Holy Rosary
Catholic Church

Served by the Scalabrinian
missionaries since 1890

911 E. Missouri Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri

<< Church Organizations History || Spirit of the Parish

(This material originally appeared in 1991 in the 100th Anniversary of Holy Rosary Parish booklet. The article was researched and written by Angelo Bongino.)

The Spirit of the Parish

Two separate articles, written over a decade apart, sum up the spirit of Holy Rosary's past and provide direction for a vibrant community's future.

The following is an excerpt from an editorial that appeared in the Catholic Register, April 23, 1950. The entire piece was a tribute to the Northside, the Parish and its people. This article was later reprinted in the Kansas City Star. A portion of the writing revolved around the parish contribution to World War II.

"We salute the Italians of the Northside as splendid Americans. We cannot forget that during World War II, there went into the armed forces from Holy Rosary parish alone, with its 695 families, 673 young men and women. This figure transcends the average for both Kansas City and the nation so greatly that it can be described only as a glorious record. It speaks in clearest accents the deepest and most genuine love of country."

The second article was to be Fr. Mario Rauzi's farewell to the parish and Kansas City. It took the form of an interview written by Bill Tammeus for the Kansas City Star, and appeared in the October 7, 1974, edition. Father, as it turned out, stayed longer as pastor than any other pastor in Holy Rosary's history, 22 years (1961-74).

In the interview Father noted that when he first came to Holy Rosary, it was primarily Italian-Catholic. He described how the neighborhood changed drastically through "progress". What he noted was the coming of the freeway, public housing, and Urban Renewal. Each in its own manner chipped away at the population, diluted it and changed its chemistry with outside elements which, initially, were not compatible with the old guard residents. He felt that city leaders had lost interest in the community and that residents had given up. Nonetheless, he had this to say:

"I'd venture to say that given half chance, they (the parish, the community) will fight back. If the city fathers don't see a future in this neighborhood then they are mistaken, because it's still a safe place to live."

"I am not leaving with frustration in my heart. I am leaving with the hope that those who belong here and live here will continue to fight for the existence of the neighborhood."

So be it for the second century. AUGURI, CENT' ANNI ANCORA!

Epilogue

In February of 1991 the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph consolidated or closed eight parishes. Many of their parishioners had beginnings at Holy rosary. Now, as Fr. Moscato recently noted, "They are coming back home to the 'Mother Church' of the Italians,....for our 100th."