The Parish of St. Gabriel wants to be a missionary Parish a community of communities and a missionary center of evangelization for men and women of today. The Church and the communities are all called to give the signs of love and unity that attract and call to faith men and women who are far away from God and maybe have left the Church. “Love one another as I have loved you” and “be perfectly one as I and the Father are one.” The Church in this has the mission of saving men and bring to the world the good news of Jesus Christ risen, the only one that can give an answer to all our sufferings and death. The Church and the communities therefore feed on these three fundamental elements of the Christian faith: the word of God, the liturgy lived in the sacraments, and the community the communion God creates among all the brothers and sisters. The word, the liturgy and the community make it possible that the signs of love and unity may be given in the Parish and to announce Jesus Christ risen to all men and women.
Pastor
Father Nicholas Apollonio serves as the pastor of our parish with tireless dedication and a deep love for the people of East Elmhurst. As a young and energetic shepherd, he works tirelessly to ensure that our parish remains alive and vibrant, a place where all can encounter God’s comfort and grace. Always available to his parishioners, Father Nicholas brings faith, hope, and perseverance to his ministry, striving daily to share the Gospel through evangelization and conversion. His mission is simple but profound: to keep our parish strong, welcoming, and rooted in God’s love for generations to come.
Parochial Vicar
Rev. Robert J. Sadlack—known affectionately as Father Bob—has been a devoted pillar of our pastoral team, inspiring hearts with his wisdom and compassion. With decades of faithful service, Father Bob has guided our CCD program for children, nurturing their faith journeys and imparting lasting spiritual lessons. Gifted as a shepherd and an evangelizer, he tirelessly helps others encounter—or rediscover—the love of God, welcoming all with warmth and genuine care. Through every season, Father Bob’s steadfast leadership and gentle spirit have shaped our community, reflecting the boundless grace of Christ.
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Caetano Moura de Oliveira, ordained in June 2024, is our new parochial vicar. Born in Brazil, Fr. Moura was sent to the USA for his seminary studies, and was a classmate of Fr. Nicholas and Fr. Dragan, our former parochial vicar. He is a very energetic preacher, and adds to our community that youthful flavor, being only 32 years old. Together with Fr. Nicholas and Fr. Bob, they make a great team of evangelization, especially by his tender care of Rev. Sadlack of whom he shows a great tone of appreciation and admiration towards his elderly brother priest.
St. Gabriel was established in the summer of 1923. The founder-pastor, Rev. Richard J. Hamilton, celebrated the first mass on July 7, 1923, at Belvedere Park on 94TH street between 23RD and 24TH avenues. The parish began with five-hundred parishioners.