About St. Mary Magdalene · Springfield Gardens, New York
St. Mary Magdalene is a Roman Catholic parish in Springfield Gardens, Queens, in the Diocese of Brooklyn. It grew from a handful of Catholic families in rural Springfield Gardens and Laurelton who first gathered for Mass in 1902, and was officially founded in 1913. The parish worships in a church built in the style of the California Spanish missions, opened on Christmas Day 1924 and dedicated on November 11, 1925. From 25 founding families the community has grown to more than 300 registered families, served today through Faith Formation, youth ministry, liturgical and outreach ministries, and OCIA. As of July 1, 2024, St. Mary Magdalene was canonically merged with neighboring Christ the King parish to form Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene Parish under Rev. Gordon P. Kusi, with both church buildings retained for worship.
- Established
- 1913
- Patron
- St. Mary Magdalene (patroness of sinners)
- Rector
- Rev. Gordon P. Kusi (Pastor of the merged Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene Parish; Administrator of St. Mary Magdalene)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Brooklyn
Why belong here
St. Mary Magdalene is a close-knit, welcoming Catholic community that has grown from 25 families to more than 300, and it offers a full life of faith for every age: weekly Mass, Reconciliation before and after every Mass, Faith Formation for children in grades K–8, the G.I.F.T. (Growing In Faith Together) youth program for grades 9–12, OCIA for adults becoming Catholic, active Liturgical, Altar Server, Men's, Couples', and Pastoral Care ministries, plus outreach through the Emergency Food Pantry and a Last Judgment/Social Justice ministry. Worship takes place in a distinctive California Spanish mission-style church that has anchored Springfield Gardens since 1924.
Mass times at St. Mary Magdalene
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Available before and after all Masses
History of St. Mary Magdalene Parish
St. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church traces its roots to January 1902, when Father Maurice Fitzgerald, then pastor of St. Monica's in Jamaica, celebrated the first Mass for a small group of Catholic families in rural Springfield Gardens and Laurelton. On June 22, 1905, Mass was first celebrated within the limits of the future parish — above a store on Springfield Boulevard. From 1906, Reverend John S. Gresser, a mission priest from St. Gerard Majella in Hollis, administered the sacraments in a temporary church; under his care, builder Samuel Ward constructed the first church building in 1907–1908, and it was dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, the patroness of sinners, on October 17, 1909. The parish was officially founded in June 1913 and incorporated on February 26, 1914. The present California Spanish mission-style church opened on Christmas Day, 1924, and was formally dedicated on November 11, 1925. Today the parish belongs to the merged Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene community in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
- First Mass: January 1902 (Father Maurice Fitzgerald, St. Monica's, Jamaica)
- First Mass within parish limits: June 22, 1905, above a store on Springfield Boulevard
- First church building built 1907–1908 (builder Samuel Ward); dedicated October 17, 1909
- Officially founded June 1913; incorporated February 26, 1914
- Present church opened Christmas Day 1924; dedicated November 11, 1925
- Grew from 25 founding families to more than 300 today
Parish Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently administered by Rev. Gordon P. Kusi, who on July 1, 2024, became Pastor of the canonically merged Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene Parish. He is assisted by a Parochial Vicar, a Sunday Assistant, two deacons (one retired), and a lay staff team responsible for faith formation, youth ministry, pastoral care, and parish administration.
- Rev. Gordon P. Kusi — Administrator / Pastor
- Fr. Cosmas C. Nzeabalu — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Mark Cregan — Sunday Assistant
- Deacon Ernest (Ernie) Hart
- Deacon Lee Williams (Retired)
- Dr. Marva Chevalier — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Najimah McKenzie — Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Mary Harris — Pastoral Associate
- Aminta Maynard — Administrative Assistant
Sacraments
St. Mary Magdalene celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Baptism welcomes new members — infants through adults — into the life of Christ, with preparation sessions required for parents and godparents. Confirmation and First Eucharist are prepared through the parish Faith Formation program. Reconciliation is available before and after every Mass. Couples preparing for Marriage are asked to contact the parish office at least six months in advance, and may speak directly with the priest who will officiate or with Deacon Ernie. The Pastoral Care and Homebound Ministry reaches those unable to attend Mass, including Anointing of the Sick.
