A Celebration of Faith Holy Family Parish. 90 Years of Grace and Blessings Holy Family Church, Pittsburgh, PA. p CAP at Orchard Lake.

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1 A Celebration of Faith Holy Family Parish. 90 Years of Grace and Blessings Holy Family Church, Pittsburgh, PA. p CAP at Orchard Lake. The greatest treasure that our forefathers brought to America was their faith. This year/ 1992/ as we the people of Holy Family look back on ninety years as a parish, we can indeed exclaim, "God has done great things." Since the founding of the parish in 1902, we have witnessed trials and triumphs, but our people have always been committed to faith and devotion to God, held a special regard for the Mother of Jesus, and been loyal to Roman Catholicism. By the turn of the twentieth century, the Lawrenceville community was in a state of transition. With the increasing population of ethnic Poles, a group of dedicated men began to undertake steps for the creation of a new church. While the names of persons engaged in this task have been lost, we know that among the founders of the new parish were T. Kanoza, M. Okonski, M. Krotoszynski, J. Wojdyla, M. Stec, F. Burek, S. Poznanski, J. Bandyk, F. Lejpras, P. Lozowski, T. Kosib, J. Kowalski, Lesniak, and A. Gawronski. The first project undertaken by the committee was to obtain a lot on the corner of 41st and Foster Streets for the purpose of establishing a church. Next, they petitioned His Excellency the Most Reverend Richard Phelan, Bishop of Pittsburgh, for permission to start a new parish. Bishop Phelan granted permission on October 10, 1902, and assigned the Reverend Anthony Smelsz as the first pastor of Holy Family parish. Work on the new church and school complex progressed rapidly. On June 7, 1903, the cornerstone of the complex was blessed by the Right Reverend Monsignor Tobin, Vicar General of the Diocese. The facility was completed by the following year with the blessing of the new church and school taking place on March 20, 1904." The Most Reverend Regis Canevin, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, administered the blessing. The early years of the parish were hectic and physically demanding on the pastor and his assistants. In 1907 a duplex brick building next to the church was purchased for use as a rectory. Seven years later, in 1914, the next two brick buildings were purchased to house the teaching Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. It should be noted that from 1904 with the opening of the school until 1914, the sisters commuted from the Immaculate Heart of Mary convent 1

2 on Paulowna Street on Polish Hill in order to provide a Catholic education for the children of Lawrenceville. By 1918 the school facilities were too small to accommodate the growing population, and six additional classrooms had to be added. In 1914 the parish bought a 76 x 150 foot lot directly across from the church. It was originally intended that a larger church would one day be built on that site. On the lot was a framed-house, which was converted into additional classrooms on an interim basis. Because of World War I and a series of economically hard times thereafter, the dream of a new church was indefinitely postponed. Father Anthony Smelsz was a very kind and gentle man who was deeply concerned about the well-being of his parishioners. His congregation was largely poor, and Reverend Smelsz frequently was asked to provide financial assistance to those who could not meet their rent or utility obligations. The problem was that the need was great and the church treasury was extremely limited. By 1925 Holy Family Church was deeply in debt. Father Smelsz did the best that he could and the people of Holy Family will always remember him for his organizational abilities in laying the foundation of the parish, as well as for his kindness toward the less fortunate. FATHER LADISLAUS SLIWINSKI NAMED PASTER On March 18, 1925, the Reverend Ladislaus Sliwinski was named the second pastor of Holy Family Church. This young and energetic pastor found the parish to be in deplorable financial shape, and felt that both the physical plant and spiritual life of the parish needed to be uplifted. An examination of the books revealed that the parish had a debt in excess of $100,000 and numerous unpaid bills. Some of the early parish histories show the total debt at nearly $125,000. Considering the times and the value of the dollar, it is almost impossible to calculate what that debt would be when translated into today's dollar, but it would certainly be staggering. Yet the new pastor was a man of resolve and a capable administrator who was willing to tackle the job that Providence had sent him to do. The manner in which he accomplished this is best described in the Golden Jubilee History written in 1952 by Father Edward C. Maliszewski. Father Maliszewski wrote, "Relying on God's help and dedicating his work and his parish to the Mother of God, beseeching her help, he gained the trust and won the faith of his people, who relied on their new pastor with sincere and humble obedience." Immediately, the new pastor began to put the parish on a firm financial basis. At the same time, he conducted a census of his parishioners and initiated additional religious services. By 1928, when the parish celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the laying of the church cornerstone, the parish had a membership of 1,050 families and a school population of 1,000 students. Within the first three years of his pastorate, Father Sliwinski cleared the debt and began to formulate plans for the construction of a new church. In spite of the great depression of the 1930's, the parish proceeded with the acquisition of properties on 43rd and 44th Streets. The Most Reverend Hugh Boyle, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, granted permission for the construction of new church in January,

