Magyar News, 1992. szeptember-1993. augusztus (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1992-11-01 / 3. szám
Monthly Publication in Cooperation of the local Hungarian Churches & Organization THE EARLY YEARS NOVEMBER, THE MONTH OF ST. EMERY, CELEBRATES THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. EMERY’S CHURCH In the course of history sixty years is not a long time. With regard to the two thousand years of the Church, it is but a flash. Yet for us, and for the life of our parish it is a milestone. There is much to recall as regards the events of sixty years. We can look back with pride on the progress and accomplishments that have been made particularly we can look back gratefully to the many and abundant blessings bestowed on us by God. When we commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the erection of Saint Emery’s Parish in Fairfield, we cannot help but think of the words of Christ Himself: The kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, very small, which grows into a many branched tree... With this in mind we walk back, following the footsteps of History with happy hears and glad spirits through sixty years. THE FOUNDING OF A NEW PARISH After the First World War, and especially during the years from the early ’20’s and ’30’s, many Hungarians began to move out into Fairfield. The Mother Parish of these people, as well as of all the Hungarians of the greater Bridgeport area, was Saint Stephen’s, which was located in the West End of Bridgeport. The distance, and difficulties of transportation, made it hard for the Fairfielders to travel in to St. Stephen’s, as well as difficult for their energetic spiritual Father, Rev. Stephen Csemitzky, to look after them. Realizing this the people, wishing to fulfill a long felt desire, turned to Most Rev. John Nilan, Bishop of Hartford, asking him to establish a parish in Fairfield, The request was warmly received. Two recently organized societies, Men’s Club and a Woman’s League, immediately set to work to gather material means with which they could purchase the necessary property for a Church and Rectory. On January 1st, 1932, Saint Emery’s Parish in Fairfield, was officially established by the Bishop of Hartford, and the Rev. Benedict Biro, a Franciscan Father, was named as first pastor. On Christmas Day, 1931, Father Csemitzky,publicly from thePulpitofSaint Stephen’s bid farewell to his Fairfield spiritual sons and daughters-immediately upon which Father Biro announced that the First Mass in Fairfield would be said on New Years Day. On the day after Christmas a special parish meeting was held in Fairfield where it was decided to enlarge the club house, which stood in the place of the present rectory, and make it over into a chapel. With the few days remaining before New Years, all joined together to ready the temporary chapel. So on January 1st, the faithful gathered together for the first Mass. The following description is taken from a record book, written by Father Biro himself: “I said the first Mass in our small temporary chapel on New Years Day, January 1, 1932. I made no announcements of any kind in order not to spoil the spiritual aspect of the day. We gave thanks to God for the privilege of being able to establish Saint Emery’s Parish. For posterity I note here that the chapel was filled to capacity for the two Masses that day, we counted 547 persons present.” The great work of organizing began at Saint Emery's and immediately one after the other the Altar Society, Rosary Society, Holy Name Society, Scouts and Junior sodalities were established. These societies were the backbone of the parish, from which came the young and old workers, and helpers of the Pastor in the project of building. Very shortly the chapel was found too small, and plans for a new church began to develop. SAINT EMERY’S CHURCH AND RECTORY By the end of February 1932, the plans for the new church were ready. They were prepared by the outstanding ecclesiastical Architect Anthony De Pace of New York. The Diocesan Building Committee having approved the selected plans, the building started. The ground-breaking took place on Easter Sunday 1932 at the present church site. In place of the first chapel, a new temporary chapel was erected on Hibiscus Street. The E. & F. Construction Co. of Bridgeport began in earnest the building program. In the course of the building activities people were accustomed to be seen on Kings Highway facing the new buildings, talking among (continued on page 3)
