St. Clare Church received widespread media coverage for its support activities after 29 parishioners died suddenly from the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001. The church property now has an eternal flame in their memory. The church also provided extensive assistance when Staten Island was heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. St. Clare was hit hard in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed religious gatherings and claimed the lives of dozens of parish members, including pastor Richard J. Guastella and retired pastor Joseph P. Murphy.