Ministry to Hispanic Catholics began in Atlantic City in 1985 at Holy Spirit Church under the pastoral leadership of Father Ronald Salvatore Falotico.
In 1999, Holy Spirit Church closed and Hispanics began to worship at two other city churches, Old St. Monica and Our Lady Star of the Sea.
The pastor of Star of the Sea, Father Patrick Brady, learned the Spanish language and the customs of Hispanic Catholicism in order to serve his new parishioners well. Fr. Brady, now retired, continues to celebrate Mass in Spanish and is well-known within the Hispanic community.
The Hispanic ministries at Star of the Sea and Old St. Monica were united when the city churches themselves united to form the citywide Parish of Saint Monica in 2015.
The parish’s Hispanic ministry is led by Fr. John Buckthese Chinnappan OCD, Parochial Vicar, and a leadership team.
The ministry’s annual signature event is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but the ministry sponsors many other events each year.
We are committed to nurturing a deep and living relationship with God, fostering a vibrant community of faith, and growing together in the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Embracing and honoring our rich Hispanic traditions, we integrate our cultural heritage into worship and parish life, creating a space where everyone feels connected and valued.
Guided by Christ’s example, we prioritize serving those in need within our community, offering support, compassion, and hope to all who seek help.
We strive to build strong bonds among parishioners, promoting inclusivity, understanding, and love, while working together as one body in Christ.
Providing resources and opportunities for spiritual, catechetical, and leadership development, we empower individuals to live their faith boldly and contribute meaningfully to the Church and society.
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Here at the Parish of Saint Monica, we are committed to growing in faith, serving one another, and sharing the love of Christ.
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