The fourth pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Fr. Andrew Pfeiffer, returned to his native Tyrol in 1872 and was a professor of dogmatic theology until his death six years later. Fr. Theophilus Pospisilik, the fifth pastor, taught moral theology for 15 years and succeeded Fr. Leo da Saracena as the seventh President of Saint Bonaventure College from 1880 until 1886. He returned home to Bohemia and died in 1896. One historian described Fr. Theophilus as “a priest of the greatest integrity, grave in mien, deeply religious, and faithful in the performance of every duty. He had shown his worth during his years of pastoral ministry in Saint Francis Parish. He brought to Saint Bonaventure the same zealous devotion to the best interests of the Church and the Order.”

The 12-year pastorate of Fr. Eugene Dikovich, the sixth pastor, was characterized by intense activity. He was a friar from Moson, Hungary, and before coming to America as a missionary, was a well-known and extremely popular preacher in the collegiate church in Tirnavia, and the Franciscan church in Strigonium. He was an excellent choice as pastor of New York’s busy midtown church. Fr. Eugene was a capable administrator as well as a zealous missionary in his approach to ministry in the expanding metropolis. He realized well the need for a new church, but settled for internal and external renovations, a new school, and a new organ. He increased the school enrollment to over 300, established a great variety of lay societies and associations to involve the people in the spiritual and corporal works of the community, and highlighted the role of good music in the liturgy of the church.

When Fr. Eugene resigned as pastor in 1882, he departed from the Franciscan Order and was incardinated into the Newark diocese where he served as pastor of Saint Mark’s Church in Rahway, New Jersey. In 1884 he was appointed pastor of Saint Boniface Church in Paterson, New Jersey. The Italian friars in Allegany did not have a German-speaking friar to send to Saint Francis Church when Fr. Eugene resigned. They turned to the German friars in Paterson, New Jersey who had come from Fulda, and another link was forged between St. Francis Church and the friars who would eventually become Holy Name Province.

This series of articles on the history of our parish is adapted from the writings of Fr. Flavian Walsh, O.F.M., Pastor from 1985-87.

Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King.

It was begun in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, and in 1970 it was decreed that it be celebrated on the last Sunday of the Church’s calendar. The official title of the feast is Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. We know that Christ’s kingship was very different from any kingship before or after him. He came to “serve and not be served and to give his life for the ransom of many” and as an example of what we must be in our humanity. The Gospel quotes Jesus’ response to Pilate’s question: “Are you the king of the Jews?” He says: “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” Jesus’ kingdom is not one of worldly power and might, but a kingdom of justice, peace, and truth where all will be one as sisters and brothers. Where there is so much division and discord among people, Jesus’ message stands loud and clear: “May we all be one.”

Next, week we begin the season of Advent. An Advent booklet is being given out at Mass and there are more Advent/Christmas books in the lobby of the Parish House. We also have frames for an Advent wreath and Advent candles if you already have an Advent wreath. Many of our Christmas items are now on display: Christmas ornaments from various countries, various styles of Nativities, and other Christmas items. Stop by the lobby of the Parish House and look over our display.

If you are interested in the church’s 2019 Pilgrimage to the Shrines of France or the 2020 Pilgrimage to Alpine Europe that includes the Passion Play in Oberammergau, there are brochures available for each Pilgrimage in the lobby of the Parish House. Both are great Pilgrimages!

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

The fourth pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Fr. Andrew Pfeiffer, joined the Tyrolian friars in 1847, and in 1860 volunteered for the American missions in Cincinnati. When he stepped off the steamer Borussia on June 4, 1861, he found a letter waiting for him directing him to go to Allegany, NY to help care for the German-speaking immigrants because the Italian friars could not provide adequate spiritual care. He wore many hats at Saint Bonaventure’s for he had many talents and a great deal of energy. He served as secretary to Fr. Pamfilo da Magliano, teacher in the seminary, and was appointed Master of Novices by the Italian Custos.

At the time of his appointment to St. Francis on 31st Street, he was in the midst of organizing a German parish in Ashford, New York.

Those were the very difficult “post bellum” days, and life in New York City was far from easy. Fr. Andrew arrived in the summer of 1864 and served as pastor of St. Francis until 1868. Education was a high priority for the new pastor and he succeeded in bringing qualified Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart from Gemona, Italy in 1866. He provided the sisters with a modest four-story convent between 31st and 32nd Streets which served as their first American motherhouse and novitiate. It stood in silent testimony to Fr. Andrew’s foresight until it was demolished in 1941. The sisters raised the enrollment of the school to over 250 boys and girls. They also visited prisoners and the sick and cared for the sacristy and church.

Fr. Theophilus Pospisilik was assistant to Fr. Andrew from 1865 until 1868 when Fr. Andrew decided to relinquish the parish leadership to his capable assistant, and chose to serve as his assistant. Two years later, both friars were transferred back to Allegany, and a Hungarian friar, Fr. Eugene Dikovich, was appointed pastor.

Top: Fr. Andrew Pfeiffer, O.F.M. Bottom: Some of the original Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

This series of articles on the history of our parish is adapted from the writings of Fr. Flavian Walsh, O.F.M., Pastor from 1985-87.