About Sacred Heart of Jesus · Bayside, New York
Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Roman Catholic parish in Bayside, Queens, New York, founded in 1878 by Bishop John Loughlin, the first Bishop of Brooklyn. Part of the Diocese of Brooklyn, the parish originally encompassed all of northeast Queens and has given rise to six daughter parishes over its long history. Today Sacred Heart ministers to roughly 7,000 parishioners through daily and Sunday Masses, a parish-affiliated K-8 academy, a religious education program for children, an RCIA process for adults, a music ministry, a pastoral associate, and an active Justice and Peace committee. Its current pastor is Rev. Msgr. Thomas C. Machalski, Jr.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas C. Machalski, Jr.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Brooklyn
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a multi-generational Bayside parish that has served the same community for nearly 150 years and still lives out that mission daily — through three Sunday Masses and a daily Mass, an on-site K-8 academy, religious education for grades 1-8, and an RCIA process for adults discerning the Catholic faith. Outreach runs through a Justice and Peace committee, bereavement support, and ministry to the homebound and sick. With strong devotional life including weekday Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays and First Friday Novena-Benediction, plus choirs directed by a music minister, Sacred Heart offers the rhythm of a classic parish that still calls itself simply "a way of life."
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Adoration times
- Thursday: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 1:00pm–2:00pm
- First Friday: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart Novena after the 9:00am Mass, Benediction at 10:00am
About the Parish
Sacred Heart of Jesus describes itself as a Catholic faith community "guided by the Holy Spirit for nearly 140 years" that proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ through the Eucharist, vibrant worship, religious education, and service to the community. Its tagline on the official website is "Sacred Heart is not just a parish – it's a way of life." The parish sits within the Diocese of Brooklyn and is part of Queens Deanery 5.
History
Established in 1878 by Bishop John Loughlin, Sacred Heart was the mother parish of northeast Queens. Its history page documents the pastoral succession from the first pastor (who resided at the Sacred Heart Seminary for Small Boys) through Fr. Matthew J. Tierney's 1894 Christmas Mass at Literary Hall, the 1896 frame Gothic church, Fr. William T. Brady's school (cornerstone 1924), and the 1958 dedication of the present church by Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart, through Monsignor William F. Kelly's era of Vatican II liturgical renewal and the 1978 Centennial rectory blessing by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero.
- 1878 – Parish founded by Bishop John Loughlin
- 1880 – Fr. John A. Campbell becomes pastor (d. 1882)
- 1884 – Fr. John Cullen appointed
- 1893 – Fr. Matthew J. Tierney becomes pastor
- Dec 25, 1894 – First Mass in Bayside proper, at Literary Hall
- Apr 12, 1896 – First Mass in the new frame Gothic church
- 1917 – Fr. William T. Brady becomes pastor; school plans begun
- 1924 – School cornerstone laid (grades 1-5)
- 1933 – Fr. Brady dies; school debt paid off
- Dec 16, 1956 – Ground broken for present church
- Nov 9, 1958 – Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart dedicates new church (pastor Fr. Terence C. Sharkey)
- June 1962 – Monsignor William F. Kelly becomes 10th pastor
- Nov 3, 1968 – 16-classroom school annex blessed by Bishop Charles R. Mulrooney
- Jul 2, 1978 – Ground broken for new rectory; Dec 3, 1978 – Bishop Francis J. Mugavero concelebrates the Centennial Mass and blesses it
Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Rev. Msgr. Thomas C. Machalski, Jr., Pastor, with a pastoral team that includes a parochial vicar, retired clergy in residence, a Sister of Mercy pastoral associate, and two deacons (one retired, one part-time). Lay staff direct the school, religious education, music ministry, and parish office.
