100th Anniversary Celebration to End with Concerts
Mass with Bishop Frank Caggiano
Sunday, June 9th at 2:00 P.M
Saturday, June 15th at 4 P.M.
Holy Name of Jesus Parish
1950 Barnum Avenue
All are welcome!
The Celebration will commence with a concert by famed singer Tony Melendez on Sunday, June 9th at 2:00 P.M. José Antonio Meléndez Rodríguez is a Nicaraguan-American guitar player, composer, singer, and songwriter who was born without arms. A highly talented composer and musician, Tony recorded his first album in 1989, a collection of contemporary Christian songs entitled, Never Be the Same, which resulted in nominations for Best New Artist of the Year from Cashbox Magazine and the Gospel Music Association. His debut Spanish LP, El Muro Se Cayo And The Walls Came Tumblin’ Down, was released to critical acclaim by Latin radio stations across the country. Ways of the Wise, Tony’s second Christian album, includes the musical talents of Gary Chapman and Phil Keaggy. The fall of 1990 CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) Magazine Top Pop List charted Ways of the Wise, Tony’s first single released from the album, at #3.
Holy Name of Jesus will be ending its 100th Anniversary Celebrations on Saturday, June 15th with a choral concert presented by singers and musicians from many Diocesan Parishes. The concert will begin at 4 P.M., followed immediately by a Mass at 5 P.M. celebrated by Bishop Frank Caggiano blessing the “refreshed” Church and dedicating the new Altar. There will be a reception on the Church Lawn and in Heritage Hall to follow. All are invited.
Holy Name of Jesus Parish was founded in 1923 as a “Slovak National Parish” and today welcomes and values families from a variety of cultural backgrounds in Stratford and neighboring communities. Illustrating this, Spanish, Vietnamese, Slovak and Creole Scripture readings and musical selections were incorporated into last year’s opening Mass—and this will happen again at the closing Mass.
“Last June, Bishop Frank opened the 100th Anniversary celebration of the founding of our Parish by blessing our restored façade,” Father Bert Pinciaro, said. “Now, he will mark the completion of our year-long journey by rededicating our newly revitalized Church.”
Early last year, the parish initiated a successful capital campaign which was generously supported by an overwhelming number of parishioners. The campaign enabled a major restoration of the interior of the church building enhancing its beauty and ensuring it will be a landmark of worship and community for the next 100 years. At the Mass, Bishop Caggiano will consecrate a new altar imported from France specially chosen to compliment Holy Name Church’s classic Gothic architecture.
During the year, the Parish hosted activities and events to explore its rich history, strengthen relationships among its parishioners, and build an understanding of diverse aspects of the Catholic faith. Events included a reunion of former students of Holy Name of Jesus School, the rededication and renaming of the Parish Hall as “Holy Name of Jesus Heritage Hall”, and a seven-part Lent to Pentecost Speaker series.
“Thanks to the hard work of many parishioners, our church is renewed – both our Church building and the people of God who call this place their spiritual home.” Father Bert said. “What a momentous and blessed year this has been!”
Omnis qui invocaverit Nomen Domini salvus erit (inscribed above the church’s main entrance).
