My Dear Parishioners,
When any year ends it is appropriate to reflect on the many experiences that we have had personally and have shared as a parish community. This past year, however, has been more than just “any year.” Of all the generations that went before us, we have been the ones privileged to celebrate one hundred years as a parish. I invite you to reflect with me on the many blessings that we have received during that unique time in which we, as our motto stated, remembered, rejoiced, and renewed.
When we began to prepare in early 2022, I asked Pat Stanton and John Saracino to work with me as the co-chairpersons of the entire Centennial Celebration. They graciously agreed and worked tirelessly to coordinate so many things over a period of twenty months. Please join me in expressing my deep personal gratitude for all the enthusiastic hard work which they donated to our parish. Their efforts were essential to the success of everything we did.
It was certainly necessary to raise funds for everything we intended to do, so the summer marked the beginning of various fundraising efforts. We prepared to offer magnets of our Centennial logo, miniature replicas of our church, OLGC Christmas cards, and rosaries. Lottery calendars were sold under the leadership of Joe Bednarz.
The fall of 2022 marked the beginning of the celebration and the many great things that followed for a year. In September we began with a very well attended opening Mass followed by a wonderful reception coordinated by Adrienne Moeser and many volunteers. That enabled us to start the year on an excellent note. In September, our parish showed its great charity though a highly successful “Food Blitz” coordinated by Steve Hall. Through it, we donated hundreds of bags of food and about $15,000 dollars to local food pantries. We then had well attended tours of our church led by Nancy Franks to help us appreciate the beautiful art and architecture that surrounds us at OLGC. In October a parish picnic was coordinated by Arlene and Andy Cymerman and many other volunteers. The weather was beautiful and so many children and adults enjoyed each other’s company in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. In November we had a ministry fair accompanied by refreshments coordinated by Florence Hearn and her team of volunteers. December was an appropriate time for our parish children to have a contest in which they made gingerbread house replicas of our church.
2023 began with a great comedy night featuring Joe Conklin and food coordinated by Cathy Campbell and other volunteers. In February we celebrated a special Mass for married couples which was very well attended and was followed by a wonderful social in the McNelis Room coordinated by Marietta Ginieczki. In March, Fr. Denis Gill who had been a parochial vicar at OLGC for about ten years returned to celebrate a Sunday Mass and lead a Communion breakfast coordinated by Bill Fucich.
Our celebrations continued in full force during the spring. April 26 was the feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel, and we recognized it appropriately with a morning Mass for our parish school children and an evening Mass for our PREP children and the entire parish community. Many stayed to enjoy another social after the evening Mass which was also coordinated by Marietta Ginieczki. In May we had a beautiful May Procession in honor of Our Blessed Mother. The participation of our parish children in the May Procession was coordinated by Kristal Alexander.
Even in the summer we had significant events. In June we had a very successful Patriotic Concert coordinated by Kevin Bracken, Kathy Torano and other volunteers at which we celebrated our county and honored those who serve it. We were present to the entire Southampton community on the Fourth of July through our spectacular float in the parade. Bobby Moeser, Jr. created the huge, amazing replica of our church and Barbara Pellegrino donated the use of two flatbed trucks. Rich Ginieczki and Sharon Clipner donated the use of their cars and drove Monsignor Tracy and I in the parade while Adriene Moeser, Nancy Franks, and Brendon McGhee coordinated much of the efforts. Our participation in the parade was a great testimony to our parish’s important presence in the community for one hundred years.
Throughout the entire year of celebrations, a committee of devoted volunteers led by Lorraine Rice and Monsignor Tracy worked very hard for many months to create the beautiful Centennial commemorative book. The book chronicles the entire history of our parish and included a summary and photos of all the events during the Centennial year. We should all be grateful for those who created this lasting testament to our parish history.
The celebrations concluded with the closing Mass celebrated by Archbishop Perez and concelebrated by many priests who had served at our parish over the years as well as priests from local parishes. The Mass was a most excellent way to thank God for our parish’s past and pray for our future. After Mass many attended the beautiful gala reception dinner which brought everything to a wonderful conclusion.
Our theme for the Centennial was “Remember, Rejoice, and Renew.” There is always a need for renewal both materially and spiritually. Materially, we recently faced the unfortunate and serious issue of mold in the McNelis Room which adversely affected many of our parish ministries. However, our bible study group under the leadership of Joe Warner generously donated the money necessary for us to clean the room. Moreover, thanks to the many generous donors who contributed to the Centennial events, purchased commemorative items, were sponsors for the commemorative book, and those who made other generous donations, we were not only able to cover the expenses of our Centennial events, but also we will be able to replace the twenty year old HVAC unit on the roof of the Trinity Center whose reduced efficiency caused the mold problem over time.
I thank every one of you who in so many ways made our Centennial celebration a huge success. Please join me in praying that we may all continue to renew our devotion to loving and serving Our Lord and one another for many years to come. May God bless you all.
Reverend Robert G. Suskey
Pastor