Summer is here in full swing.   We have to thank the wonderful volunteers who made our Family Festival and Fest so successful:

First of all Rich and Sharon Lucidi, our general chaircouple (is that an English word?) who never seemed to get a moment’s rest, all of other chairpeople:  Jeff Moore who ran the Food Booth with a great crew and who made more money for the parish than we ever did before.  We have to acknowledge all the kids form our Youth Group and confirmation class who worked so hard there.  Thanks to Kerry Catanzano and his crew in the beer tent who made sure that throats were quenched and that limits were observed.  Thanks to Gloria Malloy and Raffle crew who made our 50/50 so successful both the daily 50/50 and the super 50/50.  Thanks to Nicole and Veronica Muñoz (a great mother and daughter duo) and all their crew who kept the ticket booth humming and the lines moving.  Thanks to all of our cooks—all who donated soda breads, Shepherd’s Pies, all who were manning the grills each night and a special thanks to Mickey Gambale and Maria Sarlo who were the undisputed Rice Ball Queens of Glen Cove.  Thanks to Cantalicio Gamarra and the many volunteers from the Hispanic Community who made enough pupsas to circle the globe.  Thanks to Deacon Mike, our business manager, who received his baptism by fire in overseeing the Feast.  Thanks to the Sons of San Paolino who worked for weeks in preparation and were there every day and night to do whatever we needed done and who inspired us with their devotion and sacrifice by dancing the 65 foot tall, 2 ton-plus Giglio.  And a special thank you to Father Marty, our feast moderator, who kept us all focused, cracked the whip when we needed it and most of all made sure we kept the little kid in us alive and enjoyed ourselves.  If I left anyone out, it was not intentional—I could never thank the many volunteers and all of you who came out for the feast and made it such a financial, social and community success.

There are a few new faces on the hill.  You have all met Father Augustine Oraka by now, who is with us from Nigeria while he is on a sabbatical from his own parish and will be helping us out for the last year of my nursing school obligations.  We welcome back our dear friend, Father Mario Rodrigues who is back with us again from Pakistan.  We say welcome home, Father Mario, because you are really part of our family (and Father Marty likes having another Yankee fan in the house!).  We also welcome Father Francis Mifsud, who has come to us from the island nation of Malta in Europe and who will be with s until September.  We hope he will come to feel at home here with us.  Interestingly, to show how truly catholic or universal our Catholic Church is, right now we have a priest from every continent except Australia:  Fr. Francis from Europe, Fr. Augustine from Africa, Fr. Mario from Asia, Fr. Rolando from South America and Fr. Marty and Fr. Thom from North America!    I don’t think any other parish can claim that.

You have noticed that we are continuing with some capital improvements and repairs:  we have had to remove the shrubs from alongside the Church and will be replacing them with easier to maintain plantings in the fall.  Just about all of the wrought iron fencing and railings on the hill have been painted.  The cafeteria was repainted and most of the leaks finally fixed.  The air conditioning in the Parish Hall was repaired and we received good news that it should be good for several years and will be maintained for us by the Carrier company.  Several large trees that were causing water and structural problems have been safely removed.  We are gathering bids on resealing and repaving the parking lot.  A lot of work is planned for the school building this summer—much of it a joint effort of the Regional School and the parish.  Please continue to be generous in your weekly stewardship to the parish so that we can continue to maintain and protect our historical and renowned buildings here on the hill.  Welcome to all visitors.  Enjoy your vacations to all who will be taking some time off.  Summer blessings—Fr. Thom