St. Patrick Parish News

Graduates were invited to the 9 AM Mass on Sunday, June 29th, 2008 for a special blessing and hospitality in Canning Hall. Congratulations to all and may God bless you as you move on in a new phase of life.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid: John and Jackie Morreale, pictured at left in the top photo with Fr. Walden and Ed and Barbara Young who ran the raffle. The winner of the seven-day Wyndham Resort stay/Southwest Airlines tickets was Joan Jaeger (pictured above, left). The $1,000 “Cash for Gas” went to Raymond Winslow (above right).

If you missed our Irish Pub Night on June 27th, 2008, you missed out on great food, great fellowship, and outstanding entertainment. Andy Cooney (top), his band (middle), and comedian George Casey (bottom, with Fathers Jilson and Fred) made our first ever Irish Pub Night truly remarkable.

Fr. Robert Anagboso is from Anambra State, Nigeria. He is from the same diocese as Fr. Anselm. Fr. Robert was ordained on August 18, 2001. His first assignment was as an assistant parish priest in his diocese for two years. He then served in a mission for three years in Isseluku Diocese, Delta State, Nigeria. He is currently in his second year of three years of study in Rome, focusing on social and institutional communications. Fr. Robert has three sisters and two brothers. His interests include soccer, reading and music, particularly traditional music from his homeland and reggea music, although he also very much enjoyed the music from Irish Pub Night. Fr. Robert says his initial reaction to St. Patrick’s has been positive. He particularly enjoyed seeing large numbers of people at Mass last weekend. “I felt like I was in Nigeria (Masses are always crowded.),” he said.

Fr. George Akyeampong comes to us from Eastern Ghana. He will reside at St. Patrick’s for the summer months. Fr. George will be filling in as chaplain at St. Catherine’s Hospital and Nursing Home, giving Fr. Fred Hill and Fr. Anselm Okeke some well-deserved time off. Fr. George was ordained on July 23, 1995. His first assignment was to work with the Bishop at the Cathedral. He then spent a month in Malta before becoming pastor at Ntronang Parish. Fr. George then move on to become pastor at St. John’s Church in Anyinam where he spent nine years. He then returned to Eastern Ghana as pastor of another St. John’s Church, his current assignment. This is not Fr. George’s first trip to the United States. He has also helped over the summer months at Christ the King Parish in Commack. Fr. George is the third of six children, with two sisters and three brothers. His interests include soccer and walking. His initial reaction to St. Patrick’s is “excellent.” He noted that he “loved it at once.”

Holy Mother Mary Knights of Columbus Council #3958 recently named the winners of the Donald J. Burns Scholarship. Each received a $500 award. Pictured are Tom Keane (Grand Knight); scholarship winners Edwin Carlson, Brett Groneman, Kathleen Thomas and Veronica Peck, and Fr. Patrick Riegger, the Knights moderator.

Ministry to the Nesconset Nursing Center, under the direction of St. Patrick’s Parish Outreach, is proud to announce Helen Murray as "Spiritual Volunteer of the Year". Helen does the Lord’s work humbly, unselfishly, and with sincere compassion. She has demonstrated faith in action and we are blessed to have her in our parish community. The initial objective of the Nursing Home ministry was to say the rosary with the residents. However, it quickly expanded in the 23 years of its existence. Volunteers now transport residents to and from our religious services, and EM’s distribute the Eucharist. Members of the team can be found making friendly visits, reading to residents, writing notes or cards. We thank: Helen Murray, Ann Caffrey, Mary Jackman, Deacon Fred Jackman, Sister Rose Lanzone, Leona Peters, Anna Morreale, Juliet Plank, Dottie and Lou Giambertone, Ann Ruback, Peter Castello, and Rich Janiec for reaching out to their sisters and brothers with such warmth.

Ten St. Patrick’s parishioners recently received awards from the Diocese Religious Studies Program during a ceremony at St. Agnes Cathedral. Pictured are (from bottom left): Mary Ellen McCrossen, Joan Gilroy, Stella Baker, and Emerita Tiedemann, (from center left): Mia Garrambone, Denise Gibbons and Ruth Ann Baker. They were accompanied by (top from left) Director of Religious Education (Levels 4-8) Peggy Soviero, Fr. Patrick Riegger, and DRE (Levels 1-4) Elaina Kedjierski. Other award recipients, not pictured, are: Robert Burke, Donna Rinaldi, and Maria Wilkom. Mrs. Tiedemann received certification from the Pastoral Formation Institute. All other received Advanced Theology Certificates. Congratulations!

Altar servers who have served through their senior year in high school were treated to pizza and ice cream cake and presented with gifts during “Senior Altar Server Night” at the rectory. Pictured are (from left): Brett Groneman, James Ciancarelli, Jimmy Calcado, Peter Brennan, Brittany Robles, Kathleen Thomas, Alicia Chionchio, and Liz Reilly. (Not picutured, Alison Duckham, Mark Plonski and Nolan Taormino.)

Graduates come in all sizes. St. Patrick School also recently held pre-school graduation. Congratulations to all

Congratulations! Congratulations!
St. Patrick’s sends congratulations to Fr. Allan Sikorski
who was ordained on Saturday, June 14th. Fr. Sikorski
served his pastoral year in our parish two years ago. He
will now become associate pastor at St. Mary’s Church
in Manhasset. Fr. Sikorski, our prayers are with you as
you begin your service to God in the priesthood!

Last week's graduation ceremonies for students graduating from St. Patrick School marked their past achievements and readiness to answer their new callings as high school students. The Class of 2008 was kept busy with an awards breakfast and eighth-grade dance were held on Wednesday, June 11th, the commencement liturgy was held on Thursday, June 12th and graduation on Friday, June 13th. All was capped off with a dinner dance for graduates and their families at the Hyatt Regency. Congratulations to our graduates and may God bless you as you move on to high school!

The annual school picnic is held at the conclusion of each school year. The picnic features an outdoor barbeque, a slide, pick-up games of soccer, wiffle ball, football and more. Teachers, students and parents all enjoy this yearly event.

For the Class of 2008, St. Patrick’s School Friday Football games have come to an end. Fr. Patrick treated Friday Football participants to a pizza lunch as a send off prior to graduation.

When first-grade students at St. Patrick School enter their classrooms in September, it will be the first time in 34 years that Sr. Patricia Ann Kenney will not be there. After 49 years as a first-grade teacher, Sr. Patricia will follow God’s will in a new direction. On Friday, June 6th, St. Patrick School honored Sister Patricia with a Mass, celebrated by Msgr. Robert Brennan, and a reception in Canning Hall which included an original poem and a song performed by first-grade students, songs by fouth through eighth grade students, a reflection by seventh grade student Angelyce, and a DVD presentation.

Sr. Patricia may be retiring as a first-grade teacher, but the impact of her work will be felt for many years to come. On Friday, June 6th, St. Patrick School honored this beloved teacher and nun. There were faces from the past, including Msgr. Robert Brennan, former associate pastor at St. Patrick’s, Msgr. James Boesel, a long-time family friend, and Sr. Mary Eileen Kenney, Sr. Patricia’s sister, as well as former students and parents of students. Of course, there were also faces from the present. The student body in grades 1-8 gave Sister a heart-felt send off. To Sr. Patricia, from all of us at St. Patrick’s (only an Irish blessing will do):

May God give you . . . For every storm, a rainbow, for every tear, a smile, for every care, a promise, and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh, a sweet song, and an answer for each prayer.