Youth Ministry Virtual Connect

January 10, 2021 by 1 Comment
NEW YOUTH MINISTRY VIRTUAL CONNECT
 

✅ Want to stay connected with other teens but can’t get out, or don’t think you have the time?

✅ Need a place to share YOUR story of how you are doing during this pandemic?
✅ Need prayer for yourself or a loved one?
✅ Want a safe place where you can ask questions about your faith?
✅ Want an opportunity to win gift cards to Starbucks and Choppers Burger Bar?
 
If you answered yes to any of these questions then please join us for our new monthly virtual zoom – St. Boniface Youth Connect!
 
What is St. Boniface Youth Connect?
 
It is a place where teens can meet new people, grow friendships, and draw closer to God.
 
It’s a place where teens talk and adults listen.
 
It’s also a place where teens can plug into the Word of God and prayer with the support of the church.
 
This event will be lead by
Guest Youth Minister & Confirmation Catechist Sally Doulton
 
For dates and log in info/RSVP email us at:
 
You can also check the St. Boniface Youth Group Facebook page for the upcoming dates.
 
We look forward to meeting all of you and hearing about your lives and questions about your faith.
 
See you there!
 
Our Youth Group gives teens the opportunity to meet and foster lasting friendships while exploring our faith and belief.

Check us out, bring some friends, make some new ones!  Join our Facebook page “St. Boniface Youth Group“.

All are welcome!

Belinda Basaca Zeitlin:  516-676-0676;  email:  stbonym@gmail.com.

For up to date information on all of our events email stbonym@gmail.com to join our weekly mailing list or follow us on Instagram at STBONYG
Follow us on our  Instagram, username: ‘stbonyg’,
Join our Facebook  page ‘St. Boniface Youth Group‘
Email  the Youth Minister, Belinda, at stbonym@gmail.com.
 
Who is your new Youth Ministry Director?
Dr. Belinda Basaca Zeitlin, MS, MD (aka “Dr. B”) is a pediatrician and has been a St. Boniface Parishioner for over a decade.  She and her husband were raised in Glen Cove and returned to the area in June 2000 to raise their now teenage boys.  She has extensive training in youth empowerment, interpersonal communication and leadership skills. She serves as member to the Pastoral Council, an Extraordinary Minister and lector and has launched several new initiatives at our Parish including the Parish Yard Sale and Christmas Around the World. As a parent and pediatrician, she has prided her professional work on being a sentinel for child protection and anti-bullying. As a child advocate, her life’s mission is to empower youth and instill leadership skills that will last them a lifetime.
 

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A Parish Is Born, 1898

June 24, 2015 by Leave a Comment

The Old Chapel, site of first Catholic Mass in Sea Cliff

In 1668, Joseph Carpenter and a few associates purchased a large tract of land on the North Shore of Long Island from the Matinecock Indians. This area remained a quiet, rural settlement until a post-Civil War religious fervor showed itself along the Atlantic seaboard. In 1871, a group of Methodists from Manhattan and Brooklyn organized the Sea Cliff Grove and Camp Ground Association and bought 147 acres of property from the heirs of Joseph Carpenter. Over the next three decades, religious summer camp meetings and crowds of visitors transformed the area into a bustling resort town, complete with hotels, a ferry service, steamboat cruises and lovely Victorian homes.

On October 12, 1883, that Sea Cliff became an incorporated village composed of thirteen families and the pastor of the Methodist Church. As the village continued to grow, more Catholic families settled in the area. On July 18, 1897, the first Catholic services were held in the Old Chapel on 14th Avenue, just west of Central Avenue, where visiting clergymen came to Sea Cliff to conduct camp meetings. Father James McEnroe presided and was assisted by Father Frederick Lund. Throughout the following year the pair continued to travel from Glen Cove to say mass at the mission until plans for a new parish were realized.

In 1898, Bishop Charles E. McDonnell, the second Bishop of the Brooklyn Diocese, formed a new parish in Sea Cliff that he named St. Boniface Martyr, and appointed Father James J. Donohoe as first pastor. Father Donohoe celebrated his first Mass on July 3, 1898 in the Old Chapel. The Sea Cliff News of July 9, 1898 correctly predicted: “As Father Donohoe is a hustler, it will not be long before a handsome new church will be erected.”

Ground was broken for a church building on January 11, 1899, and volunteers (including many non-Catholics) carted bricks and fieldstone from the Glenwood Landing dock and from the Long Island Railroad station in Glen Head. On June 11, 1899, the cornerstone for the church building was laid.

As the church was being erected, the work of building the parish also proceeded. Father Donohoe set up a Sunday School and organized a Junior Choir, formed an Apostleship of Prayer, arranged for a mission, got the Holy Name Society underway, organized the St. Aloysius and Holy Angels Sodalities, took the first census, celebrated the first confirmation, and trained the first altar boys. He set up the St. Boniface Guards for youth aged 9 through 15. He bought an old boarding house, turned it into a rectory, and held a special collection to furnish it. Instead of charging pew rent, as was the custom, an “admission fee” of ten cents was taken at the door as one entered for mass.

The social life of the church blossomed, all with the point of fund-raising. A news account of the time tells of “lectures, balls, stereopticon views, picnics, minstrel shows, fairs (one in 1897 netted $1200), concerts, lawn parties, open-air dancing, euchre (card) parties and suppers…”.

The moment the basement of the church was completed, Father Donohoe again appealed for the parishioners to harness their horse teams to carry chairs, benches and an altar to the site, where mass was celebrated on July 9, 1899. The completed church building was dedicated by Bishop Charles E. McDonnell, D.D., on April 22, 1900.

A Temperance Society was begun in April 1901 and lasted for only five years (records indicate a yearly decrease in numbers).

In 1902, the first St. Patrick’s Day Supper was celebrated, and netted $142.40. It soon became the parish event of the year, attracting people from the whole Oyster Bay peninsula. Its eat-all-you-like meal, prepared and served by the Ladies Guild in an atmosphere of carefree joy, was finally discontinued in the 1950’s for lack of ability to handle the crowds.

Father Donohoe was transferred in 1906 to St. Martin of Tours in Brooklyn, and Reverend William L. O’Hara became the second pastor at St. Boniface Martyr (1906-1909). He soon became known for his civic interest, his instruction of non-Catholics, and his generosity. In June of 1906, he gave the commencement address at the Sea Cliff High School graduation exercises. It was he who urged his parishioners and others in Sea Cliff to send money to aid those suffering from the San Francisco earthquake and, later, to collect for victims of an earthquake in Italy.

