St. Patrick Parish News

RCIA catechumens and candidates participated in the First Scrutiny on Sunday, March 15th, 2009 as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation on the Easter Vigil.

St. Patrick's Parish annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner Dance was held on Friday, March 13trh, 2009 at Flowerfields in St. James.

During the St. Patrick's Day Dance held on Friday, March 13th 2009, Sister Patricia Ann Kenney was honored for 49 years in Catholic Education.

St. Patrick’s Religious Formation program celebrated Religious Education week with special activities and hospitality after the 9 and 10:30 AM Sunday Masses on Sunday, April 8th, 2009. Pictured is some of the work posted in Canning Hall.

Holy Mother Mary Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes held a membership drive the weekend of March 8th, 2009. The Knights and Columbiettes are the force behind many of the charitable works and special events in our parish and in our community.

Our RCIA candidates who have already been baptized participated in the Rite of Sending Forth at the Sunday 10:30 AM Mass. The candidates were “sent forth” from our community to the bishop who will celebrate the Call to Continuing Conversion with them at St. Anne’s in Brentwood on March 22nd.

Second grade students recently celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation during a special service.

Girl Scouts who have earned religious awards were honored at the 5 PM Family Mass on Saturday, March 7th, 2009.

Second grade students from St. Patrick School celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation last Saturday, March 7th, 2009. Following the Mass and Sacrament, many families gathered in Canning Hall for brunch.

St. Patrick School named its Students of the Month at the First Friday Mass on March 6th, 2009. Students receiving the award have demonstrated good citizenship. Congratulations!

RCIA participants who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil, their sponsors and RCIA team members attended the Rite of Election with Bishop William Murphy at St. Anne’s in Brentwood last Sunday, April 2nd, 2009.

During the 10:30 AM Mass on Sunday, April 2nd, 2009, Fr. Patrick celebrate the "Rite of Sending Forth" for our RCIA members who are preparing for the sacrament of Baptism at the Easter Vigil. After this Rite, the catacumens are sent to the Bishop for the "Rite of Election."

This past week, St. Patrick’s welcomed Fr. Peter Dugandzic who will serve as associate pastor in our parish until a permanent associate is named in June. Fr. Peter grew up in St. James and is a graduate of Smithtown East High School. He attended Suffolk Community College for two years and graduated from SUNY at Cortland. After five years in the business world, Fr. Peter began studying for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1995. He served as associate pastor at St. William the Abbot in Seaford for five years and at St. Mary’s in Manhasset for three years. Fr. Peter then studied at Catholic University of America and in Rome where he received a doctorate in moral theology. From all of us at St. Patrick’s, welcome!

Since June of 2003, St. Patrick’s has been blessed with the presence of Fr. Jilson
George. This weekend our parish says good-bye to this humble priest from Kerala, India who won our hearts through his warmth, compassion, sincerity and,of course, that signature smile. After serving his last Mass at St. Patrick's 12 Noon on Sunday, February 22nd, 2009, Fr. Jilson was treated to well attended "Bon Voyage" party in Canning Hall.