The Capuchins have ministered in Manhattan parishes since the mid-19th century. For the last 19 years, their presence included Good Shepherd Parish in Inwood, the northernmost neighborhood of Manhattan. Now, as of July 1, the pastoral care of the parish will be returned to the Archdiocese of New York.
Over two decades of service, our friars saved Good Shepherd’s elementary school from closure or consolidation with other Catholic schools. They executed needed repairs of the church roof and interior. They expanded the church’s Sept. 11 memorial garden, famous for its I-beam cross salvaged from the ruins of the World Trade Center, to include local first responders who died from illnesses caused by exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. They introduced additional Spanish-language Masses. They also improved the quality of religious education, introduced Scripture study and lectio divina, supported a food pantry and homeless shelter, started a JPIC ministry, and expanded ministries to young adults.
“We want to assure the parishioners of our gratitude for all the support they have given the friars since our arrival in 2006, as well as provide for a smooth transition of leadership and a shared commitment to the continuance of the parish elementary school,” said Fr. Robert Abbatiello, provincial minister, who was pastor at Good Shepherd from 2008 to 2017.
“Although our decision to leave the parish was not an easy one, we find ourselves being called to serve the Church and the Order in other ways,” said Father Robert.
Fr. Thomas Faiola, who has been pastor of Good Shepherd since 2017, will be transferred to the Capuchins’ newly established mission fraternity in McAllen, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border. Father Tom, who was a missionary in Central America for many years, will be part of a five-member fraternity drawn from across the Americas. Fr. Scott Leet, the parochial vicar, will be transferred to our Custody of Our Lady of Hope in northern Central America.
“I wish to thank both Tom and Scott for their most recent ministerial service at Good Shepherd Parish, and I am grateful for their willingness to serve the Order outside the territorial boundaries of our Province. I wish to assure them of our prayers and support in these new fraternal endeavors,” said Father Robert.
Good Shepherd was established in 1912 by the Paulist Fathers as one of the first Roman Catholic parishes to serve Inwood, whose population boomed after the extension of the New York City subway through the neighborhood. Once a bastion of the Irish Catholic community, it became the spiritual home to families from the Dominican Republic who settled across northern Manhattan and the lower Bronx. Good Shepherd School was founded in 1925.