The pastor who followed Reverend O’Hara was by disposition apparently something of a local John XXIII (before his time). The Rev. Louis J. Sloane, who served until 1926,

Early photo of the first church without the later-added bell and covered entranceway in place

managed to pay off the church debt and began the dream of a parochial school. To this end, he started to build a treasury.

Father Sloane was known for his great charity toward all people. He was well-liked by non-Catholics in town and made many converts. When Father Sloane was suffering from his last illness, public prayers for his recovery were said in all the Protestant churches in Sea Cliff and in the Jewish Synagogues in Glen Cove. During the last two years of Father Sloane’s pastorate, Reverend Aloysius H. Gillick and Reverend William Rhatigan served as administrators.

A new church bell was blessed on Thanksgiving Day, 1916, and began to ring out the Angelus three times each day and to call the parish to divine worship. Weighing one thousand pounds, the bell was made by the Meneely Bell Company of Troy, New York, and was donated by Miss Mary A. Neville. It now sits in a small brick tower adjacent to the current church building.

Interior of original St. Boniface Church.
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St. Boniface Expands 1956-90

June 24, 2015 by Leave a Comment

St. Boniface Grows along with Long Island

A new Diocese, a Bigger School and a New Church

In 1959, the Diocesan Commission on Parish Boundaries began its work to provide more realistic borders for the parish. It was eventually decided to increase the St. Boniface boundaries so that Shore Road to Glen Cove Avenue began the northern limit, continuing up “back road hill” to Sea Cliff Avenue, and from there to the railroad tracks. The eastern edge of the parish followed the tracks to Glen Avenue in Glen Head, and Scudders Lane provided the southern border with Hempstead Harbor the western extremity.

Father Fee sensed that it was time to build. The lovely small church built in 1900 seated just over 300; the school, built in 1928, needed more classrooms; the greater number of classrooms would demand more teachers and, hence, more convent space; and the rectory, which had never been large enough, would in any event be demolished if a larger church were to be built.

With Father Fee’s leadership and much work and sacrifice on the part of the St. Boniface lay people, a fund-raising campaign began in 1960. The goal of a quarter-million dollars was quickly oversubscribed. Six additional classrooms were completed within the original school building, an extension providing for thirteen sisters was added to the convent, and an adjacent house was bought and made into a rectory. A new and larger church building was designed and constructed. All of this took until 1964 to complete.

The original Church building being torn down in 1964 .

Dedication of the new church building, 1964

Finally, on May 3, 1964, the Solemn Dedication of the new edifice took place. The Most Reverend Walter P. Kellenberg, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, presided.

The Most Reverend Vincent J. Baldwin, S.T.D., V.G., Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, who had served as pastor in Sea Cliff (1953-56), preached the homily.  There were other familiar faces serving as Officers of the Pontifical Mass that day: Right Reverend Monsignor William J. Gately, Assistant Priest; Very Reverend Monsignor Thomas W. Smiddy and Reverend James F. Bradley, Deacons of Honor; Reverend George F. O’Mara, Deacon; Reverend Joseph F.X. Canning, Subdeacon. The Masters of Ceremonies were the Very Reverend Monsignors Francis J. Williams and John R. McGann.

The souvenir program for the day explained very well the rationale for the new church building, and permitted the architects to describe what they thought they had accomplished:

The new church building we dedicate today replaced the old St. Boniface Martyr Church which stood for more than sixty years on the same site. Much local affection was held for the old church which had become a landmark in town…. [P]arish growth demanded an enlarged, more up-to-date church. In the demolition of the old church, Father Fee had hoped that something of the original building might be incorporated in the new design. The original church bell atop the front facade of the old church was in excellent condition and would provide auditory as well as visual memories of the former place of worship. To bridge this old and new, the old bell has been placed in a free-standing bell tower, and has been made automatic, with clock and manual controls inside the new church.

The architects described their use of oak (symbolic of St. Boniface’s having destroyed the Pagans’ sacred tree) in the nave and in the church doors, and of the oak leaf and acorn design in the altar rail, votive stands, lectern and speaker grilles. In great detail they describe the eight stained-glass windows in the transepts which depict “historically accurate events from the life of the patron of the parish”. The four windows in the nave illustrate the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary and the large entrance window depicts the Coronation of the Blessed Mother as Queen of Heaven and Earth. When the celebration was over it was realized that with the cost of the expansion and of the new buildings and of the purchase of the two adjacent parcels of land, the parish had a $440,000 debt.

Diamond Jubilee

To celebrate its Diamond Jubilee, the parish began 1973 with a New Year’s Party. Two dinner plates were designed to commemorate the occasion of the 75th Anniversary. A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated on Sunday, June 24, 1973, with Bishop Kellenberg as the principal celebrant and with Fathers James Bradley, George O’Mara, Joseph Canning, Hubert Spinner, Thaddeus Semla, and, of course, Father Fee, as concelebrants. Father George O’Mara, who had been associate pastor at St. Boniface from 1935 to 1961, gave the homily. The record shows — reflecting Vatican II — that Joseph Vulpis was the cantor and Robert Bolger was the Lector.

Click here for rare historic photos of our 75th Anniversary Celebration

New Roles for Parishioners After Vatican II

While the physical structure of St. Boniface was expanding, so too was the role of its parishioners. Lay activity had always been a hallmark of the parish, but with the advent of Vatican Council II came the formal changes of a Parish Council, a School Board, and a CCD board composed of laymen and laywomen. These lay efforts continued to be reinforced by those organizations already in existence and the Adult Choir and the Folk Group were added.

A New Pastor, Donald F. Diederich

Father Diederich’s pastorate was marked by strong emphasis on the liturgy. “The parish community begins with the Eucharist, and the other sacraments,” said Father Diederich, “and everything else flows from that.” Among his efforts, a successful half-million dollar fund-raising campaign to renovate the church was realized.

The parish continued to prosper and to grow, and as one observer from outside the parish noted, Father Fee played “a dignified and important role in Sea Cliff,” as well as in the St. Boniface community. He was honored by the North Shore Kiwanis Club as “Citizen of the Year” in 1980 and, when he reached the age of obligatory retirement, continued to reside at the parish as Pastor Emeritus. It was then that the Reverend Donald F. Diederich was installed as pastor.

In the fall of 1982 the priests moved to the newly renovated Parish Center, a building that since 1928 had been the convent for the Sisters of Mercy, and the former rectory was rented to the Sisters of St. Joseph.

May 31, 1983, was the 25th Anniversary of Father Diederich’s ordination. Quite secretly, the parish determined to send Father on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which he had never visited. Arrangements were made for him to depart on May 22, so he could celebrate a special mass in that most sacred place, on his actual anniversary. On May 15, Father Dederich was honored at a mass and afterward a reception was held in the school auditorium to wish him well.

