Capital Campaign – Renewing and Restoring the House of God

Renewing and Restoring the House of God – Building Our Future Begins Today!

Our capital campaign, “Restoring and Renewing the House of God” is still underway, and we are excited about the opportunity for everyone in our parish family to participate in this very important event.  For information, call the Parish Office at (516) 676-0676.

Renewing and Restoring the House of God by Carol Griffin
Gold Coast Gazette January 12, 2012

St. Boniface Martyr Parish in Sea Cliff just completed the first phase of ”Renewing and Restoring the House of God” Campaign successfully raising more than $1,000,000 dollars in pledges to begin renovation of the interior of the church.  The project that began in September and over time it has created increased enthusiasm and support.  Members of the community may have noticed the barometer in front of the church noting the success of the campaign moving up from week to week until Christmas, when the success of the campaign was announced to the parish.

Parish pastor, Fr. Bob Romeo began the campaign in September with the assistance of a steering committee of parishioners, a liturgical architect, and Lynch Development secured to do a feasibility study and to manage the campaign.  The goal at that point was to get the feel of how the parish community felt about supporting the plan.  All of the parishioners were invited through letters and bulletin announcements to be interviewed, or fill out questionnaires.  A series of parish meetings followed w here several possible design options were presented.  At the meetings, parishioners were given the opportunity to ask questions on all aspects of the plan.  From day one Fr. Romeo promised that if the parish on a whole was against the project he would not go forward with it but only make repairs as necessary.

In a letter to the parish community, the pastor noted that the parish is not only the House of God but it is also the House of the people of God.  It is sacred space in which we encounter and worship the Living God; where God’s people celebrate their life together, through liturgy, and the sacraments.  He emphasized that “in our role as stewards for future generations, we have an obligation to Renew and Restore the House of God”.

Fr. Romeo asked for everyone’s prayer support as the parish family come together in this effort.  He emphasized that the joy that has been so evident in the parish’s life will be enhanced as the excitement of a “Renewed and Restored” church building draws everyone even closer.

At each meeting Fr. Romeo thoroughly explained why he wanted to do the renovations and how they would benefit the parish especially noting how the design would draw the congregation together at liturgy, provide better auxiliary space and save considerable expenses on utilities in the future by the improved heating, air conditioning and lighting.

After the introductory meetings to explain the project were held in the church, additional meetings were held in parishioner’s homes and at the church to further explain the project and to begin the pledging.  This phase drew considerable support with half of the money pledged by Thanksgiving, which included several large memorial donations.  At this point, the parishioners at large were asked to help by meeting each week and contacting other parishioners in their homes.  It was exciting as each week the support of the project grew and grew with additional parishioners pledging to the memorials and the campaign in general.  By Christmas, the parish had not only reached it goal, but went beyond it.

Although complete details of the design has not been finalized, the overall plan intends to honor the past and provide for the future by repositioning the Tabernacle from the side to the back of the main altar, using the original mosaic and mother of pearl door from the original St. Boniface Church, to enhance the worship environment by bringing the congregation closer to the altar by reducing the size of the sanctuary and reconfiguring the pews for easier access.  The installation of a high efficient burner and conversion to gas heat has already been completed.  The plans also call for energy efficient lighting, modifications to the HVAC system and installation of new restrooms including one that is handicap assessable, and repair and renovation of the existing roof, doors and windows.  When the design committee formalizes the plans, the final design will be presented to the entire parish for their input.

To increase veneration and devotion to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, a shrine area will be created on each side of the sanctuary using statues from the original church and move the statue of St. Boniface outside the school building to a place of honor in the new vestibule that will be increased in size to host a larger number of parishioners and guests for after Mass refreshments, meetings and other socializing.

Fr. Romeo said he is excited about the vision and the campaign.  “It has already brought many blessings to the parish,” he said.  “It has brought a number of the old parishioners back to the parish.”

