The Church

Timeline of St. Michael's History

Past Pastors from St. Michael's

Introduction

Beginings

1918 to 1949

1950 to 1963

1964 to 1987

1988 to present

1950-1963

Following the death of the beloved Fr. Jackovics, pastor of St. Michael’s for over 31 years, the Rev. Emil Masich, Assistant to Fr. Jackovics, temporarily administered the parish along with the Rev. Theodaore Seginak, O.S.B., until the arrival of the new pastor, the Rev. John Stim, in 1950. The new pastor and area Dean firmly clasped the reins of leadership and guided the parish into what would be fondly looked back on as one of the most memorable and prosperous eras in the history of St. Michael’s.

Among the first of his many immediate accomplishments was the revival of the Immaculate Conception Sodality which welcomed its first new candidates in October, 1950. Also that same year, a Junior Choir and a Boy Scout Troop were organized, and to accommodate the needs of the many parishioners, Msgr. Stim found it necessary to introduce the present schedule of four liturgies per Sunday.

It was less than three short years later Msgr. Stim initiated an extensive renovation project which included the completion of the Stations of the Cross and stained glass windows (begin in 1945) as well as the installation of new Side Altars, the installation of new pews, the hanging of new lighting fixtures, the placement of new tile flooring, the installation of a new heating systems, and the redecoration of the Church walls with murals and religious pictures.

Even while engaged in the above, time was still found to purchase from the City of Passaic the old Washington Public School #2. Msgr. Stim soon reopened the former city school as St. Michael’s Parochial School and Convent, and staffed them with members of a new Religious Order – the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate. On September 9, 1953, Sisters Cyprian, Appolinaria, and Veronica began the first day of class in the new school with prayer. Later, on November 1, 1953, Bishop Daniel Ivancho, Byzantine Catholic Bishop of Pittsburgh, arrived both to solemnly bless the school and convent, and to rededicate the newly renovated Church.

My 1955, Msgr Stim had donned Top Hat and Tails and could be seen marching down Main Street leading the parade of Holy Name Society members which he had organized earlier that same year. Later, as a reward for his untiring devotion in leading St. Michael’s to such new heights, Fr. Stim was elevated to Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) in June, 1959. On this happy occasion, the flock truly rejoiced with their shepherd.

July 31, 1963, was a day that would change forever the course of history that St. Michael’s was destined to follow: on that day the Apostolic Delegate to the United States, Bishop Egidio Vagnozzi, announced that the Pope intended to establish a new Diocese for Byzantine Catholics in the United States. This new Diocese was to be called the “Diocese of Passaic”, and St. Michael’s was designated as its Cathedral! The effects of this announcement became reality when, on September 10, 1963, the Apostolic Delegate canonically installed Bishop Stephen J. Kocisko as the First Bishop of Passaic.

1964 to 1987