Father Fee’s sudden death from a heart attack on November 19, 1983, came as a great shock. Sadly, members of the parish said good-bye to their former pastor of 25 years. The funeral mass for the Pastor Emeritus was celebrated with Bishop John McGann as the principal celebrant.

Social concerns were also made more visible by an active Justice and Peace Committee; a parish outreach position was added to the staff and ecumenical ties grew. Social life in the parish was encouraged for the youth by Father Thomas Mulvanerty and, later, paid youth ministers were added. Parish-wide activities such as the Family Luncheon, Country Fair and Service Auction added vitality to St. Boniface’s social life and also to parish funds. A parish census done in 1982, reported 1,447 homes in the parish with 3,902 Catholics.

Sacramental programs involving parents continued to develop under the leadership of Sr. Margaret McPeak, school principal, and Mrs. Ita Levesque, religious education director. Parishioners now helped prepare engaged couples for marriage and new parents for their children’s baptisms. A Mass of Anointing of the Sick and a Marriage Renewal Mass became part of the annual parish calendar, and in 1987, under the direction of Father Jay Madacsi and Maureen Kelly, the restored Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) was celebrated at St. Boniface for the first time. In September, Father Reginald Camilleri arrived at the parish from Malta.

In June of 1988, after eight years as pastor, Father Diederich left St. Boniface to become pastor at St. James Parish in Setauket and Father David Farley was installed as pastor. Though here for only one year, parishioners knew Father Farley to be a kind and gentle man. He will be especially remembered for leading a parish prayer vigil in the spring of 1989, while a St. Boniface School student lay in a coma after sustaining a serious injury at school. The entire parish participated in the round-the-clock vigil, until the third grader’s life was out of danger. It stands out as a special moment of faith for St. Boniface — the parish’s own miracle.

1985 Church Renovation

The renovated church, re-dedicated on March 24, 1985, by Bishop McGann, gave St. Boniface a stronger sense of active participation in the liturgy. Further involvement with music was encouraged, and a musical director was hired. The involvement of scores of Eucharistic Ministers and lectors was also enlisted. Changes in the church itself included removal of the altar rail, creation of a permanent altar facing the people, addition of a wide but shallow sanctuary and a re-positioning of the pews to bring the congregation and celebrant closer together. The original baptismal font was relocated to the sanctuary and the tabernacle was repositioned to a place of prominence in the sanctuary. Architectural history was preserved by refashioning the original marble altars into a single permanent altar, a substantial base for the tabernacle, and the eye-catching face of the ambo. Original oakleaf fretwork from the communion rail adorned the wall above the tabernacle.

Program, re-dedication of renovated church, March, 1985

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Approaching a New Century, c. 1980 – c. 1999

June 24, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Fr. Mike Torpey

Fr. Mike Torpey

In June, 1989, a new pastor, Reverend Michael J. Torpey, arrived at St. Boniface.

Shortly after his arrival, in response to senior members of the parish, Father Torpey hired Sister Mary Butler, O.P., to begin a senior outreach program. (In 1995, after being elected Regional Director of her order, Sister Mary moved on, but the successful program has continued). Other staff changes came when Sr. Margaret McPeak retired as school principal and Mrs. Lenora Brisotti was appointed. In June of 1990, Ita Levesque, longtime director of the parish Religious Education Program, moved on to become the director at St. Brigid’s Parish, and Father Torpey appointed Julie Byrne as administrator of the program.

In June of 1991, the parish schools of St. Boniface, St. Mary’s in Roslyn, and St. Patrick’s in Glen Cove and St. Hyacinth’s in Glen Head regionalized to form All Saint’s Regional Catholic School, supported by those parishes and St. Rocco’s of Glen Cove

Under diocesan direction and the leadership of principal Sister Helen Dolan, S.S.N.D., the school began on two campuses with a nursery through third grade at the Lower Campus (St. Hyacinth’s) and grades four through eight on the Upper Campus (St. Patrick’s).

In 1995, Sister Maureen Vellon, R.S.H.M. was appointed as principal of ASR. At present, 40 of the approximately 400 students are St. Boniface parishioners, and the school continues to flourish. In the fall of 1999, all grades will be located on St. Patrick’s parish property, allowing for total technological integration of all classrooms, leading the school into the 21st Century.

The school is supported by each of the five parishes and the school board is comprised of each parish’s pastor and representatives appointed by that pastor.

The decision to regionalize the schools and close the St. Boniface School building made for a very painful time in the parish, especially for the parents and children who attended. Since then however, space made available by the closing of the building has been put to good use. For much of the 1990’s, the third floor of the school had been rented to St. Christopher Ottilie Home, and during that time the the parish offices were moved to the lower level.

Update, 2017:  Since about 2002, AHRC has leased and renovated the lowest level of the building, where they run a private school.  The three classroom levels of the building now provides classroom space for the children who attend the the parish’s religious education program.  The Gym has been renovated and provides both practice and game space for the parish’s CYO program and a venue for the parish’s social events.

The priests’ residence was moved back to the old rectory building, now renovated, and the building directly across the street from the church, which had served as a convent or rectory at various times has also been renovated and now houses the parish offices, a chapel, a youth center and meeting rooms for the parish. 

In time, it became clear that Father Torpey considered liturgy a major focus of his ministry. Nowhere was that more evident than at the family liturgy celebrated each Sunday. At ease with children, he fostered liturgy where children were both comfortable and involved. “If we focus on kids, it creates a focus on the family,” said Father Torpey. “If the children know they’re loved, it involves the whole family and it helps the parish to celebrate that love in the present; which, in turn, prepares us for the future.” This focus attracted many new young families to the parish. Liturgical music continued to be important, with Jeffrey Schneider as the music director. To assist the pastor in keeping a clear feel on the pulse of parish finances, in 1993, Father Torpey hired Eileen Krieb to help oversee parish business and finance. On June 6, 1993, the parish joined in the celebration of Father Torpey’s 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood with a mass followed by a lovely garden party.

Focus on the parish’s 100th anniversary (1998) began in 1993, with an elegant dinner dance at the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, where parishioners, Ceil Herbert and Robert Bolger, were honored. It was the first of many Centennial celebrations. Reflecting on the Centennial, Father Torpey praised the work of the previous pastors. He pointed out Father Diederich’s work with liturgy and Father Fee’s strong sense of Church and how they have provided a foundation to present celebrations, involving some of the same people who worked with these previous pastors.

