At St. Joseph’s Church, standing-room-only Masses have turned the historic parish into an unlikely spiritual “hot spot” in the middle of one of America’s most secular cities. Part of the explanation may lie just blocks away at New York University — often thought of by many to be one of the more secular college campuses in the country.
Eli Joseph, who teaches applied analytics at both Columbia University and New York University (NYU), has the “distinction” of having been rejected from 30 colleges and universities he applied to back when he was a senior at Benjamin Banneker Academy in Clinton Hill.
For those wondering if their children or grandchildren will still practice their Catholic faith during college, there is a place on many campuses that helps keep Catholic students in the fold.
Michael and Illisse, both 30, make the extra effort because they feel strongly connected to Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen’s. They aren’t the only ones. A number of parishioners, who once lived near the church, still come back to Mass there every Sunday, even after they have moved away. They come from Westchester County, Long Island, Staten Island and other parts of Brooklyn.