3 On August 29, 1939, Bishop Boyle made the Reverend Ladislaus Sliwinski one of his Diocesan Consultors. It was through the efforts of Father Sliwinski that the bishop was convinced to initiate a diocesan collection to aid the victims in war torn Poland. Later Bishop Boyle convinced the Bishops of America that a committee be established on a national level to raise money and supplies for the Church in Poland. Ground breaking for the new edifice took place on Sunday, October 8, 1939, before an over-flowing crowd of spectators. Present were hundreds of representatives of fraternal societies carrying their banners and American and Polish flags. It was said to be one of the most colorful scenes in Lawrenceville history. Among the honored guests and clergy was the Consulate of the Republic of Poland who addressed the gathering. The cornerstone-laying ceremony and blessing of the church was performed by the Most Reverend Hugh C. Boyle on Sunday, January 12, Anthony Pyzdrowski was hired as architect and engineer of the new church. The design of the edifice is Romanesque or the shape of a Roman Cross, which is a popular style for many Pittsburgh churches. On Thursday, November 28, 1940, the new Holy Family church was dedicated. Having built the church, Father Sliwinski soon turned his attention to the school. He renovated, repaired and altered the former church-school complex converting it into an educational facility. At the end of 1946, Father Sliwinski cleared the debt on the new church. On February 16, 1947, His Holiness Pope Pius XII named the Reverend Ladislaus Sliwinski as one of his Domestic Prelates, and bestowed on him the title of Right Reverend Monsignor. Not only was Right Reverend Monsignor Śliwiński a valuable asset to Holy Family Parish as its pastor and to the Diocese as Diocesan Consultor, but he also served for many years as the President of the Board of Trustees of Holy Family Institute. During the tenure of Monsignor Śliwiński, the church was beautifully painted with much of the artwork honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the parish was also celebrated with the publication of a book and a banquet at the William Penn Hotel. Monsignor Śliwiński passed away on January 6, 1961, after faithfully serving Holy Family parish for nearly thirty-seven years. MONSIGNOR JACOB C. SHINAR BECOMES PASTOR Monsignor Shinar wanted to breathe a new sense of vitality into the parish. He managed to make even seemingly simple tasks into glorious affairs. His personal charisma and his exceptionally friendly mannerisms helped him to achieve his goals. Shortly after his arrival, he noticed that the record that had served as the parish bells had been well-scratched and no longer offered the hymn that bells should offer as they ring out the Angelus and other church functions. The Monsignor remedied the situation by installing two bells. One 3

