Plainfield St. Mary Immaculate commemorates tornado anniversary with prayer, display

PLAINFIELD – Plainfield resident Helen Struzik read prayers Saturday afternoon during Mass at St. Mary Immaculate Parish for the 29 lives lost when the 1990 tornado destroyed much of Plainfield, including the church.

“This weekend at all our parish Masses we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the tornado that changed the life of our parish and our community forever,” Struzik said.

In the prayer, parishioners remembered the 29 people who were killed by the tornado, including the three who died at the church: Howard Hawes Jr., Gloria Sanchez and Sister Mary Keenan.

They also remembered those who were injured or lost their homes, schools or businesses; the new hope and tremendous growth that sprung from the incident; the leadership of priests deacons and laypeople who restored the church; and those affected by any natural disaster.

Along with the special prayer at Mass, St. Mary commemorated the tornado by displaying memorabilia from the fateful day Aug. 28, 1990, after all its Masses on Saturday and Sunday in the church’s gymnasium.

Displayed were copies of newspapers and The Herald-News’ special publication, “Winds of Fury.” Memorabilia included personal items saved by parishioners ranging from photos and tapestries to old football gear. A projected video of news reports of the next several days after the tornado played.

Matt and Diana Rakauskas weren’t in Plainfield at the time of the tornado. But they are both trained as weather spotters, so checking out the memorabilia at the church piqued their interest.

“Back then, you had no idea where Plainfield was,” Diana Rakauskas said. “But it was in People magazine.”

“It is definitely surreal that we’re standing right where it happened,” Matt Rakauskas said.

After demolishing Plainfield High School, the 1990 tornado kept a course southeast across Route 59 right over the church.

Struzik wasn’t at the church when the tornado struck, but she remember heading over and witnessing the damage.

“It took out half the roof,” Struzik said. “... We were blessed [during the recovery].”