BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — As poinsettias and wreaths continued adorning the altar of Our Lady of Victory Church, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Octavio Cisneros gave thanks for the gifts of Christmas and the revelation to all nations by the Three Kings. 

But what served as a celebration for the feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 3 also marked a farewell — a Mass of thanksgiving for the Missionaries of Charity, who have departed the parish’s convent at 262 Macon Street after more than three decades. 

St. Teresa of Kolkata, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, sent the first sisters to Our Lady of Victory in 1992 to provide shelter and support for pregnant women and their children, and accompany families facing poverty, crisis, and isolation.  

“The Missionaries of Charity have been like the Three Kings to this parish community. Like the three Magi, they brought their gifts to others,” Bishop Cisneros said during his homily. “They brought the gift of their lives surrendered to God, the gift of service, and the gift of sacrifice.” 

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As part of their mission, the Missionaries of Charity also visited the homebound and those in nursing homes, provided religious education, and participated in a religious summer camp. 

After announcing the departure of the four sisters who lived there, Our Lady of Victory pastor Father Alonzo Cox said there was great sadness within the parish and community. 

“I’ve been privileged to baptize babies and adults who were welcomed into the church because of the sisters’ work,” he said. “Even those who are not Catholic say they will miss their presence in Bed-Stuy. They walked the streets, gave food to the homeless, prayed with people, and handed out rosaries and prayer cards to those coming off the train and bus. That’s the impact that they have.” 

A volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity for 25 years and a resident of Howard Beach — who prefers to be identified as R.S. — said she will miss their presence in Brooklyn but plans to continue supporting them wherever their mission leads, including Manhattan, the Bronx, and Washington. 

“Their presence was always joyful, no matter what. They were very patient with the women — some of them had major problems — and they did their best to guide them,” she said. “They kept a safe house, a clean house, and a house where the women could develop spiritually. 

“Nobody was forced to pray, but everyone was invited.” 

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Father Cox said the sisters’ reasons for leaving the convent include the need for more vocations, the aging of the sisters, and a neighborhood whose needs have changed. 

“Here in Bedford-Stuyvesant, we’re a gentrifying neighborhood … it is very different from what it was in the ‘90s,” he said. “Now, [the Missionaries of Charity] just feel as if their mission can be used in a deeper way in a neighborhood that is truly poor. 

“The greatest impact they’ve left on this community is helping people grow in their love for Jesus and their acceptance of him in their lives.”