Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne, D.D. and Bishop John O’Hara, D.D. (retired) will celebrate Mass at Staten Island’s Sacred Heart Church, to begin that parish’s observance of its upcoming 150th anniversary next year.

The Castleton Avenue parish was founded in June 1875, and will begin its celebrations on Sunday at the 11 a.m. Mass. Monsignor Greg Mustaciuolo, CEO of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, will be the homilist. Father Rhey Garcia, Sacred Heart’s pastor, will concelebrate.

Auxiliary Bishop Edmund J. Whalen, vicar for clergy, approved a prayer for the 150th anniversary:

O God our eternal Father, beneath whose watchful care we gather, we
raise our voices in joyful thanksgiving for the 150 years of Sacred Heart Church. We are grateful for the unwavering faith of our parish family, a beacon of love and hope that has shined brightly for generations.

Bestow upon us, Oh gracious Father, your guiding grace as we continue to be a source of strength for the weary, a solace for the sorrowing.

May our church remain a welcoming sanctuary for all and a place where hearts find healing. May the spirit of generosity that has sustained our church through the years continue to flourish in our people today.

Bless us as we embark on this new journey, and guide us with your faithful love. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus continue to shine brightly on our church for many years to come. Amen.

Oh, Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Amen.

Bishops Byrne and O’Hara, both natives of Staten Island, led the parishioners in a Mass of reparation on Sunday, November 19, 2023, after statues of Christ and St. Francis were vandalized earlier in the month.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 1, Father Patrick Anthony discovered that the hands of a century-old marble statue of Christ had been broken off and were missing, the parish said in a statement. No arrests have been made to date. Both statues have since been repaired.