For Maureen O’Doherty, a book is more than just pages bound together—it’s a lifelong passion. “I love reading. I really do love reading,” she recalls. “From the time I was a little girl, I read and read and read. My mother worked in the library, and she used to bring us home all sorts of books.”

In 2020, Maureen channeled this love of literature into something more communal. Along with a few others, she founded the St. Gregory the Great Book Club, a close-knit group of around 10 parishioners at Bellerose Parish who gather in the church basement. Their shared love of books and faith make this literary circle a special experience. Unlike many modern book clubs that indulge in wine and cheese, theirs remains serious in tone, focused solely on the discussion.

“It’s very serious. A lot of book clubs have wine and cheese or dinners, but we don’t do any of that,” O’Doherty says with a smile. “We come, we meet, we have a good time, we talk, and then we discuss our book. We all know which one each one of us is gonna like anyways.”

But Maureen’s story at St. Gregory the Great doesn’t stop with books. For 55 years, she has been a dedicated parishioner, taking on roles such as Eucharistic Minister, member of the Rosary Altar Society, and part of the Consolation Ministry. These various roles, she says, are different chapters in her life of faith, all reflecting a common theme: her unwavering dedication to the church and community.

“My faith is very important to me because it has gotten me through a lot of problems,” she explains. “When my husband lost a job, we had our faith to go back to. When he died, I knew where he was… That helped me, and I always wonder how people without faith get through things.”

Maureen’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. Father Ed Kachurka, pastor of St. Gregory the Great, speaks highly of her commitment. “To me, they live the Gospel message,” Father Kachurka says of parishioners like Maureen. “There’s the two tenets that Christ gave us—he said to love God and to love neighbor, and the people here do it.”

Though Maureen juggles numerous responsibilities at the church, she shows no signs of slowing down. “They keep me going, and I enjoy it,” she says. “Sometimes I say I do a little bit too much, but you know what? It’s all very worthwhile.”

For Maureen O’Doherty, her faith and community are intertwined, and she remains an integral part of the pulse that keeps St. Gregory the Great Parish alive.

By Jessica Easthope

It’s easy to feel small while standing in the shadow of something so much bigger than yourself, but Elvis Toribio isn’t intimidated. He’s been preparing his whole life for this.

“Since I was, like, small, I always, like, felt the Lord calling me to be a priest,” Toribio, a seminarian at St. Joseph’s Seminary said. “I just really enjoyed being in church and always really enjoyed having everything to do with the church.”

Elvis is the youngest seminarian walking the halls of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie. The history, legacy, and future of the seminary’s mission are now part of his journey to the priesthood.

“I’m getting used to the place already. It’s a big place,” Toribio said. “Not what I’m used to.”

With a full course load—Fundamental Theology, Canon Law, and Psychology, to name a few—Elvis is getting used to his classes, as well as what he wears to class.

“At first, it was a little weird just because of the new, like, change of clothing and all that. I’m used to just wearing, like, a regular polo,” Toribio said. “But now with the collar on, it feels kind of surreal. It just kind of makes the dream, you could call it, more real and present.”

Elvis, who was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Queens Village in 2011, will spend the next four years studying at the seminary before becoming a transitional deacon. After that, he hopes to return to serve the same community that raised him as a priest, specifically ministering to the elderly and sick. He was inspired by seeing his grandmother’s faith grow in her last years.

“The church being close to her was also very comforting for her in her last few years,” Toribio said. “So I want to, like, lean into that and just give those people a little bit of hope.”

These days, Elvis finds hope of his own in the fellow future priests he sits with in class, as they become fast friends. It turns out priestly fraternity starts long before ordination.

“Having them around helps a lot. Having those connections and friendships has also helped a lot with transitioning. Getting to know each other just helps with that, coming out of ourselves and realizing that we’re not alone in this.”

In the classroom—and the cafeteria—Christ is everywhere, and Elvis has taken the first step in surrendering to his call. But for now, there’s a lot to learn—class starts at 8:30 a.m.