By Nicole Falco
Holy Name of Mary Church has served about half of the Valley Stream Catholic community since the celebration of its first mass on March 18, 1902 in the old Corona Avenue firehouse. Now, after 100 years of masses, memories, prayers, marriages, baptisms and funerals, the church commenced its centennial celebration with a special mass and reception in the school on New Year's Day.
Everyone was invited and if you were there it may have seemed like just about everyone was there. It was standing room only at the noon mass and there was barely a morsel of food left to be had by reception's end. By all accounts, the day was a success.
"This is a community celebration. We hope by year's end people have a stronger sense of community. Perhaps some people who are distant [from the church] may find this is an occasion to become more involved and return to the sacraments," said Pastor Thomas Harold after the reception.
The Anniversary Planning Committee had ordered food for 500, according to Marilyn Moscola , but reasoned that many more than that had attended. Hopefully, the success of the kickoff jubilee will carry over into the dozens of events planned by the committee throughout 2002.
Among the hundreds who came to celebrate were many parishioners who shared memories of the parish long before the first stone was laid for the school on May 16, 1938. Parishioners recalled the former, much smaller, So. Grove Street church and rectory. The So. Grove Street church held its first official mass on April 24, 1904.
"It was a very pretty, wooden church. There were pews only in the front, they often used folding chairs because the church didn't need that many seats," said Raeder.
Raeder's sister, Phil, 87, told how their mother had been a cook in the rectory. At the time Father McGovern was the pastor. McGovern served the community from 1902 until his death in 1952. Many at the jubilee recalled Fr. McGovern.
Jim Buckley, 78, said his father was an alter boy for Fr. McGovern. Buckley remembers the founding pastor as a "tough man" who loved the Dodgers.
Jack Mahoney, 78, added, "He was strict, but he was a heck of a good pastor."
From Fr. McGovern to Father Theodore Lature to Msgr. Daniel Fagan, who served from 1995 until his death in 2000 to Fr. Harold, who became pastor in June 2000, the church's pastors and priests have steered the parish through good times and bad.
Town of Hempstead Councilman James Darcy spoke of Fr. Daly and Fr. Mulligan "...on those trips to the beach or bike rides around town.... It's almost impossible to separate Holy Name of Mary with my very being. This church has been interwoven in my whole life," Darcy said. The former Valley Stream mayor came to the parish as a child in 1955, was married here and had his children baptized here. "It's been the focal point of our lives through good times and bad. Fr. Tom [Harold] has been a God-send to the community especially during these difficult times."
Among the parish's long-time members, is Marge Chvatal, who is on the anniversary committee. Chvatal offered the champagne toast at the reception. "I feel so blessed to have lived my entire life in Valley Stream and be a part of Holy Name of Mary. I have sweet memories when I leave the church and am able to look across the street [to E. Jamaica Avenue] at the house of my birth [in 1922]," Chvatal said.
Others had happy memories including Jerry Walsh, a former member of Boy Scout Troop 105. Walsh recalled the snowball fights between his troop and the troop from Grace Methodist Church. Mahoney remembers skipping out on Saturday catechism classes to take in a movie with friends, until, of course, he was caught. Chvatal told of the fairs the church held in an open lot that is now the school, built in 1938. A Buick was often raffled at the fairs.
"The church plays a vital role in the community...even though it's a very large town it does have a small village feel to it. People are attached to it, they take great pride in it," Fr. Harold said.
"Something pulls me back here [to Valley Stream]. I just can't get away...I grew up here. My roots are here," concluded Walsh.
Upcoming centennial Events
Some of the numerous events planned throughout the year to celebrate Holy Name of Mary's centennial: a Spaghetti Supper on Feb. 8 at 7:00 p.m. Seats are limited, so contact the parish early. On Feb. 10 at noon, the church will have an anniversary mass for married couples followed by a reception. Also in the works are "Pray, Play, Pasta Nights" happening throughout March, a St. Patrick's dinner and dance on Mar. 16, a trip to Atlantic City on Apr. 8, a parish picnic on June 8, a Centennial Anniversary Mass for the Feast of the Birth of Mary on Sept. 8, and closing dinner on Nov. 8 at the Milleridge Cottage. There are also many events happening in between, so contact the parish at 9516) 825-1450 or watch for announcements in the church's weekly bulletin. All are welcome and the parish hopes to see many new faces in church and at these events throughout the year.
