on 03.26.08 Gloria commented:

During the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s, Brooklyn’s Apreiškimo Parapija (Annunciation Parish) was well-known as a Lithuanian stronghold. As a “national parish”, without the customary geographical borders, accepting members from far and wide as long as they were of Lithuanian origin, Annunciation’s congregation included families living miles away, as well as within the normal parish precincts. In those days, alongside the predominant Italian population, there was a very strong Lithuanian presence in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Some streets had entire blocks that were occupied by a Lithuanian majority with a sprinkling of Poles, Jews, Italians or Hungarians, as is borne out by a cursory review of the 1930 census.

Our family lived just three blocks away from the church…
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on 03.31.08 Anita Mikaelian commented:

Father Petrauskas was my Dads cousin.
Faher Kruzas performed our marriage vows.
I do remember also the priests coming to bless the house - great memories.

on 04.02.08 Josephine Reggiani commented:

I moved to Manhattan after graduation and I came back to get married in Annunciation Church by Fr. Petrauskas who was my Dad’s cousin. Yes, the priest came every year to bless our house. My fondest memory was singing in the choir almost every day at the 8 AM mass before school started. As you can see Anita and I are cousins..Many of us cousins passed through Annunciation.

on 02.11.09 Linda Greene commented:

My siblings and I went to Annunciation School. I graduated 8th Grade in 1955 and have many wonderful memories. Singing in the choir every morning under the direction of Mr. Sakos (sp!), the Dominican sisters, Fr. Kruzas,the beautiful church. Walking up Havemeyer St., egg creams,the Market! Ah! Pizza, Knishes!

on 02.11.09 Gloria O'Brien commented:

I saw this lady’s comments on the “My Brooklyn” website and it felt like meeting an old friend. She’s on #271.
The choir director she spoke about was Paul Sakas, a virtuoso organist who had a gorgeous tenor voice. The choir is still singing every Sunday.

on 02.11.09 Linda Greene commented:

After reading your comments, I feel like I grew up right along side you. The church bazaar, Mr. Sakas (thanks for the proper spelling!),the missions, so many memories. Thanks for sharing all of it. One question for you. Was Fr. Petrauskas the one we called Fr. Anthony? Do you remember Fr. Pakalnishkis? I think his first name was John. I also remember them coming to bless the house. We always got Fr. Pakalnis and Fr. Kruzas and I remember they gave us holy pictures. Those were much better times, weren’t they? My kids and grands don’t think so but they were so much sweeter and simpler. Remember the candy store on the corner? It was 2 old Italian men and we’d go in there at recess to buy penny candy.
Can you tell me what the Masses are on Sunday? I’d like to make one more trip to see the place. We live in the Poconos now but I’d love to get one more look-see. Again, thanks for sharing!

on 04.03.09 Martin Pederson commented:

For Linda Greene’
I saw your comments in My Brooklyn 271,
I also graduated from Annunciation School 1955, I don’t remember your name
Greene, but I do remember a Linda (vaguely).

on 04.03.09 Linda Greene commented:

For Martin Pederson. I don’t remember any Martin or a Pederson at Annunciation. Did you shorten your last name or did you come for only the last yr. or something? I think I would remember anyone once I heard a name. Do you remember other kids in our class and are you sure it was 1955? My maiden name was Mockapetris. Can you name any other kids in that class? Who was the 8th grade teacher? Looking forward to hearing from you.

on 04.08.09 Martin Pederson commented:

Hi Linda,
I remember the principal’s name, Sister Redemptor, and classmates, Anthony, Charlie, Sal, Michael, Jimmy, Theresa,
and the Lithuanian kids, whose names I
don’t remember. My memory is fading.

on 04.08.09 Linda Greene commented:

Martin,I remember all the names except a Sal. Theresa Guadagno was my best friend along with Carol Velting and Marion Smulkstis. I can remember so many names, why not a Martin? Were you there all 8 yrs? Who did you hang out with? This is such fun, isn’t it? And I’m just making plans to attend my 5oth HS reunion in New Jersey.

on 04.21.09 Martin commented:

Hi Linda,

I found an article about Annunciation a while back, see attached file. My friends where Michael, Anthony and Charlie. We lived on Metrolpolitan Ave. between Union & Lorimer St. I have no idea what happened to them, since everyone moved away from the old neigborhood. If I find some old pictures of the graduating class I will
send to you.
What is your email address.
Can’t attach file here!

