STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — This year, St. Clare’s Parish, the Archdiocese of New York’s largest-membership parish, will commemorate its centenary.
The Great Kills church’s parishioners and pastors have organized several ceremonies throughout the year to commemorate the event.
“This year, we are thrilled to be commemorating our 100th anniversary,” pastor Rev. Arthur Mastrolia remarked. Over 300 parishioners gathered for a Centennial Kick-Off Brunch and New Year’s Mass on New Year’s Day, marking our first event of the year.
Four lifetime parishioners were honored for their commitment and service during the brunch by the parish honoring Clare of Assisi: Deacon Richard Mitchell, Marcella Mitchell (posthumously), Bernice Fisher, and Gail LaForge.
Father Arthur Mastrolia, parish manager Deacon Richard Salhany, and Deacon Richard Mitchell, who was honored for his more than three decades of service to St. Clare Parish, are pictured from the left. (Deacon Richard Salhany, courtesy)Advance of Staten Island
At the luncheon, Marcella Mitchell received posthumous recognition. (Deacon Richard Salhany, courtesy)Advance of Staten Island
According to Rev. Mastrolia, our honorees contributed a lifetime of service to the parish and community, but more significantly, they demonstrated a selfless commitment to serving the Lord.
Michael Gigante and 94-year-old lifetime parishioner Bernice Fisher receive an award from Father Arthur Mastrolia, left. (Deacon Richard Salhany, courtesy)Advance of Staten Island
The festive luncheon is enjoyed by St. Clare’s Parish parishioners. (Deacon Richard Salnany, courtesy)Advance of Staten Island
HISTORY OR THE ST. CLARE PARISH
The Rev. Charles J. Parks of St. Patrick’s R.C. Church started planting mission churches on the South Shore of Staten Island towards the end of 1917. Among them was St. Clare.
According to historian Greg Patruno, the mission church was initially located in a rented house on Giffords Lane between Katan and Dewey avenues.
The Rev. David C. O. Connor was appointed as St. Clare’s first pastor in 1925, marking the parish’s independence.
The Presentation Sisters, who taught youngsters during the week, helped the church thrive. Sister Mary Dominic was the first principal of St. Clare School when it started as an elementary school in 1936.
Due to population growth brought on by the 1964 inauguration of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the parish kept growing.
A 700-seat church constructed in the conventional Colonial style subsequently replaced the earlier church on the land. To accommodate the expanding student body, the school also undertook two major expansions.
A special Lenten Mission is one of the several events the parish has planned to mark this milestone.
According to Rev. Mastrolia, this year’s Lenten mission will center on a Jubilee of Virtues, with each night highlighting a particular virtue, such as faith, hope, or charity. We strive to inculcate these moral qualities in all of our parishioners and their families.
A gala will be hosted in the fall to end the year, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan will join the parish for a Centennial Anniversary Mass.
St. Clare is still one of the Archdiocese’s busiest parishes today.
The church boasts a thriving Religious Education Program, a growing pre-K and elementary school, and a thriving congregation.
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