Pastor
Reverend Vincent Chirichella
Rev. Vincent was born in Brooklyn, NY and is a native New Yorker. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He graduated from Christ the King High School in Middle Village, Queens. After High School, he attended the Catholic Medical Center School of Radiology and practiced X-Ray Technology until 1999. In 1999, Rev. Vincent was accepted to Cathedral Seminary Residence in Douglaston. He graduated from Saint Francis College in 2002 with a BA in Philosophy. His post-graduate studies were at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY. He graduated with a MA and M.Div. in 2007. He holds a Certificate in Spiritual Direction and currently is working on a MS in Psychology. He was ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ by the Most Rev. Nicholas DiMarzio on June 2, 2007. His assignments were parochial Vicars at Saint Luke Church in Whitestone, Pastor of Saint Dominic Church in Bensonhurst, and Pastor at Our Lady of Grace in Brooklyn. Rev. Vincent speaks English and Italian. Rev Vincent loves to read, study, pray and enjoy walks with his dog Harry. He loves his family, friends, and brother priests.PAROCHIAL VICAR
Father Pedro Angucho
Fr. Pedro F. Angucho was born and raised in Colombia. He came to the USA in 2011 to study English at St. John's University. He was a resident in Immaculate Conception in Douglaston for formation to the priesthood. His formation to the priesthood was in the Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and a Master's in Divinity from Holy Apostle College in Cromwell, Connecticut. Father Pedro earned a minor MBA. He was ordered as a priest on June 1 2019, by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, and his first assignment was in the Divine Mercy Parish. The Divine Mercy Parish is a merger of three parishes (St. Cecilia, St. Francis of Paola, and St. Nicholas). Divine Mercy Parish was a school for Fr. Pedro, where he learned all the skills to work with people of God. Father Pedro has outstanding experiences working with three communities. On July 1st 2024, he joined the St. Joseph Church parish as Parochial Vicar.WEEKEND ASSISTANT
Reverend William C Farrugia
Father Bill attended Cathedral College in Brooklyn; Niagara University, NY (BA); Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany where he was ordained in 1963. He obtained a MA at Webster University in St Louis, and the US Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, AL. Father Bill has been ordained for 59 years, during which he served as a Parish priest at St. Gabriel the Archangel in Brooklyn, and Incarnation Church in Queens Village. He was a High School Guidance counselor and School Chaplain at Monsignor McClancy High School from 2001 to 2010, and an Air Force Chaplain for 25 years, retiring as a Colonel in 1993. Father Bill has a FAA commercial pilot license and is a certified flight instructor with 3,00 flight hours. He has happily volunteered to assist St Joseph Church for the last 25 years and loves every minute of it!IN RESIDENCE
Reverend Jean Laguerre
Fr. Jean Laguerre was born in Haiti on April 8, 1962, and speaks English, Spanish, French and Creole. Fr. Jean Laguerre attended Grand Seminaire Notre Dame d’Haiti and graduated with a degree in Philosophy, Theology and Sociology. His passion to help the elderly and the sick led him to become a Hospital Chaplain. He was ordained Priest on June 29th, 1995, in Jacmel, Haiti. Fr. Laguerre enjoyed the priesthood and enjoyed celebrating the Holy Sacraments especially the Eucharist, the Penance and the Sacrament of the Sick. Fr. Jean Laguerre was sent to reside at St. Joseph, Astoria effective December 1, 2019, while remaining chaplain of Mount Sinai of Queens Hospital. 
RETIRED PRIEST/IN RESIDENCE
Reverend Edward Cassar
Fr. Edward was born in the island of Malta. While Malta has its own language and culture, it resembles the Italian culture very much. After Fr. Cassar finished High School, he attended St. Liberta College for Philosophy and then completed four years at St Laurence of Brindisi Seminary for Theology. Fr. Cassar was ordained a priest for the Capuchin Franciscan Order in Malta on March 22, 1969. Immediately after his priestly ordination, he was sent to the Gregorian University in Rome for a post graduate course in Pastoral Theology and Missionology. Two months after Fr. Cassar returned to Malta from Rome to volunteer as a Missionary in Ethiopia, Africa where he was stationed in Addis Ababa and the Mission Station of Gigija. Fr. Cassar came to the US in 1972 to attend the New York Medical and Dental Assistants on a scholarship and graduated as a Medical Laboratory Technician. He has been in the Brooklyn Diocese for 50 years. For 17 years he worked in two parishes in Queens. He speaks English, Maltese, and Italian. Fr Cassar is passionate in being a priest for people.WEEKEND ASSISTANT
Reverend James A Kuroly
Father Kuroly was born in Queens, New York and attended Saint Anthony of Padua and then Cathedral Preparatory Seminary High School. He attended Saint John's University for a degree in Philosophy while continuing his discernment at Cathedral House of Formation, Douglaston. After graduation, he entered the Seminary of Immaculate Conception, Huntington. He was ordained a priest in 2007 and was assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows, Corona. He then served as faculty member and assistant principal at Cathedral Prep. During this time, he also served as the Spiritual Director of the Jornada Movement and chaplain for the office of youth and young adult ministry. He was then appointed pastor of Saint Rose of Lima, Rockaway. In 2019, Bishop DiMarzio assigned him Rector-President of Cathedral Prep. In 2022, Bishop Brennan made him the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.DEACON
Deacon Raul Ruiz
Deacon Raul was ordained in 2013. He is a native of Honduras and is fluent in English and Spanish. He has served the St Joseph Church parish in Baptisms, Cursillo, Divine Mercy, Hospital visits, Prayer services at Wakes, and Funerals of parishioner. Deacon Raul serves the diverse Hispanic ministries in the Parish
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY
Sam Fujii
San Francisco native, Sam Fujii is a New York musician and educator whose fascination for how the voice works has led to a versatile career of performing, teaching, and music directing. Before coming to St. Joseph’s, he previously served as Director of Music Ministry at Church of the Immaculate Conception in Westhampton Beach, St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Jersey City, NJ and the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, NY. He regularly performs sacred and operatic music in venues throughout the tri-state area. With over fifteen years of teaching experience, Sam has developed creative lessons for both individual and group instruction to guide students in learning about vocal efficiency, anatomy, and voice care. He maintains a voice teaching studio in Manhattan where he also offers sessions that include piano, organ, Reiki, and meditation. Sam holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN.
