The Schools of St. Mary Magnificat Magazine: Winter 2024 | V15 No.1

ADMINISTRATION

Pastor | Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo

President | Very Rev. Dom Elias Carr, Can.Reg., Dr. theol.

Elementary School Principal | Theresa Kemp

High School Principal | Gerard J. Buckley

Chaplain | Rev. Fr. Dominik Wegiel

Vice President of Development | Edward Short

Director of Admissions | Norma Stafford

Director of Alumni and Parent Relations | Kiera Gmelich Walsh

Director of Communications | Eileen Symmons ’82, ’86

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOARD

Amanda Alsheimer

Meghan Canty

Robert Dunphy ’89, ’93

Lisa Montana

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

President | Larry Siedlick ’68

Timothy Ahern

Daniel Amoruso ’76

George Doyle

Courtney Pierce

Terence Scheurer

Nicole Sharpe

Robert Fabio

Maureen Gross

Shannon Pompy

THE SCHOOLS OF SAINT MARY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

Vice President | Thomas Smyth ’86

BOARD

Robert Anastasia ’71

Vincent de Venoge ’14

TJ Hoban ’11

Brian McCabe ’03

Cara Midwinter ’12, ’16

Robert Pennachio ’86

Christopher Santarelli ’06

Patty Yantz ’69

Letter From The Pastor

Letter from the President

Why Our Motto Means So Much to Us

Partners in Stewardship

St. Mary’s Scholarships

The White House Replica

Teaching

Blessing

Gaels

Summer

From the Pastor

Dear Parents, Alumni and Friends,

As we begin a new school year at the Schools of Saint Mary, I wish to thank each of you for your most generous support. Your charitable contributions continue to bless our bright young students with intellectual, moral, and spiritual benefits that will accompany them through all their days. Your support is proof that the venture of faith that we make in all that we do together at the school with staff and faculty continues to bear good fruit.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” St. Paul tells us in Hebrews 11. “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” He gives as an example the case of Abraham, who received his inheritance by faith. “And he went out, not knowing where he was going,” St. Paul tells us. “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country… for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

At Saint Mary’s, in creating our Middle School, we made a bold, collective venture of faith, and we can now see that all of our three schools together have attained a unity and a vitality hitherto unseen at the School, “framed by the word of God.” We made this venture of faith with our brilliant faculty, which is thoroughly dedicated to the well-being of the students they teach. We made it with a student body full of scholastic diligence and love of learning. We made it with our talented sports, music and dramatic programs. We made it, first and foremost, with our unwavering commitment to our core Catholic mission.

So let me thank all of you for continuing to make the venture of faith with the staff and faculty of the Schools of Saint Mary – and with our wonderful students. As St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:9, we are “called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ our Lord.” Nothing solidifies that fellowship more than our shared willingness to make an ongoing venture of faith for our beloved school.

Now, in closing, let us pray together that each of our three Schools, together with your generous help, continues to bring good fruits to our admirable young students, fruits that will fortify them for life.

In Jesus and Mary, Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo

From the President

Dear Parents, Alumni and Friends,

On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Schools and Saint Mary, I would like to thank all our alumni, parents and friends for all of the generous support that you continue to give our Schools. Loyal Partners in Stewardship, you help to make our school the faithful, creative and purposeful place of learning it needs to be in order to give our students the dynamic Catholic education they require.

This year, we are advancing our vital Catholic mission by implementing the Catholic Entrepreneurial and Design Experience (CEDE) Program at the school, an exciting initiative pioneered by the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America. The program combines faith and vocational formation to give our students the sense of purpose and possibility they need to identify their God-given vocation. Thanks to this program, our students will leave our doors full of confidence and purpose. We are the only school in New York implementing the program and it is transforming how we teach all of our courses in the school.

To give the implementation of the Program the practical reinforcement it needs, we have also set up chapels in each of our schools where students and teachers can take advantage of Eucharist Adoration. That we have the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, teaching in each of our Schools is another blessing. There is no more hopeful sign among Catholics than their renewed reverence for the Eucharist. For Saint Thomas Aquinas, “The Eucharist is the sacrament of love: it signifies love, it produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.” That our students now have the wherewithal to enter into this love throughout the school day is one of the great differentiating blessings of our beloved schools.

This is how we are renewing our Catholic schools, a renewal we accomplish with the perpetual help of our patroness, Mary. As everyone knows who knows Saint Mary’s commitment to our Catholic character, we take our motto seriously: Omnia ad Jesum per Mariam, Everything to Jesus through Mary.

Many thanks again for your continuing generous support of our vital mission.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

The Very Rev. Dom Elias Carr, Can. Reg., Dr. theol.

Why Our Motto Means So Much to Us

As we all know, our Catholic tradition abounds in praise of our beloved patroness, Mary, the Mother of God, who guides us in all we do at the Schools of Saint Mary. Here, Pope Benedict XVI lends his voice to that praise in a passage that echoes our school motto, Omnia Ad Jesum Per Mariam – ‘Everything to Jesus through Mary.’

“Mary has truly become the Mother of all believers. Men and women of every time and place have recourse to her motherly kindness and her virginal purity and grace, in all their needs and aspirations, their joys and sorrows, their moments of loneliness and their common endeavours. They constantly experience the gift of her goodness and the unfailing love which she pours out from the depths of her heart. The testimonials of gratitude, offered to her from every continent and culture, are a recognition of that pure love which is not self-seeking but simply benevolent. At the same time, the devotion of the faithful shows an infallible intuition of how such love is possible: it becomes so as a result of the most intimate union with God, through which the soul is totally pervaded by him... Mary, Virgin and Mother, shows us what love is and whence it draws its origin and its constantly renewed power.”

--Pope Benedict XVI, God Is Love (2005)

Partners in Stewardship

Keeping the Tradition of Giving at Saint Mary’s Alive and Well

In all that we do at the Schools of St. Mary, we are strengthened and sustained by our Partners in Stewardship, those loyal, generous, good-hearted donors who help us year after year to give our students the dynamic Catholic education they require.

For any advancement of mission, clarity of mission is crucial, and at Saint Mary’s our mission is crystal clear.

St. Mary’s is dedicated to giving our bright young students a grounding in the liberal arts in the rich Catholic tradition so that they can find and pursue their vocations in life with purpose, confidence, and success. We form the hearts and minds of each young person we educate by preparing them to know, love, and serve God in this life so they will be happy with Him forever in the next. And we do this at every step of the way with the help of our beloved patroness, Mary. Omnia ad Jesum per Mariam… Everything to Jesus through Mary.

Since our success in achieving this vital mission relies on the generosity of donors like you – alumni, parents, friends, and wellwishers – we are honored to call you our Partners in Stewardship.

By giving so generously to our Annual Fund, Scholarships, Giving Day, special events and various facility enhancement projects, you are helping us to educate and form our country’s next generation of loving mothers and fathers, responsible patriots, creative professionals, and lasting friends.

