1.  What is the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz?

The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz is a church in Lower Manhattan designated for the Filipino Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New York.  It is attached to the Philippine Pastoral Center of the Filipino Apostolate.

2. What is the address of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz and the Philippine Pastoral Center?

378 Broome St.  (bet. Mulberry & Mott St.), New York, NY 10013.

3. Is the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz a parish church?

 The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz is not a parish church, but it is hoped to become a parish church someday.  The Cardinal wants the Filipino Apostolate to succeed first in the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz  "with good record-keeping, good financial management, and good pastoral programs" before it may be elevated to the status of a parish church.

4. When will the Chapel and the Pastoral Center officially open?

 The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz officially opened on September 1, 2005, as per letter of Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York dated June 15, 2005.  Weekday and weekend Masses will start on September 1st.  The Philippine Pastoral Center, whose current address is 248 East 62nd Street, will relocate to 378 Broome Street.

5. Who will be in charge of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz and the Philippine Pastoral Center?

            The Filipino Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New York is in charge of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz and the Philippine Pastoral Center. The Filipino Apostolate is a program of the Archdiocese of New York.  It was established by the late Cardinal John O'Connor in 1995. Father Erno Diaz was appointed first archdiocesan coordinator.

Father Erno Diaz, present archdiocesan director of the archdiocesan Filipino Apostolate, was re-appointed "Director of the Filipino Apostolate with the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz" Cardinal Edward Egan, as per letter of appointment dated June 15, 2005.

6. What religious services will be offered in the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz ?

Although not a parish church, Cardinal Egan has authorized the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz to offer "all of the Sacraments of the Church, with the exception of the Sacrament of Confirmation" unless "a Bishop confers the Sacrament of Confirmation."  Thus, Sunday Masses, Filipino-style weddings, baptisms, and funerals will be scheduled in the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz.

7. What other spiritual activities will the Chapel offer?

In addition to the sacraments, popular Filipino devotions and festivals will be offered at the Chapel, among them:

Weekly Novenas (tentative):

Miraculous Medal                       
Monday, before 5:30 Mass

St. Anthony                                
Tuesday, before 5:30 Mass

Perpetual Help                           
Wednesday before 5:30 Mass

St. Jude & San Lorenzo       
Thursday, before 5:30 Mass

Sacred Heart                             
Friday, before 5:30 Mass

8.  Will the Chapel be exclusive to the Filipino community?

Cardinal Egan's letter says: "Only the Masses (you celebrate) for the Filipino community, and others who might desire to attend, will be scheduled at the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz."   

Although, the Cardinal has designated the Chapel of San Lorenzo for the Filipino community and has authorized only Filipino liturgies in the Chapel, nevertheless, everybody, regardless of ethnicity, will be welcome to attend the services or to participate in the events held in the Chapel or the Pastoral Center.

9.  What programs will be offered by the Philippine Pastoral Center?

In as much as the Philippine Pastoral Center is only relocating to the 378 Broome Street location, current programs of the Pastoral Center will continue in the new location, perhaps in a modified manner, considering the smaller and less space there.

Some outreach programs being considered are the ff:

• Alumni reunions                                                                       
• Archdiocesan Filipino liturgies                                      
• Asian affairs                                         
• Blessed Pedro Calungsod devotion                                          
• Christian hospitality                                                      
• Clergy support group                                       
• Communication                                                
• Community forums                                                       
• Ecumenical fellowship                                                  
• Free Clinic                                           
• Homebound outreach                                                  
• Immigration Counseling                                                
• Intercultural affairs                                           
• Legal counseling                                                          
• Liturgical/Religious art exhibition                                               
• Mother Ignacia movement                                            
• Multi-media center                                                       
• Newcomers' outreach                                                  
• Pastoral resource                                                         
• Philippine disaster outreach                                          
• Philippine Medical Mission                                           
• Philippine music-cultural exchange                                            
• Philippine orphans' outreach                                         
• Philippine pilgrimages                                       
• Philippine pilgrimages                                       
• Philippine scholarship                                       
• Philippine seminarians' assistance                                              
• Religious concerts                                            
• Religious gift shop                                            
• Religious Sisters' support group                                    
• Religious Sisters' support group                                                
• San Lorenzo devotion                                      
• Seniors' outreach                                                         
• Seniors outreach                                                          
• Spiritual counseling                                                      
• Street children outreach                                               
• Sunday bulletin                                    
• Vocations campaign                                                     
• Website                                                               
• Youth outreach                                                
• Youth outreach                                                            
   

Note:  The Philippine Pastoral Center will welcome volunteers to any of the above-mentioned programs. Those interested to volunteer are asked to see Father Erno at the Chapel office.  It would be desirable if the volunteers could form a group or committee of at least four for each program.  Preliminary planning meetings shall be held during the first six months.

10.  Are there going to be religious societies and Chapel committees?

Since the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz will offer Sacraments and other spiritual services, religious societies and Chapel committees (like parish committees) will be formed to assist the priest staff.

The following Chapel committees and religious societies  are being considered:

CommitteesSpiritual & Ecclesial Programs

• Adult /Youth Catechesis
• Altar Servers
• Altar Society
• BCBP/ BLD
• Charismatic Prayer Groups
• Couples for Christ Ministries
• Cursillo Movement
• Development
• Eucharistic  Ministers
• Eucharistic Devotion & Others
• Filipino devotions committee
• Filipino liturgies committee
• Filipino music ministry
• Filipino wedding preparation        
• Finance committee
• Lectors
• Legion of Mary
• Life in the Spirit
• Music ministry
• Spiritual Recollections/Retreats
  
  

11.  How will the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz support its programs?

Sunday Mass collection, offerings from weddings, baptisms, funerals,   

and other special offerings, benefit events, and voluntary donations will be the primary source of financial support for the Chapel and Pastoral Center.

The Filipino Apostolate will undertake a three-million dollar endowment campaign from commemorative gifts, e.g. donation for pews, and a general fundraising, with the endorsement from the Cardinal.  The proceeds will be deposited in a bank; only the interest will be used for operational expenses.  The support of each of the more than 100,000 working Filipinos in metropolitan New York and beyond will help us meet our over-all endowment goal. 

The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz appeals to every Filipino for help.  Here's how.  Either you can be a commemorative Donor, say for a pew, and have your loved one or yourname inscribed in the pew, or you can be an Angel by helping solicit donations for the Chapel. 

Both donors and angels' names will be inscribed in the Founders' Wall at the end of the campaign.  Please be a Donor and/or an Angel!  Call us at (212) 966-1019  or visit us in the Chapel on Broome St.

12.  What will happen to the Philippine Pastoral Center on East 62nd Street?

It will be turned over to the Archdiocese of New York by September 1st. The "Tree of Life" and the "Lahar Tree" will be transferred to the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz/Philippine Pastoral Center on 378 Broome Street.