St. Finbar Church pastor marks 10 years in priesthood
He tells parishioners ‘It has certainly been an interesting journey’
One of the youngest pastors in the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn marked the 10th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood by celebrating a mass on Sunday and then serving as the guest of honor at a crowded reception that a group of parishioners had secretly planned as a surprise for him.
The Rev. Michael Louis Gelfant, 37, who has served at Saint Finbar Catholic Church in Bath Beach since 2010, told the congregation that he is grateful for his life as a priest. “The priesthood is an awesome gift,” he said.
His anniversary mass took place on Pentecost Sunday, the day that Catholics believe the Holy Spirit visited the Apostles of Jesus Christ. St. Finbar, located at 138 Bay 20th St., was packed for the mass with hundreds of parishioners eager to congratulate their young pastor on his personal milestone.