In the pages that follow, we call grateful attention to the many ways in which our Partners in Stewardship continue to advance our mission for the benefit of our students, our country, and our Church.

Many wholehearted thanks!

Edward Short Vice President of Development

St. Mary’s Scholarships

At St. Mary’s High School, we award students academic and need-based scholarships that give them the ability to focus on doing as well as they can in their current studies so that they can be thoroughly prepared for success in college and beyond. Generous scholarship gifts allow our students to realize their goals and make their dreams for the future a reality. Their dreams are our dreams!

FRANK LIPANI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Frank Lipani Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student who has excelled in Spanish.

JOSEPH A. AND DOROTHY A. SALAT SCHOLARSHIP

The Joseph A. and Dorothy A. Salat Scholarship is awarded to students of good academic standing.

ZACHARY J. ZABATTA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Zachary J. Zabatta Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students who show an interest in community service.

MARTINEZ-FONTS FAMILY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Mrs. Enriqueta Martinez-Fonts DeGaal, (known to her friends and colleagues as “Beba),” taught first Latin and then Spanish at St. Mary’s Girls High School from 1965 to 1992. Mrs. Martinez-Fonts fled her native Cuba in 1960 when the communist revolution devastated that country. She felt blessed to have settled in Manhasset with her husband and five children. She began teaching at St. Mary’s a few years later, and one daughter and three sons went on to graduate from the high school. Her children have established this scholarship in loving memory of their mother, who was their first teacher, and whose commitment to Catholic education and passion for life-long learning greatly enriched and influenced their own lives. The family has requested that the scholarship be awarded to a young woman, who in the estimation of the faculty, demonstrates academic excellence in the Spanish language, and who embodies Mrs. MartinezFonts’ passion for learning, the Catholic faith and freedom.

FRANK LIPANI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

JOSEPH A. AND DOROTHY A. SALAT SCHOLARSHIP

ZACHARY J. ZABATTA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The White House Replica at Long Island University

As Americans, we enjoy many blessings. Our country is big and beautiful; we have abundant natural resources; our people are brave, free, and profoundly faithful. But of all our national blessings none is more precious than our Constitution, which Alexis de Tocqueville considered the “most perfect that has ever existed.” It is precisely because the Constitution helps to ensure our liberties that we must not only preserve but celebrate it. And that is why Saint Mary’s trips this past year to the replica of the White House at the Roosevelt School of Long Island University were so special.

Civics education is a vital part of our history program and these trips brought the importance of this education alive as never before. A er all, they helped our students understand how consequential their civic responsibilities are. The White House replica gave our students a unique opportunity to enter into and negotiate the responsibilities of the Executive Branch in simulations of the most complex presidential decision-making – choices that a ect not only Americans but people around the world.

For all of the simulations, our history honor students were brilliantly prepared by Mr. Brendan Gilroy, our talented History Department Chair. Much that we do at St. Mary’s that is investment-worthy: The vibrant civics education we provide our students – with the help of the good people of Long Island University – is one stellar example.

CEDE

Cultivating the Creator Spirit

The Catholic Entrepreneurship & Design Experience (CEDE) is a high school entrepreneurship curriculum grounded in the wisdom of the Catholic tradition. The course is an exploration of each student’s personal vocation—his or her unique way of creating value in the world—using design thinking and experiential learning to help each of them thrive as CEO’s of their own lives who freely choose to live and create in service to others.

CEDE is a high school entrepreneurship program driven by experiential and project-based learning, pioneered by Prof. Luke Burgis of the Busch Business School of The Catholic University of America. We believe that a spirit of freedom and play are critical to the entrepreneurial journey. Combining academic rigor with fun and engaging action, CEDE is organized into 3 phases of Discern, Create, and Grow. As such, it is not strictly for those who want to found companies, launch ventures, or go into business. CEDE’s broad and widely-applicable call to an entrepreneurial spirit will serve all students, whether they become priests, parents, teachers, business people, or chefs!

The course has 12 Foundational Modules built on essential and supplemental blocks. In each module, students are challenged to complete projects that create real human value. Each module uses a student prompt that sets the context for learning through direct delivery to each individual student. Then, modules use excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church to reinforce Catholic Social Teaching, with entrepreneurial profiles and case studies to reinforce discussions, driving project work. Throughout, engaging activities provide the experiential element necessary for internalizing and applying the concepts.

Fr. Bob Announces New President of the Schools of Saint Mary

Please Welcome Very Rev. Daniel Nash, Can. Reg.

Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo, pastor of the Church and Schools of St. Mary, announced that the Most Reverend Anton Höslinger, Can. Reg., Provost of Stift Klosterneuburg, has appointed his confrère, Father Elias Carr, Can. Reg., to succeed him as the abbey’s Kämmerer, its chief financial officer.

While it is with much sadness that Fr. Bob and the Schools of St. Mary wish Fr. Elias well in his future endeavors, our pastor is happy to announce the seamless transition to the new president, the Very Reverend Dom Daniel Nash, Can. Reg., Prior of the Canonry of Saint Leopold in Glen Cove, and Fr. Elias’ confrère. “We are deeply grateful for the ongoing engagement of the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine…” Fr. Bob said, “…even though they are now one fewer. Their willingness to support the educational mission of St. Mary’s is a wonderful sign of their commitment to the future success of our schools.”

Fr. Daniel brings a wealth of experience to the Schools of Saint Mary. A priest for over 25 years, Fr. Daniel served seven years in three parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, before his novitiate in Klosterneuburg. He became pastor of the third largest church in Vienna, St. Leopold in Donaufeld, where he served for six years. He co-founded the Canonry of St. Leopold with Fr. Elias in 2011 and served as pastor of St. Patrick for six years before becoming pastor of St. Rocco in 2017 and St. Hyacinth in 2020.

“I am so thrilled to be able to serve at St. Mary’s and get to know the schools,” Fr. Daniel said. “And having the opportunity again to work in Catholic education with Fr. Bob is exciting.” Growing up on Long Island, Fr. Daniel attended Catholic schools. During his undergraduate days at the Catholic University of America, he was a master of ceremonies for the sacred liturgy at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and editor of the student newspaper, The Tower. After completing pre-theology at Catholic University, James Cardinal Hickey sent him to the North American College for Seminary in Rome for five years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sacred theology and then his licentiate in moral theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas (Angelicum) before his 1997 ordination to the priesthood in St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, DC. Thanks to his extensive linguistic abilities – he speaks several languages – Fr. Daniel regularly celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, Italian, and Latin, and whenever possible, in German. Besides his work as a Latin teacher, Fr. Daniel served as Fr. Bob’s ombudsman to facilitate communication and relationships among the various constituencies of the school community.