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & SECRETARY
Silvia Rivera
Silvia Rivera Born in Ecuador. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and obtained the Diocesan Lay Leadership Certificate through the School of Evangelization of Brooklyn. Silvia started working at St. Joseph’s church as a secretary back in September 2006. She worked with Mgrs. John Harrington, Rev. Vincent Miceli and now Rev. Vincent Chirichella. Silvia is a catechist and an instructor for the (RCIA) Religious Education Program for adults. She also is the coordinator for parish activities, and maintains the church’s social media, like Facebook and Website. Silvia loves working at this parish. Throughout the years, she has met wonderful people that have enriched her faith with their own personal stories. Silvia’s passion is helping people and giving them advice, and her time to all the ones that would like to listen and be listened. Silvia is married with three kids and two grandchildren. She loves spending time with family and friends. Silvia enjoys reading, coloring, and knitting. She celebrates life every single day as this could be the last one. Life is beautiful! Life is a miracle, life is life. ☺ Silvia is fluent in Spanish, English and Italian.
ACCOUNTING
Mayra DiRico
Mayra’s parents fled Cuba when she was just a baby for freedom and a better life in the U.S. Growing up in Astoria, Mayra was determined to live up to that promise. In her thirty-three plus career in Corporate America, Mayra received numerous awards and honors including Crain’s New York’s “40 under 40”, El Diario Latinas 2006 Distinguished Woman, Flushing Town Hall COCA Award, and the Eagle Award from the National Eagle Leadership Institute. She held executive positions at HSBC, Astoria Bank and Sterling National Bank. Mayra holds a degree in Marketing and International Business from NYU graduating summa cum laude and a master’s degree in Banking from the University of Virginia. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian and held a Series 6, 63 and life and health license. The tragic accident she witnessed of her beloved Mother in 2019 changed her life bringing her closer to GOD. She decided to quit the corporate world and dedicate her time to her family, friends, and community. Mayra joined the Lectors for the Spanish Mass at St. Joseph Church. Mayra’s passion includes the beach, writing and making a difference in the life of others. St Joseph Church has been her parish since she took her first communion. She resides in Astoria with her husband Joe, and their children Daniel and Jessica. Her motto is that every day is an opportunity to learn and become a better version of oneself.PART-TIME SECRETARY
Mrs. Giovanna (Joanne) Pasquariello
Joanne was born in Italy and came to Queens, New York at the age of nine. The main component of her Italian culture, is her devotion to her town's patron Saint Rocco. Later in life, Joanne named her son Rocco to honor Saint Rocco. Joanne and her husband, Jerry named their daughter after his patron saint - Maria Santissima Delle Neve. Joanne is fluent in English and Italian. She has extensive experience in the corporate world. In addition, Joanne is a member and volunteer at the Italian American Social Clubs in Astoria. These clubs share their devotion to Saint Rocco and Maria Delle Neve. Joanne is passionate about helping the catholic community of St Joseph.PT SATURDAY SECRETARY
Margaret Camilien
Margaret has 30 plus years experience in Accounting and chargeback collection. She received her Certification in Computerized Bookkeeping at the Clinton Institute in New York. Margaret has an Associate degrees in Travel & Tourism, and Hotel Management from Haiti. She also has a French Baccalaureate from Haiti. Margaret has worked with children in the garment industry. Margaret is passionate about working with people in the community. She wants to contribute the success and growth of all the companies she has worked at. Margaret is fluent in French, Creole and proficient in Spanish.YOUTH MINISTRY
Yuliana Restrepo
Yuliana was born in Colombia. She moved to Boston with her family and lived there 19 years where she had a first volunteer experience with the church at the Holy Redemmer. She had her first encounter with Jesus in 2006 and with his love and mercy, her life changed. She moved to Astoria after getting married to David and is now the mother of Mateo. Her passion for the past 15 years has been to serve the Lord by helping teenagers and young adults discover God. Fluent in Spanish and English, Yuliana's passions include cooking, hiking, and dancing. St Joseph Church has been her parish and her spiritual blessing since she moved to New York. Her motto is “to love family and work hard to make a difference in the world on a daily basis.”Harry the Dog
Harry is a Havanese, the national dog of Cuba. While Harry is small, he is sturdy in structure and personality. He has a spirited personality and a curious disposition, and is notable for its springy gait, a characteristic that distinguishes the breed from all others. Harry is the ideal family pet and a true companion dog. He is a social companion and thrives on being surrounded with love. Harry is 6 years old.
