About St. Catherine of Sienna [Our Lady of Light Parish] · Saint Albans, New York
Our Lady of Light Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in St. Albans, Queens, New York, formed in 2008 from the merger of two historic congregations: St. Catherine of Sienna Church (established 1924) and St. Pascal Baylon Church (founded 1931). Today it functions as one parish with two worship sites, served by the Missionaries of Africa (M. Afr). The parish describes itself as a spirit-filled, Eucharistic community committed to evangelization, good stewardship, and outreach to the diverse St. Albans neighborhood, with ministries that include faith formation, youth ministry, a joint music ministry, and a food pantry housed at St. Catherine of Sienna.
- Established
- 1924 (St. Catherine of Sienna parish established); 1931 (St. Pascal Baylon parish founded); 2008 (merged into Our Lady of Light Parish)
- Patron
- Our Lady of Light (parish); St. Catherine of Siena (one worship site); St. Pascal Baylon (other worship site)
- Rector
- Rev. Erick (Erik) Balderas Vega, M. Afr — Administrator
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New York
Why belong here
Our Lady of Light is one parish across two historic Queens church buildings, and its size makes it easy to be known by name. It runs a food pantry out of the St. Catherine of Sienna site, an active youth ministry, faith formation for all ages, and a joint music ministry serving both churches. With both English and Spanish Sunday Masses, weekday adoration, and weekly confession, it offers the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church in a diverse, welcoming St. Albans community that explicitly centers its life on the Eucharist.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Sienna [Our Lady of Light Parish]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at both St. Catherine of Sienna and St. Pascal Baylon
- After every Mass
- By appointment
Adoration times
- St. Catherine of Sienna — every Thursday: 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- St. Pascal Baylon — every Thursday: 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Our Story — Two Churches, One Parish
Our Lady of Light Parish is the product of a 2008 merger of two long-standing Queens congregations: St. Catherine of Sienna (est. 1924) and St. Pascal Baylon (founded 1931). The Archdiocese of New York brought them together as a single spiritual family while preserving both church buildings. Today the parish is led by the Missionaries of Africa and serves a diverse St. Albans neighborhood shaped by waves of immigration from the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa since the 1950s.
- St. Catherine of Sienna parish established 1924 by the Archdiocese of New York
- St. Pascal Baylon parish founded 1931; originally staffed by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville
- 2008 merger forms Our Lady of Light Parish — one parish, two churches
- Parish staffed by the Missionaries of Africa (M. Afr)
St. Catherine of Sienna — A 1924 Cornerstone
Founded in 1924 in response to an influx of families into St. Albans in the early 1920s, St. Catherine of Sienna was named for the mystic known for her compassion, wisdom and commitment to social justice. Its parish school opened in September 1931 with 350 students and closed after seven decades of service.
- Established 1924 by the Archdiocese of New York
- School opened September 1931 with a class of 350
- School closed after 70 years of service
- Today remains a worship site and home of the parish food pantry
St. Pascal Baylon — Franciscan Eucharistic Heritage
St. Pascal Baylon Parish was founded in 1931 and named for the 16th-century Spanish Franciscan friar who is the patron saint of Eucharistic congresses and associations. The parish was originally served by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville and once operated both an elementary school and a high school, both since closed.
- Founded 1931
- Named for St. Pascal Baylon, patron of Eucharistic congresses
- Originally staffed by Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville
- Previously operated elementary and high schools
Clergy & Parish Staff
Our Lady of Light is currently administered by Rev. Erick (Erik) Balderas Vega, M. Afr, with Rev. Henry Byamukama, M. Afr, serving as parochial vicar. Both priests are members of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers). They are assisted by two permanent deacons, the director of faith formation, an administrative assistant, music ministry leaders, youth ministry coordinators and a buildings & facilities manager.
- Rev. Erick (Erik) Balderas Vega, M. Afr — Administrator
- Rev. Henry Byamukama, M. Afr — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Albert Saldana — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Luis Taylor — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Marcial Cordon — Director of Faith Formation
- Veronica Cabrales — Administrative Assistant
- Francine Ross and Bridget Torres — Music Ministry
- Maxine Dinnall and Jeffrey Hicks — Youth Ministry
- William Loyd — Buildings & Facilities Manager
Parish Office & Contact
The parish operates two offices, one at each worship site. Call the appropriate office to reach staff or to schedule sacraments such as baptism or marriage.
- St. Catherine of Sienna — 118-22 Riverton Street, St. Albans, NY 11412 — (718) 528-1220
- Office hours (St. Catherine of Sienna): Monday & Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- St. Pascal Baylon — 112-43 198th Street, St. Albans, NY 11412 — (718) 468-3511
- Office hours (St. Pascal Baylon): Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Food Pantry — Outreach at St. Catherine of Sienna
Our Lady of Light Parish runs a food pantry out of the St. Catherine of Sienna worship site at 118-22 Riverton Street. The pantry distributes grocery-style items — canned food, fresh produce and dry goods such as pasta and rice — to individuals and families in need. It is listed in the NYC Human Resources Administration directory of food pantries.
- Operates every other Wednesday at 9:00 AM (ID required)
- Provides canned food, fresh produce and dry goods
- Located at 118-22 Riverton Street, St. Albans, NY 11412
- Parish contact: (718) 468-3511
Faith Formation, Youth & Music
Beyond its sacramental schedule, Our Lady of Light runs year-round formation and pastoral programs for all ages. The parish's Welcome page spotlights Praise and Worship, a Youth and Young Adults Ministry, and a Joint Music Ministry serving both worship sites with the motto 'One Parish. One Voice. One Mission.'
- Faith Formation / Religious Education — directed by Deacon Marcial Cordon
- Youth Ministry — Maxine Dinnall and Jeffrey Hicks
- Joint Music Ministry — Francine Ross and Bridget Torres
- Praise and Worship gatherings
- Youth and Young Adults Ministry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Smith2008–2016
First pastor of Our Lady of Light Parish after the 2008 merger.
- Rev. Jeffry Dillon2016–2020
Second pastor of the merged parish.
- Rev. Bartholomew MRosso2020–2023
Third pastor of the merged parish.
- Rev. Erick (Erik) Balderas Vega, M. Afr2022–present (Associate Pastor listed 2022–present; current Administrator)
Missionary of Africa (White Father); also listed as Associate Pastor 2022–present.
- Rev. Henry Byamukama, M. Afr2023–present
Missionary of Africa; Parochial Vicar.