By Katie Vasquez and Paula Katinas
BREEZY POINT — Anne Ryan, a parishioner of Blessed Trinity Parish in Breezy Point, spent time at Bay Side Beach on the evening of Aug. 15. But she wasn’t there to go swimming. She was there to attend Mass.
Ryan, a parishioner for 60 years, was one of hundreds of people who participated in a special shoreline Mass marking the Feast of the Assumption.
“It’s so special to be able to come down here to the beach and come to Mass. You feel close to God and close to nature by being here,” she said.
The Feast of the Assumption marks the Blessed Mother’s ascension into heaven. Since the 15th century, Mass on the feast day has typically been celebrated near water, and often includes a blessing of the water by a bishop.
Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated the Aug. 15 Mass as waves gently caressed the shoreline. Hundreds of people — sitting on beach chairs instead of in pews — took part in the celebration. Father Michael Gelfant, pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish, estimated that the Mass drew 750 of the faithful.
The idea of Mary entering heaven with her body intact and without decay is a cause for celebration and a good sign for all of the faithful, Bishop Brennan told the congregation in his homily.
“Mary gives us hope that God keeps his promises,” he said.
The setting for the Mass was also inspiring, Bishop Brennan said afterward. “There is something about the beach that’s always refreshing. No matter what the weather is, there’s something beautiful here,” Bishop Brennan said. “We’re very blessed here in Brooklyn and Queens to be surrounded by it. And on a night like this, especially, we could be together on a nice, comfortable night and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.”
During the Mass, Bishop Brennan blessed a container filled with bay water and sprinkled it on the congregation.
The Mass on the shoreline, which has become a beloved tradition at Blessed Trinity Parish, is quickly gaining popularity outside Breezy Point.
Regina Lessing, a parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Bay Ridge, made the trip to Queens from Brooklyn.
“This is my third time. I love coming here for this,” she said.” It makes you think about how God is everywhere. I love being near the water.”
Parishioners look forward to the Mass every year, Father Gelfant said. In part, that is because Catholics also believe that the blessed waters hold special healing powers.
“We bless the water for safety, even though it’s towards the end of the summer,” he explained. “But also, then people will either put their foot in the water, or they will take water for their holy water fonts in the house.
“They feel that after the water is blessed, there is a healing presence of the Blessed Mother to help him.”
The Mass came at a time when Father Gelfant and parishioners were still recovering from the shock of a three-alarm fire that tore through St. Edmund Church on Holy Saturday, April 19.
Blessed Trinity Parish, which is made up of St. Edmund, St. Thomas More, and St. Genevieve, is planning to rebuild the church.
Tim Nolan, a Blessed Trinity parishioner, said he often prays for St. Edmund Church to return to life.
“I remember going to it that night. It was a horrible scene,” he said. “So yeah, I’ve been praying for that for a while.”
Ryan said she is confident St. Edmund Church will make a strong comeback.
“As soon as people heard about the fire,” she said, “they started doing what they could to help. Breezy people are special people.”
Father Gelfant, who noted that the church’s faith formation school and a meeting room were also impacted, vowed to rebuild after the fire.
“It’s going to take some time,” he said. “But we’re going pretty fast, and I think we’ll be able to get it done.”