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Historical Summer 2006 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In an interesting confluence of circumstances, 2006 represents a milestone year thrice over for Msgr. Sal Polizzi, pastor of St. Roch. Within weeks, he celebrated his 75th birthday, his 25th year as the spiritual leader of St. Roch, and his 50 years in the priesthood.
Each event by itself is worthy of acknowledgment.
All three brought on an afternoon and evening recognizing the Monsignor and his gifts to family, friends, his parish, and our neighborhood.
On Sunday, May 7, a Mass of Thanksgiving was held at St. Roch Church to celebrate his 50 years as a priest and 25 years at St. Roch.
The church was packed and many attending shuttled to St. Roch from nearby Washington University. St. Roch had never looked more lovely. Its stained glass windows glowed in the late afternoon sun.
The homily was delivered by Father Vince Bommarito of St. Ambrose, a longtime friend.
Following the mass, guests went on to the Khorassan Room of the Chase Park Plaza for a dinner/reception.
The guests numbered 960 and included numerous representatives of the clergy. St. Louis’s Archbishop was present at both the mass and dinner as was Bishop Shaheen of the Marronite Catholic rite.The repaste was designed especially in honor of Msgr. Polizzi by Vince Bommarito of Tony’s.
His son chose the wine.
The antipasto, main course, and cake were all excellent.
As guests dined, a special program was presented.
The emcee was Mike Roarty, formerly of Anheuser-Busch and noted for his toastmaster skills.
His jokes gave the proceedings a buoyant air. Father Boursic, now resident at St. Roch, gave a blessing. Mayor Francis Slay spoke of his personal connection to Msgr. Pollizzi: Polizzi baptized Slay’s wife Kim and later married the couple. Of course, the Monsignor found them their first house on the HIll.
A film biography of the Monsignor was shown.
It featured commentary by Father Herzog and by former Rep. Dick Gephardt.
In his 50 years in the priesthood, Msgr. Polizzi has always fought for his parishioners.
While at St. Ambrose, he saw to it that the building of I-44 didn’t destroy the Hill as a community by securing an overpass, which could be a link for those north of the highway. Similarly at St. Roch he has spoken truth to power on more than one occasion.
It was also stressed that Msgr. Polizzi is excellent in a crisis.
He has helped many of our neighbors in their saddest hours. Msgr. Polizzi came to the microphone to a standing ovation and spoke about various highlights of his life as a priest.
He also thanked those who had helped raise more than $100,000 already received in donations for St. Roch School.
The concluding speaker was St. Louis’s Archbishop, Raymond Burke.
The Archbishop announced that Msgr. Polizzi had submitted his resignation as is customary when a priest turns 75. Burke said he did not accept it and was pleased the monsignor would stay on at St. Roch.
A number of parishioners helped to make this very special event possible including Bridget O’Flynn, Georgi Fox, Joseph Shaughnessy, Kevin Farrell, and Kevin Short.
This is an incomplete list for many made these very celebratory events possible.
Original photograph caption
Msgr. Sal Polizzi. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2006.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2006_06.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
