Our History

 

 

St. Casimir Church, Riverside

On June 26, 1913, the Parish of Saint Casimir was established by Polish immigrant families to serve the needs of sons and daughters of Poland who journeyed to the United States. In the early days liturgies were celebrated at All Saints Church, Burlington, with Rev. Andrew Szostakiewicz, the first pastor presiding. Soon services were moved to St. Peter Church, Riverside. In 1914 the new pastor, Rev. Julian Zielinski, led the parish in the first Mass celebrated in its own facility, a leased building on New Jersey Avenue. Through the efforts of the parishioners, a church was constructed in 1919 and by 1922, the parish school was opened with classes conducted in the church basement by the Bernardine Franciscan sisters. A school was constructed in 1927.

 

In 1936 the Conventual Franciscan Friars were asked to assume leadership of the community of St. Casimir with Fr. Hubert Konieczny, OFM Conv., serving as the first Franciscan Pastor. From 1940-1960 the parish grew under the wise and gentle shepherding of Fr. Fabian Zator, OFM Conv. It was during these years that the famous Polish Saturday Night dances and other activities helped to form the community in unity and assisted with the parish finances.

 

In 1960 a convent for the sisters was constructed while Fr. Chester Kicia, OFM Conv. was pastor and in 1969 an addition to the school was completed during Fr. Stanley Wlodyka’s, OFM Conv., pastorate. With the worshipping community, the school program and many parish societies flourishing Fr. Edmund Symkiewicz, OFM Conv., led St. Casimir in the construction of a new church building in 1979. While Fr. Robert Grzybowski, OFM Conv., served a pastor, a new rectory was completed. In recent years the church was refurbished and special attention given to the worship life of the parish by Fr. Dennis J. Mason, OFM Conv.

 

This chronicle of material progress, however, is not at the heart of the history and life of St. Casimir Parish. This is but the exterior expression of the interior faith that has always been the foundation of God’s people at St. Casimir. It is faith in their Lord Jesus that has moved them and continues to inspire them to worship God and serve others and to provide the programs, projects and buildings that facilitate those two great works. If you ask a member of the parish why St. Casimir exists, they’ll tell you that “God might be praised and that people might be served.” These are the Gospel calls they have received from Jesus since 1913 and they have been answering them faithfully.

 

Proud of its Polish heritage, but involved fully in the diversity of present day America, St. Casimir Parish journeys forward in faith, hope and love towards the promised Kingdom of God.

 

The Church of the Holy Name, Delran

 

The early 70's was a time of great political, social, and economic change.  As the population grew and more and more families were drawn to suburbia,  the green dairy pastures of Delran gave way to a housing boom. Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Lashlocky, Catholic Swedish dairy farmers, proposed the present site of Holy Name Parish to Bishop Ahr and were willing to donate the land if a parochial school was constructed.

Although a new school was deemed unfeasible, the Diocese purchased the site for $51,000.  On June 12, 1972, Bishop Ahr appointed Fr. Donald Reilly as the founding pastor.  A temporary rectory was purchased on Haines Mill Road and weekly mass was celebrated at the Millbridge Elementary School which affectionately became known as St. Millbridge.

 

Bishop Ahr defined boundaries for the new parish, and Catholics who had attended neighboring parishes were directed to become members of this new entity.  In just two years, the dedication of a 550 seat sanctuary was held on October 5, 1974.  The church reflected the noble simplicity called for by the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Fr. Reilly oversaw the construction of a new rectory in 1978.  Tragically Fr. Reilly died a sudden and untimely death on November 23, 1984 after serving the community for 12 years.

Fr. Michael O'Connor assumed the care of Holy Name Parish in January of 1985 and would serve the community for 18 years. During his tenure a vibrant music program, the RCIA program, the establishment of a Perpetual Adoration Chapel and the construction of the Parish Center all came to fruition. Fr. O'Connor sought out numerous volunteers who assisted with various fund raisers, catechetical instruction, and liturgical ministers who built the parish into a vibrant community.

 

In 2004, Fr. Pasquale Papalia became the third pastor. It was during his brief tenure that the Diocese initiated a study of Burlington County for future planning.  In September 2007, Bishop Smith announced that Holy Name and St. Casimir would merge to become the Church of the Resurrection.  The people of Holy Name bring a spirit of determination, a love of parish and prayerful hope for the future.