A Parish Where All Are Welcome in Auburndale
St. Kevin Roman Catholic Church sits in the Auburndale section of Flushing, Queens, at 45-21 194th Street, a few blocks south of Northern Boulevard. The parish's long-running welcome line, "Welcome to St. Kevin Parish, where ALL are welcome," captures the spirit of a community that has been receiving newcomers since the day its doors first opened in 1926. Father Marc Swartvagher now serves as pastor, alongside Associate in Residence Father Jeffry Dillon and Father Alexander Maria Doss, continuing a Catholic tradition in this corner of Queens that is now nearly a century old.
The parish is part of the Diocese of Brooklyn and is closely tied to St. Kevin Catholic Academy, the parish school that shares the campus. Together, the church, the school, and a constellation of ministries serve families with daily Mass, the seven sacraments, a food pantry called The Market, formation programs for children and adults, and a music and arts tradition that runs back to the church's earliest years.
A Parish Built on Auburndale Farmland
St. Kevin's was founded on October 10, 1926, when the late Msgr. John B. Delea celebrated the parish's first Mass at 7 a.m. in a rented two-story frame house at what is now 42-26 194th Street. The story of the parish is, in its own words, "the story of a parish that was started around more primitive surroundings" than any other in the recent history of the New York City Church.
When Msgr. Delea was called by Archbishop Thomas E. Molloy to begin a new parish in what was then a corner of Queens still 90% made up of farmland and woodland, the Archbishop told him plainly: "Father Delea, this will be your new parish. Yours is the fast-growing borough in New York City and your parish, now only farms and woods, will one day take its place among the largest in our diocese. Grow with your parish. Plan well." Msgr. Delea served the parish as its founding pastor until 1958, and the section he named for the great Irish saint Kevin of Glendalough grew up around the church along with him.
On the very Sunday after the first Masses were celebrated, Msgr. Delea announced the Bishop's approval of the name St. Kevin, a name the pastor had long hoped to use to memorialize "one of the greatest saints of his native Ireland." Soon after, thirty lots on 45th Avenue, 194th Street, and 195th Street were purchased as the site of a permanent church, ground was broken before Christmas, and the new St. Kevin's opened its doors on June 12, 1927, with Masses at 8, 9, 10, and 11 a.m. The first Communion class was received at the 9 a.m. Mass, and more than 1,000 people attended the opening day, with Father John Savage assisting the pastor at the four Masses.
The early records of the parish, many written in Msgr. Delea's own hand, read like a chronicle of Catholic Queens in the 1920s. The first card party was held in the Bayside police station; the first cake sale was organized to buy screens to keep flies out of the new church; and early fundraisers for the building collected dollars from neighboring parishes such as Our Lady of Refuge in Brooklyn, St. Mary's in Long Island City, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria, and St. Andrew Avellino in Flushing. The basement of the new church, which hosted card parties and other social events, was dedicated as St. Catherine's Chapel in honor of St. Catherine of Siena, another saint Msgr. Delea deeply loved.
The Murals of Vincent Aderente
St. Kevin's was fortunate to count among its early parishioners the artist Vincent Aderente, who lived on 208th Street. In 1937, ten years after the church opened, Aderente painted the beautiful murals that the parish still calls its most distinctive artistic feature, a series of paintings that, in the words of the parish's own history, remain "the most attractive in any building in the city." The murals have been part of the parish's spiritual life for nearly ninety years, drawing visitors who come to see them as well as worshippers who come for Mass.
Leadership Through the Years
St. Kevin's has been served by a long line of pastors, beginning with founding pastor Rt. Rev. Msgr. John B. Delea (1926-1958) and continuing through Rt. Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Barry (1958-1966), Rev. Msgr. Vincent J. Powell (1966-1971), Rev. Daniel A. Gilroy (1971-1976), Rev. John P. Gallagher (1976-1982), Rev. Msgr. George V. Fogarty (1982-1993), Rev. James T. Smith (1993-2002), Rev. Msgr. D. Joseph Finnerty (2002-2012), Most Reverend Raymond F. Chappetto, DD, VG, VE (2012-2019), and Rev. Robert H.C. Mema (2019-2023). Rev. Marc Swartvagher became the eleventh pastor in 2023. The parish's history calls them "pioneers all, in service and homage to God."
St. Kevin of Glendalough
The parish is named for St. Kevin of Glendalough, an Irish saint who entered eternal life in 618. According to the lives preserved from the tenth and eleventh centuries, Kevin, also known as Coemgen, was born in Leinster, educated by monks, and as a young man withdrew from the monastery to seek solitude in a narrow valley between the Wicklow hills. There he lived on berries, apples, and nettles, and as a nightly penance plunged himself into the icy water of a mountain lake. Animals of the valley showed him great affection. On one occasion he prayed with his arms outstretched for so long that a bird came and built her nest in his hand. Eventually, others were drawn to follow him down the valley, and the great monastery of Glendalough was founded, where he is said to have died in the early seventh century and where the community flourished for hundreds of years.
