Rev. Jose Carlos DaSilva - pastor, was born in Joáo Mon Levada, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on May 5, 1962, was ordained in the Church of Santissima Trinidad for the Diocese of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais on May 24, 1992 by Cardinal Serafim Fernandes de Araujo, and was incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn on August 2, 2005.  He holds a Licentiate in Philosophy and Theology and a Masters Degree in Christology. He came to the United States in 2002 to minister here in our diocese to the Brazilian people. Along with his assignment as pastor of St. Rita, he is currently in charge of the Brazilian Apostolate for our Diocese.  He can be reached at the Rectory office, 718-361-1884, ext. 14.  His email is pastor@stritalic.org.

Mrs. Aida Alvarez was born in Cuba on January 16, 1942 and married there to her husband, Felipe, on December 3, 1961. (Deacon Felipe Alvarez was ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn on April 9, 1982, and is assigned to serve in St. Joseph in Astoria.) The couple had three of their four children in Cuba. They now are also blessed with 7 grandchildren. In August of 1967, they fled Cuba, looking to raise their children in a free country. Once settled in the United States, Mrs. Alvarez worked in the New York City financial world as an accountant for 27 years. In early 1999, she took early retirement, choosing to work for the Church. She began working for Bridge for Life, a non-profit organization with offices at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria assisting women in pregnancy crisis. She still volunteers her time there. In September of 1999, she came to work at St. Rita both as the Coordinator of Religious Education and the Parish Bookkeeper. She is also the Bookkepper for Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Ridgewood, and Queen of Angels in Sunnyside. Mrs. Alvarez can be reached at the rectory office, or by email from the parish website.

Sr. M. Erlinda Pimo, ISSM, comes to us from the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary.  She was born in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, The Philippines, on April 18, 1945.  After taking courses in Theology, she entered her community of Sisters in Germany.  She received a Masters in Education, and then took Graduate Theology courses in Theology in Seton Hall in New Jersey.  She also has certificates in Bereavement and in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).  She was a teacher for several years in Staten Island, as well as a Director of Religious Education.  Her last placement before coming to St. Rita was for the parish of Mary's Nativity in Flushing, NY.  In her free time, she likes to garden, cook and sing. Sr. Erlinda can be reached at the rectory phone number, ext. 13, or at SrErlinda@stritalic.org