4 bell was brought from the old church on Foster Street, while the second smaller bell, donated by Charles Zubik, was once used on a river boat. In 1962 a parish festival was held after an absence of twenty-six years. Other fund-raisers, such as pancake breakfasts and dinners were also instituted. Monsignor Shinar must also be credited with the formation of the Catholic Youth Organization that sponsored trips, picnics and dances for our high school students. On September 23, 1962, Bishop John Wright visited Holy Family and announced that the final plans to build a new school, convent and rectory were approved by the Diocesan Consultors. On May 12, 1963, ground breaking ceremonies took place. At this event, Monsignor Jacob C. Shinar described the $800,000 project as a "community renewal" program for Lawrenceville. Work continued on the project at a very brisk pace, and on August 16, 1964, the laying of the cornerstone ceremonies took place. On September 5, 1964, the dedication and blessing of Holy Family School and Convent took place. In the dedication booklet, Monsignor Jacob Shinar would write that the $800,000 project was necessary since, "The parish needed modern and efficient facilities to educate its children in the best possible manner." The school, designed by Szymanski and Ellis, featured all electric heat, carpeting, and windows that did not require any shades, yet allowed adequate light to be filtered into each classroom. Monsignor Shinar believed that these innovations would be copied by others. The convent was designed with year-round climate control. Carpets were installed throughout the facility, and the porch was constructed to be all weather. A window honoring the Trinity was brought from the old church on Foster Street and placed in the chapel, thus combining something of the old with the new. Monsignor Shinar had sought to bring Holy Family "up to date" just as John XXIII wanted to bring the total Church "up to date." The Most Reverend John Wright, Bishop of Pittsburgh, shared Monsignor Shinar's enthusiasm for the project. In a letter dated July 21, 1964, Bishop Wright noted, "Renewal of a parish plant of some age is necessary to keep abreast of the times, the needs of the members and, as well, the general community. It is reasonable then that this has been done at Holy Family church. Yet the fact that your project, as great as it was has moved along so well and has been completed so successfully deserves special comment." This mammoth project was not, however, without its drawbacks. Cost of construction of a new rectory, school and convent ran approximately $800,000 and left the parish with an indebtedness of nearly $500,000. Original projections were that the parish would clear the debt in eight or nine years. However, it would be nearly thirty years before the parish would once again be debt free. Holy Family Parish celebrated the silver anniversary of the dedication of its church on Saturday, November 27, 1965, with a concelebrated Mass, a dinner and a parish dance. Auxiliary Bishop 4

5 Vincent M. Leonard was the principal celebrant at the Mass. In 1966 a unified plan was engaged to merge Holy Family, Saint Mary's 46th Street, and Saint Augustine schools into one operation. The new school system would operate a kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. The administration of Monsignor Jacob C. Shinar at Holy Family was an extremely complex one. Father Edward Trzeciakowski, referred to Monsignor Shinar as "a visionary. He wanted to do it all. He was not content with just building a school or rectory or convent. He wanted to do it all at once." Father Trzeciakowski also pointed out that the pastor took no credit for his work, instead on the commemoration plaque he listed the names of his assistants. Because of his close affiliation with Bishop Wright, Monsignor Shinar frequently accompanied the Bishop to Rome for the sessions of Vatican II. One of the innovations of the Second Vatican Council was in changing the format of the Mass, with the priest facing the people. Father Trzeciakowski noted that the first Mass celebrated in the Diocese in this fashion was at Holy Family Church, with Monsignor Shinar celebrating the Eucharist. In a controversial move, Monsignor Shinar removed the great altars that once graced the church. The pews were also arranged in a semi-circular fashion. A bookstand replaced the vigils and statues of the Poor Souls in Purgatory that once dominated the vestibule of the church. Pews were also placed behind the table altar for a choir and a small organ was purchased. All this was done with the purpose of modernizing the church. FATHER MALISZEWSKI NAMED PASTOR With the transfer of Monsignor Shinar to the pastorate of Saint Mary's Church in Glenshaw, on March 20, 1970, the Most Reverend Vincent Leonard, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, named the Reverend Edward C. Maliszewski as the new pastor of Holy Family. Bishop Leonard wrote, "This appointment is my mark of personal confidence in you." Father Maliszewski made an examination of the financial records of the church and was shocked to learn that Holy Family had a staggering debt of $429,199. To make matters worse, interest payments on the debt were $15,000 per year, an amount that was financially draining to the parish. A further examination revealed that in 1969 only the interest was paid and no payments were made to reduce the principal. Within fifteen years, the debt on the new construction was reduced from over $429,000 to $119,000, and the interest payments to the Diocese fell from $15,000 per year to $4,500. This dramatic reduction in the debt may be described as one of Father Maliszewski's most outstanding contributions to Holy Family. During the pastorate of Father Maliszewski, the Paluch Monthly Missalette was introduced in March of 1970, as was the Polish Missalette, "Pan Z Wami" (The Lord Be With You). On February 27, 1975, Father Edward Maliszewski was one of the main leaders who spoke out for the Catholic teaching on ethnicity as found in the Papal Encyclicals, Apostolic Letters, and Constitutions, especially as found in Exule Familia of Pope Pious XII. This event, which took 5

