Faithful members of two local churches are mourning the loss of Msgr. Peter Zendzian, pastor of St. Matthias Church in Ridgewood and former longtime pastor of Maspeth’s Holy Cross Church, who died suddenly last Friday morning at the age of 63.
Zendzian arrived at St. Matthias in December 2013, succeeding Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, whom Pope Francis had appointed to lead the Diocese of Albany.
Although he led the faithful of St. Matthias for nearly two years, Zendzian remained close to his native Maspeth, where he offered prayers during the neighborhood’s annual memorial vigil for the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was also coordinator of the Polish Apostolate, an organization serving Polish Catholics.
“Msgr. Peter was a wonderful servant of Jesus and a faithful friend to St. Matthias School. His love of its students was evident in his words and actions,” St. Matthias School Principal Barbara Wehnes wrote in a message posted on the school website. “Though we only had 1 1/2 years to share his life, we will always hold him in our hearts. We pray for the repose of his soul and ask him to continue to intercede for us as he rests among the company of the angels and saints.”
Zendzian was ordained in February 1979. He previously served as parochial vicar at St. Margaret Church in Middle Village; St. Rose of Lima Church in Rockaway; St. Francis of Assisi Church in Brooklyn; St. Francis de Sales Church in Belle Harbor; and St. Joseph Church in Long Island City. In addition to serving as pastor at Holy Cross and St. Matthias, he was for a time the pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa-St. Casimir Church in Brooklyn.
He is survived by sister Barbara Albanese, brother-in-law Victor and nieces Michelle and Christina.
Visitation is being held Monday in St. Matthias’ upper church, where a Vigil Mass will be held this evening at 7:30 p.m. Zendzian’s Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning at St. Matthias, followed by interment at St. John Cemetery in Middle Village. Papavero Funeral Home of Maspeth directed the arrangements.
Updated Oct. 28, 9:21 a.m.