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas C. Machalski, Jr. — Pastor
- Rev. Tobechukwu J. Offiah — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. James J. Meszaros — In Residence
- Sr. Kathleen Masterson, RSM — Pastoral Associate
- Deacon John F. DeBiase — Retired
- Deacon Kevin Hughes — Part-Time
- Mrs. Alexandra Conlan — Principal, Sacred Heart Catholic Academy
- Mrs. Georgette Lyons — Director of Religious Education
- Mrs. Angelina Fusco — Director of Music Ministry
- Ms. Catherine Sorge — Parish Secretary
- Mrs. Eileen Reilly — Parish Support
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
Sacred Heart offers a Saturday Vigil Mass, three Sunday Masses, a daily Mass Monday through Saturday, and a Holyday schedule. Confessions are heard on Saturday afternoons before the Vigil. A livestream of Mass is available through the parish website.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:30pm
- Sunday Masses — 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00 Noon
- Daily Mass (Mon–Sat) — 9:00am
- Holyday Eve — 7:30pm
- Holyday — 9:00am & 12:00 Noon
- Confessions — Saturday 3:00pm–4:00pm
Schools
The parish is affiliated with Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, a K-8 school operating under the diocesan Catholic Academy model of the Diocese of Brooklyn. The school building is separate from the church, located on the same block of 38th Avenue.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Academy (K-8)
- 216-01 38th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361
- Phone: (718) 631-4804
- Principal: Mrs. Alexandra Conlan
- Model: Diocesan Catholic Academy (Diocese of Brooklyn)
Faith Formation
Faith formation at Sacred Heart runs through the Parish Religious Education program for children and the RCIA process for adults. The parish also subscribes to FORMED for on-demand digital faith content.
Parish Religious Education for Children
Religious Education classes are held on Saturday mornings from September through May for children in grades 1-8, including older and special-needs children. It is described as an ongoing process for students and their families to learn about their faith and promote Catholic values. New families register with a copy of the child's Baptismal Certificate; returning families re-register annually.
- Grades served: 1-8 (including older and special-needs children)
- Schedule: Saturday mornings, September–May
- Director: Mrs. Georgette Lyons
- Contact: (718) 631-1307
- Digital resource: FORMED (formed.org) parish subscription
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
The RCIA welcomes non-Catholics thinking about becoming Catholic, as well as baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation and Eucharist. The process moves from initial inquiry through deeper formation into the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism (for those not yet baptized, or baptized in another denomination), Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist — typically received at the Easter Vigil.
- Open to unbaptized, baptized non-Catholics, and uncatechized Catholics
- Includes the Sacraments of Initiation
- Coordinator: Mrs. Georgette Lyons, (718) 631-1307
Pastoral Care & Outreach
Beyond the sacraments, Sacred Heart's pastoral reach includes care for those who are homebound, sick, or grieving, and a parish Justice and Peace committee that connects worship with social mission.
- Bereavement Support
- Homebound / Sick Ministry
- Justice and Peace Committee
- Online Mass livestream for those unable to attend
Music Ministry
Music at Sacred Heart is directed by Mrs. Angelina Fusco, Director of Music Ministry, who supports the parish's worship across its weekend and daily Mass schedule.
- Director: Mrs. Angelina Fusco
- Contact via parish office: (718) 428-2200
Contact & Visit
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, closed between 1:00pm and 2:00pm. Appointments are available on Saturdays and evenings. The parish contact page also offers a 'Get Directions' link and an online contact form.
- Address: 215-35 38th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361
- Phone: (718) 428-2200
- Fax: (718) 428-5840
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00am–4:00pm (closed 1:00–2:00pm); Sat & evenings by appointment
- Facebook: facebook.com/SHBayside
- Twitter: @SHBayside
- Live Stream: parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William T. Bradyby 1917–1933
Built the parish school (cornerstone 1924); paid off its $250,000 construction debt before his death in 1933.
- Fr. Matthew J. Tierney1893–
Held Sunday school at Literary Hall beginning fall 1894; said the first Mass in Bayside proper on Christmas Day 1894; built the original frame Gothic church dedicated April 12, 1896.
- Fr. John A. Campbell1880–1882
Died in 1882.
- Fr. John Cullen1884–
Succeeded Fr. Campbell; tenure beyond 1884 not detailed on the parish site.
- Fr. Terence C. Sharkey
Pastor when the present church was dedicated by Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart on November 9, 1958.
- Monsignor William F. Kelly1962–
Tenth pastor; oversaw school expansion (16-classroom annex blessed November 3, 1968); led Sacred Heart as a pioneer in lay liturgical participation after Vatican II; broke ground for the new rectory July 2, 1978.