6 place at Synod Hall in Oakland, was part of a Diocesan conference on Ethnic Affairs. In May of 1976 Holy Family was the site of a week long study of Polish Culture. The Polish-American Folk Theatre and Galicia Song and Dance Ensemble from Detroit were present to conduct a study of language, traditions and folk lore. In addition to this special event, Holy Family parishioners attended Polish language classes, sponsored at the church by the Central Council of Polish Organizations. Sunday, August 15, 1976, Holy Family was honored to have been visited by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Marian Przykucki, Auxiliary Bishop of Poznan, Poland. Here he offered a special Polish Mass, which was concelebrated by thirty priests of Polish descent. A special Mass was held on Sunday, November 27, 1978, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Polish Falcons of America. In 1978 the parish celebrated the 75th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the first church. To mark this occasion, a diamond jubilee book was produced. As a result of a special fund raising effort, $42, was donated by the parishioners. With this money, the church was painted and the sanctuary was renovated. The beautiful mural "Poland Always Faithful," which adorns the sanctuary, was commissioned as part of the diamond jubilee celebration. This massive mural was the last great masterpiece of the internationally renowned artist, John Henry de Rosen and depicts religious and historical events in the thousand year history of the Polish nation. With the election of Karol Cardinal Wojtyla to the Papacy, local television station WPXI produced a documentary entitled "We Have A Pope," which traced the Pittsburgh pilgrims who travelled to the Vatican for the inauguration ceremonies. The show featured our own Father Maliszewski and noted how he and the current Holy Father developed their friendship. Although no one can remember the exact date when Father Jerzy Popieluszko, the famous Solidarity priest who would later be martyred by the Polish government, visited Holy Family. However, we do know that the event took place during Holy Week while Father Maliszewski was pastor. This young priest assisted with services here. Those who met him were impressed with his concern for human rights and the plight of the Polish people. FATHER LAPCZYNSKI NAMED PASTOR In 1985 the Most Reverend Anthony J. Bevilacqua named Father Francis Lapczynski as the fifth pastor of Holy Family Parish. Many remembered him fondly from his previous assignment at Holy Family as an assistant to Monsignor Shinar. It was also under the tenure of this pastor that social activities were once again a part of parish life. Holy Family soon joined the list of parishes sponsoring nights at the races, a super bingo, dinners, and an annual festival. 6

