."
Giving to the Parish
The parish invites the faithful to support its mission through weekly offertory giving and a Capital Campaign. Contributions can be made electronically through Faith Direct, which offers personalized offertory cards for use in the collection basket. Donors can enroll online through Faith Direct or by calling Faith Direct Customer Service toll free at 866-507-8757, and they can use Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. The parish issues annual tax receipts for all charitable gifts and tithes, and members can update their contact and payment information through their member profile or by contacting the parish office. The parish also invites support of the Bishop's Annual Catholic Appeal and participation in the Diocese of Brooklyn's broader evangelization efforts. As the parish reminds its members: "We give because of love. We love because He first loved us."