Having worked with Fr. Daniel for many years as his local dean and as executive pastor of All Saints Regional Catholic School, Fr. Bob stated that he is confident of Fr. Daniel’s aptitude for this critical leadership position, “With my appointment of Fr. Daniel, I am confident that he will build on the vision of Fr. Elias and previous presidents as he brings to bear his personal gifts and pastoral experience to face the future with strength and certainty. Please join me in welcoming Fr. Daniel to our wonderful St. Mary’s family.”

School News

SR. MARY AQUINAS, OP

Sr. Mary Aquinas, OP is pleased to join St. Mary’s High School as a math teacher. Finding that “having it all” wasn’t enough, Sister became a Dominican Sister of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2014 (with Sr. Lucy Fidelis, OP and Sr. Monica Marie, OP). Sr. Mary Aquinas, OP professed perpetual vows over the summer and was blessed to have Fr. Dominik concelebrate, along with Fr. Chris Sullivan from Holy Family in Hicksville. Sister desires to embody the Lord’s solicitude for each student and to spark wonder at the beauty and order of His mind reflected in mathematics.

MICHAEL DIMARTINO, SMHS ’20

Michael “Doc” DiMartino has rejoined the St. Mary’s Family after graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 2020. He is returning as Tech Support, working under Phil Sutherland SMHS ’03 to keep St. Mary’s tech moving. He

is currently in his 4th year at Hofstra University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Networking and Cybersecurity. At Hofstra, he is the IT Consultant to Dr. Behailu Mammo, the Noyce Program Director at Hofstra University. He has a passion for technology and is excited to help maintain and enhance the technology in the Saint Mary’s Schools.

DAWN GAGLIANO

“My name is Dawn Gagliano, and I am a teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary School. I currently teach 7th Grade Math Enrichment (Everyday Math), I provide academic support for grades 5 - 8, and I am the teacher of St. Mary’s new Cherubs Program.

I enjoyed serving as the PTO President for two years at St. Mary’s, prior to receiving this teaching position, and my children attend school here. It is such a joy to be back in the classroom as a teacher! I taught math at Archbishop Molloy High School and Great Neck North High School, before taking a break a few years ago to start my family. I received my undergraduate degree from Lehigh University while playing Division 1 Basketball, and I received my Masters Degree from St. John’s University. I am absolutely delighted to be a member of the St. Mary’s Faculty!”

SUSAN ILG

Susan Ilg is excited to join the St. Mary’s Elementary School community to teach Spanish language and culture to students from Nursery through Fifth Grade, on a part-time basis. She has 17 years teaching experience, primarily to High School students at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset and at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville. Susan earned two degrees from SUNY of Old Westbury, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Adolescence Education/ Spanish and a Masters of Science Degree in Adolescence Education/ Spanish.

Susan has been residing in Manhasset for the past 27 years where she enjoys life with her retired husband, her three boys and her best friend, her dog, Kato! She appreciates working in a Catholic environment because it serves as a constant reinforcer of her catholic values especially as she is free to incorporate them into classroom discussions and lessons.

Prior to teaching and before raising her children, Susan worked as an administrative assistant for 9 years in the Latin American Syndicated Loan Department at The Chase Manhattan Bank and at Merril Lynch, both located downtown NYC. This experience allowed her to use her Spanish language skills to communicate with people in Latin America.

TIM LANDERS

“I am very excited to be the new Latin teacher at St. Mary’s Middle School. I attended St. Anne’s Elementary School and Kellenberg Memorial High School, where I was first introduced to the beauty of Latin as a freshman. I went on to graduate from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas with a B.A. in English and a Concentration in Latin. After working for a medical malpractice law firm, I returned to Kellenberg Memorial to teach Latin at the middle school and high school levels. While there, I also moderated the Academic Quiz Bowl team as well as the literary magazine, Renaissance. I am very grateful for my Catholic education and the Faith it has handed on to me and, in my own teaching, I hope to make students aware that Latin is an essential part of our heritage as Catholics. In my leisure, I enjoy reading books, particularly novels and poetry, as well as watching old movies.”

ALEXANDER PREZZANO

“I’m so excited to be joining the faculty as the new music teacher for this

2023/2024 school year. My goal is to educate students on the fundamentals of how music works, but more importantly, to use music as a way of connecting us to history, math, science and more. I hope to leave students feeling inspired and energized!

Since 2014, I have worked as a professional musician in NYC, and toured as a guitarist/music director with Broadway shows and recording artists throughout the US, Canada and abroad. Before that I studied classical and Spanish guitar for several years at the University of Southern Maine and with artist faculty at Pepperdine University. I also write and perform my own music, as well as teach History of Rock classes at Hunter College.

I have always had a passion for teaching and believe that music appreciation and knowledge of music history can have positive, meaningful consequences to people of all ages.”

Theresa Kemp, Principal (left) and Michelle Tripi, Assistant Principal & Dean of Students (right) now lead the Elementary and Middle Schools at St. Mary’s.

On the Development Front: Focus on the Annual Fund

Nothing is more important to our development efforts at The Schools of Saint Mary than our Annual Fund Campaign, which enables us to address operational costs, tuition assistance, and capital improvements. Accordingly, throughout the year, we send out videos making appeals for the fund; we hold special events like our Marathon and Walkathon; we host our Annual Golf Outing in Honor of Zachary Zabatta; we send out communications giving our constituency the option of becoming GEMs -- Giver Every Month; and we encourage our alumni donors to consider planned giving and matching gifts, which are naturally essential for our future sustainability.

An essential component of our Annual Fund campaign is our Giving Day, which this year, thanks to our steadfast Partners in Stewardship, garnered over $100,000. In robustly increasing our receipts for our Annual Fund, your generous contributions to Giving Day helped to support our STEM, STREAM, Performing Arts, Athletics, and Campus Ministry programs, as well as our tuition assistance and teacher development efforts.

Another encouraging sign in our Annual Fund campaign is that, thanks to our academic and faith formation achievements, more and more alumni are resuming support for the school after lapsing for a period. The number of new donors to the Annual Fund has increased by nearly 500 in the past year.

Since we continue to encourage at least 5,000 of our 13,000 alumni to contribute $200 a year to realize our Annual Fund Goal of $1 million, the fact that more and more hitherto lapsed donors are resuming their support is a welcome testament to the appeal of our core Catholic mission and the stalwart generosity of our Partners in Stewardship.

Horizons

Horizons is our annual literary and art journal, featuring the poems, stories and essays, as well as paintings, watercolors, and drawings of our bright and talented high school students.

Since we educate the whole person at Saint Mary’s, it is a pleasure to share with parents, students, alumni and well-wishers the fruits of our students’ impressive literary and artistic work, which shows how admirably imaginative and creative they are.

What is the Feeling of Blue?

