Saint Frances de Chantal Parish in New York

In November, 1998, the Brooklyn Diocese decided to put our parish into the hands of The Society of the Catholic Apostolate - The Pallottine Fathers. It was then that the Rev. Canon Andrzej Kurowski became our Pastor who previously served at the parish of the Holy Cross in Maspeth, Queens.
There are 690 registered families in our parish.
Currently our parish is served by the Rev. Canon Andrzej Kurowski, Rev. Marian Wierzchowski - Parochial Vicar and Rev. Antoni Zemuła - Parochial Vicar.
Additionally, the following Parochial Vicars have served our parish over the last ten years: Piotr Karaszewski, Sławomir Siok, Leszek Więcaszek.
Sacraments Performed since 1998 Baptisms 651 most: 77 in 1999 least: 52 in 2003
First Communions 429 most: 56 in 1999 least: 33 in 2007
Confirmations 443 most: 61 in 1999 least: 34 in 2008
Weddings 189 most: 61 in 1999 least: 9 in 2008
Funerals 360 most: 54 in 1999 least: 24 in 2006
The Initiation of New Parish Sermons
• Corpus Christi procession through neighborhood streets (2000 participants)
• Procession of the Cross on Good Friday through the streets of the neighborhood. (2500 participants)
• Monthly devotion to Our Lady of Fatima
There have been 6 Parish Pilgrimages
• 2000 - Pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, Monte Casino
• 2002 - Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Paris and Fatima
• 2004 - Pilgrimage to Rome and Monte Casino
• 2007 & 2008 - Pilgrimage to Guadeloupe
• 2008 - Pilgrimage to Jerusalem
Distinguished Guests to our Parish
Bishop Gerard Bernacki, Bishop Władysław Blin, Bishop Ignacy Dec, Bishop Antoni Dydycz, Archbishop Leszek Sławoj-Głódź, Bishop Ryszard Karpiński, Bishop Józef Michalik, Bishop Artur Niziński, Bishop Alojzy Orszulik, Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek, Bishop Tadeusz Pikus, Bishop Stanisław Stefanek, Bishop Andrzej Suski, Bishop Szczepan Wesoły, Archbishop Wojciech Ziemba, Bishop Zygmunt Zimowski. Generals of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate: Rev. Kazimierz Czulak, Rev. Tomasz Skibiński, Rev. Lesław Gwarek, Rev. Tadeusz Rydzyk.
Bishops from our Diocese: Bishop Thomas Daily, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Auxiliary Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Auxiliary Bishop Ignaatius A.Catanello, Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, Auxiliary Bishop Rene A.Valero.
Capital Improvements,
Repairs & Major Purchases
While continuing the lords work is our foremost task, maintaing our house of prayer is also an important part in the life of the parish, since 1998 the following has been completed:
• Partial renovation of the Rectory.
• Capital renovation of the church hall and classrooms under the rectory.
• Gutter replacement and painting of the church roof.
• Renovation and cleaning of the churches outer walls.
• Repaving of the parking lot and the construction of a car port.
• Repainting and repair of all church fences.
• Restoration of the main church doors.
• Repair of stairs leading to the church.
• Renovation of church grotto.
• Construction of the Blessed Heart Chapel.
• Installation of marble flooring near the altar, and the purchase of a new pulpit and chair.
• Replacement of the HVAC system for the church and church hall.
• Repair of the walls in the rectory.
• Partial replacement and repair of the church roof.
• Purchase and installation of new church bells.
• Replacement of the sound system in the church.
• Replacement of all windows in the rectory.
• Placement of statue of the pope John Paul II.
• Purchase of new liturgical dishes and liturgical robes.
• Equipping the kitchen in the church hall with new appliances.
• Renovation of inner church walls.
• Creation of parish website.
Community Involvement
The parish supports such community activities as the Kazimierz Pulaski Polish Supplementary School, which teaches language, history and religion to the kids in our parish, while preparing them to receive first communion, and confirmation. We organize an annual parish picnic (500 participants), New Years and Mardi Gras celebrations, and participate in the Gen. Pulaski Parade. Even though so much has been accomplished within the past 10 years, and none of it could have been possible without the active support of our parishioners, there is still much to be done.
Thank You for all your support to our parish!
Pastor Kurowski
Parochial Vicars and the Parish Council.