In 1995, St. Boniface became a one-priest parish when Father Camilleri (Reggie), who had won the hearts of parishioners in his seven years here, left St. Boniface to do further study. We gained Sr. Kathleen Murphy, O.P., however, who was appointed pastoral associate and has proved to be an invaluable asset to the parish as it continues to grow. Sr. Kathleen assists the pastor in the many aspects of running a parish and also conducts some liturgical services. Besides supporting parish programs already in existence, in 1996, Sr. Kathleen started a new program, M.O.M.S n’ Tots, for mothers of pre-schoolers.

In 1996, the parish embarked on a diocesan Stewardship Program. Consciousness-raising on its theme of giving back time, talent and treasure in thanksgiving for all God has provided has been an impetus for parish growth. This program has not only improved the parish’s financial situation, but has put new blood into volunteerism. Consequently, appreciation for the many gifts already shared within the parish community has grown among parishioners.

St. Boniface Martyr Parish began its preparation for the Jubilee Year of 2000 on Christmas Eve, 1998, when the front doors of the church were closed and draped with a Jubilee Banner, to remain closed until Christmas Eve 1999, when they were ceremoniously reopened, just as Pope John Paul II opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, to symbolize the Church’s “Opening Wide the Doors to Christ” at the dawn of the Third Millennium.

Our Parish at the start of the New Millennium

The dawn of St. Boniface Martyr Parish’s second century began not long before the end of the 20th Century, as the Church prepared for the Jubilee Year declared for 2000 by Pope John Paul II.  On Christmas Eve, 1998, the front doors of the church were closed and draped with a Jubilee Banner, by our then Pastor, Fr. Michael J. Torpey, to remain closed until Christmas Eve 1999, when they were ceremoniously reopened, just as Pope opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, to symbolize the Church’s “Opening Wide the Doors to Christ” at the dawn of the Third Millennium.

The Internet Age

Our parish also marked the coming of the new millennium by becoming one of the first parishes on Long Island to establish a presence on the internet, launching a website at www.saintboniface.org, on October 15, 1999.  With the rise of “social media”, the parish has also developed Facebook pages and uses such tools as Twitter, Instagram, and a YouTube channel.  The weekly parish bulletin and newsletters are distributed digitally on these platforms and are also sent by email to about 900 online subscribers.  The parish’s head-start in the world of digital communication was a blessing with the advent of the Covid-19 crisis and the need to provide safe live-streamed Masses and virtual replacements for face to face meetings and social activities curtailed by the crisis.

As St. Boniface Martyr Parish celebrated its Centennial in 1997 and 1998, and the Jubilee in 1999 and 2000, the same strong sense of community that had started this parish was still going strong. Many prayers and thanks go to those who have gone before us and have provided the faith community with all that it needed to sustain its first one hundred years. We pray that God will continue to bless our parish, providing it with the gifts it needs to flourish in the future.

 

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History of All Saints Catholic School, 1990 – 2019

June 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment

All Saints Regional Catholic School was located in this beautiful historic building on the campus of St. Patrick Parish in Glen Cove.

In 1995, Sister Maureen Vellon, R.S.H.M. was appointed as principal of ASR.

In 1995, Sister Maureen Vellon, R.S.H.M. was appointed as principal of ASR.

Sr. Maureen was succeeded by James V. Thompson, who served until his retirement at the end of the school year 2011-12.

Sr. Maureen was succeeded by James V. Thompson, who served until his retirement at the end of the school year 2011-12.

Fr. Elias Carr, appointed Headmaster of ASR, 2012

Fr. Elias Carr, appointed Headmaster of ASR, 2012

Joanne Fitzgerald, appointed Academic Dean of ASR, 2012

Joanne Fitzgerald, appointed Academic Dean of ASR, 2012

 In 1990, the parish schools of St. Boniface, St. Mary in Roslyn, St. Patrick in Glen Cove and St. Hyacinth in Glen Head regionalized to form All Saints Regional Catholic School, a new entity designed to supported by those four parishes, joined by St. Rocco Parish of Glen Cove.

The decision to regionalize the schools and close the St. Boniface School building made for a very painful time in the parish, especially for the families whose children who attended the school. Since then however, space made available by the closing of the building has been put to good use, and All Saints Regional Catholic School is now well established and thriving, having gone from strength to strength to reach the top echelon of Catholic schools on Long Island.

Under diocesan direction and the leadership of its first principal, Sister Helen Dolan, S.S.N.D., All Saints Regional Catholic School began on two campuses with a nursery through third grade at the Lower Campus (St. Hyacinth’s) and grades four through eight on the Upper Campus (St. Patrick’s).  All grades are now consolidated in the school building on the St. Patrick’s parish campus, allowing for total technological integration of all classrooms, leading the school into the 21st Century.

All of the schools’ grades are now located at the former St. Patrick’s School building, allowing for total technological integration of all classrooms, leading the school into the 21st Century.   As of the 2012-13 school year, all of the school’s classrooms have been equipped with the latest “SMART Board” technology.

In April, 2012 it was announced that ASR would follow a innovative new academic vision.  Fr. Elias Carr, Pastor of St. Rocco’s and one of the Canons Regular of the Canonry of Saint Leopold who serve at St. Patrick’s and St. Rocco’s parishes was appointed as ASR’s first Headmaster, to be assisted by an Academic Dean, Joanne Fitzgerald.

Due to the financial pressures and demographic changes effecting Catholic school education All Saints was forced to close in June, 2019.
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Spotlight on Stewardhip

July 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment


Spotlight on Stewardship is a column which appears in the St. Boniface Martyr Bulletin about once a month.  It highlights contributions parishioners make to St. Boniface Martyr Parish.  It is a most fitting way to celebrate the “Year of Faith” which runs from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013.  The Year of Faith is “a call to Christians to embrace their faith anew and proclaim the Gospel with their lives.”

Index:

Robert P. Lynch

Robert P. Lynch

Robert P. Lynch

Robert Lynch is one of St. Boniface Martyr’s most active parishioners.  A major contribution he makes is to maintain our presence on the internet. He is the webmaster of our website www.saintboniface.org which he created fifteen years ago, and he is the administrator of our Facebook pages and Twitter feed, where parishioners may post photos and information about parish happenings.

Our website includes extensive information about our parish ministries and events and a growing section on our history. He also posts the weekly bulletin each week on the website and emails it to over five hundred subscribers.

