People of the Parish

Deacon Fred Jackman, a deacon for 29 years and a dedicated servant of God and the people of our parish, died on Saturday, November 15th. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, and the people of St. Patrick’s he served so well.

“But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”
Luke 8:15

Obituary from the Long Island Catholic
Smithtown — Deacon Frederick Jackman, who served at St. Patrick’s Church, Smithtown, died November 15th, 2008.
Deacon Jackman, 84, a member of the first ordination class of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, was ordained to the permanent diaconate June 9, 1979. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1945 and subsequently taught world history at Regis High School, Manhattan (1945-1946) and history and English at Fordham Prep in the Bronx (1946-1947). From 1962 until his retirement, he worked for the Suffolk County Department of Social Services as a supervisor of case workers in the housing unit in Babylon Center. He was a certified social worker.
During his ministry at St. Patrick’s, Deacon Jackman served as a hospital chaplain. He assisted retired priests at the bi-monthly Mass at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, and he performed burial services for the Diocese of Brooklyn, St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Charles Cemetery, usually every third Friday. As sacristan at St. Patrick’s, he worked with members of the Rosary Altar Society to maintain all aspects of the sacristy.
The Mass of Transferral on Monday evening, Nov. 17 at St. Patrick’s was celebrated by Msgr. Ellsworth R. Walden, pastor; Deacon Vincent Abrahams was homilist. Msgr. Walden also celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial on Nov. 18. Deacon Jackman was interred at St. Patrick’s Cemetery here.
Deacon Jackman is survived by Mary Anne, his wife of 52 years; three children, Jeanmarie Romero, Michael, and Lisa Marie Asendorf; a sister, Delores Donato; and four grandchildren.


More photographs are available at the parish photo album.

Congratulations to William Minerva who recently received the Bishop John R. McGann award for his 30 years of service in religious formation. The award was presented during a ceremony at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre.

St. Patrick’s Rectory continues to live up to it’s nickname (IHOP: International House of Priests). After visits this summer from Fr. George from Ghana and Fr. Robert from Nigeria, our rectory was graced with the presence of Fr. Martin Onuoha who is from the same region and tribe as Frs. Anselm and Robert. Fr. Martin arrived on October 1st. Ordained in 2001, Fr. Martin has been studying in Rome, recently receiving a master’s degree in dogmatic theology. While new to St. Patrick’s, Fr. Martin is not new to the United States, having worked at St. Anne’s in Brentwood the past two summers. On October 28th, he will return to Rome to begin work on his doctorate.

In September of 2008, one of our parishioners, Veronica Moran was honored by Bishop William Murphy with the St. Agnes Medal of Service. Now in its second year of existence, the medal is awarded to one individual or married couple from each parish in the diocese for extraordinary service in parish ministry, parish administration or some significant volunteer role. Veronica is active in the Legion of Mary, our parish consolation ministry, and has volunteered in religious formation programs for more than 50 years.

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.”

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!

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.

John Patsolos and John Forlenza are pictured with a plaque they received from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Through its participation in St. Patrick School’s Car Show fundraiser, the foundation was able to raise $546. This donation will help grant the wish of Jacob, a special four-year-old from Bohemia who suffers from Neuroblastoma and wishes to go to Disney World with his family.

From Parishoner John McGowan

April 20th 2008 is a day I will long remember and cherish. Being at Yankee Stadium and watching and listening to Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI was a moving and loving experience. I was able to clearly see him as he celebrated the Mass and watched him as he read his homily seated in his raised chair. After his Apostolic Blessing, I watched him as he entered the dugout directly below where I was seated. I waited as the Popemobile waited for him and then saw him emerge and step up directly into the back of the vehicle. As the vehicle passed directly below me, he continued to wave to everyone. I thank God that I had the opportunity to be there.