7 Shortly after the new pastor arrived at Holy Family, the furnace in the rectory needed replaced. Securing a loan from the diocese, Father Lapczynski replaced the electric unit with a gas furnace. In the long term, the savings on the utility bills helped to pay for the new furnace. Father Francis Lapczynski was a man of great personal piety and deep devotion. When he prayed the Mass, we felt a deep sense of spiritual awe overcome the congregation. It was in the spiritual aspects of his tenure that we will best remember this beloved pastor. Shortly after Father Lapczynski arrived as pastor, the parish was visited by Bishop Szczepan Wesoly, Bishop of Emigrants from Poland, who was making a tour of ethnic Polish parishes in the United States. Holy Family was also the host parish for the annual Gorzkie Zale, a Lenten devotional on the lamentations of Christ. It was during this event, sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Polish Priests, that the Most Reverend Anthony J. Bevilacqua, Bishop of Pittsburgh, visited Holy Family. The bishop was impressed with the church and publicly commented on the fact. In 1987 Father Francis suffered a major heart attack, which resulted in a prolonged period of recuperation. During this time, the parish was served by Father Richard Whalen. Shortly after our pastor returned he made a retreat, during which time he arrived at a decision to ask the bishop to be transferred to a smaller parish. Father Lapczynski admitted that it was a most difficult decision, but because of health considerations he could not do justice to Holy Family. A farewell dinner was held for Father Lapczynski in the parish social hall, and was attended by a capacity crowd. We did not wish him to leave, but everyone knew that the extenuating circumstances warranted the change. FATHER SZARNICKI AS PASTOR The rite of installation of the Reverend Henry A. Szarnicki, S.T.L.; Ph.D., as pastor of Holy Family Church took place at the 6 p.m. Mass on July 18, Father Leo Vanyo, pastor of Saint Paul's Cathedral, served as the bishop's delegate for the affair. Father Szarnicki was probably the best educated of all the pastors, holding a doctorate degree from the Catholic University of America. The new pastor came to a parish still swamped with debt and a plant that needed to upgrade its facilities. Father Szarnicki proved in the early days to be a great organizer. He held parish council elections, recruited additional ushers and lectors, appointed lay ministers of the Eucharist, purchased new hymnals, refurbished the social hall and church, repaired the church gutters, and made improvements to the grounds. In the summer of June, 1992, the pastor had completely cleared the debt on the construction of the parish facilities, including the remaining $25,000 debt on the rectory furnace. 7

8 Many people came to know Father Henry Szarnicki as a kind priest, a capable administrator, a great humorist, a patient confessor, and a devoted servant of the Church. What few people realize, however, is that Father Szarnicki is also a noted historian of the early days of Catholicism in Western Pennsylvania and the author of the biography, Michael O'Connor; First Catholic Bishop of Pittsburgh, In the first few years of his pastorate, Holy Family was host parish for a Mass honoring the victims of the battle of Monte Casino, and in 1989 the merged school system was reorganized. Also, in June, 1989, a sad farewell dinner was held in honor of the good Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who were withdrawn from the parish. The fiftieth anniversary of the building of the new church took place on October 28, 1990, with a Pontifical High Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Bernard W. Schmitt, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, a seminary classmate of Father Szarnicki. In December, 1990, and again in 1991, the parish family came together to celebrate the traditional Polish Christmas feast, Wigilia, in the church hall. Holy Family was again host parish in 1992 for Gorzkie Zale. EPILOGUE In a handful of pages, it is impossible to capture the spirit of a great parish. We can only look back on our past and be thankful to the dedication of our pastors, their assistants, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, and to the numerous volunteers. Moreover, we must never forget that all the good we enjoy was made possible not only by the labors of men, but by the generosity of God Who blesses and makes all things possible. Let us hope that our generation and future generations will book back on Holy Family's glorious past and with firm resolve increase our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary as a celebration of faith. James Wudarczyk A CHRONOLOGICAL FINANCIAL SUMMARY By Reverend Henry A. Szarnicki, S.T.L.; Ph.D. A parish, first and foremost, is people. It is also land, buildings, and finances. It is this latter aspect that becomes the focus of attention in this summary A group of lay leaders purchased the property on the corner of Forty-first and Foster Streets in what was then the seventeenth ward of the City of Pittsburgh. A petition was then forwarded to Bishop Richard Phelan for the formation of a new parish. 8