Poem by | CLAIRE YOON SMHS’25

The feeling of blue, it’s hard to define, A sense of sadness that’s hard to unwind, A hue of melancholy that paints the soul, A shade of emotion that takes a toll.

Painting by | RYAN OH SMHS’23

It’s like a heavy blanket that covers the heart, A weight that’s slowly pulling us apart, A sense of loss that we can’t ignore, A feeling that leaves me wanting more.

Feeling blue, a shade of sorrow, A cloud of darkness that I borrow, An ache that tugs at my heartstrings, A feeling that echoes and still rings.

It comes in waves, a sea of emotion, Crashing down in a tumultuous motion, A stormy sea with no clear direction, Leaving us lost, with no affection.

But amidst the blue, there’s a ray of light, A glimmer of hope that shines so bright, A promise of a better tomorrow, A chance to escape the waves of sorrow.

So let us hold on to that flicker of hope, And let it guide us through the stormy slope, For even in the midst of the blue, There’s a chance for a brighter hue.

Painting by | SOPHIA KANO SMHS ’24 | 1940

Pure in Heart

Poem

by

| STEVEN FORTUNE SMHS ’26

Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall know God’s grace.

They follow Him within that grace since in God’s presence, they find their place.

Within baptism, they can be closer to God

The light that shines within their soul.

That enhances the ultimate goal.

The place where God makes them whole.

For they have shed their ultimate cares

And fixed their gaze on a better thing.

In humble love, they offer prayers and songs, And find in God their one true being.

He let us seek his purity

And live with hearts that are sincere.

Within him, we will have no fear.

We’ll see God’s face, forever near.

Drawing by | SOPHIE KWON SMHS’25

Congratulations to Sophie Kwon ’25, whose artwork was selected as one of Long Island’s Best Young Artists.

Performing Arts Program

The Performing Arts Program is dedicated to identifying and fostering the artistic potential in our students. Our Program brings out the talents of our students so they can share with audiences the joy of the Performing Arts. In our Program, we offer classes in theater, chorus, and dance.

Our Middle School students begin their performing arts journey in theater. Each year, students in Grades Five through Eight are given the opportunity to perform in a musical. They learn the fundamentals of diction, enunciation, voice projection and stage presence. As they progress, they acquire the confidence they need to perform in front of an audience.

At the High School level, students are eligible to take theater, chorus, and dance classes beginning in their freshman year. Performance opportunities in theater include fall plays, winter intensives, and spring musicals. Additionally, students can choose to take chorus during the school day as an elective. They are also given the opportunity to participate in the Chamber Choir, which is featured during Masses and concerts. Our Choir’s recent celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, under Mr. Michael Janover’s inspired direction, was at once moving and inspiring. For those interested in dance, an after-school class is offered, which gives students access to instruction in various styles of dance in the studio.

The Performing Arts Program looks forward to continued success developing our student’s unique talents.

Beauty & The Beast

The Play That Goes Wrong Cinderella

Senior Shepherds

The Senior Shepherd Program consists of a select group of seniors who dedicate themselves to furthering the Catholic values taught at Saint Mary’s. Every year, seniors submit applications to be a part of the Program, consisting of an essay and interview. An integral part of the school community, our Shepherds assist in a number of areas. Members of the Senior Shepherd Program dedicate their time to a number of different service projects throughout the year. The Shepherds work closely with the parish to ensure school-wide participation in these events and promote involvement to the underclassmen. This month, a number of the students spent the day being trained as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to further their role in schoolwide Masses. The Shepherds also aid in running the Freshman and Sophomore Retreats and events, providing guidance and creating a comfortable community among the students. Among these events is Freshman Camp, a three-day activity run by senior leaders, which serves as an orientation and welcome to the school. Shepherds lead the groups of students on tours, facilitate bonding, and instill school values from the very beginning. Since Saint Mary’s is, quintessentially, a family of faith, our Shepherds are instrumental in making newcomers feel at home.

In addition to their spiritual work, students are eager to reach out and connect with all members of the Saint Mary’s community. The Shepherds act as role models for the rest of the student body and promote positivity in everything they do. The Program has become one of the most popular extracurriculars among students, and the role of the Shepherds continues to expand and grow. The Shepherds set a standard of behavior and establish a sense of unity throughout the School, encouraging those around them to do the same. Thus, the Senior Shepherd Program plays a crucial role throughout the Saint Mary’s community, giving students the means they need to serve those around them and give back to their beloved School with their talents, their creativity and, most importantly, their lived faith.

Father Dominik Wegiel: St. Mary’s Inspiring School Chaplain

Throughout the pages of the Magnificat, you will see references to the emphasis we place at St. Mary’s on the call to sainthood. Here, Fr. Dominik recently shared with our students his own experience of that pressing call in a homily he preached on the Solemnity of All Saints.

A few months ago, some of us had the privilege of going on our yearly high school pilgrimage to Greece. It was an awesome experience to go and see the various ancient sites of our civilization. However, the memories that stuck out most to me during that trip was our journey to Meteora. It is a monastery built on a mountain in Northern Greece and it is completely inaccessible to cars and other vehicles. We literally had to walk over a rope bridge to cross. The tour guide had to explain how for centuries the local people would send food in a bucket to help feed the monks since they lived in complete contemplation. All I could think about was how amazing these monks were for living their life in a radical way. However, one of the teachers asked me if I ever thought about being a monk and without any hesitation I said, “Absolutely not!”

You have to be kind of crazy to dedicate your entire life to one single mountain. But this made me think, well, why do men do this? What drives certain people to live this way of life? The symbol of the mountain is important because it does symbolize the meeting place between heaven and earth. It symbolizes man’s reaching for God and God reaching for man. That is why all the great mystical moments happen on mountains: Moses and the ten commandments, the Transfiguration, the Beatitudes etc.

During that same pilgrimage we also went to an iconographer shop. It was kind of in the middle of nowhere. A worker of the shop gave us a tour and explained the importance of religious icons of the saints, Jesus, and Mary and how they express the mysteries of our faith. The best explanation was how icons are not meant to be decorations, but rather they serve as windows of heaven. Through their beauty, we are placing ourselves in the presence of God. As the tour continued, there was an orthodox priest painting an icon. He didn’t speak much English, but there was an aura to him. As he was painting, the tour guide was explaining all the different symbolic images within the icons and their meaning. The orthodox priest saw me, a fellow priest, and with a smile gave me the icon he had just finished. It was an icon of Christ the Teacher. I was floored and it was like scales fell from my eyes. The Monastery, the mountain, the icon of Christ, all windows of heaven and I realized that the icon was more than a gift. It was a message. Become another Christ.

I’ve been told a million times, “Be a saint.” However, it was this act of love from one priest to another which was so direct that it was like a spiritual megaphone to rouse my deaf ears. Because even if we hear the message, it does not mean we live it. It is a strong temptation in the spiritual life to simply grab a lawn chair, sit down and admire the mountain, admire the saints, and admire Jesus.

