A Church Anniversary is More Than an Event:
It is the Work of Generations – Accomplished by the Faithful
in Their Moment of Time

Meet Some of Those Who Volunteered

Pictured above, left to right; Front Row: Beatrice Girman, Jerry Dziak, General Chairperson; Very Rev. Gary Mensinger, Honorary Chairperson; Judy Smith, Co-Chairperson; Irene Cigan, Banquet Chairperson; Second Row: Elizabeth Davenport, Mary Anne Fedor, Publicity and Website Manager; Margaret Brozzoski, Mary Ryzner, Mary Lou Colwell, Pat Stout, ; Third Row: Mike Moran, Liturgical Chairperson; Mary Ann Matosky, Program Book Chairperson; Felix Zelenowski, Joseph Halat, Linda Hando, Invitation Chairperson; Dennis Merce, Joseph Sabach, Dan Fetch; not in photo:  Heather Cherasaro, Tech support; John Dziak, Heritage Program Event Manager.

Reflections on the 100th Anniversary Celebration

In the fall of 2014, Very Rev. Gary Mensinger invited parishioners of St. Michael Church to an exploratory meeting to discuss proposals and views on celebrating the parish’s 100th Church Anniversary, 13 months away.

The parishioners were unanimous in wishing to celebrate such an important landmark, understanding this would require a year of work to make this type of event successful.  Under the advisement of Rev. Mensinger, a General Chairperson and Co-Chairperson were nominated and voted upon to oversee all future meetings and completion of needs.  The parishioners also quickly set about forming several committees to concentrate efforts, given the diverse responsibilities, deadlines, and tasks that needed to be fully accomplished.    Committee Chairpersons or Managers were nominated or volunteered, voted upon, and agreed to accept the responsibilities of their specific role. (See photo for details).

Subsequently, over the next year, the pastor and all the committee members came together each month at a general planning meeting.  They discussed details of their work, asked questions, and offered suggestions.   They gave reports on the progress of their assignments as well as identified previously unrecognized concerns or needs.   Steadily working both independently and together, the parishioners accomplished goals and organized events that took place prior to the November 1, 2015 Anniversary date.  There were events for the community at large, such as the annual flea market and food events.  There was also a free-to-attend historical/educational presentation with guest speakers who insightfully described the journey made by the founders of the church, and a glimpse into their lives before coming to America.  Displays and resources were made available to all to learn more of the church’s history and roots.

The pre-event activities and the Anniversary Day celebration on November 1, 2015 were not limited to parishioners, but opened to the community, to past parishioners and families, other pastors, and community leaders.  Patrons were sought in publication of an Anniversary book, and in financial support of the celebration.  Programs written and printed.  Invitations arranged.  Menus determined.  Seating plans created. Floral arrangements ordered.  Liturgical services set and organized.  New vestments purchased.  Announcements of events publicized to all.  Arrangements finalized for the November 1st Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Kurt Burnette, bishop of the Byzantine Ruthenian Eparchy of Passaic.  This included invitations and arrangements for other concelebrating and guest clergy, guests, and families as well as all the needs of organizing a banquet after the Liturgy.  Every detail considered and managed.  All completed with little leeway of time to spare and with the inevitable realization that one year of planning was not actually enough time to do it all.

While the focus is on the excitement of a parish celebrating such a landmark event, it could not be overlooked that the anniversary presented an opportunity to do more in a broader sense.  And that was underscoring the important role that St. Michael the Archangel Church played historically and spiritually to the people of the Greater Pittston area.  What better chance to make others aware of a church’s place in the community?

Parishioners were and continue to be proud of the parish.  What it means to them personally and in their families.  They are deeply grateful in reflecting upon those who preceded them, with its founding.  Many working on the committees for the 100th Anniversary were descendants of those who made the 50th Anniversary possible; and even further back in time, of those who laid the groundwork at the parish’s very beginning.  Those who contributed behind the scenes without recognition by name, were equally instrumental as patrons and volunteers.

An anniversary celebration is more than what is seen in the present.  It is a sum of the past; it is a realization of needs that exist into the future.  It is an awareness of people and of time.

An anniversary celebration has a remarkable way of bringing people together and realizing they have much to be thankful for.  Often in the older Byzantine Catholic parishes in America, in response to the hurdles and challenges the founders faced in being accepted wherever they built a church — parishes often mislabeled and misunderstood — there can be a tendency to feel insecure relationally to the outside community.  We can say that St. Michael’s in Pittston has earned its place on the map and is no longer a mystery in the northern section of Pittston, an unknown to others around the town.  That spirit of our parishioners being proud of their faith, our Byzantine rite, and our roots was aptly symbolized visually for all to see: as a banner suspended for one year on the facade of the church.  It was a prominent way of saying to everyone passing by, “We are here! And with God’s good graces, we will endure as a people of faith. We are no longer a hidden gem. Come and visit. Come and see. You are welcome to visit and worship with us!”

God Grant Us Many Years