Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Diocese of Fall River Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Family 235 North Front Street New Bedford, Massachusetts Rev. Roman Chwaliszewski, OFM Conv., Pastor Our Church - a proud past, a vibrant present, and building a stronger future!
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Family Parish Mission Statement As a parish family, we strive to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ and emulate Him through His teachings. We honor Mary our Mother and promote a strong community through service and ministry. We extend our hands and open our hearts to embrace all people in unity, young or old, wishing to join us in worshipping together as a parish family in the Spirit of Franciscan Joy, Peace and Love.
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905 2008 Influencing community and generations through devotion Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Family Home and Center of Influence for Polish and Polish-American Families since the early 1900 s. Recognized as the Mother Church of Polonia for not only Greater New Bedford but today for all of Southeastern Massachusetts.
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Family Parish Statistics: Year Founded 1905 Number of Parishioners 1450 Number of Families 498 Seating Capacity of Church 750 Average attendance at Mass 101 Weekend Mass attendance 402 Percent of Usage 13%.
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Family Sacramental Activity: (average annual activity) Baptisms 4 First Communions 2 Confirmations 5 Marriages 1 Funerals 37.
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Mass Attendance: Statistical Analysis for a period of several years has generated the following data: Daily Mass Average attendance: 21 Sunday Mass Attendance: 104 Daily masses - 1 Sunday/Weekend Masses/ 3* *as of January 1, 2008 prior to there were 4
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Statistics Year 1970 1990 2000 2007 Parish Membership Baptisms Funerals Weddings CCD Participants
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Family Physical Health of Property: Church - Very Good Condition Fire Suppression System Interior/Exterior Sound System Electrical System/Lighting Parish Center Very Good Condition Kitchen Facilities Function Facilities Rectory Very Good Condition Office Area Reception/Meeting Area Residential living Quarters Grounds and Surroundings Parking for 250 cars Meditation Gardens.
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Family The Physical Properties of the Parish Family
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Extensive rehabilitation and a well managed maintenance program to the former school yard has given the parish one of the most beautiful urban prayer and mediation gardens in the Diocese Two gated and secured parking areas allow parish attendees ample and well lit parking in what is a high traffic area
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905 2008 Spiritual Leadership of the Parish Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Family Staffing by Religious Canonical House of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual of the Province of Saint Anthony of Padua In residence since 1933.
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 The traditional Nativity scene and Easter Memorial Cross with the Risen Christ. Traditional liturgical Holy Days take on greater significance when combined with the deep Polish and Polish American beliefs in Catholicism bringing family and community closer to the living and risen Christ.
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Religious observances and celebrations Divine Mercy, Devotions to Our Lady and special events such as the Polish Heritage Day of Prayer at LaSalette Shrine
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Family Volunteer Activities in Parish Choir, ushers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers alter servers, decorating committees, food kitchen, bingo, bazaar committee, CCD instruction, socieities
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Family Vibrancy of Parish Life Parish social activities include: Bingo (50 weeks of the year), monthly parish socials and dinners, 40 week Fundraising club and Dinner, seasonal festivals, Youth Group activities, and sharing of ethnic traditions to mention just a few!
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Family Outside organizations affiliated with parish community Community wide recognition of Polish American Heritage Month, The Friends of Poland The Polish Business Women's Professional Society and The Polish and American World War Veterans and Auxiliary
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Family Active community Involvement Annual/daily food drives Christmas gift collections Support to Inter-Church Council Initiatives Recognizing and extending itself to the many cultures and needs of people in the community
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Family Financial and Capital Expenditures
Mother Church of Polonia in the Greater New Bedford Area for 103 Years 1905-2008 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Parish Family Strategic Location and Physical Presence Located directly off of Route 195 with easy on and off access to this major Cape Cod/New York traffic route. Easily accessible from all part of the City of New Bedford, Fairhaven, Dartmouth and Southeastern Massachusetts, Rhodes Island and Connecticut. Ample, well lit and secured facilities for celebration of liturgical events or for festivals and ethnic celebrations
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Church Serving the Diocese of Fall River and the Spiritual and Cultural Needs of the People of Southeastern Massachusetts for over 100 Years