Two Bayonne houses of worship are celebrating the legacies of their institutions through yearlong observations involving special Masses and other celebratory occasions.
St. Henry’s Parish between 27th and 28th streets on Avenue C and St. Andrew the Apostle Church at Broadway and Fourth Street, are commemorating 225 years of teaching theology and serving their flocks.
St. Henry’s 125th observation recently began with a special outdoor Mass at the 16th Street Park, while St. Andrew’s 100th observation is drawing to a close this month, with a special gala last weekend at the school reception hall and other smaller dedications.
For St. Andrew’s, the anniversary celebration has been a special one, with the church experiencing many changes in the last few years. Several years ago, St. Andrew’s school was closed when the All Saints Academy was created. More recently in the summer of 2013, the church’s office was “linked” with that of St. Mary’s on 13th Street, effectively combining the administrative staffs of the two institutions.
Recently there has been more talk of Roman Catholic Church consolidations in the city, and the
St. Andrew’s congregants are not sure what that means for their parish.
St. Andrew’s observance began in earnest in November of last year with a special opening Mass. What followed were a Christmas bazaar, annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and a Mother’s Day Mass and breakfast. A special mini-golf day was held in the spring at the municipal course on Del Monte Drive, and special honors were awarded.
But the year was really topped off with the Centennial Anniversary Dinner Dance on Oct. 25, with about 150 attending. The festivities included visits from longtime priests and pastors, as well as nuns from the Sisters of St. Joseph order, which had staffed the school when it was open.
“They were always a major presence here in the parish life at St. Andrew’s,” said Rita Maratta of Hobart Avenue, a church member since birth and a trustee for 10 years.
Parishioner Sharon Kudlacik said the St. Andrew’s yearlong celebration will close with a Mass on Nov. 30.
St. Henry’s al fresco anniversary Mass on Sept. 14 – officially kicking off its celebrations – was celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Donato, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark and pastor at the church. Dozens attended on a sunny, summer day.
Next on the agenda was last weekend’s Oktoberfest on Oct. 25 at St. Vincent de Paul’s Robinson Hall. One hundred people attended the event.
This Sunday, Nov. 2, there will be a noon mass of remembrance for those who have been buried through St. Henry’s Church. Parishioners were asked for the names of loved ones buried from the church for a listing in a special honor roll.
“It’s a very touching ceremony, done by the Bereavement Committee, headed by Carmel Galasso,” said parish spokeswoman Marie Pope. “We do it every year, but this one’s going to embrace many years.”
December will be an important month for the anniversary celebrations. On Dec. 14 at 4 p.m., the St. Henry’s choir will put on a Christmas concert in the church, followed by international desserts.
On Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, parish children will perform a Christmas pageant at 4 p.m.
“Children will act out the gospel of Jesus,” Pope said.
From Jan. 24 to 26, the anniversary celebration will focus on church vocations, with seminarians visiting from Seton Hall University to talk about their vocations at Masses.
On March 7 at the Chandelier restaurant on Broadway is the Gala Dinner Dance, the year’s major event. As many as 200 people are expected to attend. An event commemorative journal, a fundraiser, will celebrate St. Henry’s and its history.
In late May, there will be a special observance of First Communion, where children participate in a procession into church and a crowning of the Blessed Mother. They will also say a portion of the rosary.
The yearlong celebration is likely to end with another special Mass in June, and a parish festival.
E-mail joepass@hudsonreporter.com.