Incarnation Church

Welcome and Parish Identity

On the parish website, Father Josephjude Gannon welcomes visitors with the words, 'Whatever the reason you came to our virtual door, I want you to know how happy I am that you did. I firmly believe that Jesus himself guided you here, and so we welcome you as if you were Jesus.' The website invites newcomers to learn about parish life and to join in weekend Mass, describing the community as 'a vibrant family of faith' that serves the Queens Village area.

Faith Formation and Religious Education

The parish operates a faith formation program serving children and adults at both worship sites. Directors of Religious Education Mrs. Juliana Paul (Incarnation) and Mrs. Carmen Macchio (St. Gerard Majella) oversee the programs. Adult Faith Formation is coordinated by Sr. Joan at (718) 465-8534 ext. 23.

• Parish Religious Education for Children (PREP) — for K–8 students attending public schools; classes on Sundays at 9:00 AM; prepares children for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Grade 2) and Confirmation (Grade 8)
• RCIA — the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for inquirers, the unbaptized, and baptized Christians seeking full communion
• Adult Faith Formation — ongoing classes and opportunities to grow in knowledge and love of God and the Church
• Mustard Seed Ministry — shares the Sunday scriptures with children ages 4–7 at the 10:30 AM Mass in a simple, creative way

Liturgical Ministries and Devotions

Parishioners serve the liturgy in several established ministries, and the parish maintains traditional Catholic devotions including the Divine Mercy Novena and weekday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays.

• Choir — welcomes new members; directed by Mr. Perry Townsend (Incarnation) and Mrs. Anne Smith-Thompson (St. Gerard Majella)
• Altar Servers — assist the priest at Mass as cross bearer and in other sacred functions
• Rosary Altar Society — cares for altar linens and church decoration, seeing the work as a ministry rather than labor
• Divine Mercy Novena — Sundays 3:00 PM at St. Gerard Majella
• Wednesday Adoration — after 8:30 AM Mass until 1:00 PM

Outreach and Sacramental Preparation

The parish supports engagement beyond the church walls through evangelization, a homebound ministry, and sacramental preparation programs for engaged couples.

• Evangelization — bringing the Catholic Christian message to the local community
• Homebound Ministry
• Marriage Preparation — engaged couples meet regularly with a priest or deacon and participate in the Pre-Cana program

Parish Staff and Leadership

Gannon, with Rev. Rodnev Lapommeray serving as Parochial Vicar. In-residence priests assist at both worship sites, and the parish is supported by two deacons. Lay staff handle administration, finances, religious education, and music.

• Rev. Josephjude C. Gannon — Pastor
• Rev. Rodnev Lapommeray — Parochial Vicar
• Rev. Aloysius Enemal — In Residence, Incarnation
• Rev. Tongyang Shen — In Residence, Incarnation
• Rev. Augustine Ifeanyi Umeatuegbu — In Residence, St. Gerard Majella
• Rev. Joseph Chidubem Chigbo — In Residence, St. Gerard Majella
• Deacon Francois Innocent (Retired)
• Deacon Franklin Munoz
• Mrs. Nilda Martinez — Administrative Assistant to the Pastor
• Mrs. Denise Das — Business Manager
• Mrs. Juliana Paul — Director of Religious Education, Incarnation
• Mr. Perry Townsend — Director of Music, Incarnation
• Mrs. Carmen Macchio — Director of Religious Education, St. Gerard Majella
• Mrs. Anne Smith-Thompson — Director of Music Ministry, St. Gerard Majella

Contact and Office Hours

The main parish office is at 89-43 Francis Lewis Boulevard, Queens Village, NY 11427; the St. Gerard Majella worship site is at 188-16 91st Avenue, Hollis, NY 11423. Phone: (718) 465-8534 for Incarnation and (718) 468-6565 for St. Gerard Majella; fax (718) 465-3834.

• Monday — Closed
• Tuesday — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM and 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
• Wednesday — 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
• Thursday — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM and 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
• Friday — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM and 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday — Closed (attend Mass instead)

History and the Parish School

The parish traces its origins to a first Mass in 1927 in a theater on Jamaica Avenue in Bellaire (renamed Queens Village in 1975). A parish school was authorized in 1949 by Bishop Thomas E. Malloy; Father James J. Griffin broke ground in 1950, and Bishop Malloy dedicated and opened Incarnation Roman Catholic School on June 22, 1952. The school opened that September with grades 1–5 staffed by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville. In 2002 the parish and school jointly celebrated their 75th and 50th anniversaries with a Mass led by Bishop Ignatius A. Catanello, then a dinner dance, block party, picnic, alumni reunion, and pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On August 31, 2016, Incarnation School closed and reopened the next day as Incarnation Catholic Academy, which continues to serve pre-K through eighth-grade students from the diverse Queens Village community.

• 1927 — First Mass celebrated in a Jamaica Avenue theater
• December 8, 1949 — Bishop Malloy grants permission to build a school
• June 18, 1950 — Father James J. Griffin breaks ground
• June 22, 1952 — Bishop Malloy dedicates and opens Incarnation School
• September 1952 — School opens with grades 1–5; staffed by Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville
• 2002 — 75th anniversary of parish and 50th of school marked with celebrations
• August 31, 2016 — School reopens as Incarnation Catholic Academy

The 2023 Merger with Saint Gerard Majella

On October 12, 2023, the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Brooklyn was consulted on a proposed merger, and Bishop Robert Brennan subsequently issued a decree uniting the Parishes of Incarnation (Queens Village) and Saint Gerard Majella (Hollis) into one parish under the name Incarnation–Saint Gerard Majella, with the main parish office at 89-43 Francis Lewis Boulevard, Queens Village. Father Josephjude C. Gannon was named pastor, the new parish encompasses the combined territories of both former parishes, and both churches remain in use for worship.