Mass, Confession, and Devotion Times
St. Kevin's keeps a classic Catholic schedule of daily Mass, Saturday Vigil, and Sunday Mass. The Saturday Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5 p.m., and two Sunday Masses are offered at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Weekday Masses are held each morning at 9 a.m.
Confessions are heard on Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment.
Two long-standing devotions are a regular part of parish life. The Miraculous Medal is prayed on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m., and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Baptisms are celebrated on the second Sunday of each month at 12:30 p.m., except during the Season of Lent, and families are asked to call the rectory at 718-357-8888 at least one month in advance to schedule.
For those who cannot attend in person, Mass is livestreamed online.
The Sacraments in the Life of the Parish
St. Kevin's celebrates all seven sacraments instituted by Christ. Baptism, the first of the Sacraments of Initiation, "washes away original sin and incorporates one into the body of Christ," and at St. Kevin's is ordinarily celebrated on the second Sunday of the month at 12:30 p.m. Parents preparing to baptize a child under the age of seven choose a godfather and a godmother, both expected to be practicing Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Initiation. For adults, baptism is ordinarily received through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), a journey of formation in which candidates are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil together with the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. and by appointment. The parish describes it as the sacrament that returns a person to the state of baptism and frees them from sin, encouraging the faithful to receive it frequently throughout their lives.
The Holy Eucharist is celebrated at every Mass, and the parish teaches, in the words of its own sacramental summary, that through it "bread and wine are transubstantiated into the true Body and Blood of Jesus, which are then distributed to the faithful during Holy Communion." Kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer is a sign of veneration of Christ's real presence.
Confirmation, the second Sacrament of Initiation, is described by the parish as "a mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts," sealing the confirmed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Preparation is handled through the parish's Faith Formation Office.
For marriage, the parish asks couples to contact the rectory at least six months before the proposed wedding date, register for required marriage preparation through the Diocese of Brooklyn at bqfaith.org, and complete the FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory. Wedding music is coordinated with Steven Vaughan, the Director of Music, at least one month before the ceremony, and an Amazon playlist of "Wedding Music Saint Kevin" is offered as a starting point.
Holy Orders, the sacrament through which the Church's apostolic ministry is carried forward, is explained at length on the parish's sacramental pages, with attention to the three degrees of bishop, priest, and deacon, and to the role of permanent deacons such as those who serve in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
For the Anointing of the Sick, the parish asks families to call the rectory at 718-357-8888. The parish teaches that the sacrament is no longer reserved only to those near death, but is offered to anyone in sickness, distress, or old age as a continuation of the healing ministry of Christ.
Funerals at St. Kevin's are coordinated through the funeral director, who contacts the parish to set the date. A planning worksheet and a set of readings from the approved funeral Lectionary (Old Testament, Responsorial Psalm, New Testament, Gospel, and General Intercessions) help families prepare the liturgy. The parish encourages the interment of cremated remains in a Catholic cemetery or columbarium rather than keeping them at home, so that the deceased may be venerated in a permanent and dignified place.
Sacramental certificates for any of the sacraments received at St. Kevin's can be requested by submitting a form available from the parish.
Faith Formation and St. Kevin Catholic Academy
Three formation programs together make up religious education at St. Kevin's: St. Kevin Catholic Academy, the parish Family Faith Formation Program for public-school children, and the OCIA for adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their Sacraments of Initiation.
St. Kevin Catholic Academy is the parish school, dedicated to "academic excellence and forming the whole human person in the ways of a good moral character, according to Jesus Christ." The academy follows the educational example of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, who were the first educators at St. Kevin's, and works to develop the whole person in a Catholic setting. Families interested in a tour can contact the academy at 718-357-8110.
The Family Faith Formation Program serves children in public school, grades 1 through 8, who need religious education to prepare for the sacraments. Registration is handled through the Faith Formation Office.
OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA), is described by the parish as a two-year process of "conversion, preparation, and formation" for adults who wish to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church, leading at the proper time to the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The OCIA process depends on the whole parish: the parish's own description of the process calls every baptized parishioner part of the "mentoring community that apprentices the new disciples," and invites sponsors, members of the Sunday assembly, and the wider parish to walk with the candidates.
All three programs are coordinated by Amora Laucella, the parish's Director of Faith Formation, who can be reached at alaucella@stkevinflushing.org or 718-357-8888, ext. 26.
Ministries That Shape Parish Life
St. Kevin's runs a wide network of ministries that touch nearly every age and stage of life, all under the umbrella of the parish's wider call to "love as Jesus loves and serve our community through the sharing of time, talents and treasure."
