About St. Frances de Chantal · Wantagh, New York
St. Frances de Chantal Parish (commonly styled Saint Jane Frances on its official website) is a Roman Catholic parish in Wantagh, New York, in the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island. Founded in 1948 as a mission and formally established as a parish in 1952 under the patronage of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, the parish serves over 5,000 Catholic families and worships in a church built and dedicated in 1987 after an arson fire destroyed the original 1952 wooden building. The parish operates a robust Faith Formation program of more than 1,000 students, participates with other parishes in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School, runs an active Parish Social Ministry food pantry, and notably provides outreach to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community through Sign Language and interpreted Masses in partnership with neighboring parishes.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- St. Jane Frances de Chantal (also written Frances de Chantal)
- Rector
- Rev. Seth N. Awo Doku
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rockville Centre
Why belong here
St. Frances de Chantal offers one of the more active parish ministries on Long Island's South Shore: a Faith Formation program serving more than 1,000 children and youth, an active RENEW-rooted Small Christian Community movement that grew from 54 host-home groups in 1992 into a continuing hallmark of parish life, a parish food pantry supported by the Knights of Columbus and the Stop & Shop Bloomin' 4 Good program, daily and Sunday Masses with multiple livestreamed services, and a distinctive Deaf Apostolate including a monthly Sign Language Mass and interpreted Masses at neighboring parishes. Families looking for a large, well-staffed Catholic parish on the Wantagh/Bellmore border will find a full sacramental life, a regional Catholic school (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton) on the Wantagh campus, and a parish that visibly remembers and serves its local community.
Mass times at St. Frances de Chantal
Weekly Mass schedule
Parish History
St. Frances de Chantal was born from a 1947 petition drive led by Wantagh resident George K. Caffrey, who, along with his wife Charlotte and daughter Dorothy and son-in-law J. Henry Reisert, lobbied Bishop Molloy of Brooklyn for a Catholic church in Wantagh. The mission's first Mass was celebrated on June 6, 1948 in the Wantagh Fire Department's second-floor hall. Three years of fundraising and letter-writing led, in January 1952, to the appointment of Father Stanislaus Smulski as the first pastor; six months and $165,000 later, a simple wooden church opened on June 15, 1952 on land purchased from the Smith family, with the Smith home serving as the rectory. A parish school was added in 1956. On October 27, 1983, arson destroyed the wooden church. The Wantagh Fire Department again responded, salvaging stained glass, the tabernacle, statues, and the cross; two of those windows now reside at the Wantagh Preservation Society. After five years and more than $2 million, Bishop John R. McGann of the Diocese of Rockville Centre dedicated the new church on May 30, 1987. The parish marked its 70th anniversary on June 19, 2022, and today serves over 5,000 Catholic families.
- 1947: Wantagh Catholics petition Bishop Molloy for a local church
- June 6, 1948: First Mass held in Wantagh Fire Department hall
- February 1952: Mass relocates to Beech Street School
- January 1952: Father Stanislaus Smulski appointed first pastor
- June 15, 1952: Original wooden church opens
- 1956: Parish school opens
- 1983: Arson destroys the wooden church; Wantagh Fire Department saves liturgical artifacts
- May 30, 1987: New church dedicated by Bishop John R. McGann
- 1992: Parish joins three others to found St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School
- 1992: RENEW program launches under Father John Murphy — 670 people form 54 Small Christian Communities
- June 19, 2022: 70th anniversary of the parish
Pastoral & Administrative Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Seth N. Awo Doku, Pastor, and is supported by Associate Pastor Rev. Shaju Devassy, retired Deacon Robert O'Donovan, and Sr. Lauren Hanley as Director of Spiritual Development. The Faith Formation office is directed by Dr. Christopher Gospodarzec (Adult) and Ms. Ele Ruth Melendez (Children / Parish Social Ministry). Mr. Alfred Allongo directs Liturgical Music, Mrs. Amy Markin is Business Manager, and Mrs. Eileen Jaeger manages the bulletin and scheduling. Mrs. Donna Locastro serves as administrative assistant to Father Seth and coordinates the Baptism program; Mrs. MaryJo Lombardi coordinates Special Needs Faith Formation. The parish's regional school, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School, is led by Principal Leeann Graziose.
