2012 Past Events

2012 PAST EVENTS

St. Emery’s 80th Year Anniversary Celebration 
Deacon Rudy’s Trankovich’s 10 Year Anniversary
Roast Beef Dinner
St. Padre Pio New York City Trip
Ladies Victorian Tea Event

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80th ANNIVERSARY (80th Anniversary)

The St. Emery’s 80th Anniversary Luncheon, which also celebrated St. Emery’s Feast Day on November 11, 2012, was a very enjoyable and successful event.  The luncheon featured fine traditional Hungarian food and beverage, live music and an 80-year ‘Trip Through History‘ slide show.

The Knights of Columbus were present during both Sunday masses adding to an elegant recognition of St. Emery’s 80-year history, crossing-the-path of so many people over many generations.

Separate coverage of this event is located on the 80th Anniversary website page.

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DEACON RUDY TRANKOVICH’S 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
September 9, 2012

St. Emery’s Parish held a 10-year anniversary celebration for Deacon Rudy Trankovich on Sunday, September 9, 2012. Deacon Rudy was ordained on June 22, 2002 by Bishop William E. Lori at St. Augustine’s Cathedral in Bridgeport, CT.

Deacon Rudy has been the only Deacon to serve at St. Emery’s Church. He has been a dedicated servant to the Diaconate Ministry and provided St. Emery’s Parish with admirable service over the last 10 years. He has successfully guided the Parish though many changes while holding true to the teaching of the Lord.

10-Year Anniversary

The celebration began with a special Sunday 10:00 AM Mass at St. Emery’s Church followed by a 12:30 PM luncheon at Aldario’s Restaurant in Milford, CT.

Enjoy the following gallery of photographs of both the special Mass and luncheon at Aldario’s Restaurant. The photographs are the work of skilled photographers Chris Bleggi and Henry Kutash.

(Click on any photo image to enlarge)

The Special Sunday Mass
(Before Mass)

Father Montanaro, St. Emery’s Pastor and Administrator and Father (Friar) Emeric Szlezak, who was formerly a Priest at St. Emery’s.

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Deacon Rudy preparing for Mass in the beautiful Sanctuary of the Church.

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Deacon Rudy and his wife Jean (in red) who is sitting to the right of Maria Peodsklanova. Deacon Rudy and his wife recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Deacon Rudy’s family. Third Pew his son Philip with grandchildren Emily and Alison. Second Pew grandchildren Vincent and Nicole and daughter Linda Ardito. Next to his daughter Linda is his son Larry.

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The Special Sunday Mass
(Celebrating Mass)

Deacon Rudy, Father Montanaro and Father Emeric celebrating Mass.

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Father Emeric, who is now retired, was a former and beloved Priest at St. Emery’s for 15 years. Father flew in from St. Petersburg, Florida where he now resides. Father Emeric is 94 years old.

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Deacon Rudy’s Grandchildren Alison and Emily Trankovich and Nicole and Vincent Ardito helping out during the Mass.

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Father Montanaro concluding the special Mass ceremony on the occasion of Deacon Rudy Trankovich’s 10-year Anniversary.

The Choir, with Organist Mr. Procaccini, performed beautifully during the special Mass.

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The Special Sunday Mass
(After Mass)

Father Emeric being greeted by delighted Parishioners following Mass.

Deacon Rudy greeting several of the Parishioners as they leave Mass to go to the Luncheon.

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Henry Kutash, one of St. Emery’s skilled Photographers who along with Chris Bleggi, was responsible for the excellent photography shown in this Gallery.

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The Luncheon
(Aldario’s Restaurant)

Barbara Chuga (left) and Kathy Sherwood welcoming the guests at Aldario’s Restaurant. Kathy is President of the Church Advisory Council. Kathy chaired this successful affair and was Master-of-Ceramonies during the luncheon.

The St. Emery Priests were in full attendance for the luncheon including a guest appearance by Monsignor Joseph Pekar of Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish.

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Father Montanaro spoke of Deacon Rudy’s biography including his 35 years as a teacher and Principal in the Bridgeport School System.

Father Emeric provided interesting insight about his ‘life-in-retirement’ in Florida.

