Historical Summer 2001 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Late Thursday afternoon on May 31, a crowd of more than several hundred people assembled at the wind-swept World’s Fair Pavilion.
The crowd included clergy, elected official, top brass from the police, family and friends, and many Skinker DeBaliviere residents.
They had all come together to honor St. Roch’s pastor, Msgr. Salvatore Polizzi, for his 20 years of faithful service at St. Roch to parish and community. Although the wind was fierce, it did not dampen the spirits of those in attendance.
They were each greeted by Msgr. Polizzi and mingled while enjoying excellent refreshment.
The formal program began close to 7:00 p.m. Emcee Kevin Farrell introduced several speakers who extolled Msgr. Polizzi’s contributions to his parish, to Skinker DeBaliviere, and to the city. Archbishop Justin Rigali was first to ascend the podium.
He commended Polizzi’s work.
Following the archbishop was the mayor of St. Louis, Francis Slay. Slay noted that the monsignor had played a direct role in his life. Polizzi had married Slay to his wife of 21 years, Kim, and had in fact baptized Kim when she was a baby. Slay read from a proclamation that made May 31 Sal Polizzi Day in St. Louis and highlighted the monsignor’s accomplishments with regard to the church, the St. Roch school, and our very successful neighborhood. Alderman Lyda Krewson followed the mayor to the podium with similar words of praise and presented him with an aldermanic resolution. Longtime Skinker DeBaliviere resident Rose Storey spoke last as a parishioner of St. Roch.
She referred to Polizzi as a shepherd and the congregants as his flock.
Her tribute was moving. Farrell then acknowledged the presence of Congressman Richard Gephardt and his wife in the audience. Then. Msgr Polizzi approached the microphone.
He spoke of how deeply honored he was by this event (which he had tried to discourage).
He spoke of St. Roch being part of a very successful integrated neighborhood and introduced the Rev. Mary Harvey of Grace United Methodist Church.
He also mentioned how unique it was that St. Roch had “social Catholics” as part of its family.
In the audience were parishioners and numerous social Catholics. Msgr. Polizzi was then presented with a stunning glass work by Steuben and an inscribed pedestal. Despite the wind, no raindrops fell and it was a lovely gathering. Farrell, Joe Shaughnessey, Kevin Short, and John Hungerford had put together a very special celebration of Msgr. Polizzi’s 20 years at St. Roch.
Original photograph caption
Monsignor Salvatore E. Polizzi, celebrating twenty years at St. Roch Parish. Recognition reception May 31, 2001, World’s Fair Pavilion. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2001.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2001_06.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
