CHURCH HISTORY

      In 1926, Patrick Cardinal Hayes entrusted Fr. Edward Marcuzzi the mission of establishing a parish for the Italian-speaking immigrants of the Westchester Square area. Fr. Marcuzzi, with pioneering faith proceeded with a handful of parishioners to open a small chapel, under the patronal tutelage of the Blessed Mother, in an empty store located at 1605 Parker Street, where the first Mass was celebrated on July 8, 1926. A few months later, in November, the present church was erected and received the State Certificate of Church Incorporation on February 1, 1927.

      With Fr. Marcuzzi's death, from 1932 to 1947, Fr. Anthony Profilio, a  Latin scholar who, like his predecessor, was born, educated, and ordained in Italy, served as the second pastor of Santa Maria. Fr. Profilio beautified the church and established many parish societies, such as the Holy Name Society, League of the Sacred Heart, Ladies Auxiliary, St. Theresa and St. Aloysius Societies, Third Order of St. Francis, and the Holy Rosary Society. Fr. Frofilio also sold several parcels of property to the Apostles of the Sacred Heart Private School and Convent on Zerega Avenue in 1934. After his tenure, Fr. Profilio returned to Sicily as Vicar General of his diocese.

       Francis Cardinal Spellman appointed Fr. John Caldarola as the third pastor of Santa Maria. Fr. Caldarola, ordained in 1926, the same year Santa Maria was founded, was responsible for a new period in  the history of the parish. Within the 25 years as pastor, Fr. Caldarola procured authorization from Archdiocesan  officials for the building of the parish school, which was completed in 1951, with the gym and cafeteria in 1957, and the convent in 1964, the latter serving as the residence for the school's teaching sisters, the Apostles of the Sacred heart of Jesus. Fr. Caldarola was named a Monsignor in 1957.

       With Mrsgr. Caldarola's retirement in 1972, Terence Cardinal Cooke appointed Fr. Joseph Adamo as pastor. Fr. Adamo headed an extensive renovation of the church. At a cost of $150,000 the church was transformed into one of the most liturgical and up-to-date sanctuaries of the day. Nearly every appointment in the church was replaced during the redecorating period with the exception of the beautiful stained glass windows that adorn the sides of the church and the marble altars. In 1976, Santa Maria Parish celebrated its  Golden Anniversary with a Jubilee Mass celebrated by Cardinal Cooke.

       In 1981, Fr. Antimo Fiorillo, who had been an associate of Santa Maria since 1949 to 1973, succeeded Fr. Aldamo as pastor. Fr. Fiorillo made the renovation of the school and the school yard his first priority. He completed a $200,000 renovation project that included a new roof for the school, new cafeteria floor, repavement of the playground, and the installaHe also welcomed to Santa Maria the two largest immigrant communities of the area: the Hispanics and the Filipinos.

      With Fr. Fiorillo's retirement In 1993, John Cardinal O'Connor named Fr. John Carbo as pastor. Fr. Carbo took a lead in making needed renovations in the church building, including the installation of a sound system, and he also had necessary repairs completed in the rectory.

       Then, in November 1994, John Cardinal O'Connor asked the Idente  Missionaries of Christ Crucified to administer the parish and named Fr. Fernando Real, M.Id., Pastor. Fr. Fernando makes the spiritual life and unity among the parishioners his primary goal. The spirituality of the parish centers frequent recption of Holy Eucharist, where members become one in the Lord, the head of the Mystical Body. Fr. Fernando also seeks to harmonize into a single family the various cultural groups that comprise the Santa Maria community, including the Italian, Hispanic, Filipino, Indian, and most recently, Vietnamese parishioners.

      The evangelization of youth has crystallized into the many activities of the Idente Youth, providing retreats, weekend camp-out, the Christmas show, the Passion play, weekly prayer groups, and so much more.

