By: Karenlyn Barone
Recovering from the murders of its beloved pastor, the Rev. Larry Penzes, and parishioner, Eileen Tosner, in 2002, the congregation suffered another loss when its new pastor, the Rev. Mark Rowan, left abruptly, after only two weeks. This year parishioners were forced to stand together and relive the tragic murders during a painful trial in a Mineola courtroom, in which justice was delivered. Yet despite these setbacks, the church has been guided by its new leader, the Rev. Bill Breslawski, into the light again.
Our Lady of Peace Church, or as it is fondly known, OLP, is an intimate parish of about 2,500 families that encourages its members to establish strong familial ties. It is just that feeling of unity that helped the parish get through its darkest hour, when, on the morning of March 12, 2002, Peter Troy, 35, entered the church, pulled a rifle from underneath his trench coat and opened fire. The aftermath of that Mass was the senseless murders of Penzes, 50, as he stood on the altar, and Tosner, 73, who was gunned down while praying. The members of OLP, and the community as a whole, shocked by the events that transpired in their beloved church, fell into a period of deep mourning.
A new pastor came to guide the parish, but found himself unable to serve the people as he had hoped. It was too difficult for Rowan to serve on the same altar where his longtime friend, Penzes, had been killed. He announced to the congregation, just two weeks after his arrival, that he was leaving.
Fortunately, the parish received a much-needed blessing when it welcomed Breslawski into its fold. Early on, the soft-spoken priest recognized his new parish as a community still alive with spirit and vitality, despite its losses. "The level of wholehearted involvement in parish life here is magnificent," Breslawski said in an interview earlier this year.
Last March, to honor the memories of Penzes and Tosner and to mark the first anniversary of their deaths, OLP's close-knit congregants marked their anniversary of anguish with dignity and devotion. They held services for both parishioners and schoolchildren. After a memorial Mass, the students who attend OLP School marched in a quiet procession to the school's courtyard, where a tree was planted in memory of Penzes. Later, a meeting room in the church was named in Tosner's memory. Church members were guided through the emotional storm by the gentle and compassionate hands of Breslawski.
"He is a fantastic priest, a fantastic leader and a fantastic person," said long-time parishioner John Bonomo. "When I hear Father Bill speaking at church, or just meet him in the parking lot, he always makes me feel good. He always makes me smile."
Last June, the trial of Peter Troy, the OLP gunman, was held. Every day, members of the congregation were present in the courtroom, offering support to the families of Penzes and Tosner. Every day, members of OLP sat in the courtroom, reliving the events of that fateful morning, representing all those who were touched by the tragedy. When Troy was convicted, the congregation did not cheer, but rather prayed silently for strength.
"This year, we had the trial, which brought back so many bad memories." said Bonomo. "But the parish has moved on. The parish has flourished."
In spite of what was taken from them, this assemblage of souls continues to give. Recently, a family from the nearby section of Lakeview, in Malverne, lost their home in a pre-Christmas Eve fire. The blaze left 15 people, four adults and 11 children, homeless for the holidays. The members of OLP quickly and generously came to their aid, sending funds for their recovery and hope for their future.
"Fortunately, the people of this parish have always pitched in and given very generously of themselves," said Breslawski. "Thanks to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the parish continues to touch almost every area of people's lives, ranging from the very happy to the very sad."
Happy events continue at OLP, and have helped in the healing process. The Father Lawrence Penzes Memorial Golf Outing has become an annual event, with donations benefiting the church and its school.
Many OLP families send their children to the parish school, which fosters the feeling of unity among the church and school. There are countless positive activities that fill the school year, and it's not unusual to find students' parents involved in religious education, fund-raising and otherwise offering support to the school's principal, Sister Mary Dowden.
"Everyone is involved here," said Bonomo, whose own children graduated from OLP and whose wife is a teacher's assistant in the school's third grade. "The school and the church are really joined at the hip, with Sister Mary making the school run. People who get involved in school activities get involved in parish life as well."
Our Lady of Peace hosts an annual carnival, and has an active Parish Social Ministry that, among other things, sponsors a bereavement group. There are weekly prayer meetings in the Parish House, a busy thrift shop, an energetic Youth Group, and a program that delivers holiday plants and greetings to the hospitalized, homebound and bereaved members of the parish and the community.
"OLP is the sum of all the dedicated people who run so many different facets of the parish," said parishioner Lorrine Dowd. "We have been blessed with Father Bill and Sisters Grace, Barbara, Joanne and Mary, the parish staff and so many parish members that volunteer for jobs, both big and small. Whatever job you volunteer for, you are welcomed warmly and made to feel valuable."
This strong rock of faith is precious to many lives in the Lynbrook community. And the small, intimate, one-priest parish is an inspiration for its members and those who benefit from its kindness.
"We are trying to build on the wonderful legacy left by Father Larry, and the members of the parish seem to feel his presence, encouraging them to get involved wholeheartedly in parish life," said Breslawski. "We know that Father Larry would want us to continue to try our best to build God's kingdom here in Lynbrook, and we are dedicating our efforts to him. The people are responding magnificently to the invitation to participate in the life of the community. Father Larry would be proud."
