Growth of Our Parish

Father Peter Mayerhofer remained as Pastor until 1931 when he took leave of Corpus Christi for a new assignment. He left a grateful, growing, well-established parish in the hands of the Reverend John Voghera, S.D.B. Father Voghera was succeeded by the Reverend James O'Hara, S.D.B., in the fall of 1933. A year later, the Reverend Alfonso Volonte, S.D.B., was appointed pastor of Corpus Christi Church.

The parish was blessed with a unique spiritual growth during the sixteen-year-pastorate (1934-1950) of Fr. Alfonso Volonte. With the help of his zealous, devoted assistant-priests, Father Alfonso led the parish to new and greater accomplishments. In 1949, he resigned his position and was tendered an unforgettable tribute of affection and esteem on the occasion of the golden jubilee of his ordination. He remained at Corpus Christi, a humble, saintly priest beloved by all until his death at eighty-four years of age, on June 6, 1957.

The ten years from 1950 to 1960 were fruitful, eventful years for Corpus Christi. Under the enlightened, dynamic leadership of Reverend Peter M. Rinaldi, S.D.B, appointed pastor in 1950. The parish marked the greatest growth in its history during these years. The church was renovated, a lower church added, and, in 1959, the school, convent and youth center were built. Having directed their efforts toward building their school, convent and center, the parishioners rejoiced and gave thanks as Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, blessed and inaugurated the new buildings on Sunday, April 24, 1960.

1960 to 1975 were years of fruition, and of change, too. With its full quota of nearly five hundred youngsters in the school, its youth center and parish societies pulsating with activity, Corpus Christi was meeting successfully the challenge which the "new times" in the Church pose for Christians everywhere. Known and loved for its family spirit, its vibrant liturgies and its joyous ecumenical encounters, Corpus Christi became nationally known for its beautiful Holy Shroud Shrine which attracts visitors and Shroud students from as far away as Canada and Mexico. Before leaving the pastorate Fr. Rinaldi had built the magnificent shrine to the Holy Shroud in a room adjacent to the church.

Father Rinaldi was relieved of his duties as Pastor in 1977, after 28 years in that office, but he continued to work as a curate during the months he would spend there each year during the next fifteen years. He traveled back and forth to Italy every year to continue work on the Holy Shroud, which he cherished dearly. Fr. Rinaldi offered his last Mass at Corpus Christi on January 31, 1993 and the next day he returned to Italy. He took sick there, and on February 28, 1993 he passed to his well-earned reward when his heart gave out. He was 82 years old. He is interred in the mausoleum of his family at Lu Monferrato, Italy where he was born on June 5, 1910.