One of the members of the steering committee said, “It was gratifying to see how the parishioners came together in support of Father Bob’s vision.  Another parishioner noted, “Being involved in the campaign was very exciting by simply watching parish support grow from week to week.”  Another steering committee member with a very practical mind said, “Now that we have succeeded in raising the needed funds, we must complete construction/changes on time within budget and with as little disrupt ion as possible to our parish Mass schedule and other activities.  Fr. Bob has been an inspiration in leading our financial campaign effort and I am sure he will continue his fi ne leadership as we enter the next phase of the program.” Finally, another core member said she was “excited about the vision that Fr. Bob shared with the core committee early on.  I believe that the restoration and changes in the church will enhance the liturgy and create curiosity for new members to join our parish.  We were fairly aggressive implementing the vision which triggered the campaign but the time seemed right, the parish is alive with enthusiasm and growing.  As a result of the campaign the true success is not only in reaching the goal but it was a reason to bring parishioners of all generations together to share in the vision and take ownership together.  As a result many new relation­ ships developed among parishioners and new members feel welcome to participate in many ministries in the parish.”

Members of the steering committee include:  Kevin and Maureen Angliss, Neil and Camille Miritello, Elena Villafane and Dan Kelly, Eileen and Larry Krieb and Frank Sujecki.  Several dozen other parishioners have supported the campaign in various ways to help to make the project a huge success and bringing the parish closer together.

 Lord, I Love the House in which you dwell. (Psalm 26:8)

 

St. Boniface Religious Education Registration 2011-2012

Religious Education Registration for the 2011-2012 will take place at church after all Masses on the weekends of June 12th and 19th.	Please print out the Registration form, below, complete it; bring the completed form and a copy of your child’s Baptismal certificate if they were not baptized at St. Boniface Martyr Parish.	Any questions please call the Religious Education Office at 516- 671-0418.
The fee for this year’s program is $90 per child, $180 for 2 or more children per family.  Cash or checks will be accepted and must be provided at registration.	Please make sure to fill in your Parish ID number located on your offertory envelopes.   If you are not registered to the parish please contact the Parish Office prior to registration.

Registration will take place after all the Masses on the weekends of June 11,12 & June 18,19

Please complete the form below and bring any necessary paperwork and fees with you.  No forms with incomplete information, missing baptismal information or missing fees will be accepted.

 

Last Name: _______________________  **Parish ID Number (From envelopes): _____________

Fathers First Name: ____________ Mothers First Name: _____________ Mother’s maiden name:___________

Mailing Address: ______________________________

                       ______________________________

Home Phone Number: ______________________      Additional Phone Number: (cell, work): _______________

E-Mail Address: ________________________________________

***Volunteer: (Catechist, Assistant, Attendance Help, Other): _________________________________________

1. Child’s Name: ___________________________     Grade:___________  Birth date: ______________

*Baptismal Church: ________________________      Baptismal Date: ___________________________

2. Child’s Name: ___________________________     Grade:___________  Birth date: ______________

*Baptismal Church: ________________________      Baptismal Date: ___________________________

3. Child’s Name: ___________________________     Grade:___________  Birth date: ______________

*Baptismal Church: ________________________      Baptismal Date: ___________________________

4. Child’s Name: ___________________________     Grade:___________  Birth date: ______________

*Baptismal Church: ________________________      Baptismal Date: ___________________________

*If child was not baptized at St. Boniface Martyr Parish and this is a new registration please attach copy of Baptismal certificate.

**Parish ID is on your Offertory Envelopes.  If you do not get envelopes you must check your Parish registration status with the Parish Main Office at 676-0676 before registering for Religious Education, Thank You.

***Volunteers are necessary for a successful program.  Please volunteer in some capacity, Thank you.

Program Choice:

After-school program meets Tues. (gr. 1-3)-3:45-4:45pm; Wed. (gr. 4-5)-3:45-5pm; Thrs. (gr. 6,7,8)-7 to 8:15pm

After-school program (grades 1-8):  ______                

Family Program meets every other Sunday from 9 to 10am.

Family Program (available for grades 1 through 6 only): ___________

Fee: $90 per child – $180 max per family (Sacrament Fees extra)

PARISH USE ONLY: PAYMENT INFORMATION: _______________________________________________

Our Community Grows

By October, 1923, a parish census showed 140 families where both spouses were Catholic, and 260 families where only one spouse was Catholic. There were then 859 Catholics in the parish. A Sunday School held at the time averaged 135 youngsters in attendance. Fifty were baptized that year; 26 made Holy Communion; thirteen couples were married; and there were 16 deaths.

