Another pretty church: Our Holy Redeemer on Long Island

I spent the weekend giving pulpit talks on behalf of CNEWA at Our Holy Redeemer parish in Freeport, Long Island. I served and preached at three Masses; my colleague Norma Intriago, the director of development, spoke at the two Hispanic Masses. What a pretty, old-fashioned kind of church. As I joked to the pastor at the beginning of my homily, “This is almost worthy of Brooklyn!”

It’s a big and busy parish with seven weekend Masses (two in Spanish). We received a warm welcome on a freezing (and below-zero!) day. The pastor, Fr. Douglas Arcoleo, his associate Fr. Jose Quilcate and his deacons Bruce Burnham and Cristobal Sanchez were gracious hosts who kept us warm and well-fed.  It was really a great visit. We were blessed to meet and talk with many from the parish who were moved and inspired by the plight of Christians in the Middle East.

The parish is making CNEWA a key part of its Lenten program. They will be promoting our mission and describing how parishioners can help throughout the season. (If anyone is interested in having us come to your parish, drop me a line: dcngreg@gmail.com). To learn about ways you can support this vital work, visit CNEWA’s website and our giving page.

Below, some snapshots from the weekend.

The church includes a perpetual adoration chapel.

My colleagues Norma Intriago and Chris Kennedy manned the CNEWA table in the vestibule—which proved to be very popular between Masses.

During the occasional lull, we fortified ourselves in the rectory kitchen, which included this sign on the wall.

Over the sink, we saw this striking piece of art—evidently of the Blessed Mother. But no one knew the story behind it. Any ideas?

We had a wonderful time with pastor Fr. Douglas Arcoleo, who really knows how to rock a fedora.

Thank you, Freeport. We hope to come back soon!