Rev. Michael J. Walsh



	INDEX Christianity Comes to Queens • Woodside Develops • Catholic Presence in Queens • The Founding of St. Sebastian's • 20th Century Growth • Rev. Michael J. Walsh • Rev. Thomas Fenarty • Msgr. Edward Moran • Rev. Edward L. Curran • Msgr. John T. Egan • Most Recent Years • Pastors

	The Pastorate of Rev. Michael J. Walsh Fr. Walsh was the pastor of St. Sebastian's for 23 years, from 1914 until his death of heart disease in 1937. By 1915, the parish's growth merited the assign- ment of a second priest, Fr. Terence Sharkey. The need for a parish school was clear. Fr. Walsh began the fund- raising efforts and ground was broken on October 3, 1926. The sixteen-room school was opened on Sep- tember 10, 1928 under the capable direction of the first principal. Sister Mary Alexis, S.C.H. It was dedicated by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy on September 23, 1928. The Sisters of Charity of Halifax, who taught in the school, lived at first on the top floor of the school, but as their numbers increased a convent became a necessity. Construction began in the spring of 1931, under the architect Henry V. Murphy of Brooklyn. The Sisters moved in on January 9, 1932, and Bishop Molloy formally dedicated it on May 11, 1933. Fr. Walsh presided over the first great growth period of the parish, seeing the parish membership in- crease to 8,000 within ten years. Immediately upon construction, the school auditorium was converted into the parish church. A third parish priest was assigned in 1926, and it became necessary to have weekend help in the person of the Capuchin Friars from Garrison, New York. The Tablet reported in Lent 1930 that nearly 2,000 people each week attended the parish mission con- ducted by the Albany Diocese Mission Band. The growth of the parish was reflected in the growth of parish societies. The Newtown Register of November 12, 1921 reported that Fr. Walsh was the spi- ritual director of a club known as St. Sebastian's Lyce- um, which just had elected Joseph Markey as president along with twelve other officers. It was noted that: The football committee reported on the team record to date, which showed that three victorious home games had been played. The basketball committee reported marked progress, having two practice sessions during the past week. A committee of which Michael Kimmel was the chairman was appointed to arrange for the decoration of the clubhouse on Armistice Day. Within a few years, however, more familiar parish or- ganizations had emerged. The Rosary Society celebrated its golden jubilee in 1975, indicating that it was founded in 1925.	The Tablet reported in January 1932 that Fran- cis R. Wenzel was reelected president of the Holy Name Society, indicating it was already in existence by that time. By December 1935, it was reported that "large numbers" of men attended the election of new officers that month, including W.J. Murphy as president. In June 1936, the society filled the school auditorium for a lec- ture on "The Church and the Social Order" by M. John Splain. In June 1940, it held its third annual Communion Breakfast at the Hotel Commodore in Manhattan, fea- turing the national president of the Holy Name Society as the guest speaker, the Rev. Henry Graham, O.P. Nor were the youth of the parish neglected. In 1922, a national organization known as the Catholic Boys' Brigade had been founded, and on December 6, 1935, a branch was founded in St. Sebastian's by its first spiritual director, the Rev. Thomas J. Dunnigan. Two hundred and forty-three boys were accepted as cadets, according to The Tablet. Co-commanding officers were Harry R. Matthews and John G. Musgrave, assisted by John Donovan, Robert Fenton, Raymond Blake, J. Me Lean and Joseph Markey. The Catholic Boys' Brigade ceased operation in 1942 when World War II took away the young men who were its leaders. With the help of the local Catholic War Veterans Post #870, it was re- established in January 1947, led by Frank Keane, and today continues to enroll nearly 300 boys for its weekly events. Ed Fowley, K.H.S., has served as the chairman for most of that time. On the distaff side, parishioners remember a Girls' Brigade in existence in the 1930's un- der the direction of Mrs. Flynn. The current Girls' Bri- gade was established around 1984 for similar purposes, replacing the local Girl Scout troops that had flourished for many years with the help of devoted leaders such as Eileen Quinn. Both Brigades have benefitted from the acquisition in 1968 of Camp Edward Lodge Curran, eight and one-half acres of rustic retreat near Highland Lake, New York. A notable landmark was achieved on June 6, 1925 with the first ordination to the priesthood of a parish native. Richard J. Egan, who was later to be- come a captain as chaplain in the United States Army, was ordained on that day for the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa. At Fr. Walsh's funeral Mass, his brother, the Rev. John F.X. Walsh, pastor of St. Anthony's Church in Bretna, Louisiana, was celebrant. He was assisted by a cousin, the Rev. William Keane of Schenectady, New York, as deacon, and the Rev. Daniel Dwyer, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Brooklyn as sub- deacon. The Rev. James Bennett, pastor of St. Stanislaus in Maspeth, preached, with the Rev. John Michalak (a former curate here) of Our Lady of Consolation as mas- ter of ceremonies. Bishop Molloy gave the final abso- lution, with 125 priests attending.