By Stefanie Gutierrez

The parish family at Our Lady of the Snows, N. Floral Park, came together on Saturday, March 15, to celebrate and witness the blessing and laying of the foundation stone of their new church building.

Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros presided over the Mass, with the pastor, Msgr. Raymond Chappetto, and several priests and deacons concelebrating. State Senator Frank Padavan also attended.

The present church was filled to standing-room only as over 350 friends, families, and supporters came together for the blessing and laying of the foundation stone of their new church building, set for a June opening.

“I’ve waited 55 years for this day to come,” said parishioner Angela Fabbricatore. “I started coming here when the parish started out in the auditorium, now to see the new building and our new place of worship… My heart is pounding!”

In his homily, Bishop Cisneros preached about having faith in God. “We are on the threshold of the holiest of weeks,” he said. “And today, on the feast of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, we are laying the new foundation.”

Stefanie Gutierrez Photo 

Msgr. Raymond Chappetto, left, stands by the newly blessed cornerstone with Bishop Octavio Cisneros and State Senator Frank Padavan, far right, who the monsignor thanked for his help in the seven-year capital campaign and project of building the new church.

As much joy as the parishioners shared on Saturday, there was also a touch of sadness. Bishop Cisneros related, “I am sure you have some sorrow in your heart. It is in this Church, in front of this altar, under this roof, that you have prayed and worshipped. It is here that your children were baptized, received their First Communion, took their vows, or where you said goodbye to those who have passed. But whether we share our faith under this roof or the new roof, we have faith. We know that with every death there is resurrection.”

Msgr. Chappetto, who said his “heart was overflowing” and shared how grateful he was for “this day in the history of our church,” told parishioners “when this project began, Msgr. (Kevin) Noone told me to put it in the hands of St. Joseph. With the intercession of St. Joseph and the guidance of the Blessed Mother, we are here today… Our special project is happening by the grace of God and your generosity!”

As the Mass ended, everyone filtered out of the auditorium-turned-church where they have worshipped for the past 60 years and made their way around the corner to see Bishop Cisneros bless the foundation stone. He was accompanied by Msgr. Chappetto, Msgr. John Maloney, vicar for Queens South; Father Hyacinth Ikemelu, chaplain at Long Island Jewish Hospital; Msgr. Noone, vicar for Brooklyn West; Father Jim Bradley, coordinator for disability services; Msgr. Feliciano Palma and Senator Padavan.

The crowd then entered into the new church for the first time. They looked around at the spacious building with open windows and said hello to the workers from Fazio Construction Company, Maspeth, who were working amongst the hustle and bustle. At the front of the church was a wooden cross, marking the site of the future altar.

It was the culmination of seven years of planning, fundraising, praying, hoping, and as some joked, “more fundraising.” The parish family has raised over $4.5 of the $7 million capital campaign.

Charles Frauenberg, a parishioner for the past six years, attributed the campaign’s success to Msgr. Chappetto, who has shown “great leadership.” He said, “When I walked into Our Lady of the Snows and became a member, everything for the new church was still in the planning stages. As I got more involved in the church, I joined some fundraisers, worked some yard sales, and saw everyone working hard. Now, it’s here!”

The new building is set for a June opening. It will seat 650, but has the capacity for 800 for special events. On Aug. 5, the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Snows, the parish will dedicate the church.

“There are so many people who have made this all possible,” Msgr. Chappetto said. “There is the sacrifice of so many parishioners to donate, to make pledges, to give their time. There is also gratitude to God, our Blessed Mother, and St. Joseph. This is such a milestone… A great event.”