Robert was born in 1955 and grew up along with six siblings in Bayside, Queens attending St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic School, Bishop Reilly High School, and later St. John’s University and Law School. “I was always surrounded by the Catholic faith, it was always part of my everyday life,” he  said. Robert said although Vatican II had a big influence on him, he was blessed to have some pre-Vatican II experience. From his Catholic family life and education he was he always surrounded by a Catholic ethos. In 4th grade he became an altar boy when they still had to learn Latin. “I had a taste of the pre-Vatican II church and developed an enduring appreciation of the changes.”

Robert’s upbringing caused him to develop a deep interest in Catholic social teaching and become a strong supporter of Catholic education. His grandfather, father and brothers have been strong supporters of the labor movement. Besides his family, he has been influenced over the years by many interesting Catholics he has had the good fortune to meet. He corresponded with Fr. Andrew Greely, met Archbishop Fulton Sheen, protested with Fr. Daniel Berrigan and Bernadette Devlin, and was a local activist for the causes of Cesar Chavez.

Robert has, since childhood , been an avid student of Irish culture and history. He is a traditional Irish musician, has made many trips to Ireland and speaks the Irish language. He is proud that his grandfather was an Irish revolutionary.  Robert, who plays the bagpipes, has been the chairman of the St. Patrick’s Parade in Glen Cove for a number of years and in 2010 he was honored as the parade’s Grand Marshall. He teaches traditional music to children and adults and also lectures on Irish culture and history at Molloy College Institute of Irish Studies.

Robert’s warm outgoing personality and talents, and generous nature lend itself well to many interesting things. He has had a private law practice for the past 30 years and specializes in elderlaw planning, estate planning and real estate. At the same time, has created and directs a unique after school program incorporating all the aftercare services, clubs, activities and sports at our Parish school, All Saints Regional Catholic. He is also Director of Promotions at ASR, where he is presently designing a two year celebration and appeal marking the start of the Second Century of Catholic Education on the Gold Coast, which started in 1915 at the building now occupied by our school.

Robert teaches 7th grade religious education at St. Boniface, serves on the Events Committee, previously served on the Finance Committee and helps parents prepare for the Baptism of their children. He has also served as the DJ at many of St. Boniface events.

Robert is married to Sighle Webster Lynch, who is equally involved in the life of the parish and school. Their four children, Kieran, Aidan, Conor and Maura are at various states of their education at ASR and at Catholic high schools and colleges.

Jerry Moran and Kevin O’Shea

By Carol Griffin

Jerry Moran Kevin O'Shea

Jerry Moran
Kevin O’Shea

This Spotlight on Stewardship focuses on longtime Parishioners Jerry Moran and Kevin O’Shea who coordinate the St. Boniface Outreach Program.  Under their guidance Outreach has grown and is working with more individuals and families.  Outreach also runs the Parish Thrift Shop that sells gently used affordable clothing and bric-a-brac.  The Thrift Shop and food distribution are staffed by Jerry, Kevin and other volunteers from the Parish.  It is open for three hours twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.  In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus calls on us to feed the and clothe our neighbors and on behalf of St. Boniface Parish Jerry and Kevin have certainly taken that message to heart by the service they provide.

Jerry Moran

Jerry Moran lives in Glen Head and has been a Parishioner of St. Boniface for 36 years.  He and his wife, Sue, have raised their three children here.  “The most important thing to me is my family,” he said.  His basic values are family, faith and friends.  Jerry attributes his faith to his parents, who had a strong religious background as Irish Catholic immigrants and to his Catholic elementary school education.

Jerry had volunteered as a coach in the St. Boniface CYO and local Junior Baseball for many years.  He and Susan have always worked on the Parish festival and other fundraisers.  He said, “I registered for the Parish after two ladies showed up at my door and told me I was a member of St. Boniface.”

When Fr. Mike was Pastor he appointed Jerry as a Parish Trustee.  When Deacon Ted started Outreach at St. Boniface, Jerry said he and his wife Susan started to work in program, where Parishioners donated food and clothing, with the emphasis on distributing food.  At that time Parishioners were donating the equivalent of 10 bags of food per week.  Although the Parishioners were generous, this was not enough, since Outreach received the 75 requests for food each week.  The Parish signed up for Long Island Cares started by the Harry Chapin Foundation and Long Island Harvest, where Jerry and Kevin O’Shea, who co-chairs Outreach, go weekly to pick up food to bring to the Parish.  The State and Federal governments provide money for food and Kevin O’Shea completes the necessary paperwork for these benefits.  On average 35-40 people pick up one bag of groceries provided to each family twice a week.

Those who need food initially fill out forms to request the food.  “If you ask for food, you get it,” said Moran.  Fourteen or fifteen volunteers help each month with distribution.  At Thanksgiving and Christmas St.

Boniface Parish also provides 120 bags of food to families and food gift cards to buy fresh food products.Deacon Ted Kolakowski was responsible for the program growing and helping more people.  When Deacon Ted left, Fr. Bob asked Jerry to take it over the program, and Jerry asked Kevin to co-chair it with him.

Reflecting on the program, Jerry said, “Someone had to do it.  It’s a way of acting out our beliefs.  This is a very practical way to live our faith.”

Kevin O’Shea

According to Jerry Moran, Kevin does all the paperwork for Outreach, which is considerable given all the governmental forms to be filed regularly.  In speaking  about early influences on his Catholic faith, Kevin tells us he grew up in Long Island City, a working class area of Queens.  His family were members of St. Mary’s Parish and he attended St. Mary’s School.  On Sunday’s he worked for the church cleaning and changing the candles.  He was also an altar server and attended St. Agnes Catholic High School in New York City.  Kevin’s uncle was a priest who was a big influence on him.  He also attended Catholic college at Biscayne in Florida before finishing his degree at New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Kevin said the most important value to him is charity, being able to give back to people his time and energy and give financial aid to those who have less.  In high school and college, he volunteered as a tutor at the Jacob Reis Center, where he helped inner city kids develop language and math skills.  He commented that he is grateful that in his own life he has been very fortunate.

Kevin and his wife, Alexis, moved to Glen Head, in 1972, and joined our Parish.  In retirement, he enjoys being involved with his family, especially his grandchildren who he sees regularly.  He enjoys reading and playing with and going on vacation with them.  He has always been involved with the Parish fairs and fundraising.  In 1987 he joined other fathers in building the Glenwood School play area and has been an active member of the James Norton Council of the Knights of Columbus.  The Knights invite men who join to become better Catholics and to assist with charitable work within the community.  With the Knights he has participated in various charitable works and fundraising including delivering food baskets to the homes of senior citizens for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Kevin also works Bingo night at the K of C, which gives its profits to various churches and other charitable organizations in the area.  He still regularly donates to the Marist Brothers organization in gratitude for what they taught him when he was in high school and college.