We see the mountain, but never actually climb it. What’s the problem? Transfigurations don’t happen on lawn chairs! Transfigurations happen on mountains. Don’t admire the mountain, climb it!

There is a great quote from the movie called A Hidden Life by Tarrence Malick. It’s about an Austrian farmer named Franz Jägerstätter who did not want to serve the Nazi regime as he felt it was against his conscience. Franz is struggling with what to do and how to live his faith in a tense and difficult situation. He has an encounter with a church painter who is painting murals of Jesus and the Saints and he says to Franz:

“I paint all this suffering when I don’t suffer myself. I make a living off it. What we do is just create sympathy. We create admirers. We don’t create followers. Christ’s life is a demand. We don’t want to be reminded of it. So we don’t have to see what happens to the truth, a darker time is coming and men will be more clever. They won’t fight the truth, they’ll just ignore it. I paint their comfortable Christ with a halo over his head. How can I show what I haven’t lived? Someday I might have the courage to venture but not yet. Someday I’ll paint the true Christ.”

In the Gospel today, notice what we heard! We hear that Jesus goes up the Mountain and he gives us the outline of how we paint the true Christ in our world. What are the paintbrushes he gives? They are the Beatitudes. To be truly happy, we must be poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering for righteousness, merciful, pure of heart, peacemakers and persecuted. Notice the paradox! That image of Beatitude seems like the complete opposite of what the world tells us what happiness is. The World paints a different image. It claims that to be happy, we must be rich, never suffering, assertive, and take in every pleasure the world has. The reason Jesus gives us the Beatitudes is because he is turning our ideas of happiness upside down precisely because the World is upside down. The World’s happiness is one giant empty promise because it cannot offer what the heart truly desires. It desires infinite love and only God can satisfy our restless heart.

I dare you to ignore me, I dare you to fall asleep to my words. Fulfill the painter’s prophecy and instead of fighting the truth, ignore it. But do so at your own peril. Every choice, every decision, every relationship, every virtue, every vice and every moment, we are painting the portrait of our life. In whose image is our portrait being made into? The Image of Christ or the World? As we come to the Eucharist today don’t receive Jesus carelessly, don’t receive him as a participation trophy. No, the Eucharist is God’s paintbrush and by receiving him with reverence, God is painting you in the image of his Son. Today, we need more Saints. Don’t admire the mountain, climb it. Don’t admire Jesus, follow him. Be another Christ and the happiness of the Saints will be yours.

Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

Many different components combine to make our Catholic character at the Schools of Saint Mary so dynamic. We steep our students in the Elementary, Middle and High Schools in the rich Catholic tradition. We have an entrepreneurial curriculum in the CEDE Program that we have adopted from the Catholic University of America (See page 12), which impresses upon our students the importance of vocation in their preparation for the responsibilities and joys of their lives beyond our doors.

Yet we also have the truly inspirational Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist showing our students how our Catholic faith animates all that we do, with Sr. Mary Aquinas, OP and Sr. Mary Magdalene, OP in the High School and Sr. Lucy Fidelis, OP and Sr. Agnes Maria, OP in the Elementary and Middle Schools. In addition to the various academic subjects that they teach, the Sisters teach the virtues in the Middle School and conduct the Daughters of Mary Club for 15 young ladies in the High School. They preside over our Living Rosary, which assembles our lower school students together to pray the Rosary.

They also work with Fr. Dominik in our Sodality and Senior Shepherds Programs to initiate students into the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation (Last year, St. Mary’s initiated 21 students). Our motto at St. Mary’s – Omnia ad Jesum per Mariam (‘Everything to Jesus through Mary’) – is at the heart of our identity, and the Sisters help us to embrace this identity as a lived reality. As the Sisters’ website says so perceptively, “At the heart of Catholic education is the Person of Jesus Christ. He is the Master Teacher.” As Dominican Sisters,

transmit

vital tradition by bringing young students into a deeper relationship

Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in our family of faith at

they

this

with Christ. We are deeply blessed to have the Dominican

the Schools of Saint Mary. Laus Deo!

Good Samaritan House

(Formerly Parish Social Ministry)

GOOD SAMARITAN HOUSE FOOD AND CLOTHING PANTRY

Good Samaritan House provides food for 75 families per year. Each family is allowed to come in for food and clothing once every two weeks. If there is an emergency, of course they can come in more frequently. With the rising cost of food prices, this happens more often than formerly.

YOUTH MINISTRIES

Good Samaritan House is working closely with Mr. Anthony Cannatella at the high school to create a new service club. The club’s name will be Good Samaritan Club, which is fitting because the kids in this club will work closely with Good Samaritan House and will serve many of the same disenfranchised people that we serve. Eventually, the goal is to have the leaders of this club really organize and lead all service projects we take on. This will encourage them to take real ownership of the projects and will instill in them a genuine spirit of service. It will also be very valuable for them to drive projects from start to completion on their own by helping them develop very valuable organizational skills. Lastly, and most importantly, it will allow a group to really engage longer term in supporting people in need, instead of just completing one-off projects.

JOB COUNSELING

Good Samaritan House continues to provide information on job openings to our clients. We have been very lucky in the quality of jobs that are coming across our desks. We regularly utilize social media and the Manhasset pages to identify positions that might be a good fit for some of our clients. Last year, we started communicating with our clients via email as well. This greatly improved the type of communication we have with our clients – allowing us to quickly disseminate information on job openings, as well as, other programs that might benefit them, like heating programs, etc.

CALLS AND COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND

We have built up our ministry which allows us to communicate with our homebound parishioners weekly. We have two volunteers who make calls to them weekly. The goal is for us to let them know the church has not forgotten them and to also make sure if they have any needs that we can help with, we are aware of them. On many occasions, they request at home Communion. We are also taking Communion to about 15 homebound parishioners weekly.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL (SVdP)

Good Samaritan House continues to work closely with the St. Mary’s Saint Vincent de Paul chapter. While we provide food, clothing, day to day assistance to those in need, Saint Vincent de Paul helps out with short-term needs (i.e., someone falls behind in rent and needs to catch up or they have a car repair bill) that will help them. Or SVdP provides funds for “Change of Life” programs, which usually assists people in obtaining a degree or certificate which potentially provides opportunity for long-term employment. Good Samaritan House and SVdP often serve the same.

THANKSGIVING

Our Thanksgiving “drive-through” food donation afternoon/evening, which involved the whole community was a great success. Our new service club members had the opportunity to participate, as well as our religious education kids. The Manhasset and Church community donated a great array of fresh food items. Since this one of our most inspiring days of the whole year, we are super excited that it went off so well.

