St. Finbar

About St. Finbar Parish

St. Finbar Roman Catholic Church is a Diocese-of-Brooklyn parish serving the Bensonhurst and Bath Beach neighborhoods from 138 Bay 20th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214. The parish describes itself as 'a warm, loving, multi-cultural community of faith nourished by the Eucharist, Scripture and service.' With daily Mass in English, weekly Spanish Masses, perpetual adoration in the recently restored Holy Family Chapel, and more than a dozen lay ministries, St. Finbar offers the full rhythm of Catholic parish life to families on both sides of Bay 20th Street and beyond.

Parish History

Founded in 1880 in the Town of New Utrecht and serving its first Catholic families at a time when Bath Beach was settled largely by Irish immigrants, St. Finbar is one of southwest Brooklyn's oldest parishes. The Diocese of Brooklyn records that priests from the Villa de Sales Institute attended the mission from 1880 until Rev. James McKiverkin became the first resident pastor in 1889. The current church building opened in 1912 and has anchored the community ever since.

• 1880 — Parish established in the Town of New Utrecht (annexed by Brooklyn in 1894).
• 1880–1889 — Served by priests from the Villa de Sales Institute.
• 1889 — Rev. James McKiverkin named first resident pastor.
• 1912 — Present church building opened.
• 1980 — Centennial history published by Charles LaCerra.
• 2010 — 130th anniversary celebrated; Rev. Michael Gelfant was pastor.
• 2023 — Holy Family Chapel restored by parishioners and reconsecrated September 17 by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Octavio Cisneros.

A Multicultural Community

St. Finbar's congregation has changed with the surrounding neighborhood across three major waves of immigration: Irish at its founding, Italian American by mid-century, and today a thriving Spanish-speaking community that includes many immigrants from Guatemala. This diversity is reflected in the parish's bilingual Saturday Vigil Mass, Sunday Spanish Mass at 10 AM, and Tuesday/Thursday 7 PM Spanish Mass, as well as in Spanish-language prayer societies such as the Asociación del Señor de Esquipulas and the Círculo de Oración – Seguidores de Cristo.

Clergy and Staff

The parish is currently shepherded by Pastor Rev. Jose A. Henriquez, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Norbert Nkwayaya-Katenbo, Permanent Deacon Hector Blanco, and Deacon Jorge Gonzales, who also serves as Director of Faith Formation. The lay staff includes the assistant to the pastor, a secretary & development coordinator, a youth minister, the Religious Education school lead, and a director of music.

• Rev. Jose A. Henriquez — Pastor
• Rev. Norbert Nkwayaya-Katenbo — Parochial Vicar
• Deacon Hector Blanco — Permanent Deacon
• Deacon Jorge Gonzales — Permanent Deacon and Director of Faith Formation
• Mrs. Windys Birkelund — Assistant to the Pastor / Secretary
• Mrs. Alexandra Jimenez — Secretary & Development
• Ms. Jodilynn DiPiazza — Youth Ministry
• Mrs. Angie Mattera — Religious Education School
• Mr. Miguel Rosario — Director of Music

Faith Formation and Religious Education

St. Finbar's Religious Education School is a matriculating program offering Sunday classes during the school year for students in grades 1–8, as well as classes for older children who have not yet received their sacraments and for children with different learning needs. The parish's stated goal is 'not to have Catechesis be a class, but to teach a lifestyle of faith,' and Deacon Jorge Gonzales serves as Director of Faith Formation. Online access to children's Religious Education books is provided through the parish's faith formation portal.

Lay Ministries and Groups

Parish life at St. Finbar is supported by a wide range of lay ministries serving the English- and Spanish-speaking congregations. Liturgical roles include lectors, altar servers, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, and ushers; musical worship is led by the choirs and cantors under Director of Music Miguel Rosario. Communal and devotional groups include the Prayer Societies, the Marian Rosary Society, the Golden Age seniors group (meeting Tuesdays at 11 AM in the Annex), and the Youth Ministry led by Jodilynn DiPiazza. Spanish-language prayer groups include the Asociación del Señor de Esquipulas and the Círculo de Oración – Seguidores de Cristo.

• Lectors
• Altar Servers
• Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
• Ushers
• Choirs and Cantors
• Prayer Societies
• Marian Rosary Society — meets monthly in the Annex
• Golden Age (seniors) — Tuesdays at 11 AM in the Annex
• Youth Ministry
• Asociación del Señor de Esquipulas — Thursdays at 8 PM, Rectory basement
• Círculo de Oración – Seguidores de Cristo — Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 7:30 PM in the Church

Sacraments and Devotions

In addition to daily and Sunday Mass, the parish offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:45 PM (or by appointment). A Baptism and Confirmation Sponsor Form and a Mass Card request form are both available on the parish website. Devotional life at St. Finbar is anchored by perpetual adoration in Holy Family Chapel and by monthly gatherings of the Marian Rosary Society.

Visit, Contact and Get Involved

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (718) 236-3312 or through the contact form on the website. Office hours are Monday–Friday 9 AM–12 PM, 1–4 PM, and 6:30–8:30 PM; Saturday 9 AM–1 PM; and Sunday 9:30 AM–1:30 PM (Baptistry). The website also offers a 'Make a Request' form and a 'I'm New' page for first-time visitors, alongside ongoing registration for Faith Formation and invitations to join any of the parish's many ministries.

• Address: 138 Bay 20th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214
• Phone: (718) 236-3312
• Website: https://stfinbarbrooklyn.org
• Livestream Masses via Facebook
• Office hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–12 PM, 1–4 PM, 6:30–8:30 PM; Sat 9 AM–1 PM; Sun 9:30 AM–1:30 PM (Baptistry)