St. Boniface Martyr Parish is grateful to Jerry and Kevin for organizing our Outreach Program that reaches out to help our neighbors.

Parish Outreach:
Jerry Moran & Kevin O’Shea
Parish Center. Wednesdays & Saturdays.  10 am-1pm
Phone: (516) 676-0676.
Email:stbonchurch@gmail.com

Return to Introduction and Index

 


Meet the Murellos

John and Rosemary Murello

John and Rosemary Murello

The interview began with a question. “The Year of Faith?” asked John Murello. “All of a sudden we need a year of faith? Every year should be a year of faith, not just this year.” So, this year John and Rosemary Murello will celebrate 59 years of faith, stewardship, and marriage.  “I was praying to meet the right person,” says Rosemary. “God brought John into my life and we both developed a relationship with God.  We have to come into a personal connection with God, and you can’t have that with someone you don’t know but only know about. As we spend time with the Scriptures our relationship with the Lord grows – we come to know Him more intimately.”

The Charismatic Aspect

As young Catholics, John and Rosemary both thought the only people who served the church were the clergy and religious. “Not until Vatican II did we begin to realize we are all called to serve God,” says John, “although many of us felt unqualified. But, again, the gifts of the Holy Spirit enable us to do far more than we imagine.” “We wanted to be part of the Church, connected to the Church,” says Rosemary. “But we were shy and afraid of getting in over our heads until we began a relationship with the Lord. That’s when you hear Him and He enables you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Rosemary is referring to 1 Corinthians 12 and the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us for the benefit of the body of Christ. “I didn’t know what my gifts were, so I just let the Spirit lead me one day at a time.” He did. In their former parish, the Murellos were involved in religious education, in the prayer group, the Bible study, and led the Antioch program that brings teens closer to Christ. “The program involved 9th through 12th grades,” says Rosemary,  “and kids came to the realization that the Father loved them. Many said they hadn’t realized it before. They even began taking their Bibles to school and gathered together after school to pray and subsequently grow in faith.” Then, 13 years ago, when Murellos moved to Sea Cliff and St. Boniface, they waited on the Lord to lead them in ministry. “And just like that, Fr. Michael Torpey, the former pastor, invited us to start a Bible study. Then when Fr. Bob arrived, he invited us to start a prayer group.” “And though people may think Rosemary and I do a long preparation for Monday prayer group, that we plan it down to every song. We do not – the Holy Spirit does. We pray Monday afternoon for the Lord to be with us, to guide us, and He does. He leads the Scripture, the songs, and the people. He enables and empowers. He gives the gifts. We couldn’t do it without Him”

The Love Letter

“We all have times when we question is God listening?” says John. “Does he know I am here? Is he paying attention?  Then, when you hear someone affirm through an incident that He is listening and we are all encouraged, and renewed in faith. That’s the experience we’ve had.” “The Bible is a love letter from God,” says Rosemary, “ and so much in the scripture tells us about his love. Take Romans 8:  Nothing can separate us from the love of God. He is the perfect parent. He understands us, he forgives us, and He is merciful, all He that requires is our yes.”

Let The Church Say Amen

“Everyday we are meant to be a blessing to one another.” John and Rosemary say, almost in unison. “The church, in the Biblical sense is a gathering of the people not an organization or structure. When someone shares about life changes, when you hear them say they turned their trust to God, we trust Him more deeply, and we share that trust with others.” “We are so blessed and grateful that the Lord brought us together with such sweet, kind loving, people in this parish and with Fr. Bob. “The Lord developed a community here. And He wants all of us to join in.”

Introduction and Index

 


Kathleen VanBloem

by Carol Griffin

Kathleen VanBloem is a perfect example during this Year of Faith of someone in St. Boniface Martyr parish who proclaims the Gospel through her faith life.  Kathleen is often visible by her active roles in the parish as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Altar Server, but her greatest gift is really her quiet presence to people through her gift of hospitality and friendship.

Kathleen VanBloem

Kathleen VanBloem

It is not unusual for Kathleen to offer an encouraging word to those around her, take someone to the doctor, welcome a new face with a smile and friendly conversation, visit a friend who is sick bringing along her specialty, some homemade custard, or taking Communion to a homebound parishioner.  In her own quiet way Kathleen regularly does these things with great dedication and love without any fanfare.

One of her most demanding contributions to the parish today is as an assistant to Irma Berkley with the Ministry of Consolation.  Kathleen and Irma alternate responsibilities in this ministry involving about forty plus funerals at St. Boniface Martyr each year.  They meet with each family that has lost a loved one and help them by assisting them in the selection of readings and music for the funeral Mass.  They also attend the wake and coordinate the family or ministers involved in the funeral Mass.  Kathleen’s empathy, gentle, attentive, yet confident way is no doubt a great help to the families she serves at their time of loss.

Having lost her husband suddenly, Kathleen said she recognizes the importance of the support you receive at such a time of loss, and the Ministry of Consolation recognizes the importance of that support.  She said she is willing to be there for the people and taking to them where they are at.

Her primary values have always been family and faith, said Kathleen.  “The reason I have a strong faith is because of my family,” she emphasized.  As a child, she attended St. Aloysius School in Great Neck and later Manhattanville, in New York City, at the time a small Catholic women’s college staffed by the Sacred Heart nuns who influenced her.  In 1963 Kathleen and her husband Peter moved to Sea Cliff with a sixth month old and two year old twins.  She and Peter later added two more children to the family.  When it was time for the children to start school they enrolled at St. Boniface Martyr School, where Kathleen joined the St. Boniface Mother’s Club.  An early contribution she made to the school was helping supervise the children on the playground.  During that time, she met and learned from a number of deeply religious women who were dedicated to the school.  Peter was also involved in the school, including being chairman of the School Board.

After losing Peter in 1977, Kathleen returned to work and had to limit her involvement in the parish.  Upon retirement, Kathleen became more involved in the parish again.  During this period Kathleen became a member of the St. Boniface Martyr Parish Council, was a member of the Peace & Justice Committee and was involved in the Confirmation and Communion programs with the Jesuits.  She also started some of her present commitments as Lector and Eucharistic minister, bringing Communion to the homebound and attending the weekly Prayer for the Sick.  In addition she was appointed as a parish Trustee.  She was one of the mainstays when the parish began a program for seniors and Fr. Mike hired Sr. Mary Butler, O.P. to run the senior program.  After Sister Mary left, Pastoral Assistant Sr. Kathleen Murphy, O.P. took over with Kathleen’s assistance, and when Sr. Kathleen left, Kathleen continued leadership of the program with a core group of parishioners for some years.