SHOE DRIVE (AND PAJAMA DRIVE)

Over Christmas last year we collected new sneakers, recognizing the cost of sneakers is so high and everyone needs sneakers. We consider them a necessity - not a luxury. Because of this effort, we were able to provide new sneakers to all of the children we support prior to school starting. We were also able to provide new sneakers to most parents. clients, so we work closely to ensure we are able to provide support in the most holistic way possible.

ALZHEIMER’S EDUCATIONAL SERIES

This year, with the help of Eileen Symmons, Director of Communications, St. Mary’s was able to offer an educational series on Alzheimer’s to our community members. This series was geared toward both potential Alzheimer’s patients, as well as caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. So far the presentations have been very well attended and the community is naturally appreciative that we are able to offer this helpful series through collaboration with the Long Island chapter of the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

BEREAVEMENT

Planning for our third bereavement session is underway. Participants are appreciative of the faith content of the sessions, knowing that faith conduces to healing. The feedback from all our sessions thus far has been exceedingly positive. Our facilitators are Marie Granieri, Tara Baranello, Bernadette Casalino, Stella Caragiorgis, Robert Windorf, and Jordan Rini.

FOCUS GROUP

The FOCUS Group (Friends Offering Care Understanding and Support) is back in full swing. They held their wonderful Christmas luncheon and will be organizing other events in the near future. They plan to host some game days, a Mass in the chapel and a luncheon, a St. Patrick’s Day gathering, and other events.

Civics Day and Visit to the Nassau County Legislature

Moot Court Competition

On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, St. Mary’s competed in the 2023 Long Island Mentor Moot Court Competition in the Federal Courthouse for the Eastern District of New York in Islip. St. Mary’s entered two full teams of advocates to compete in a field of approximately 25 schools. These eight competitors fought hard against formidable teams from Sacred Heart Academy and Plainview High School, and received complimentary acknowledgments from all of the judges who they competed in front of as well as from Circuit Judge Joseph Bianco, who is himself a St. Mary’s alum.

The student advocates argued a tough case involving issues of First and Fourth Amendment rights of a high school student journalist who published investigative reports on her school’s Artificial Intelligence writing program policy and procedures.

This cutting-edge issue allowed St. Mary’s to analyze and argue how appellate courts should deal with this very pressing topic. Although St. Mary’s did not advance to the finals, the students advanced their skills considerably and are very eager to continue competing in the upcoming Mock Trial Competition.

Here, we would like to congratulate our legal advocates to be, all of whom fought a good fight!

Alumni Career Day

St. Mary’s High School hosted its annual Career Day, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Career Day welcomes alums back to campus to give inspiring and informative presentations for the students. This year’s format change and selection process allowed for a much more intimate and interest-driven experience for both alumni and students alike. Students were able to choose from fifteen different careers and attended three separate 40-minute sessions packed with practical advice, words of wisdom, and moving anecdotes from the outstanding alums.

Alums ranged in graduation class from ’67 all the way up to ’17 and covered fields from art curation to veterinary medicine to financial services and everything in between. Principal Gerard Buckley stated, “Career Day is a day to be proud of the St. Mary’s product - for nearly 75 years, St. Mary’s High School has been a Catholic center of academic excellence, inspiring a diverse student body to pursue their interests while in high school, which later leads to successful and fulfilling careers.”

A sincere thank you to each and every alumni for spending invaluable time with the students. Students are looking forward to Career Day 2024. If you are interested in participating in a future Career Day, please contact Kiera Walsh, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations at kwalsh@stmary.ws.

Teaching the Virtues

In our Middle School, under the inspired aegis of Sr. Agnes Maria, OP, Saint Mary’s is taking the teaching of the virtues to a new level, one which encourages our students to be true disciples of Jesus Christ in all they do, in school and out of school, with their classmates and with their families.

An eminently practical program, which draws on the rich Catholic tradition and the lives of the saints, our virtues program helps our young students realize that becoming a saint is not beyond reach. Putting the virtues into practice is a growing in God’s love that everyone can achieve. It is an acceptance of God’s love, a habit of holiness that is also a map to happiness.

In sharing with our students the virtues of kindness, courtesy, patience, generosity, gratitude, respect and prayerfulness, Sr. Agnes Maria, OP works to help students – as well as teachers and parents -- realize that the virtues are not a book of rules, but a way of life, rooted in and sustained by God’s love. Accordingly, we emphasize not so much what students should not do as what they can do – to become the saints that God intends them to be.

HERE IS OUR CATHOLIC ETHOS IN ACTION AND IT IS GLORIOUS TO BEHOLD!

Mass with Bishop Barres and Blessing of the High School Chapel

Pilgrimage to Greece

Last year, 25 of our fortunate students visited Greece for a pilgrimage to follow in the Footsteps of Saint Paul.

After arriving in Athens, the group traveled to Corinth, Epidaurus and Mycenae to see a variety of archeological sites. One of our students was even able to perform in the Theater of Mycenae, one of the oldest and best-preserved Greek theaters. We also were able to visit the ruins of an early Christian Church built at the site that St. Paul landed in Greece. We also saw the ancient city of Olympia, where the original Olympic games were held, and visited the Church of St. Andrew in Patras. This is the largest Church in Greece and holds the relics of the Apostle. On our journey to Delphi, we also stopped and visited the city of Nafpaktos, where the Battle of Lepanto took place in 1571. While traveling, we stopped to visit an Icon workshop [See Fr. Dominik’s homily on page 23], where we saw how religious Icons are painted, and some of our students even got to try out their skills by painting some! We also learned about the symbolism in the icons in general and how those symbols are reflected in the colors of the paintings. Next, we visited the Meteora Monasteries, built in the 14th Century, and were given a tour of various chapels and cloisters of these monasteries. These monasteries are located on the tops of cliffs, and they have spectacular views. Finally, we ended our trip in Athens, where we were able to see the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Mars hill where St. Paul preached, and other notable sites. On our last night, we had a celebration with traditional Greek dancing before we departed back to the US.

Overall, it was a wonderful, faithful pilgrimage!

Gaels Parents’ Association Parent Teacher Organization

The Schools of Saint Mary is so blessed to have an exceptional parent community who consistently support the administration in advancing our mission. They repeatedly go above and beyond on behalf of their children’s school.

Parents are often our best ambassadors. They have personal and current insights on school life, and proudly share their family’s experience with others who are interested in learning more about St. Mary’s.

The Schools of Saint Mary is particularly grateful to those parents who assume leadership roles by getting involved with the Parent-Teacher Organization at the Elementary School and the Gaels Parents’ Association at the High School. Each leadership organization serves the unique constituents they represent and work tirelessly on fundraising and community building efforts.

The year got off to an exciting start with the Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) hosting the Parent Social. It was an evening of music, food trucks, and raffles. The PTO also hosted several other events: Halloween parties, Turkey Trot, Mother/Son Bowling, Dance through the Decades, Mets Family Fun Night, and the Graffiti Lab. Each spring brings the Elementary School’s Take-A-Break event. Under the leadership of Mrs. Alsheimer and the committee, the event raised funds for the new state-of-the-art library.