- Baptism — contact the rectory for requirements, scheduling, and preparation sessions
- Confirmation — preparation through Faith Formation
- Holy Eucharist (First Communion) — preparation through Faith Formation
- Reconciliation (Confession) — before and after all Masses
- Marriage — contact the parish office at least six months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — through Pastoral Care and Homebound Ministry
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Mary Magdalene serves children in grades K–8 with weekly Sunday-morning catechesis led by parish catechists, preparing them for the reception of the sacraments. Older youth in grades 9–12 are served by the G.I.F.T. (Growing In Faith Together) Program, which meets one Friday a month at 6:30 p.m. for faith, service, and community-building activities, with the goal of developing leadership in the church and community. Adults seeking to become Catholic join the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.
- Children's Faith Formation — Grades K–8, Sunday mornings
- G.I.F.T. (Growing In Faith Together) Program — Grades 9–12, one Friday a month at 6:30 p.m.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — for unbaptized adults and those entering full communion
- Director of Faith Formation: Dr. Marva Chevalier ([email protected])
Ministries & Groups
Parish life at St. Mary Magdalene is supported by a wide network of ministries, councils, and lay-led groups. Liturgical and spiritual needs are met through Liturgical Ministry, Altar Servers (children in 5th grade and up who have received First Communion), the Men's Group, the Couples' Fellowship, and Post Cana Ministry. The Parish Planning Council and Finance Council advise the pastor on parish life and temporal matters. Outreach to those in need is led by the Last Judgment/Social Justice Ministry, the Emergency Food Pantry, and the Pastoral Care and Homebound Ministry. Children and teens are served through Vacation Bible School, Youth Fellowship, and LaSallian Youth.
- Liturgical Ministry
- Altar Servers (5th grade+, age 10+, after First Communion)
- Men's Group (meets second Sunday of every month)
- Couples' Fellowship
- Post Cana Ministry
- LaSallian Youth
- Vacation Bible School
- Youth Fellowship
- Parish Planning Council
- Finance Committee
- Pastoral Care and Homebound Ministry
- Last Judgment Ministry / Social Justice (Matthew 25 outreach)
- Emergency Food Pantry
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the parish's process for welcoming new members into the Roman Catholic Church. The parish walks with the unbaptized, with Christians from other denominations seeking full communion, and with already-baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and Eucharist, through several months of weekly classes and a faith journey that culminates in the reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Each candidate may choose a sponsor to accompany them in prayer and at the rites.
- For the unbaptized — prepares for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil
- For Christians baptized in another denomination — prepares for full communion (Confirmation and Eucharist)
- Weekly classes lasting several months
- Sponsors provided if needed; present at the sacraments of initiation
- Contact the parish office for the next schedule
Parish Mission
St. Mary Magdalene Parish states its mission: 'a welcoming Faith Community of followers of Jesus Christ bonded by the Eucharist. We go forth from this table into the larger community sharing our gifts and talents in order to bring about God's reign through works of justice and responsible stewardship.' The parish's vision, reflected across its ministries, is to be more than a building — to be 'the church together,' growing spiritually and serving those in need.
- Welcoming faith community bonded by the Eucharist
- Sharing gifts and talents beyond the parish
- Works of justice and responsible stewardship
Visiting & Contacting the Parish
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Mary Magdalene by phone at (718) 949-4311 (fax: (718) 528-7208) or by email at [email protected]. The parish office is open Monday through Friday during posted office hours. The mailing address is 218-12 136th Avenue, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413. Following the July 1, 2024 canonical merger, the main parish office for the combined Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene Parish is at 145-39 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, NY 11434, but St. Mary Magdalene church remains in use for worship.
- Phone: (718) 949-4311
- Fax: (718) 528-7208
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 218-12 136th Avenue, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413
- Merged-parish main office: 145-39 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, NY 11434
- Online giving available through the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Maurice Fitzgerald1902–1906 (celebrated first Masses; pastor of St. Monica's, Jamaica)
Celebrated the first Mass in Springfield Gardens in January 1902 at the request of local families.
- Rev. John S. Gresser1906–1913
Mission priest from St. Gerard Majella, Hollis; administered sacraments, celebrated Mass in the temporary church, and oversaw construction of the first church building (1907–08), dedicated October 17, 1909.
- Rev. John Tinney1913–1947 (until his death)
First resident pastor. From Donegal, Ireland; ordained at the seminary at Maynooth on June 22, 1893. Arranged for the building of the rectory. Present church opened Christmas Day 1924 and dedicated November 11, 1925.
- Rev. Jeffry T. Dillonuntil 2017
Served as church administrator until 2017; granted sabbatical effective January 15, 2017 while remaining administrator.
- Rev. Gordon P. Kusi2017–present
Currently Administrator; on July 1, 2024, became Pastor of the merged Christ the King – Saint Mary Magdalene Parish (Diocese of Brooklyn decree).