FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com may 26, 2016 • TIMES 19 CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS IN MASPETH 61-21 56th Road • Maspeth, NY 11378 • 718-894-1387 The bright profile of the Church of the Holy Cross rises up above the rows of trees and houses lining 56th Road. This neighborhood of residential homes is as intimate as the church’s sanctuary, “raised by the hands of Polish fathers and the prayers of Polish mothers.” Today, just as it was one hundred years ago, it is a source of comfort, reinforcing the feeling of pride in Christian faith and Polish tradition. The wide stairs and doors of the sanctuary invite you to come inside to pray and leave behind the worries of everyday life. Right next door, in the garden of the Rectory, a statue of His Holiness John Paul II – patron saint of the Polish School – seems to rise up in an energetic march . The histories of the church and of the surrounding Polish community in Maspeth are parallel, over time replenishing each other and intermingling like rosary beads. For support in a foreign, if welcoming, country, they relied on themselves and trusted in God. Records from this period in Maspeth confirm that the first settlers, who arrived long before the church was built, availed themselves of houses of worship that were quite distant from their homes. Notes from 1910 speak of 600 settlers (families and so-called “boarders”) from Poland, who arrived from lands partitioned between Russia and Prussia. In those places, at a time when Poland and its captive lands did not exist on the map of Europe, the Church and the Catholic religion were not just manifestations of faith in God, they were also sources of strength in the struggle for independence. people emigrated, seeking bread and a bit of human dignity, believing that they would find their place on earth far across the ocean. That place, here in Maspeth, became home. For the protection of their families and their livelihoods, they created the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Society, which “accomplished much good for its members and their families in Maspeth.” ESTABLISHING A POLISH CHURCH IN MASPETH Polish immigrants who wanted to give their children a Christian upbringing had to send them to faraway Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Elmhurst. Fr. Wojciech Nawrocki, at that time pastor of St. Casimir’s Church and who was attentive to the needs of his fellow countrymen, was asked to intercede in the matter of establishing a church in the developing area of Maspeth. The pastor, seeing the people’s concern and great desire for action on this matter, promised to raise the issue with diocesan authorities. church founded the Society of Saint Joseph and, as found in the records, met with church officials 26 times before they finally heard “Yes”. In August 1912, Bishop Mc- Donnell, finally persuaded by the indefatigable Poles, agreed to create a new parish in Maspeth, and Fr. Wojciech Nawrocki was entrusted with organizing it. This decision was greeted by the Polish community with great joy, even with the understanding that the building of a church and school would be a daunting undertaking for an immigrant community of modest means. The new parish, still lacking its own sanctuary, began functioning very energetically. Several societies were founded, including, among others, the Fraternal Aid Society of the Holy Cross, the Virgin Mary Society and the Queen Jadwiga Association of Polish Women. The first wedding was held on January 12, 1913, and the first christening was January 5, 1913. Common prayers in the ancestral language, mutual assistance and support in troubled times and situations demonstrated the strength to be found in unity. The community was even more united in striving to achieve its principal goal: to build a church. Fr. W. Nawrocki, at that time still pastor at St. Casimir, decided to acquire property for the future sanctuary, school and pastory. In February 1913, he purchased “one tract of land consisting of 12 lots with frontage,” and in the spring, after receiving approval of the plans from church officials, he ordered the laying of the foundation. The cornerstone was officially set on June 22, 1913. The enthusiasm for founding the parish and construction of the church was shared by the entire community. Everyone hoped and trusted that, by the grace of the Holy Cross, the construction of the church would be completed successfully for their sake and for future generations. The church was designed by William Finn; its chief contractor was Józef The sanctuary was dedicated on November 30, 1913. Once the building was completed, school children were transferred to classrooms set up in the church basement. The first graduates received their diplomas in 1916. In 1921, the cornerstone was laid for a new building, since the Catholic school had grown so large that there weren’t enough classrooms. Two years later, students moved into their own new building. Holy Cross – The Strengthening of Faith The new church, parish house and school were soon teeming with life. The Polish immigrant parishioners finally felt at home. In 1960, a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was established on a plot of land on the north side of the church. The grotto was endowed and created by members of the Bogdan-Fryzel family. Since then, it has become the custom for newlyweds to place flowers at the foot of the Blessed Mother. The Church’s Diamond Jubilee In 1988, the church celebrated its 75th anniversary. At the Turn of the Century According to 2012 statistics, the church has 1,300 registered individual members or families, and at least 2,000 people attend Mass. In recent years, on average about 100 christenings and 20 weddings have taken place at the church annually. The church is still growing, and the Polish community is very active in the church and the local neighborhood. Holy Cross – A Polish Church We continue to uphold Polish Catholic traditions, Polish customs and rituals, including Christmas Eve services, the blessing of Easter baskets on Holy Saturday, pre-holiday confession, annual caroling, and visits to parishioners’ homes. Celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the church in Maspeth began last year. The high point of the year-long observance will be a Mass of Thanksgiving on April 21, 2013.. The 100th anniversary of the church and celebrations marking this milestone are very important events in the life of the religious community. With joyful thoughts of the 100th anniversary of the Church of the Holy Cross, let us express our admiration and thanks for its founders and for those who continue the work of their forebears. Holy Cross has existed for 100 years. Our parish endures, always young, living forever . . . Let us raise our prayers for blessing Saturday: Polish: 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. English: 5:00 p.m. Polish: 7:00 p.m. Sunday: Polish: 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. English: 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Weekday Morning Masses: Polish: 7:30 a.m. English: 8:30 a.m. Weekday Evening Masses: Polish: 7:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday English: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Other Services: Tuesday: Our Lady of Czestochowa, after 7:00 p.m. Mass First Thursday: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:30 p.m. First Friday: Sacred Heart of Jesus at 6:30 p.m. First Saturday: Marian Devotions at 6:30 p.m. Third Sunday of the Month: Divine Mercy at 6:00 p.m. October, May and Lent have special devotions, which are announced in the bulletin. ________________________________________ The Diocese of Brooklyn broadcasts daily live Catholic Masses six days a week via NetTV from the Cathedral Basilica of St. James and from the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph. Monday-Friday English Mass: 8:00 a.m., Noon Spanish Mass: 9:00 a.m. Sunday English Mass: 11:00 a.m. You may watch us at home, at work, or on the go: •NYC: Time Warner Cable 97 and Cablevision 30 • NYC, Long Island, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, and southern Connecticut: Verizon FiOS 48 • Nationally: Verizon FiOS on Demand • Anywhere, anytime via our livestream at www.netny.tv
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