The High School’s Gaels Parents’ Association opened the year with its Annual Fall Parents Reception in Immaculata Hall and hosted the Harvest Hoedown and ended the year with the Final(s) Countdown for students. The Gaels, with the brilliant help of Nancy Cuneo planned their inaugural Casino Night featuring Blackjack, Roulette, Texas Hold ‘Em, Craps, dinner, music and dancing, raffles, and silent auction items to raise money for the STEM Program and new Business Center.

Thank you to all the parents who work so hard to make the Schools of Saint Mary such a special place for children to learn and grow!

Athletic Program

Home to the legendary Gaels, St. Mary’s offers an impressive array of athletic teams for students looking to round out their academic experience. St. Mary’s has had tremendous success over the years with numerous championships and awards for sportsmanship. The Girls Varsity Basketball Team won their second consecutive New York State Championship. St. Mary’s Boys Varsity Hockey Team is the all-time leader in State Championships and is poised to recapture the glory days under head coach, Joe Trimarchi. Our Boys Varsity Basketball Team reached the finals this year under the leadership of Coaches Ira Hunt and Charles McCann SMHS ’11, while our Varsity Lacrosse Team is as impressive as ever under Hall of Famer Coach Matt Panetta. And our Varsity Baseball Team goes from strength to strength under Coach Christopher Estrada.

If St. Mary’s is an investment-worthy school, carrying forward many excellent Catholic traditions, our Athletic Program deserves a good portion of the credit. How our Athletic Program advances our Catholic mission can be seen by this chart below. Go Gaels!

Why Our Athletic Program Advances St. Mary’s

Core Catholic Mission

 Physical Health and Fitness: Regular participation in sports helps students maintain physical health, improves fitness, and encourages a lifelong habit of physical activity.

 Character Development: Sports often teach valuable life skills such as discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and leadership. These are in line with many of the moral and ethical values promoted by Catholic education.

 Community and School Spirit: Athletics can foster a sense of community and school spirit. They provide opportunities for students, faculty, and families to come together, supporting a sense of belonging and pride in the school.

 Academic Performance: There is evidence suggesting that participation in sports can positively impact academic performance. It teaches time management skills and often requires students to maintain certain grades to participate.

 Mental Health Benefits: Engaging in sports can also improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It provides a constructive outlet for energy and emotions.

 Opportunities for Success Beyond Academics: Athletics can offer students avenues for success that are not purely academic, recognizing and valuing different talents and skill s.

 Alignment with Catholic Values: Many sports emphasize values such as fairness, respect, and humility, which align with Catholic teachings. It also allows the integration of faith and prayer in the context of athletic events.

 College and Career Opportunities: Athletics can open doors for scholarships and recognition, providing pathways to higher education and even careers in sports.

 Admissions: A good strong athletic program can boost a school’s admissions by making it attractive to prospective parents and students.

 Holistic Education Approach: A comprehensive athletic department complements the academic curriculum, contributing to the holistic development of students as envisaged in Catholic education philosophy.

The Return of Charles McCann

Charles McCann is the coach of the Boys Freshman team, a distinguished alumni, who before returning to coach at his alma mater at the behest of coach Ira Hunt played internationally for Long Island University. A er LIU, he began his career as a financial advisor. When a student at St Mary’s, Mr. McCann led the Boys Basketball Team in his junior year to a Division Championship and was named MVP. During his senior year, he led the Gaels to a 29-1 record and a Division and State Championship. In addition, he served as an interim coach for Kevin White for the Girls Varsity Basketball Team. He also served as a member of the National Honors Society. Mr. McCann’s return to coach at St. Mary’s highlights the talent our legendary Athletic Program attracts, not to mention the loyalty it commands. It also helps us to boost our admissions, nothing attracting new students to the school like a successful athletic program. Thank you, Charles McCann!

KEVIN WHITE

IRAHUNT

CHARLES MCCANN

Lady Gaels Creating Their Own Legend

Congratulations to the Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team!

Congratulations to the Saint Mary’s High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team on their second consecutive state championship win! We’re so proud of the coaches, players, and family members who helped make this dream a reality through faith, dedication, teamwork, and determination.

St. Mary’s Varsity Hockey

With its stellar tradition of championship seasons, St. Mary’s Hockey Program is committed to excellence both academically and athletically. Now, as in the past, it develops the personal growth of its student athletes by strengthening their characters.

At St. Mary’s, the highest standards of fair play and sportsmanship are natural allies of the virtues. Coaches and players stand together to serve and represent our High School Hockey Program and Community with the highest integrity and respect.

Since Coach Joseph Trimarchi joined the coaching staff – the same coach who worked under the legendary Brother Kenneth – St. Mary’s has expanded its program to the Middle School. Coached by Chris McCrorie, our Middle School team serves as a feeder for our High School team. When it comes to reviving the glory days of our Hockey Program, we are leaving nothing to chance.

Our Hockey Program provides a high-quality experience to every athlete we serve. Every athlete not only learns skills, tactics, and strategies of the game but improves as a player and individual while being coached using principles of positive coaching. Players have fun during practices and games and feel like an important part of the team, regardless of performance, all the while learning those vital life lessons that carry lasting value beyond the ice rink.

St. Mary’s Hockey teaches the following principles:

Preparation: If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.

Work Ethic: Determination and perseverance not just for the success of themselves but for their team.

Integrity: Wisdom is knowing the right path to take. Integrity is taking that path.

Attitude: The mind determines your limits. As long as your mind can envision the outcome...you will achieve it.

Accountability: We hold ourselves and each other accountable for both our words and our actions.

Respect: We will develop a culture of mutual respect and diversity by recognizing each individual’s unique contribution to the team.

Teamwork: There is no limit to what can be accomplished when nobody focuses on who gets the credit.

Spotlight on St. Mary’s Baseball

Our spotlight for this year’s Magnificat is on the Varsity Baseball Team. The Head coach Christopher Estrada and his coaching staff Juan Torres and Victor Bautista continue to attract top student athletes to St. Mary’s, and they are doing a magnificent job enlisting top talent to the Baseball Team, which, in turn, is boosting our admissions for the school.

“I know for sure that once alumni, donors, and parents see how fast the baseball program is growing, how dedicated and focused our coaching staff is, and how talented our student-athletes are, culled from around Long Island and New York City, they will see the legendary Gael spirit in action. We are transforming the St. Mary’s Athletic Program. Join us and be a part of this exciting transformation.”

