The gray-robed friar walking down Bedford Ave. on the Northside of Williamsburg may not blend in with the crowd. But then again, he’s just hoping to be noticed.
The Conventual Franciscans have begun a new outreach to the new residents, sometimes referred to “hipsters” who have revitalized the old Brooklyn neighborhood. Called San Damiano Mission, the effort is based at Holy Family (Slovak) Church on Nassau Ave.
The church grounds hosted a Williamsburg Food Festival on Sunday, Aug. 23, that served as a “soft” opening of the Mission. Residents were invited to stop by and patronize local vendors and meet the Franciscans.
“We are a community of faith,” said Father Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, OFM Conv., the priest on call at the Mission. “We want to be able to create community, a place where people can come and socialize.”
Realizing that many of the newcomers have little connection to organized religion, the friars are looking simply to engage in conversation and to listen to the concerns of people in order to figure out what they can offer the area.
The friars wear their traditional habits so that the neighbors know exactly who they are. They leave the church building open so that passers-by will feel free to stop in and spend some quiet time in prayer and reflection.
The Mass schedule is posted on a white board by the church doors.
There also will be several social events – flea markets, more food festivals, organ recitals and a play – to reach out to the community and introduce themselves.
Holy Family Church is surrounded by factories and a public high school. But there are still some “old-timers” that make up a core worshipping community.
Prior to the festival, there was a workshop about affordable housing, which is threatening to become a luxury in the neighborhood.
Rob Salerno, executive director of Churches United for Fair Housing, helped organize the food festival.
“Food brings people together,” he explained. “We’re hoping that people will come by, shut off their phones and come in and engage in conversation.”
He adds that any development in the area must have an affordable housing dimension so that those who have been living there are able to remain there.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who has been a driving force behind the San Damiano Mission, will visit on Saturday, Oct. 3, to celebrate the 4:30 p.m. Mass which is being billed as the “hard” opening of the Mission. A second food festival also will take place on that day.
