Five Towns Catholic Churches to Consolidate

The of the Rev. Larry Duncklee as pastor out of in Inwood is the start of a transition for Catholic churches in the Five Towns.

As the population of the area has shifted to Orthodox Jews, the Diocese of Rockville Centre is consolidating services in the Five Towns, although all three churches will remain operational.

“In an effort to continue the pastoral mission of the church in the Five Towns … the parishes are going to work together to provide pastoral services,” said Sean Dolan, director of communications for the diocese. “What’s driving this is vocation. The church needs men to join the priesthood.”

Duncklee on Wednesday will become pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Church in Riverhead, and the Rev. Tom Moriarity, pastor of in Hewlett, will take over as administrator for Our Lady of Good Counsel. Eventually, when Monsignor Paul Rahilly of Cedarhurst’s Church retires, Moriarity will take over as administrator there as well.

“The bishop would like to provide pastoral service to the Five Towns, but when you have large parishes, then we really have to look at ‘are we able to continue to run those parishes in the same way we’ve done in the past,’” Dolan said. “The parishes will continue, it’ll just mean doing it with fewer priests.”

Moriarity could not be reached for comment.

This is the only the second time the diocese has consolidated churches, and the first time in Nassau County, Dolan said.

Duncklee, who suggested the idea to the diocese about five years ago, said that services, as they’re held now, would continue through this year.

“Right now there are four priests in the area — there may only be two,” he said. “The Mass schedule will have to change. How that happens, they’ll have to work it out.”

The Rev. Eric Fasano, who was named to the diocese tribunal, will reside in and celebrate Mass with the congregation. He’ll also be working full time at the diocese.

The diocese also plans for a Spanish-speaking priest to be assigned to Our Lady of Good Counsel.

“They’re taking baby steps right now in terms of what it means on the parish level,” Dolan said. “There will have to be collaboration in terms of when masses are held. We’re doing our best to provide for the area.”