- Rev. Seth N. Awo Doku — Pastor (x201)
- Rev. Shaju Devassy — Associate Pastor (x200)
- Deacon Robert O'Donovan — Retired; Pre-Cana and CYO
- Sr. Lauren Hanley — Director of Spiritual Development (x243)
- Dr. Christopher Gospodarzec, PhD — Director of Faith Formation (x204)
- Ms. Ele Ruth Melendez — Director of Faith Formation / Parish Social Ministry (x240)
- Mr. Alfred Allongo — Director of Liturgical Music (x223)
- Mrs. Amy Markin — Business Manager (x203)
- Mrs. Eileen Jaeger — Bulletin, Scheduler, Special Duties (x202)
- Mrs. Donna Locastro — Asst. to Father Seth / Baptism Program (x235)
- Mrs. MaryJo Lombardi — Special Needs Faith Formation (x205)
- Leeann Graziose — Principal, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School
Faith Formation
St. Frances de Chantal's Faith Formation program serves more than 1,000 students each year across Levels 1 through 8, including Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion (typically in 2nd grade, celebrated in the spring following Easter), and Confirmation (Level 8). Classes are held Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays from 4:30–5:30 p.m. (Levels 1–4), 6:00–7:00 p.m. (Levels 5–7), and on a separate Confirmation schedule for Level 8. A dedicated Special Needs Faith Formation track meets Wednesdays from 4:30–5:15 p.m. The parish actively recruits volunteer catechists — catechist families receive a tuition discount.
- Levels 1–4: Mon/Tue/Thu 4:30–5:30 p.m.
- Levels 5–7: Mon/Tue/Thu 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Level 8 (Confirmation): according to Confirmation schedule
- Special Needs Faith Formation: Wednesdays 4:30–5:15 p.m.
- First Holy Communion: 2nd grade, celebrated in spring after Easter
- Adult Faith Formation / Bible Study with Dr. Gospodarzec, every Thursday
Adult Faith Formation & Small Christian Communities
A weekly Adult Bible Study meets every Thursday, with Lectio Divina of the Sunday Gospel following the 9:00 a.m. Mass (approximately 9:45 a.m.) in Room 9 of the school building, led by Dr. Christopher Gospodarzec with visiting speakers. The parish's Small Christian Communities trace directly to the 1992 RENEW initiative launched under Father John Murphy: 3,200 invitation letters went out and, within three weeks, 670 parishioners formed 54 host-home groups of 10–12 people meeting twice yearly (in Advent and Lent) for two and a half years. The movement's themes — the Lord's Call, Our Response, Empowerment by the Spirit, Discipleship, and Evangelization — continue to shape parish spiritual life.
- Weekly Thursday Bible Study / Lectio Divina
- Small Christian Communities (legacy of 1992 RENEW)
- Lecturers: Dr. Chris Gospodarzec and guest speakers
- Contact: [email protected] or 516-785-2333 x204
Deaf Apostolate & Outreach to the Deaf Community
St. Frances de Chantal maintains one of the more distinctive ministries on Long Island — outreach to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. In partnership with neighboring parishes, the Deaf Apostolate coordinates a monthly Sign Language Mass and twice-monthly Interpreted Masses. Deacon Robert O'Donovan is recognized as Chaplain for this apostolate.
- Sign Language Mass — St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 129 Broadway (Rt. 107), Hicksville — 1st Sunday, 2:00 p.m. (no Masses in July and August)
- Interpreted Mass — Holy Family Church, 17 Fordham Avenue, Hicksville — 2nd and 4th Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
- Confessions before Mass; social after Mass at the Sign Language Mass
- Chaplain: Deacon Robert O'Donovan
Parish Social Ministry & Food Pantry
The parish's social ministry, directed by Ms. Ele Ruth Melendez, runs a community food pantry and welcomes donations of non-perishable goods, paper towels, supermarket gift cards, and gas cards. The Knights of Columbus Council #6526 partners with Stop & Shop's 'Bloomin' 4 Good' program: each $10.99 bouquet purchased donates $1 to the parish pantry, which Stop & Shop reports as equating to 10+ meals per dollar. The parish also hosts a monthly Cancer Survivor Support Group (Room 11, 10:00–11:30 a.m.) and a Bereavement group called 'Moving Forward' (Room 9, 5:00–6:30 p.m.), coordinated through Parish Social Ministry at 516-785-2333 ext. 241.
