Local churches to collaborate

In an effort to continue the pastoral mission of the Church for Catholics in Elmont, Rev. William Murphy, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, recently announced “a new era for collaboration in mission.” Under the plan, the Saint Vincent de Paul Church in Elmont and the Saint Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic Church in Franklin Square will work together to plan for the Catholics church’s future.

The Diocese established the plan due to the low number of members at Saint Vincent de Paul, its limited number of available priests and limited resources — material, personnel and finances.

According to the Diocese, a recently conducted study of Saint Vincent’s financial history over the past 10 years shows that the parish has not generated enough income to cover its costs for at least the past 10 years.  Additionally, financial projections for the next five years indicate that the parish is not expected to be able to do so in the future.  The new collaboration, however, is expected to allow Saint Vincent to continue its parish.

Both churches will remain open and continue to offer the Eucharist, sacramental and pastoral services according to the needs of each of the parishes and their respective ability to support their parish. The assets of each parish, as well as income and expenses,  will belong to that specific parish, under the plan, and will not be commingled.  

Parish leadership will be consolidated, beginning in June, when Rev. James Drew, pastor of Saint Vincent will receive a new assignment. Rev. Msgr. Richard Figliozzi, pastor of Saint Catherine will become the administrator of Saint Vincent, in addition to being Saint Catherine’s pastor. 

Rev. Msgr. Figliozzi will have the assistance of priests, as associate pastors, who will reside in Saint Catherine’s rectory in Franklin Square. They will celebrate Mass and offer the sacraments in both parishes, under Rev. Msgr. Figliozzi.

The plan to collaborate between parishes was discussed during an open meeting of the two parishes on May 2, at Saint Vincent.