PARISH MILESTONES: St. Rose of Lima celebrates 100 years


By Elizabeth Lowe

elowe@CatholicReview.org
 
St. Rose of Lima in Brooklyn marked the beginning of its centennial anniversary in February with a liturgy, celebrated by Bishop Denis J. Madden. A parish history, compiled by Mary Beth Barnes, pastoral associate and director of religious education, shows a faith community that has persevered.  
·        Following construction of a small wooden church, the parish’s first Mass was celebrated in 1914.
 
·        The parish was touched by several tragedies. Fires destroyed the church in 1915 and 1950, and the parish school in 1926. During a 1956 oyster roast at nearby Arundel Hall, another fire killed 11 people and sent 250 to hospitals. During a February 1967 liturgy, the roof of the church collapsed under the weight of snow.
 
·        Pastors included Monsignor Leonard J. Ripple, who served for nearly for four decades, and Auxiliary Bishop T. Austin Murphy.
·        The parish shares liturgies and a pastor, Father Robert A. DiMattei Jr., with St. Athanasius in Curtis Bay. He became pastor in 2010, the same year the parish school closed. 
 
·        The renowned St. Rose Singers provide music at the 9:15 a.m. Sunday Mass.
 
To learn more about the parish, visit stroseparish.org.


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