9 1902 The new parish of Holy Family was established on June 15. Father Anthony Smelsz accepted the appointment as pastor in a letter dated September 10. The delay was caused by the fact that Father Smelsz had been on an extended trip to Europe Demolition was followed with the construction of a church-school building. The cornerstone was blessed on June 7. The completed building was dedicated by Bishop Regis Canevin on March 20. The school was reopened immediately with an enrollment of one hundred The adjacent house and property were purchased and became the residence for the clergy A double house adjacent to the parish property was purchased and this became the convent. Also purchased was a lot seventy-six feet by one hundred fifty feet across Forty-first Street. This was viewed as the future site of a new church. In the meantime the houses became classrooms and the lot the playground An addition of six classrooms was added to the rear of the existing church-school building By this year the school enrollment had reached one thousand students The stock market crash notwithstanding, the parish now under the leadership of Father Ladislaus Śliwiński quietly in December and January of these years purchased nine residences on Forty-fourth Street above Butler Street. One was reserved as the future rectory. The others were demolished to save on taxes. The bricks were cleaned and saved for future use In January, Bishop Hugh Boyle gave permission for the building of a new church. By this time the parish had approximately $91,000 in reserve. The permission allowed for an expenditure of $156, The cornerstone of the new church was laid on January 12 with Bishop Boyle officiating. The new church was dedicated on Thursday, November 28. The Henry Hunt Studios prepared the stained and leaded glass windows at the bargain price of $11, The old church was remodeled into classrooms and gym facilities for the school at a cost of $17, The parish celebrated the burning of the mortgage The church was painted at a cost of $38, The parish now under the leadership of its third pastor, Monsignor Jacob Shinar, entered into a new project with an estimated value of $750,000. It called for the construction of new school-convent complex and a new rectory. Twelve properties adjacent to the church were acquired for $213,000. The old properties and buildings were sold. The parish reserve was depleted. 9

10 1966 On June 16 of this year the parish signed a loan for $471,000 from the diocese. Some time in the 1960's Holy Family Parish passed the peak of its glory years. During the next thirty years or so there was a gradual but continuous loss in parish membership. From more than five thousand souls the current membership numbers less than twelve hundred. The elementary school population has declined from a thousand to thirty-four. There are just six hundred and thirty-three envelope boxes distributed. The average age of the membership is over sixty. Despite these unenviable developments, the parish continued to show amazing vitality. It paid its bills, it supported the school merger in an overly generous manner and it continued to undertake various projects The sanctuary of the church was remodeled to reflect the liturgical changes arising from the second Vatican Council The church was repainted in anticipation of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the parish. The cost was $31, The Jan de Rosen mural entitled "Poland Always Faithful" was added to the rear wall of the sanctuary at a cost of $30, The parish accepted a debt of $36,000 as its share of cost over-runs at Lawrenceville Catholic High School The heating system for the rectory was replaced at a cost of $27, The rectory roof was replaced at a cost of $16, The parish accepted a required loan of $22,000 for unpaid Parish Share assessments. The remaining $82,000 resides in a forgiveness account held by the diocese The social hall received a new floor at a cost of $10, Soffit, fascia and gutters were replaced on the church at a cost of $30, Carpets in the church and rectory, were replaced at a cost of $15, Light fixtures were refurbished at a cost of $7,877. Volunteers provided the labor needed to remove and replace the fixtures The parking lot is re-surfaced, at a cost of $13,000 to the parish. Interspersed among these major undertakings were numerous lesser projects. Many of these, at least in the last five years, were undertaken by a small group of volunteers who came regularly on Mondays to look after maintenance needs. Of course, through this past neigh on to thirty years, the biggest financial burden on the parish was the loan of It was a costly loan. The interest added another $266,287 to the $471,000 that had to be paid to the diocese. This interest figure is final because as of July 1, 1992 Holy Family Parish is debt free. This is the good news with which this financial summary is concluded. 10

11 Currently, Holy Family Parish is listed with the following plant assets by the Diocese of Pittsburgh: Church building and fixtures $614, Church furnishings and equipment 48, Rectory building and fixtures 148, Rectory furnishings and equipment 58, Social Hall furnishings and equipment 5, School building and fixtures 638, School furnishing and equipment 77, Total Plant Value $1,591,