- Food Pantry (ongoing needs: paper towels, non-perishables)
- Knights of Columbus Council #6526
- Stop & Shop Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet partnership
- Cancer Survivor Group — monthly in Room 11
- Bereavement Group 'Moving Forward' — monthly in Room 9
- Contact: Parish Social Ministry 516-785-2333 x240 or x241
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School
St. Frances de Chantal is one of the founding parishes of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School, established in 1992 in partnership with three other Wantagh/Bellmore parishes. The school maintains two campuses — Bellmore (516-785-5709) and Wantagh (516-826-3882) — under Principal Leeann Graziose. The Business Office can be reached at 516-679-1990. In 2010–2011, 28 children from St. Frances de Chantal attended the regional school; the parish remains an active feeder community.
- Founded 1992 by St. Frances de Chantal and three other parishes
- Bellmore Campus: 516-785-5709
- Wantagh Campus: 516-826-3882
- Business Office: 516-679-1990
- Principal: Leeann Graziose
- Website: www.steas.com
Music & Liturgical Life
Liturgical Music at St. Frances de Chantal is directed by Mr. Alfred Allongo. The Music Ministry supports the parish's multi-Mass Sunday schedule (with five Sunday celebrations from 7:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.), First Holy Communion liturgies (the parish notes it commonly celebrates First Communion across eight Masses in the spring), and other major feasts.
- Director of Liturgical Music: Mr. Alfred Allongo (x223)
- First Holy Communion typically celebrated across eight Masses each spring
- Music supports daily, weekend, and livestreamed Masses
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
Baptism preparation is coordinated through Mrs. Donna Locastro (assistant to the Pastor); Faith Formation prepares children for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion (2nd grade), and Confirmation (Level 8); Pre-Cana (marriage preparation) is coordinated by Deacon Robert O'Donovan. Families are encouraged to contact the parish office at (516) 785-2333 for the Anointing of the Sick, weddings, and funerals.
- Baptism — Mrs. Donna Locastro (x235)
- First Holy Communion — celebrated in spring after Easter
- Confirmation — Level 8
- Pre-Cana — Deacon Robert O'Donovan (x207)
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
Parish Office & Visiting
The parish office is located at the church, 1309 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793. Office hours are Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The main number is (516) 785-2333; fax is (516) 826-7645. A map and driving directions are published on the parish website under 'Map & Directions.'
- Address: 1309 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793
- Tel: (516) 785-2333
- Fax: (516) 826-7645
- Office hours: Sun 10–1; Mon–Thu 9–5; Fri 9–2; Sat 10–4
- Half-mile south of Exit 28, Southern State Parkway
- ~1 mile north of Wantagh LIRR station
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Stanislaus Smulski1952–
First pastor appointed by the bishop in January 1952; oversaw construction and opening of the original wooden church on June 15, 1952.
- Father John Murphy1992 (approx.)
Led the parish during the 1992 RENEW spiritual renewal; 3,200 invitations were sent and 670 parishioners formed 54 Small Christian Communities.
- Rev. Gregory J. Cappuccino
Ordained May 26, 1973 (Diocese of Rockville Centre). Served previously at Blessed Sacrament (Valley Stream), St. Christopher's (Baldwin), St. Anthony's (Rocky Point), and St. Cyril and Methodius (Deer Park). Past president of the Valley Stream Religious Council; served on the Presbyteral Council and Personnel boards of the diocese; was pastor of St. Frances de Chantal per his parish bio.
- Rev. Stanislaw Choragwicki2024 (approx.)
Listed as Associate Pastor in the April 2024 parish bulletin.