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From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: St. Casimir’s Polish National Church may close unless attendance improves: One hundred-year- old St. Casimir’s Church looking for new congregants
St. Casimir’s Polish National Catholic Church celebrated its centennial two years ago, but the church’s future is very much in doubt.
The congregation is now only about 20 families, down from a peak of about 600 from years ago. But those who are members are determined to do whatever they can to keep the church going.
John Weldy is among them. A retiree of Eastman Kodak Co., Weldy started attending the Simpson Road church about eight years ago, when his wife, Maria, a Polish native, stumbled upon St. Casimir’s on a cul-de-sac near their St. Paul Boulevard home.
They met in England when Weldy was there working for Kodak. They came to Rochester where Weldy had worked before going to England in 1999.
“She came all the way from Poland and found a Polish church just around the corner,” said Weldy. “For my wife, it was quite a pleasant surprise.”
Maria Weldy was visiting family members in Poland and not available for comment. John Weldy, who plays in various jazz ensembles, started playing the church organ on special occasions, but now plays every Sunday, during the church’s lone Mass at 10 a.m.
Weldy has taken popular songs by artists such as the Beatles, Lionel Ritchie and Phil Collins, and melded them into hymn-like tunes that he plays before Mass begins. His wife and their daughters have helped out in all aspects, including readings and altar service.
“What I like about the church is it has a free and open approach, it’s not strict or rigid,” Weldy said. “But we don’t have a success formula from a business standpoint. We just don’t know where (the church) is going.”
St. Casimir’s is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese, as is the nearby St. Stanislaus Church on Hudson Avenue, which also is rooted in Polish heritage. St. Casimir’s is part of the Polish National Catholic Church, which formed in 1897 and is based in Scranton, Pa. The church has more than 25,000 members nationally, according to its Web site.
Ilona Frederick of Rochester just started attending St. Casimir’s a few months ago.
“It’s a beautiful church,” she said. “What’s nice about it is that it’s so small.”
The pastor is the Rev. Marek Gnidzinski, a Polish native who served at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Batavia for nine years. He started at St. Casimir’s in June.
The small congregation is nothing new for Gnidzinski. He served as a missionary priest in Africa years ago and said he would travel 100 miles to meet up with 10 or so people and celebrate Mass.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s one person or 1,000, my approach is still the same,” Gnidzinski said.
But the struggle with St. Casimir’s is difficult, said Gnidzinski, who said he expects a decision on the church’s fate from his bishop very soon.
“I’ve got pretty good hopes about it,” he said. “I’ve done everything in my power. But without new members, it’s difficult to survive.”
Note that the article is incorrect in relation to the Bishop deciding the fate of the Parish. If a Parish were to close that must be the decision of the people who are members of that Parish. The Bishop only conducts the vote on a closure and such a vote is only made at the request of the Parish membership.
If you are looking for a Parish, St. Casimir’s is located in Irondequoit at 500 Simpson Street, Rochester, NY 14617. More information is available here. For a map see Google Maps.
It is truly sad to see that even Polish National Catholic churches are
shrinking in membership and may close. I am familiar with reasons for the
decline in numbers of Polish Roman Catholic parishes, but can you tell
us why the PNCC is also suffering a reduction in members and local
churches? Where and why are other PNCC parishes growing?
Thomas,
I think for some it is similar to the R.C. experience; generations moving away from rustbelt cities, a failure in some parishes to adapt quickly enough to changing demographics, an overall lack of faith throughout society coupled with an over-reliance on private judgment over received truth (i.e., I’m spiritual, not religious), self-centeredness (i.e., who needs religion and community when I can have God to myself at home).
The parishes that are growing are those that are most open to new members – an attitude of openness and welcome, those with dynamic clergy (not dynamic in terms of super charisma, but at the human level), hard working priests and Parish committees who make it happen. I’ve seen those on the verge of death come back because the priest and people got to work and created an atmosphere of life. Something in there about attitude that overcomes despair. The fastest growing parishes are also those in the South and West who minister to primarily Hispanic congregations.
I heard a recent anecdote about a New Jersey parish. A hispanic couple came to the pastor and asked if he would assist them in holding a prayer service and procession. He invited them of course, not expecting anything extraordinary. Several hundred of people showed up…
That said, the PNCC has no real issue or problem with small parishes. Some, particularly in quickly dying towns, soldier along with a low weekly attendance and a good pastor. As long as they pay their bills etc. they are perfectly at home with their situation.
As Bishop Grotnik of blessed memory once told me, do not worry or be concerned, just pray.