The “diamond-in-the-rough” who followed Father Sloane as pastor is still remembered by some in the community: Reverend Patrick J. Ford (1926-1937). Irish-born, with a tough exterior, he was the sort of pastor who visited his flock, family by family. Carrying forward Father Sloane’s dream, the school became his great effort, and it was brought to a reality at a cost of a quarter-million dollars. It opened in September, 1928, with an initial enrollment of 150 pupils, and the Sisters of Mercy of Dallas, Pennsylvania were enlisted to teach.

When the Great Depression hit the country, it seriously affected St. Boniface Martyr Parish. Few could meet pledges made in good faith, and the church was burdened with debt. Father Ford, in 1932, organized a “conference” of the St. Vincent de Paul Society as one bulwark against personal need suffered by the parishioners and others in Sea Cliff during those stark days. To make matters worse, in 1936, an arsonist set fire to the church building on three occasions, causing heavy damage and adding to the financial debt of the parish.

When Father Ford was moved to St. Sylvester’s in Brooklyn, he was succeeded by Reverend Charles B. Garvey (1937-46), a native of Cutchogue who was one of the first vocations from Suffolk County. During his pastorate, the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) was organized, the Confraternity of the Rosary was begun, and the Carmelite Third Order set up a chapter here.

During W.W.II parishioners knitted scarves, held blood-banks, rolled bandages, sat fire-watches, and entertained “the Boys” from Mitchell Field and Roslyn Air Base. They whispered about the strange boats quartered at Fyfe’s Shipyard in Glenwood Landing that were tested up and down the harbor (which they later learned were the “PT Boats” of Pacific fame). They wrote a lot of V-Mail letters and also held special prayer services for a victorious D-Day. As a matter of fact, they did a lot of praying! During the war, more than 400 men and women of St. Boniface served in the armed forces and of these, 15 made the supreme sacrifice of their lives.

During the era of post-world war prosperity, many Catholic families moved out to the suburbs and into the parish. Despite the return to better times, many still felt the pinch of the long depression. To aid them in adjusting financially, while helping them avoid the high interest rates of the loan companies, a cooperative credit union was established among the parishioners. Small loans at very low interest rates were of untold value.

Father Garvey died as pastor in 1946, and was succeeded within a month by the Reverend William J. Gately. Under Father Gately’s leadership, the parish debt was paid off, and the church, school, convent and rectory were repaired and redecorated.

In May, 1947, a census revealed that the parish had grown to 1,198 families representing 3,645 individuals. During Father Gately’s stay, the parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1948, with a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving, with the Most Reverend Thomas E. Molloy, Bishop of Brooklyn, presiding. Father Gately was instrumental in establishing a Mothers’ Club as a support for the parochial school.

In 1952, Reverend Thomas W. Smiddy succeeded Father Gately. After a year of dedicated pastoral work Father Smiddy, in 1953, was transferred to the Chancery Office in Brooklyn where he was eventually elevated to Papal Chamberlain as a Very Reverend Monsignor. In exchange, the man who held that post in Brooklyn, Very Reverend Monsignor Vincent J. Baldwin, came to St. Boniface. He was aided in his adjustment to the life of pastor by Fathers O’Mara and Canning, who had long served in the parish. Three years later, Monsignor Baldwin left for St. Aloysius in Great Neck, and was succeeded by the Reverend John J. Fee.

Since three successive pastors, Fathers Gately, Smiddy and Baldwin, had each won high office in the Church after leaving St. Boniface, it was said at the time that a priest apparently “is never simply transferred from St. Boniface — he’s promoted!”

About a year after Father Fee’s arrival, an important change occurred. The Brooklyn Diocese had, from 1853, extended control over the entire length of Long Island. In May 1957, Nassau and Suffolk counties were separated from the old order and designated as a new diocese with its seat at Rockville Centre. The Most Reverend Walter P. Kellenberg became the new Bishop. At this time, Father Fee’s devotion to Mary was recognized and he was appointed director of the Legion of Mary for the new diocese, a post which he held until his death.