PASTORS OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL CHURCH

OVER 100 YEARS OF TRADITION AND MEMORIES

   

Rev. Msgr. Daniel F.X. Burke

(1906 to 1921)

Founder - First Pastor

 

First Pastor and Founder of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.  Msgr. Daniel F.X. Burke, a priest at St. Philip Neri Church on the Grand Concourse, spoke Italian and welcomed the Italians as a loving father at St. Philip Neri.  He was petitioned by the Italian people of the Belmont section to open a Mission Church which he did in 1906.  A mission was inaugurated on Wednesday, June 13, 1906 on the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua.  A store at 659 E. 187th Street was remodeled as a chapel and the first solemn High Mass was celebrated there on that day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Caffuzzi

(1921 to 1931)

Co-Founder - Second Pastor

 

Msgr. Joseph A. Caffuzzi, a young man of 24 was assigned by Msgr. Daniel F.X. Burke to take care of the new mission church.  On June 24, 1906, he administered the sacrament of baptism at the new chapel.  He served our parish for 10 years and was greatly loved by all.  Msgr. Caffuzzi died on Tuesday, September 29, 1931, the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Severino Focacci

(1931 to 1944)

Third Pastor

 

Cardinal Hayes called Fr. Severino Focacci from his pastorate of Assumption Church in Tuckahoe to tend to the beloved flock of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish.  Fr. Focacci was no stranger to our parishioners as he served as an assistant from 1920 to 1928.  Fr. Focacci was pastor during the spectacular fire of July 26, 1936.  By May of 1937, the lower hall had been restored and by November 7, 1937 the restoration was complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bishop Joseph M. Pernicone

(1944 to 1966)

Fourth Pastor

 

Due to the failing health of Fr.  Severino Focacci, Cardinal Spellman immediately appointed Rev. Joseph M. Pernicone as Pastor.  The first words he spoke as Pastor of our parish were "As your pastor, I have but one aim, one purpose, one desire:  To serve your immortal souls."  Bishop Pernicone was responsible for the project of building our school which opened in 1949.  On May 5, 1953, he was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of the Archbishop of New York.  Bishop Pernicone was loved by so many.  Today people still speak of him with many fond memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Msgr. Charles F. Rizzo

(1966 to 1972)

Fifth Pastor

 

Msgr. Charles F. Rizzo was born in Bari, Italy and ordained on June 11, 1927.  His first assignment was at the Church of St. Dominic, Bronx.  He was appointed a Monsignor on March 27, 1960 and Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on October 14, 1966.  On February 15, 1967 he formed the first "Lay Advisory Board" now known as "The Parish Council".  On March 12, 1967 he initiated the first "Folk Mass".  Msgr. Rizzo was also responsible for the church renovation which took place between 1968-69.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Msgr. Louis A. Martorella

(1972 to 1983)

Sixth Pastor

Ordained June 11, 1938 by Cardinal Hayes and in November was sent to St. Anthony’s Parish in the Wakefield section of the Bronx .  A year later he was transferred to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Poughkeepsie as an assistant to Father Pernicone.  When Father Pernicone came to Our lady of Mt. Carmel in the Bronx in 1944, he brought Father Martorella with him as an assistant (1944-1958).  In 1958 he was appointed Pastor of St. Lucy’s in Manhattan.  He was made a Monsignor in 1965.  He returned as Pastor in 1972 and retired in 1983.

During his 25 years at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel he was very active in all aspects of parish life: Holy Name, Catholic War Veterans, Altar Boys, Bazaars, Feasts etc. He collaborated very closely with Bishop Pernicone in building the new school in 1949 and 1956.  Perfection was his goal in liturgical services.  He will always be remembered for his time and talents devoted to decorate the Church and Altars for Easter and. Christmas.  He Died March 25, 1984.

 

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Rev. Francis Massarone

(1983 to 1984)

Seventh Pastor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Msgr. John A. Ruvo

(1984 to Present)

Eighth Pastor

 

Appointed Pastor in April 1984, Msgr. John A. Ruvo, as this centennial year comes to a close, Msgr. Ruvo will celebrate his 23nd year as Pastor of the flock of devoted parishioners of the Belmont community.  Msgr. Ruvo knows our parish very well as he was raised in Belmont.  In 1954, he was the third priest to be ordained from this parish.  In May 2004, Msgr. Ruvo celebrated his Golden Jubilee for 50 years of Priesthood.  He is very sensitive to the needs of the children of our school as well as those of the parishioners of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, including the newest Spanish speaking people of our community.  He continues to work hard at keeping many of the "old Italian traditions" in order that our community may continue to maintain the flavor it has always had.  May Our Lady of Mt. Carmel bless him and may his work continue for many years to come!