SCHOOL HISTORY

Within 25 years in his tenure as pastor, Msgr. Caldarola and the little parish of Santa Maria would far exceed the most optimistic predictions. We mention in outline the deeds that have been more fully recorded in other journals:
1949 + Permission granted to build a school.
1950 + Property purchased on Zerega Avenue.
August 26, 1950 + Groundbreaking ceremony for new school. (Bishop Joseph P. Donahue, V.G., officiates.)
October 26, 1950 + School building found campaign starts.
September 16, 1951 + Solemn Dedication of Santa Maria School (Cardinal Spellman Officiates)
November 30, 1951 + Silver Jubilee of parish. (Bronx Winter Garden: Frivolities of 1952)
November 1, 1955 + Groundbreaking for gymnasium-auditorium.
January 20, 1957 + Fr. Caldarola becomes a Monsignor. (Bishop Pernicone officiates at Installation; Msgr. Filitti is the Homilist.)
March 1957 + Parish school debt paid in full!
April 28, 1957 + Solemn Dedication of gymnasium-auditorium. (Bishop Pernicone officiates.)
February 24, 1963 + Groundbreaking for Sisters’ long-awaited convent.
April 28, 1963 + Building found drive for convent starts.
June 30, 1963 + Blessing of cornerstone.
May 31, 1964 + Solemn Dedication of convent. (Bishop Pernicone officiates.)
October 22, 1966 + 15th Anniversary celebration. (Dinner-dance at Tardi’s.)
October 23, 1996 + 45th  Anniversary celebration. Solemn Mass officiated by Bishop Sheridan, Vicar General.
September 30, 2001 + 50th Anniversary celebration. Solemn Mass officiated by Bishop Brucato, Vicar General.

The first principal of the school was Sister Dolorita. She served from 1951-52, and returned for some months in 1961.

The second principal assigned to Santa Maria was Sister Ernestine (1952-54). She was known to “swing a bat” from time to time; but more importantly, she organized a school patrol squad and the altar boys.

Sister Thomasine arrived and headed the school staff form 1954-60. The era of Fleur de Lis began. This era marked the beginning of the annual May crownings. A queen and her court were selected to reign through the year.

In 1957 the gymnasium-auditorium was added providing needed space. Boys became active in school athletics and girls participated in dancing lessons taught by Madame Pomme. Everyone, boys included, was given instructions in the social graces.

“When I see my Fleur de Lis, I’ll Remember You,” became the school song. The first graduating class of Santa Maria bid farewell to the Sisters in June 1957.

Under Sr. Thomasine’s direction, Santa Maria School saw a renaissance of art and music between 1957 and 1960. A Glee Club and Thespian group became active. The 8th grade sponsored frequent pizza parties for the school, while strains of Italian music played in the background.

Sister Rosemary’s brief tenure as principal was form 1961 to 1963. She is fondly remembered as one who “brought out the best in everyone.”

Groundbreaking for the parish convent took place in 1963. The first Mother Superior of Santa Maria Convent and principal of the parish school was Sister Mary Grace. She introduced new and advanced teaching methods while assigned to Santa Maria form 1963 to 1967. Science fairs became popular events, and educational television sets were installed in every room. And orchestra was organized and there were annual musicals by the children.
Sister Joanne headed the school staff form 1968 to 1972.  A 20-year history of Santa Maria School praised Sister for turning every possible nook and corner into a spot of learning.

An expanded library, a research center, a reading lab, a music center and new overhead projectors were utilized as learning tools. Santa Maria’s children were educated in the most modern and up-to-date atmosphere to be found.

During Sr. Joanne’s tenure, the 8th grade sponsored a youth center each week in the school meeting hall. Dances, recreational activates and planned events were held during the regular school year.

Sister Ritamary served as principal for the 1972-73 term. School enrollment at this time was 368, an increase of four from the previous year.

Sister Ruth was appointed principal in 1973. Enrolment totals for the 1975-76 school year were 385 students. One hundred eighty students attended the public schools’ released time program.

The school teaching staff was expanded. A new instruction program was introduced. Seven Sisters, six lay teachers, one remedial reading teacher and 44 teachers’ aides assisted in the non-graded or “progressive teaching method.”

The  Science Fair, the Art Fair, and the Christmas variety show performed by the students became yearly activities.

Sr. John Catherine (1978-1984)

Sr. Maureen (1984-1990)

Sr. Anne (1990-1996)

Sr. Christian (1996-1999) continued the development of the school, a full-time pre-kindergarten class was established together with a hot lunch program, an after school program and the service of a full-time nurse.

Sr. Ellen (1999-) Under Sr. Ellen's leadership, Santa Maria School was accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. It has been accepted in the E-Rate Program of the federal government, which ensures that it will keep pace with the educational applications of new technology.

In the summer of 2002, a new science room was added with funds provided by the YESS grant of the New York Archdiocese. The school has joined the Library Connection Program, which has allowed a total renovation of the library, both its physical appearance and its content. A new cataloging system, fully electronic, has been put in place.

Sr. Diane Mastroianni is the current principle.