St Francis De Sales Church

My husband and I discovered St. Francis de Sales Parish in June 2015. We found a community here that we had never found anywhere else, these people have become a second family for us. Everyone is welcome, there is no judgment made and all are equal in this parish. We look forward to going to church on Sunday morning. The 11am mass we attend is lively, filled with joy, the chorus sings wonderfully well, and the sermons of father Kelly are always right on point, easy to understand, often funny, and so kind and just. If you have lost God, feel excluded, have questions, want to try a new parish, want to have a new family/​friends COME to St. Francis. You will find God’s mercy and love here.

St. Francis is a wonderful church and a great community! The real differentiator here is acceptance. No matter who you are, what background you come from, or what brings you to St. Francis, you will feel welcomed and embraced.
No matter what type of mass you crave, St. Francis can provide. There is a 5pm mass on Saturday that is no fuss, no muss, and really convenient if you have to travel on Sunday. The 9am on Sunday is traditional, and full of families. The 11AM usually has the choir and can have some great gospel hymns. There is a Spanish mass at 12:30 on Sundays as well. The 6pm mass has a different flavor with visiting Passionist priest and a laid back feel.
Beyond the masses, St Francis also has a wonderful community. There are a ton of affinity groups and programs to join if you’d like to meet people and get involved. There are also multiple ways to get involved in the ministry side of things, and one of the lay volunteers or parish staff will walk you through everything you have to know.
Personally, I love going to the LGBTQS Catholic Alliance meetings and connecting with the 20s and 30s group at game night, or parish-​wide brunch. After years of feeling out of place at church, I think I’ve finally found my home at St. Francis.

There are many churches in the Upper East Side but there is only one as special as St. Francis de Sales. Being that it’s nearly 20 steps from the 96^th and Lexington subway, it’s a short journey to begin your journey forever with Christ.
This parish is one of a kind. While many have recently been declining or forced to be consolidated, St. Francis de Sales is growing rapidly. The community is like no other. Unique in diversity, as all walks of life are welcome: every race, color, language, personality, financial status, voice and even sexual orientation. St. Francis has one of the first extremely successful LGBT alliance group which is the largest, most active of many, many community groups within the parish.
Looking for a great weekly homily? Something to reflect on? An hour or so of pure peace? Father Kelly & company bring a fresh energy and perspective, similar to Pope Francis, that will leave you with an open heart and a new perspective.
Completely worth the visit. It won’t be your last.
Mass schedules:
Saturday: 9am, 5pm (vigial for Sunday Mass)
Sunday: 9am, 11am, 12:30 (spanish) and 6pm

What a breath of fresh air! I am so excited to have found this church. I have been a lapsed Catholic for some time but have recently discovered this jewel. The priests are smart, funny and inclusive and give thought provoking homilies. They also have an exceptionally talented musical director and singers with voices of angels. The whole congregation is very warm and welcoming. Worth a visit.