by Ed Wilkinson

The first parish established in Queens is now the first church in the diocese to house a stained-glass window honoring Pope Francis and one depicting Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s coat of arms.

Bishop DiMarzio dedicated the colorful new windows at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Astoria, Dec. 7, as part of a pastoral visit to the parish.

The additions to the historic church are part of a renovation that added a larger side entrance, gathering space and elevator to the church.

“To my knowledge, these are the first permanent installations of these images in glass in our diocese,” said Msgr. Sean Ogle, pastor. “They are the work of Creations in Glass of New Jersey and have been generously memorialized by our own Martha Mosler in memory of her family and of Ilse Littek.”

Bishop DiMarzio was introduced to Mosler, and he thanked her for her generosity.

The occasion also served as an opportunity for the parish to congratulate Bishop DiMarzio on his 10th anniversary as bishop of Brooklyn. Fathers Joseph Pham and Peter Hoa Nguyen, who serve at the parish, presented the bishop with a miter, made in Vietnam, that has an image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel emblazoned on it.

Also part of the new construction is a parish crest built into the design of the floor. It contains Carmelite themes as well as symbols of the neighborhood, such as the Triborough Bridge and the elevated subway.

Prior to the Mass, Bishop DiMarzio met with parish societies and spoke with them about the local community’s role in the New Evangelization.

In his homily, he praised the ethic diversity of the parish, acknowledging that Mass is celebrated there in five languages each week – English, Italian, Vietnamese, Spanish and Czech.

He also spoke about the Advent themes of reconciliation and conversion, adding that the parish was well on its way because there is “a mutual admiration among the different groups here.”

He said: “As we prepare for Christmas, we accept the reconciliation and peace that Jesus brings us when He is born in Bethlehem.”

Following Mass, Msgr. Ogle gathered the congregation in the new space and offered a toast to the bishop on his anniversary as the spiritual leader of Brooklyn and Queens.