The Ministry of Hospitality, which includes the parish Ushers, welcomes families at the door, helps with seating, and directs visitors to the different parts of the church. The Lectors proclaim the Scriptures at Mass and are prepared through a process that includes observation, discernment, sacramental verification, and a full day of training. Eucharistic Ministers assist with the distribution of Holy Communion, Altar Servers serve at the altar, and the Music Ministry, led by Director of Music Steven Vaughan, leads the congregation in sung prayer. The Rosarians gather for the praying of the Rosary, and the Liturgical Decorating Committee prepares the church for the seasons of the liturgical year. The Bible Study group meets regularly for study of the Word of God. The Young Adults Ministry builds a community of faith through social events, faith studies, and outreach for those heading into the workforce, starting families, or following new dreams. The parish also supports two Girl Scout troops, the Youth Guild "CYO" for young people, and the Knights of Columbus council. Lisa Miller serves as coordinator for the Hospitality and Young Adults ministries.
The Market at St. Kevin: A Parish Food Pantry
For more than a century, Catholic parishes in New York have looked to Matthew 25 as a charge to feed the hungry. The parish's own food pantry, called "The Market" at St. Kevin, is rooted in those words: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in" (Mt 25:35).
The Market began in September 2020, after the parish had spent the previous three years supporting the food pantry of St. Gerard Majella Parish in Hollis. Since opening, the parish has assisted nearly 125 families with food and personal items from the pantry, and food distribution takes place on the third Wednesday of each month. Donations of non-perishable food or money can be dropped off at the church or rectory when open, mailed in, placed in the collection basket, or contributed through the parish's "Poor Boxes," whose contents are applied to the pantry. Volunteers are always welcome, with the requirement that all volunteers be Virtus certified.
Music, Art, and the Beauty of the Liturgy
Music at St. Kevin's is a true ministry. The parish's Director of Music, Steven Vaughan, oversees the music program for the Sunday and weekday liturgies, holy days, weddings, and funerals. Couples preparing for marriage are invited to consult with Mr. Vaughan at least one month before their wedding day, and an Amazon playlist of "Wedding Music Saint Kevin" has been prepared to help them choose music that supports the prayer of the liturgy.
The parish's commitment to beauty in worship goes beyond music. Vincent Aderente's 1937 murals continue to draw visitors to the church, and the Liturgical Decorating Committee keeps the sanctuary dressed for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and the great Marian and saintly feasts of the year.
What to Expect at Mass
For visitors who have never been to Mass or who have not attended in a long time, the parish keeps an online guide called "What to Expect at Mass." Mass is divided into two main parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The first part includes readings from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, followed by the homily, the Creed, and the General Intercessions. The second part is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, during which the bread and wine are brought to the altar and consecrated. The parish teaches that the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Christ through transubstantiation, and that Catholics who are properly disposed are invited to receive Holy Communion. Visitors who are not Catholic or who are not yet prepared to receive the Eucharist are welcome to come forward in the Communion procession with arms crossed over their chest to receive a blessing. The parish quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the liturgy: "The Liturgy is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the font from which all her power flows" (CCC 1074).
Belong Here: A Community for Every Stage of Life
The parish's mission statement places community at the center of its identity. The parish describes itself as "a Catholic Christian community striving to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Nourished by the Eucharist and enlightened by the Word of God, our Pastor, Parish Staff and Parishioners welcome all." It commits the parish to serving the youth "through education, sports and formation," to developing services "for the elderly and homebound," and to challenging and sustaining all parishioners through "spiritual and educational activities."
Children are served through the parish school and the Family Faith Formation Program. Teens are served through the Youth Guild "CYO," Confirmation preparation, and parish life. Young adults are served through the Young Adults Ministry, which combines faith study with social life and outreach. Engaged couples are served through marriage preparation. The sick, the homebound, and the dying are served through the Anointing of the Sick and the parish funeral rites. The hungry are served through The Market food pantry. In addition, the parish carries on a long-standing sacramental and devotional life that includes the Miraculous Medal novena on Tuesdays, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays, and the regular celebration of the seven sacraments.
Stay Connected
The parish office at 45-21 194th Street is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.) and on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the office is open by appointment to speak with clergy. The parish can be reached by phone at (718) 357-8888 or by email at StKevinChurch@StKevinFlushing.org.
Mass is livestreamed online, and Sunday and weekday bulletins are available for download. Online giving is available through the parish's giving portal, and planned giving information is offered through the Diocese of Brooklyn. The parish can also be found on Facebook at facebook.com/stkevinflushing.
Whether a person is a lifelong Catholic, a returning parishioner, a family new to the neighborhood, an adult preparing for the sacraments, or someone simply looking for a quiet place to pray, St. Kevin Roman Catholic Church offers the doors, the schedules, the sacraments, and the people to help them feel at home in Auburndale.