Right here stands Our Lady of Fatima. The Archdiocese of New York was privileged to receive the sixth statue carved for spreading Our Lady’s Peace Plan. This plan includes prayer and the Holy Rosary. It also involves sacrifice, penance for sin, and Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. People do this through the Brown Scapular.
Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in East Elmhurst, Queens, was founded in 1952 by Rev. Maurice Lenihan. However, the parish existed since 1948. Early mass services occurred in an automobile showroom. Later, they moved to a tent and a Quonset hut. Construction on the current church building started in 1959. It finished in 1961. The church celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011. This marked 50 years since the completion of the building. In 2017, the parish marked the 100th Anniversary. It was the anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s apparition in Fatima, Portugal.
The church property fills a city block. It is bordered by 80th Street, 79th Street, 30th Avenue, and 25th Avenue. It sits next to the LaGuardia Landing Lights Fields. Our Lady of Fatima School uses half the property. This Catholic school serves nursery to 8th Grade students. The main church entrance faces 80th Street.
Inside the church, a mosaic depicts Our Lady of Fatima’s apparition. It shows the three children of Fatima: Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco. This mosaic serves as the altar’s backdrop. Statues outside the side entrance honor the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.
Our Lady of Fatima provides daily and Sunday Liturgy Masses. They are available in both English and Spanish.
Our Lady of Fatima School is next to the church. It educates students from nursery to 8th grade. They come from East Elmhurst and nearby areas. These areas include Jackson Heights, Woodside, Astoria Heights, and Corona.
Marguerite’s Food Pantry is a religious nonprofit. It is based at Our Lady of Fatima Church. The pantry donates food and goods to those in need. St. Marguerite d’Youville is the pantry’s patron saint. The Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart originally ran it.
The Bulletin is the weekly newsletter. It informs about Mass schedules, special intentions, and prayer requests. The pastor shares a weekly message. It includes parish registration and donation information. The Bulletin also lists upcoming events.
A religious articles store is at the back entrance.
Remember the message of Our Lady of Fatima. Consider her profound impact on faith. Let us carry forward her message. Let’s promote prayer, penance, and devotion in our lives.