St. Mary Gate of Heaven Celebrates 120th Anniversary
On August 24, 2024, St. Mary Gate of Heaven Parish Ozone Park, NY, celebrated its 120th Anniversary. A Mass honoring the Montfort Missionaries' first celebrated mass in 1904 took place at 5:00 pm. Fr. Thomas Poth SMM, Provincial of the Montfort Missionaries, presided over the liturgy and delivered the homily. The choir set the tone with its opening refrain: “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.” An air of jubilation filled the beautiful space of this church with its high Gothic pillars and stained-glass windows with the richest hues of reds and blues depicting the life of Christ. One window was focused on the children giving their hearts to Mary Queen of All Hearts.
All this served to remind attendees of the church's humble beginnings in 1904 when it was just a basement structure serving a growing Italian immigrant population. The program noted the 24 Montfort Missionaries who served as Pastors throughout the decades. The Daughters of Wisdom founded an elementary school to educate the parish's children, and 21 Daughters served as school Principals throughout the years.
The day’s celebration continued at the end of Mass when everyone was invited to gather in the churchyard to bless the Mission House Basement, which will henceforth be known as Montfort Hall.
Finger foods and drinks were offered to the guests, who continued to recall memories of the many people for whom this parish was once home.
Sr. Ann Gray, DW
Fr. Tom Poth, SMM, presided over the liturgy and gave the homily at the 120th Anniversary Mass. Sr. Ann Scahill, DW, and Sr. Ann Gray are pictured taking up the gifts to celebrate the Eucharist.
