Letters

Msgr. Rader’s Role

Posted

To the Editor:

Thank you for the lovely write-up on the 50th anniversary of our parish, St. Francis of Assisi in West Nyack, which appeared in the July 24 issue.

There is, however, a rather glaring omission in that there is no mention made of the founding pastor, Msgr. Charles W. Rader. He came to this site in 1964 to a large, unfurnished house, which would serve as the rectory and continues to do so. He led a community of 400 families on a faith journey beginning with Masses celebrated in Albertus Magnus High School until a hall could be built which would serve as our church. The hall was constructed and did indeed serve as our church and parish center until the building of the present church in 1989.

Our present congregation of some 2,300 families is the result of the wonderful groundwork Msgr. Rader laid during his more than 20 years serving the parish and was still doing so in his retirement. He was with us until his death in that same rectory.

Mary Ellen Oates

Sheila Reiter

Bardonia