Today the Oratory Parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Bridgeport, CT celebrated a Solemn Mass and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the fifth anniversary of administration of the parish by the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest. Rev. Canon Matthew Talarico, Superior of the American Province of the Institute was the celebrant. After Mass, the Te Deum was chanted followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Sts. Cyril and Methodius was founded in 1907 as a Slovak parish in the midst of the factories and rail lines of Bridgeport. While serving its founding community, this parish for many years also played an important role in the life of the city of Bridgeport. The Traditional Mass has been celebrated at Sts. Cyril and Methodius continuously since the parish’s founding, except for a hiatus between 1970 and 1998.
As the years progressed, the original parishoners moved away and the parish’s surroundings became desolate indeed. The school and convent closed and there was even talk of closing the parish as well. Yet, due to the efforts of the pastor of many years, Msgr. Joseph Pekar, the celebration of the Traditional Mass continued and the beautiful interior of the church was preserved, despite all the adversity. Indeed, the preservation of the parish was attributable precisely to the celebration of the Traditional Mass. And, in 2017, the parish was entrusted to the care of the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest. The result has been a great renewal and expansion of the life of the parish.
Frank Caggiano, the bishop of Bridgeport, sent a lettter which was read to the congregation before the Mass in which he expressed his best wishes on the occasion of this anniversary and for the continued flourishing of this apostolate. Msgr. Pekar also sent his greetings – he is recovering from an operation and could not attend. A reception followed the liturgy.
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