Magyar News, 2006. január-május (17. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)

2006-01-01 / 1. szám

The newspapers on front page printed articles with headline like “Church closing stuns parishioners. Worshippers ‘floored’ by armed escort from building”. It was an upsetting and sad event for the Hungarian community. My parents married in the old building. I attended Hungarian classes there. As a kid instead going around the corner to get to the church. I scaled a couple of fences to make a

shortcut. At the new social hall we held many events. Mary Katona organized fund-raising events for the Hungarian Scholarship that was connected to the University of Bridgeport, and supported six post-grad students from Hungary. This congregation deserved help and dignity.

Joseph F. Balogh Editor

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This postcard from 1909 depicts the original woodframe Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Bostwick Avenue in Bridgeport,CT

Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church Who we were! Where are we going?

By: Christopher Gombos

I wanted to take this opportunity to first thank our Hungarian Community for all of your prayers and support. For those of you who do not yet know, Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church on Scofield Avenue in Bridgeport, CT was closed after 111 years of service to the Hungarian community on Sunday October 30, 2005. What does this mean for the parishioners? We don't yet know, only the Lord knows the outcome. It is a very sad time, yet it is a joyous time as well!!! That may sound strange, but if you will indulge me, let me explain. As a parish which has been in existence over 111 years, we realize the days of Holy Trinity's St. Nicholas day dinners are over. So are the days of Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church's Bazaar and Hungarian Food festival. The weekly Divine Liturgy which had been celebrated with reverence on Scofield A- venue, is no longer in the said location that our parents and grandparents along with our children and grandchildren worshiped in for the last 49 years.

However, this gives us the tremendous opportunity to examine ourselves, our spiritual lives and our history. That gives me a lot of hope for the future.

Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church was founded 111 years ago on July 4, 1894 (according to official records, although some have said it is earlier than that). The Spirit of God moved 18 men in Bridgeport, CT who were already united by their common Hungarian descent to band themselves together and found a fraternal organization. They soon recognized

the need for a chapel to be the center of their lives and work. On October 14, 1894 they gathered $80.88 and used it to furnish a chapel in the home of Karoly Lomniczer.

The need for a church was quickly realized, now that we had our own pastor, Rev. Mihály Balogh. In 1895 a plot of land was purchased on Bostwick Avenue, in the "little Hungary" section of Bridgeport. The Church continued to grow and strengthen.

During that time, two other Byzantine (Greek Catholic) Churches formed in Bridgeport as well. St. John the Baptist, for those of Slavic descent (now in Trumbull and various Eastern Orthodox Parishes throughout the Bridgeport area) and St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church (on the comer of Bamum and Noble Avenues) for those of Ukrainian descent.

Through the grace of God, Holy Trinity continued to grow and prosper during the worst of times. (World War I, the Great Depression, a schism leading many of the faithful to Eastern Orthodoxy over the issue of celibate clergy and property control. Followed with World War II and Vietnam) In 1954 property was purchased on Scofield Avenue and plans for a new church were begun. The Black Rock section of Bridgeport was seen as convenient for many since many parishioners no longer lived in "Little Hungary". Ground was broken under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Emil Gulyassy in February 1955 and completed in May 1956. In November of 1956, the parish lost its shepherd of more than 34 years.

However, with God's continued grace the parish continued to move forward. During Fr. Gulyassy's illness the Rev. László Orosz was given temporary assignment as pastor of Holy Trinity and asked to remain as permanent pastor until October of 1978.

Fr .Orosz used his administrative ability to meet all needs of the parish family. The old church, rectory, and social hall were sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese

of Bridgeport. The new needs continued to be addressed with the building of a rectory in 1958 and a parish social hall y2 block away from the church and rectory.

Following the transfer of Fr. Orosz, Holy Trinity was blessed with a young dynamic priest, Fr. Marcel Szabó for 10+ years. During that period of time Holy Trinity once again prospered as new Life was brought into the parish. Following his departure God blessed us once again with a married priest with a family in Fr. Andor Rakaczki. (Fr. Gulyassy was also a family man) In Fr. Andor we had our final full time pastor. In July of 1999 we were placed under the administration of Fr. George Malitz who served us until he closed our church with Bishop Andrew Pataki's blessing.

Now, many of you are probably saying, nice history but, their parish was just closed so what is there to look forward to the future? Faith!!! Over the last 15 months of the parishes' existence we were once again allowed to utilize our hall. Not only did we host numerous very successful functions but by once again being allowed to utilize our social hall the community once again became a strong, faith-filled one.

Do we have moments of despair and concern? Yes. We wouldn't be normal if we didn't. But, it is the grace of God which took 18 men back in 1894 to create a 111 year legacy. The Spirit of God, I believe is with us. And as an Eastern Christian, that is all I need to keep hope alive. □

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