When Father Jose Henriquez, the pastor of St. Finbat Church, said he wanted to restore the chapel in the church’s former convent, the parishioners made it happen by raising thousands of dollars to pay for the renovation and then doing much of the work themselves.
Eileen LaRuffa has been a parishioner of St. Finbar for 61 years. She started attending Mass there in 1960, shortly after she and her husband Dominick moved to Bensonhurst as newlyweds. She is still devoted to her church today.
Maksymilian Bak got a Lego set for his 10th birthday, and he was thrilled with the gift. But something else made him even happier. He received a blessing from Father Jose Henriquez at 9 a.m. Mass at St. Finbar Church, Bath Beach, on Dec. 13.
Grassroots organization Project Hope NY launched its 7th Annual Backpack Drive last month, donating back-to-school supplies and gift cards to New York and Indianapolis educators and organizations.
The first Sunday when churches were finally able to hold Mass proved to be a challenge at many parishes in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