Kathleen commented that the ideas and generosity of other volunteers has always been a big influence on her own life.  She said that when asking for help from other parishioners, she shows them that what she is asking them to do is worthwhile, that they are capable of doing the job, that there will be others to help them, and they will not have to do it alone.

Today, Kathleen helps Rose Eggers and Eileen Bowersock and other volunteers with the Birthday Breakfast, she is a regular member of the St. Boniface Martyr Prayer Group and she regularly attends the parish Scripture Study.

Kathleen said that over the years her involvement in the parish has helped her to grow in her own faith.  She said she finds the presence of the priests from Africa and India has broadened her view of the Church.  Attending church regularly, she finds Fr. Bob’s homilies meaningful and helpful.  Presently, she also credits her attendance at the weekly Prayer Group and Scripture study as helping her continued growth in faith.

Beside her regular involvements in the parish, Kathleen works part time for Sea Cliff Village in Community Development and is actively involved as a volunteer for several local community organizations.  In recognition of her longtime dedication to the community, Kathleen received the White Cap Award for her service a few years ago.

Introduction and Index


Josie Harte

by Carol Griffin

Although she is of small stature, Josie Harte has a very big heart and lots of energy that she has generously devoted to St. Boniface Martyr Parish as one of our unsung heroes.  Most parishioners know Josie for her Sunday morning commitment to parish hospitality.  Each Sunday she arrives early, makes freshly brewed coffee and sets up home baked goods for the parishioners to enjoy after 10:15am Mass;  something she has been doing for about twelve years.

Josie Harte

Josie Harte

Josie came to Sea Cliff from Co Cavan, Ireland, in 1986 to serve as a nanny for the McMenamin family to help raise their boys.  As the boys were growing up, Josie became familiar with St. Boniface Martyr by often walking the boys to church and religious education.After the boys were grown, Josie looked to take on other responsibilities to keep busy and that’s when she began to volunteer for St. Boniface Martyr Parish. In addition to her Sunday morning hospitality, Josie is usually the one who assists and sets up the coffee and desserts at other parish functions, St. Patrick’s Day Supper, farewells, anniversaries and birthdays throughout the year.Josie likes helping people, even strangers.  She often puts other people before herself by doing things for them.

Besides her role in the parish by doing hospitality, Josie regularly does the altar linens and helps to take care of the parish grounds.  She is often seen in the early morning weeding, or cultivating the ground in the flower beds around the church. Josie said she loves working in the garden because it’s relaxing and it’s a place where she feels close to God.

In addition to the McMenamin’s, Josie has also worked for other families in the area who appreciate her reliable help.

Josie said that when she was raised in Ireland, her family was very religious and regularly attended Mass and prayed the Rosary every evening.  Up until now, Josie has gone home to Ireland every year to visit her brother and sister and their families, something she will continue.  However, unfortunately for St. Boniface Martyr, Josie will be leaving the parish in February and moving to San Diego, California, with the McMenamin’s.  Farewell, Josie and please come back to visit us.  St. Boniface will not be the same without you!

Introduction and Index

 


Scott Whitting

by Kay Johnson

Scott Whitting’s model of stewardship begins with a fine smile and a handshake that’s strong, warm, and fully committed, just like the man, himself. So while grins and greetings may not sound like the traditional gifts we share or return to God, Scott knows they are. “I learned that from Fr. Bob,” says Scott. “When you build a good social community, you build a good religious community.” This synergism also defines our Year of Faith: the human will and the Holy Spirit working together to strengthen spiritual regeneration.

Man On A Mission:  Scott found St. Boniface parish in 1980, “and I’ve become more and more attracted to the Church ever since.” The attraction led to Scott’s increased faith and relationship with Christ, a gift he wanted to share. Ultimately, it became an indivisible way of life. “I see stewardship as the desire to serve others,” he says. “So I started greeting people when they arrived, learning their names, shaking hands, making them feel welcome by saying ‘Hello, John’.” Scott became an usher, a Eucharistic Minister, a server at daily Mass, and a self-appointed custodian. “Okay, I admit I’m a bit of a neatnik,” he laughs. “So when I noticed the church is often messy after mass, I started tidying up the pews.” That led to being a sociable recruiter. “While I cleaned up, in a friendly way I’d ask parishioners to give me a hand. And now quite of a few of us have fun kidding each other while we work, again fostering that sense of community. And we can use more people. You can never have too many. So, please step right in and be welcome.” He also recruits a special group before Mass. “Well, that’s when I try to get kids involved,” he says, “especially as ushers. At the five o’clock mass I always corner a couple of youngsters to bring the gifts. I like the idea of them being contributors, not just onlookers. Their tangible participation will enhance their spiritual participation. I guess the idea truly is that one enhances the other. In the military, when we had a strong social bond, we performed our duties better. That social bond, be it in the military, your workplace, or church, strengthens the mission. “

Life, Death, and the Green Beret:  Scott knows how faith can impact life and death experiences. “During Viet Nam, I vividly remember going to Chapel at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and praying I would make it through Special Forces training.” He did. He became a paratrooper and was selected for the Green Beret. He reenlisted when his military service was up. He volunteered for the front-line Green Beret medical team. “I’ve had quite a few near death experiences,” he says quietly “One in a plane crash in Viet Nam. I felt myself leave my body and was on my way to Heaven when I became aware that I could help save the lives of people who would otherwise die. The assignment has been my life experience. I am a big believer in God first of all, Number One. To have faith is to believe in a power greater than you. It is the strong belief in God and his blessings. “I was given God’s grace to save many lives,” says Scott. “We all have gifts and talents. The important thing is to recognize and share them. Certainly, when I am in prayer, I think of these things in a philosophical way as a gift from God, meant to be shared. So, he kept volunteering:

  • Past President and ex-captain of the Hook and Ladder truck, Glenwood Fire Company
  • Nassau to Suffolk Bicycle Challenge, 100-Miles-in-One-Day to aid our veterans
  • Marathons including parachuting into Death Valley for a 100 mile run. The event earned a place in the Congressional Record and new, positive recognition for Viet Nam vets.
  • Multiple charitable organizations that benefit needy and severely disabled children.

Even in his civilian vocation as a Funeral Director, Scott Whitting has served others. “When you can help people find their way it’s immensely rewarding.”