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Deacon Rudy was presented a silver-engraved plaque in appreciation for his service as a Deacon at St. Emery’s Parish.

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Parishioners Attending the Luncheon
(Aldario’s Restaurant)

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Chris Bleggi, one of St. Emery’s skilled Photographers who along with Henry Kutash, was responsible for the excellent photography shown in this Gallery.

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The Planners and the Coordinators

A very large effort went into planning and coordinating this event. We thank the following people for this successful effort.

Kathy Sherwood (Chairperson)
Barbara Chuga
Marie Kassay
Mary Ann Corcoran
Marianne Morehouse
Mary Horvath
Carol Gladstone
Karen Adams
Carroll Fencil

Also contributing were
Madeline Saad (Kathy Sherwood’s sister)
Hull and Orrino Families

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ROAST BEEF DINNER
Sunday, June 9, 2012

The St. Emery’s Roast Beef Dinner sponsored by the Church Advisory Council was well attended. Thanks go to parishioners Henry Kutash (organizer), Barbara Chuga (organizer), Marie Kassay (tickets) and many other volunteers for their hard work planning and organizing this enjoyable affair.

Enjoy the following photos taken during the dinner (click-on any photographic image to enlarge).

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Marie Kassay was responsible for the sale and compilation of all Guest tickets

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Early Arrivals

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The Roast Beef Dinner – Salads, Potatoes, Baked Beans, Vegetables, Bread, Deserts and Beverages

Henry Kutash (left), along with Barbara Chuga (below in red), were the main planners and organizers of this successful St. Emery’s dinner event.

Greg Chuga is shown here conducting the 50/50 raffle.

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Deacon Rudy (left) providing the Blessing of the Food before dinner.

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Father Montanaro (below) addressing the people during dinner wishing all an enjoyable evening.

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Dinner Guests

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Bishop Bela Poznan and his wife from the Hungarian Calvin United Church of Christ in Fairfield.

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Deserts were as Abundant as Ever

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Does not get any better than this!

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ST. PADRE PIO CHARTERED BUS TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY
Saturday, June 2, 2012

The St. Emery chartered bus trip to visit the renown St. Padre Pio Shrine at Church of St. John the Baptist in New York City (201 W. 31st St., 7th Ave) went as planned on Saturday, June 2. It was a sold out affair.

St. Emery’s extended invitations for the trip included St. Padre Pio’s Society and parishioners of St. Margaret Shrine.

The trip was organized by parishioner Mary Ann Corcoran (right photo with granddaughter) aided by her husband Art (upper right-facing photo) and in coordination with Pia Ramadanovic (President) of St. Margaret Shrine.

Although the day started as a rainy day, the weather turned into a beautiful sunny and an enjoyable afternoon in New York City.

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The bus trip down to New York City —–

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Church of St. John the Baptist
Shrine of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

St. Padre Pio is renown for his remarkable recurring stigmata and was canonized a Saint relatively recently in 2002. Stigmata are marks corresponding to those left on Jesus’ body by the Crucifixion.

The St. Emery NYC trip included a a guided tour of Church of St. John the Baptist, which has the largest collection of relics of St. Padre Pio.

Carmine Marotta (right), Administrator for the St. Pio Padre Shrine, conducted the tour.

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Beautiful Stations of the Cross and relics of St. Padre Pio are displayed throughout the Church.

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Celebrating The Mass

Following the Church tour, a beautiful recital of the Rosary was held at noon, which was followed by Mass.

Father Thomas H. Franks (left), Pastor of St. John the Baptist, and Father Picone celebrated the Mass.

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St. Emery’s parishioners (right and below).

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Church of St. John the Baptist Gardens

The Gardens of St. John the Baptist are located on the grounds of the Church.

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Departing for Little Italy

The Church of the Precious Blood in Little Italy is known for the Shrine and Feast of San

Gennaro, martyred Patron of Naples Italy. This Little Italy feast is held in September for 11 days and is said to attract

over 1 million visitors every year.

Lunch was held at the Grotto Azzurra  in Little Italy. The Grotto opened in 1908 and famous for its past celebrities. They accommodated our group of 54 people very well and the food was very good. All enjoyed.

