2018

Diocesan Year of Youth

In his concern to draw many young people to a deeper faith and connection with the Church, Bishop O’Connell designated 2018 as a Year of Youth. The parish youth minister Leo Aliaga organized a number of special events for youth. A highlight of the year was the youth group’s pilgrimage to Emmitsburg, MD to visit the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Grotto of Lourdes at Mt. St. Mary’s University.

Support for Our School

Our school PTA organized a “Knight to Remember” fundraising event at Stone Terrace, Hamilton. The event held on November 30 honored outstanding individuals for their contributions to our community: Angelo Onofri, Kathleen McGlinchy, Violet Carella, and Bernadette Schultze.

Staff Changes

A number of staff changes took place during the year:

• Effective July 1, Bishop O’Connell assigned our parochial vicar, Fr. Jean Felicien to graduate studies in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America, Washington. Fr. Felicien will retain our parish as his diocesan residence and will assist at the parish during holiday recess. At the same time, the Bishop has assigned as his successor, Fr. Pierre Louis Joseph who comes to us from Miami with the permission of his Bishop. 
• Having attained his 75^th year and after many years of parish and hospital work, Deacon Jeff Pierfy retired from active ministry in October. 
• Parish Trustees, Joseph Novak and Michael Stewart having completed their term of office, were succeeded by David Uhaze and Maria Ialacci. Joseph Novak and Michael Stewart will continue to serve on the parish finance council. 

Works of Charity

The parish continued its many works of charity in addition to the regular contributions made to the poor boxes in the church:

• The Lenten “Work of Love” supported the request of Fr. Eugene Savarimuthu to help Sacred Heart Parish in India with sanitary facilities, housing, and sewing machines for his vocational center for women. 
• “Loaves and Fishes: volunteers prepared meals for the needy at the Cathedral in June.
• A Food Drive was conducted for Thanksgiving and Christmas gifts were provided to the needy through the annual Adopt a Family Project. Two clothing and houseware drives were also conducted. 

Introduction of an Increase Offertory Appeal

In order to bolster the total of weekly collections, an appeal was made in October by mail to all parishioners asking to make a sacrificial increase in their weekly giving. The appeal was conducted “in house” and was a great success.

Marriage Ministry Group Formed

In November, a group was formed to support married couples in their vocation. Plans included celebrations to honor anniversary couples, retreats, days of recollection, and social events. 

Campus Improvements

During 2018, major repairs were made to the roof of St. Anthony Church and Solar Panels were installed at Our Lady of Sorrows School. 

Catechesis and Liturgy

The adult catechetical series “Thoughtful Thursdays” returned bringing to the parish a number of respected guest speakers.

Bishop O’Connell honored us as celebrant of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper initiating the Solemn Paschal Triduum.

Celebrating our Patronal Feast of Saint Anthony the weekend of June 9-10, we welcomed Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, Guy Sansaricq as celebrant and homilist of the 4:00 pm Mass and at the 9:30 am Mass, newly ordained Fr. James Smith was celebrant and homilist.