The Man and The Motto:  “I am a man through experience,” Scott says. “I treasure family, friends, and the opportunity to participate. I pray for faith, hope, and love, love being the most important. Love in the sense of community, family, friends, and inviting others to participate.”  He smiles and says, “Share your gift of time and talent. You don’t have to get overwhelmed. Do as much as you’re comfortable with and bring a friend. Bring your family. For instance, I get the kids to take part and that gets Mom involved. Whatever you do in a friendly, welcoming way encourages more people to participate. As long as you are welcoming, people will want to take part. “I want to show my gratitude and add to the overall mission of the church. I am grateful for the spiritual and the community of the church. If people are willing to give it a chance and get more involved, even on a very small level, just be a greeter, just say ‘Come in. Welcome,’ they will commit to live the way Jesus taught us.”

Join In: We need you and want you to help build a community of fellowship and faith. To get involved, talk to Scott after Mass. He will help you meet and match your interests; or call the parish office at 676-0676.; or visit http://saintboniface.org/Ministries-2.htm and join in, because it’s not a community without U.  (Article by Kay Johnson).

Introduction and Index

 

Irma Berkley

by Carol Griffin

This Spotliight highlights the contributions of Irma Berkley who has given so much to St. Boniface and its people over the course of her life.  Irma’s warm welcoming personality, sometimes including a hug, has contributed much to people and the ministries she has served so generously in for many years. One of her earliest memories of giving service to the parish was being toted along as a young teenager by her older sister Margaret to sing in the choir.

Irma and her husband Bill, both grew up on McGrady Street in Glen Cove. They were married in St. Boniface Martyr in 1949 by Father O’Mara. After they were married, Bill’s schooling and later jobs took the couple out of the area where some of their five children were born. Irma said they moved back to McGrady Street in the 1960’s when Fr. Fee was pastor.

As her children grew up Irma became active in the parish once again, especially with music.  She was also involved in teaching a special group of children in CCD when Ita Levesque directed the program.  When the renovation of the “new” church was organized under Fr. Diederich, Irma and Bill assisted in fundraising for the project.  As a member of the parish choir, Irma was a natural fit when the Children’s Liturgy was organized in the 80’s.  She  worked with the organist, Nicole Van Vorst, and Karen Sweeney, who sang, helping the children to bring their sweet young voices to parish liturgy.

When the R.C.I.A Team of lay people was formed under Fr. Jay Madacsi and Maureen Kelly in the late 80’s, Irma was one of a small group of volunteers who welcomed and trained the first candidates, who were later baptized at the Easter Vigil.  Irma later served as a companion for a teenage confirmation candidate.

As a member of the choir she became a cantor at Mass and later Fr. Reggie asked her, in the absence of a choir director, to select the music each week used at Sunday Mass.  She was invited to be a Eucharistic Minister and she volunteered to lector at weekday Mass.  In the absence of a priest on Monday mornings, Irma became one of a small group of parishioners who led Communion services.  When Music Director Jeff Schneider organized the Bell Choir, Irma was right there ready to be part of the group.

Presently the Ministry of Consolation is Irma’s major contribution to the parish.  In the early days of the ministry she sometimes led the Wake Services when Sr. Kathleen Murphy could not be present.  After Sr. Kathleen left St. Boniface, Fr. Michael Torpey asked Irma to take over the responsibility of the Ministry of Consolation.  She recruited a small group of parishioners that included Fred Haberle, Ed Tooher and Kathleen Van Bloem to assist at wake services.  The ministry has grown and Irma now has the assistance of Kathleen and a large group of parishioners who attend and assist at our funerals.

With her gentle ways and listening ear, Irma is certainly the right person to meet with the families who have just lost a loved one and to assist them through their loss on behalf of the parish.  She often receives notes from families expressing their appreciation to her and other the members of the ministry for their help to them at their time of loss.

Always concerned for people with needs, Irma was also part of a group of parishioners who visited people in the hospital and another group who prayed at home for parishioners who requested prayers for their needs and those of their family.

Irma has been appointed one of the Parish’s trustees.  Presently, you will often find Irma and her husband Bill on Saturday at the 5 o’clock Mass.

Recognizing Irma’s major contributions to the parish of St. Boniface Martyr, Fr. Bob Romeo recently recommended to Bishop Murphy that Irma receive the “St. Agnes Award” given each year by the bishop to parishioners in the diocese who have given exemplary service to their parish and diocese.  On October 14, Irma was awarded the medal at a ceremony at St. Agnes Cathedral. Congratulations Irma! Thanks for all you have contributed to all of us here at St. Boniface Martyr Parish.

Introduction and Index

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Sea Cliff forum targets racist graffiti

January 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Photo credit: Newsday/Jessica Rotkiewicz | Rabbi Irwin Huberman, from Congregation Tifereth Israel in Sea Cliff, addresses the community and clergy about the anti-Semitic/racist vandalism that has swept through Queens and parts of Long Island during a meeting at St. Boniface Chuch in Sea Cliff. (Jan. 16, 2012)

Newsday

Originally published: January 16, 2012 8:41 PM
Updated: January 16, 2012 9:31 PM
By EMILY NGO         emily.ngo@newsday.com

Gathering for a mass denouncement of recent racist graffiti, more than 100 Sea Cliff community members met Monday at a church that had been the target of what Mayor Bruce Kennedy called “anti-social behavior.”

Rabbi Irwin Huberman of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Glen Cove emphasized commonalities among audience members, whatever their faiths, and said that hateful symbols cannot be taken lightly.

“The swastika can never, never be used — even in jest,” he said.

In recent weeks, swastikas have been found drawn on homes, mailboxes, a boat and playground equipment in Sea Cliff. Similar graffiti has been reported in Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey.

Nassau police said Monday that no arrests have been made over the graffiti in Sea Cliff.

The village has increased patrols of the area, Nassau Legis. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) said.

Area leaders want to ensure that “no one in our community lives in any type of fear or hatred,” she said.

Sea Cliff resident Larry Weinberger, 59, said the incidents should serve as teachable moments.

“Education is the most important thing for our children and our children’s children,” Weinberger said. “Hopefully, in future generations, there will be no hatred and animosity toward others. . . . God willing, the world will be a better place.”

Felicia Lebou, 42, of Sea Cliff, who has a 3-year-old son, suggested parents teach their children about other cultures and religions from an early age to celebrate diversity. Many who attended the forum brought their children.

Assemb. Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) called the vandalism “simply un-American.”

“We will not tolerate it, if we stand together as one community,” he said.

Swastikas, the words “white knights” and “anything and everything that could possibly outrage a community” were scrawled on St. Boniface Martyr Church late last month, Kennedy said. The site Monday hosted a forum where residents shared suggestions about ways to curb hate.

“Prejudice is not a prank and we will not tolerate this behavior in our village,” Kennedy said, adding that he believed the vandals to be mischievous, ignorant teenagers rather than “neo-Nazis.”

 

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