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LADIES VICTORIAN TEA
Sunday, April 29, 2012

The St. Emery Ladies Victorian Tea was a delightful and entertaining affair. The Church Hall was transformed into an elegant setting with abundant fresh flowers and the traditional lace. The Ladies attendance filled the Church Hall on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. The Victorian Tea Menu was skillfully prepared and the service by the ‘British Maids’ was special. The entertainer, Kandie Carle, also known as “The Victorian Lady” was widely received and everyone enjoyed the performance.

Enjoy the following photographic tour of the event (click-on any photographic image to enlarge).

Church Hall – ‘British Maids’

Every table had beautiful fresh flowers, a formal tea plate setting and pastel colored table clothes with lace.

In keeping with the Victorian era, ‘British Maids’ were used to bring food and tea to the Ladies attending the affair. Clockwise seated, Veronica Dicso, Kimberly Scinto, Carol Ann Gladstone, and Nikki Bleggi.

Elegant Flower Bouquets, Lace and handmade window Topiary displays by Nikki Bleggi and Veronica Dicso.

The ‘British Maid’ in silhouette is Carol Ann Gladstone.

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Early Arrivals and Cast

The doors opened at Noon and the event started at 12:30 PM but many people arrived early. Our photographers were on-hand.

From left, Karen Adams and Barbara Chuga. Barbara was one of the four main planners along with Kathy Sherwood (President of Advisory Council), Marie Kassay and Mary Ann Corcoran.

Karen Adams was one of many volunteers that helped with set-ups, cleaning and the large amount of food preparation.

From left, Marie Kassay and Barbara Chuga, two of the main planners, and Maureen Chuga in the elegant Victorian Hat.

There were several door prizes and all table flowers were given to the person who had the oldest dated coin.

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Victorian Ladies Tea – Delicate Sandwiches, Tea and Deserts

“WELCOME to ST. EMERY’S VICTORIAN TEA”

A serving of a variety of delicate sandwiches, a wide variety of Tea selections and abundant deserts.

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Every table was served by the four lovely ‘British Maids’.

A choice of seven sandwich and pinwheel ingredients were offered. The sandwiches and pinwheels were all handmade by a group of several volunteers.

Special thanks to the Bigelow Tea Company for their donations along with Mary Horvath and Ethel Evan.

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The Ladies

Kathy Sherwood (left in red in front of the Hungarian flag) is the President of the Church Advisory Council and the one responsible for conceiving and leading this event.  Well done!

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Mrs. Pearl Pavel Bodnar (left bottom) with her family is St. Emery’s 100 year old Centenarian. She attends Sunday Mass quite regularly.

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Entertainment – Candie Carle, The Victorian Lady

Entertainment was provided by Kandie Carle, a lady who demonstrates the fine (and funny) art of dressing in Victorian era style clothing.

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Encore

All table flower bouquets were the prize of the person with the oldest dated coin on their person.

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Our young  ‘British Maids’ made it through the party  —–

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Ladies Victorian Tea Volunteers

Twenty-Four people volunteered their time and effort to make the Victorian Tea a success. Many thanks to everyone.

Main Coordinators

Kathy Sherwood
Barbara Chuga
Mary Ann Corcoran
Marie Kassay

Volunteers
Carol Gladstone
Karen Adams
Barbara Fencil
Pat Hull
Marianne Scinto
Kimberley Scinto
Pat Dicso
Veronica Dicso
Mae Kassay
Wendy Bleggi

Nikki Bleggi
Betty Hasak
Helen Norton
Irene Olah
Mary Horvath
Maggi Gagyi
Doris Estock
Lureen Pekar
Mary Kocsis
Carol Ann Gladstone

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Following St. Emery’s extensive restoration in 2000, artistic handwoven tapestries from St. Stephen of Hungary Church in Bridgeport were discovered in storage a few years later by Father Pintye.

The tapestries were meticulously handcrafted to commemorate St. Elizabeth’s Altar Society (1917-1937) and to present the Monstrance, which displays the consecrated Eucharistic host. The letters IHS are the monogram of Jesus Christ.

(Click on tapestries and Crucifix to enlarge)

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This Crucifix located on the wall between the two tapestries was refurbished and remounted during the 2000 restoration..