A long-time member and friend of the JPII Foundation
On October 23, 2022, the John Paul II Foundation New York Chapter participated in ceremonies commemorating and honoring the holy memory of Monsignor Piotr Żendzian.
Seven years have passed since the death of this great priest, but many of us remember well that day when the beautiful and spacious church of St. Matthias on Ridgewood could hardly accommodate all the faithful (both clergy and laity) who came to bid him farewell.
Monsignor Żendzian was an extraordinary figure. Known for his pastoral and social commitment, he was present almost everywhere and known by everyone – such as by New York firefighters or police officers who secured processions around churches, where he was a parish priest, or by local banks or businesses that he engaged to support the activities of parish children or young people.
Our New York Chapter of the John Paul II Foundation – like many organizations – could always count on the presence of Fr. Piotr at our celebrations such as annual Christmas wafers or banquets, on the friendly provision of parish rooms for our events, on the celebration or con-celebration of the Holy Masses on anniversaries related to John Paul II. It was one of the Polish charities, whose chaplain was Monsignor Żendzian – Children Smile Foundation, who took the initiative to name a fragment of the 61st street leading to the Church of the Holy Cross on Maspeth after Him.
In this symbolic way, the grandson of emigrants from Poland, a citizen of Maspeth, and a long-time pastor of the Holy Cross parish will be commemorated on the most frequented corner of this Polish community area. This is a unique intersection – the 56th Street where the Church of the Holy Cross stands is called “Pope John Paul II Way”, and the perpendicular to it fragment of the 61st Street from that day is called: “Monsignor Peter Zendzian Way”.
A special bronze plaque commemorating late Prelate Żendzian was placed in the beautiful Marian Grotto. Fr. Piotr’s sister – Barbara, who was present with the whole family at the celebrations, unveiled the plaque.
The dedication of the commemorative plaque was made by His Eminence Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and His Eminence Bishop Witold Mroziewski. Both bishops also celebrated a solemn Holy Mass that began the entire event.
Polish diaspora organizations, Polish Saturday schools with their banners, as well as priests and faithful from several parishes gathered in large numbers on Sunday to honor the special priest.
Elżbieta Serdak