Bye

on 04.22.09 Linda Greene commented:

Hi Martin! I received your message but there was no attachment with it. YES, if you have ANY old pictures from Annunciation I would be so grateful to get them. It’s a long story but I have nothing from those days as all was lost many years ago. Send to swordfish18@verizon.net
Thanks…can’t wait to see what pics you might have!

on 08.02.09 Anthony commented:

Re Linda Greene’s post of 02.11.09….
Remember the candy store on the corner? It was 2 old Italian men and we’d go in there at recess to buy penny candy.
The store was called “Mossamean’s” by all the kids.

on 08.03.09 Linda Greene commented:

Anthony, you remember the candy store, too! Did you go to Annunciation? Is your last name Fenice or something like that? If yes, remember how you always called Theresa “Tessie Bon”. I still call one of my friends that silly name! If you’re not Fenice, I enjoyed hearing from you anyway!

on 08.05.09 Gloria commented:

Hello folks - correct name of principal was Sr. Redempta. The teachers were Dominicans, the Order of Preachers. Sr. Redempta was a no-nonsense person, and my favorite teacher. In those days, if a kid’s mother went to work, the kid could stay in the convent next door, after 3 o’clock, until a parent came to pick them up. There was a small charge for this, I just don’t know how much. We all sat at the big refectory table and scribbled in our papers, or read comics. The nun who was the cook was Sr. Zita, and she used to serve us apple jelly on white bread sandwiches, with hot cocoa. In warm weather, we were allowed to run around the convent’s backyard. Just imagine, what parents would have to pay now, for that sort of attentive service.

on 10.11.09 Stephen k Sakas commented:

Hi Linda
My name is Stephen Sakas, I have been helping my son with a family tree project for school and came across this information . I am sure that Paul Sakas was my Grandfather. I had only met him twice in my life time and was thrilled to hear your memories of him.My father and him had some differances, so I have very little information on him . I am going to contact the church and hopefully be able to recieve some more information on him . Hopefully some pictures and recordings maybe? I can assure you the spelling is correct. Thank you so much .

on 10.15.09 Gloria OBrien commented:

Hello, Stephen. I am sorry, but I can assure you that you will gather no information by writing to the church. I’m certain that people who make up the current choir have no knowledge of Paul Sakas. My brother and I were members of his choir way back when, and are very probably the only folks who have a clear memory of him. He was choir director and organist for quite a number of years, but that was long, long ago, and he left Annunciation
sometime around 1955. I can say that he was not at all tall, and had what is now known as a “portly” figure, His wife was a stylish blonde, whose name, I think, was Olga. But not sure about that.I seem to remember that they lived in Glendale for a while. No recordings, either. That was the time when, if you wanted to record something, you would have to set up a suitcase with reel-to-reel tape. None of us did that, too much trouble. Very sorry, it’s too bad we can’t help you…he was a great talent.

on 10.23.09 LORRAINE SWETLAND commented:

I WAS BORN IN 1948
I WAS BAPTIZED IN ANNUNCIATION CHURCH
ALL MY FAMILY FROM LITHUANIA BELONGED TO ANNUNCIATION CHURCH. WE WERE ALL MARRIED/BAPTIZED IN THAT CHURCH FR KRUZAS BAPTIZED AND MARRIED THE WHOLE FAMILY AS WELL AS BLESSED THE HOMES BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS. I REMEMBER THE INITIALS INRI WRITTEN OVER THE FRONT DOOR FRAME. FR KRUZAS WAS ALWAYS THERE AS NOT ONLY A PRIEST BUT HE WAS VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH MY GRANDPARENTS.
FR KRUZAS DIED SHORTLY AFTER MY AUNT PASSED AWAY IN 1993 SOMEPLACE I HAVE THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE.

on 10.23.09 LORRAINE SWETLAND commented:

I ALSO WENT TO ST ALBERT HIGH IT WAS IN THE CONVENT I GRADUATED FROM ST A’S 1966
MY MAIDEN NAME WAS BYRNE
I ALSO LIVE IN THE POCONO’S NOW
ALUMNI FROM ST ALBERTS HIGH 1966 IS TRYING TO GET A REUNION FOR ALL GRADUATES OF ST ALBERTS GO TO CLASSMATES.COM FOR MORE INFO

on 12.10.09 Larry Kiceina commented:

Labas;
I attended Annunciation from approx 1955 to 1963.
My buddy at the time was John Cangro.
I heard that another classmates Dominic Valente became a priest does anyone know how I might contact him:)
Thank you and Gods Blessings
Larry Kiceina

on 02.17.10 Ronald Puza commented:

I attended Annunciation from 1952-60
Dominick Valenti was my classmate. I am seeking him also.Also seeking Tom Allen
Patricia Mc Mahon, georgene Antonovich. Can anyone assist me?

on 02.17.10 Pat Sidas commented:

Hello, Linda, Larry, Lorraine and Ronald!

