The Brooksville Journal

In event of unusual solemnity took place at Masaryktown, eight miles south of Brooksville, on State Road No. 5, Sunday morning, December 13th, at 9 A. M. His Excellency, Most Reverend Patrick Barry, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, assisted by Benedictine Fathers of St. Leo Abbey, will solemnly dedicate the new Roman Catholic Church to God under the patronage of St. Patrick. Immediately following the dedication ceremonies, the Bishop will be the celebrant of the Mass after which he will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. The sermon for this occasion will be delivered by the Rt. Rev. Abbot Francis Sadlier, O. S. B., of St. Leo. A short address in Slovak by the Rev. Benedict Rajcany, of Orlando, will follow. Special music will be furnished by the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Name Convent, St. Leo, during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Preceding the dedication exercises, the Dade City Band will furnish the music for the procession.

The origin of this mission dates back to May 27, 1928, Pentecost Sunday, when the Very Rev. Father Lewis, O. S. B., celebrated Mass for the first time in the home of Mrs. Josephine Barnas. On October 1, 1928, Father Thomas, O. S. B., succeeded Fr. Lewis on the missions and due to the increase of the congregation, services were held in the "Old Meeting House" provided by the directors of the Hernando Plantation Company. Owing to his many duties at St. Leo, Father Thomas was relieved of the burden of Mission work in October, 1929. From this date on Dom. Alovsius, O. S. B., has been in charge. Finding the facilities for services inadequate, application was made to the Catholic Church Extension Society in Chicago for aid to erect a new church. Acting on a promise of help from the society and with the approval of the Ordinary and the Abbot, ground was broken March 9, 1931 on property donated by Mrs. Joscak, Masaryktown, Florida. The cornerstone was laid by Abbot Francis March 22, 1931. On this occasion an eloquent and inspiring address was delivered in Slovak by the Reverend Benedict Rajcany. From this time on work progressed rapidly and the structure was completed during the month of August. All furnishings of the church were manufactured by J. M. Ahrano & Company of Tampa, Florida. The Altars are a gift of P. J. Kelly of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Immediately upon notification of the completion of the church, Extension Society forwarded thru Bishop Barry to the pastor a check for $1,000, gift in memory of the late Patrick C. Boyle. The church stands today as a tribute to the Catholic Church Extension Society and to the generosity of many northern Slovak friends, and to the deep Catholic faith of the congregation, which has pledged its loyalty to the Holy Roman Catholic Apostolic See.

The pastor and the congregation extend a general invitation to the public to be present at these ceremonies.