Annunciation Parish is alive and well and living at North 5th and Havemeyer. The times are tough in the Diocese of Brooklyn, though. We as a parish are “solvent” and not in debt, but any and all suport, spiritual, social, and even financial is always welcome! Our organ has just undergone a “renovation” and will be tuned this week, weather willing. Our Lady of the Annunciation, Pray for us! Come visit us if you can! Mass is in Lithuanian at 10:00 am, Spanish at 11:30 am.

Father Dominick Valenti is now in Germany. His address there, according to son-of-Annunciation Msgr. Al Bartkus, is: Rev. Dominick Valenti Postgasa 6a
D-89312 Gunzburg
Germany

If you go to the Annunciation website
www.annunciation-ny.com
you can reach me by clicking on the ZINIOS icon! I can put you on the Parish English language E-mail newsletter, ZINIOS. You may remember that the parish bulletin used to be called ZINIOS in Lithuanian.

Many of you from Annunciation School are now looking for each other. I am glad to help in any way I can.

To contact Mt. Carmel, send your requests for information to OLMCN8TH@YAHOO.COM .

The Good Lord Bless and Keep you!

Pat Sidas

on 02.25.10 Elizabeth Castaldi commented:

Graduated from Annunciation in 1968. I remember Joani, Debbie Angela, Tina, Maria, Ellen, Jo Anne, JJ, Guy, Dom,etc. Anybody remember me, Betty?

on 03.19.10 Marija Rimkutė commented:

To: Anita Mikaelian and Josephine Reggiani.

Hi Ladies,

My name is Marija. I am Lithuanian. I started to do the family tree with my uncle.
We had 7 priests within our family, all of them in the Petrauskas branch. Maybe Fr. Petrauskas is one of them? So can be that you two are my cousins? As I know, one of them passed in 1946 in UK, other one in Australia… You know, during 1st and 2nd world war a lot of Liths emigrated.
Please get in touch with me:) My email is maririm et gmail.com

on 07.15.10 Ray Gagas commented:

Ron, I was your classmat. I remember you as well as tommy allen dominic valenti. he was the smatest kid in the class. i remember georgine antonowich very well my best friend was john barry and werner bodnaruk james simonelli, nicky dagnell, vincent russo,ralph finno, richard McKeever,charles ferraro.. just to name a few i live in new jersey and will be going to the mt carmel feast this weekend… all the best, to all my fellow classmates.

on 07.16.10 Pat Sidas commented:

HELLO, Ron!

Please stop in at Annunciation when you come for the Feast this Sunday….Mass is at 10:00 am, and there is always a coffee hour when there is no other event in the lower hall at 70 Havemeyer—where it is COOL……..we have air conditioners installed there. We can not allow you to vist the school as it is rented and an alarm will sound if you go UP the stairs, but our beaautiful church is open for all, and you are most welcome “downstairs”. For information about the curent doings in the parish, please go to www.annunciation-ny.com and sign up for the parish’s e-newsletter, ZINIOS!

Pat Sidas
Annuncation Parish

on 08.09.10 Celia Gianfrancesco commented:

I graduated Annuciation in 1960. A group of us from that graduating class have found each other. We are looking for other; Donal LaMonaca, Olympia Mazzeo, Anthony Nunziata, Ralph Finno, Richard McKeever etc. If you know where we can locate them, please contact me.

on 08.09.10 Pat Sidas commented:

HELLO, Celia!

We are glad to hear some of your classmates are “reuniting”. We would be honored for you to come and have a real reunion at the Annunciation Parish picnic September 19 (parking lot and lower hall). Please be in touch with me so I can get your information into the parish E-Newsletter, ZINIOS (English). Perhaps some opf the current readers know you! Go to www.annunciation-ny.com to see how your church remains much as you remember.

In these terrible times of church closings and mergers, it is very important for all of Anunciation’s “Children” to support her as best they can…….

Good to hear about you and your classmates! The Class of 1954 has been having regular reunions these past few years.

Pat Sidas
Annunciation Parish

on 08.12.10 Mary Ann Cangiano-Verdi commented:

Mary Ann Cangiano-Verdi another 1960 graduate - we are still looking for fellow classmates - perhaps your older or younger siblings - Please ask and have them get in touch. Thank you.
Memories of Annuncation school are fondly stored in my mind and heart.

on 08.13.10 Pat Sidas commented:

HELLO, Mary Ann!

Please, do get in touch with us at Annunciation via the parish website…..www.annunciation-ny.com

One of the parish’s goals for Annunciation 2000, our long range plan for the Millenium (Soon to be updated!) was to start facilitating class reunions to the extent we could as a parish, and, perhaps, even start an Alumni Association.

Annunciation School is still in use as both Nursery School for local children and as a facility with services for disabled children (privately run), and Annunciation Parish is alive and well and living at North Fifth and Havemeyer! Come be a part of it again!

Pat Sidas