~ Christopher Estrada, Head Baseball Coach

The progress of our Baseball Team under the leadership of Mr. Estrada has been meteoric. He started with the Program in 2020. In 2021-22, he brought on 9 new players. In 2022-2023, he created a Junior Varsity Program of 23 players in addition to the Varsity Program. In 2023-2024, he grew the Junior Varsity program to 35 players. Currently, in the 2024-2025 season, Mr. Estrada is working to add a Freshman Team.

Results:

• We currently have seven seniors on the Varsity Team and each has been signed and are committed to playing college baseball

• Todd Feurtado III has been named the 9th Best Player in NY in the 2025 Class

• Miguel Sime, named the 2nd Best Player, also played for St Mary’s before committing to LSU

St. Mary’s Summer Sports Camp 2023

Saint Mary’s Summer Sports Camp is a place where kids can learn sports, build friendships, and have fun. At the end of each June, we start our five weekly sessions with a variety of sports for kids ages 5 to 13 years of age. In the past Saint Mary’s sports camp offered Basketball, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Cheer/Dance, Soccer, and All-Sports. We continue to add to our offerings. We love seeing campers enjoying our camps session after session, year after year. Watch for Summer 2024 registration on the website.

St. Mary’s Elementary School Class of 2023 Commencement

St. Mary’s High School Class of 2023 Commencement

Guidance & College Counseling

Our Guidance Department at St. Mary’s is dedicated to opening our students’ hearts and minds to the many opportunities available to them as they decide on the colleges they wish to attend. To help students make the right choices, our Guidance team focuses on the whole person of each student, paying ample attention not only to their academic but their spiritual, social and emotional interests as well. As a result, as you will see, our college placement is second to none.

As a college preparatory high school, St. Mary’s provides extensive assistance to students on the college admissions process. Beginning in freshman year, students are encouraged to focus on their preparation for college exams such as the SAT and ACT. Both sophomores and juniors take the PSAT and Pre-ACT to identify areas in need of improvement. Junior and senior year students focus on the college search and application process. Students are encouraged to use the Naviance Program, an internet-based program designed for college searches, career searches as well as an interest inventory to identify areas of career interest. In the spring of junior year, the counselors set up individual meetings with juniors and parents/guardians to discuss the entire college process.

When you choose St. Mary’s, you will join a school whose recent graduates amassed over $22,000,000 in college scholarships. St. Mary’s has dedicated counselors to help you choose the perfect fit for your college career.

College Acceptances for the Class of 2023

Adelphi University

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Arcadia University

Arizona State University-Tempe

Auburn University

Barry University

Binghamton University

Boston College

Boston University

Bucknell University

Caldwell University

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

California State University-Long Beach

Canisius University

Case Western Reserve University

Chapman University

Chestnut Hill College

Clemson University

College of Charleston

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Cornell University

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

CUNY City College

CUNY Hunter College

CUNY Queens College

CUNY Queensborough Community College

Dartmouth College

DeSales University

Drexel University

Duquesne University

Emmanuel College

Emory University

Endicott College

Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityMetropolitan Campus

Farmingdale State College

Fashion Institute of Technology

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida International University

Florida Southern College

Fordham University

Franklin and Marshall College

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Goddard College

Hampton University

High Point University

Hilbert College

Hofstra University

Howard University

Indiana University-Bloomington

Iona University

Ithaca College

James Madison University

Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Kenyon College

King’s College

La Salle University

Lafayette College

Le Moyne College

Lehigh University

Lesley University

Long Island University - Post

Louisiana State University

Loyola Marymount University

Lynn University

Manhattan College

Manhattanville College

Marist College

Marymount Manhattan College

Mercy University

Merrimack College

Michigan State University

Molloy University

Morehouse College

Morgan State University

Mount Saint Mary College

Nassau Community College

New England College

New York Institute of Technology

New York University

Northeastern University

Nova Southeastern University

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Pace University-New York City Campus

Pennsylvania State UniversityPenn State Main Campus

Pepperdine University

Pratt Institute-Main

Princeton University

Providence College

Purdue University-Main Campus

Quinnipiac University

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhodes College

Robert Morris University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Russell Sage College

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Sacred Heart University

Saint Joseph’s University

Saint Leo University

Salve Regina University

Santa Clara University

School of Visual Arts

Seton Hall University

Seton Hill University

Siena College

Smith College

Southern Methodist University

St. John’s University-New York

St. Joseph’s University, New YorkLong Island Campus

St. Lawrence University

St. Thomas Aquinas College

St. Thomas University

State University of New York at New Paltz

Stevens Institute of Technology

Stonehill College

Stony Brook University

Suffolk University

SUNY at Purchase College

SUNY Buffalo State

SUNY College at Geneseo

SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

SUNY Cortland

SUNY Maritime College

SUNY Old Westbury

SUNY Oneonta

Syracuse University

Temple University

Texas A & M University-College Station

The City University of New York - CUNY

The George Washington University

The University of Alabama

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of Tampa

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Thomas Jefferson University

Union College (NY)

University at Albany, SUNY

University at Buffalo

University of Arizona

University of California-Berkeley

University of California-Davis

University of California-Irvine

University of California-Los Angeles

University of California-Riverside

University of California-San Diego

University of California-Santa Cruz

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Dayton

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Hartford

University of Illinois Chicago

University of Iowa

University of Maine

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

University of Miami

University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

University of New Haven

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

University of Rhode Island

University of Rochester

University of Scranton

University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of Vermont

University of Virginia-Main Campus

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Villanova University

Virginia Tech

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Western New England University

Wheaton College - Massachusetts

Widener University

William & Mary

Alumni Notes

1953

JIM FITZPATRICK wrote, “I am still going strong at 89. I love Florida and just celebrated four years of marriage to Ginny. I still keep in touch with the basketball team.” Jim is a retired engineer (Manhattan College), and moved to Florida in 2006. His wife, Lucie passed after 54 years of marriage, with four kids and five grandchildren. He married Ginny in 2019 and at 89, reported that “life is good!”

1956

Bill & JEAN GORMELY MURRAY celebrated 60 years of marriage on October 19.

Classmates JULIANNE SCHOFIELD, CAROL PREWEIN BUTLER, and ARLENE MCCARTHY now have GLORIA HICKS added to their little bunch of ’56ers trying to get together in Maine or maybe someplace else in the future.

1958

JOHN (JACK) O’HANDLEY passed away in July, 2023. A recently published autobiography, “From Trappist Monk to Street Doctor” sheds light on his years at St. Mary’s High School.

ROBERT MURPHY reported for the 2023-24 academic year, three of their ten grandchildren will participate in NCAA Division 1 athletics; Syracuse University (NY) - women’s soccer, Stephen F. Austin University (TX)baseball, and Stonehill College (MA) - new to Division 1, volleyball. Their youngest daughter (Butler University - volleyball) and daughter-in-law (University of Richmond - tennis) set a good example for the next generation.

MARY NICHOLAS penned “The Devil and Bella Dodd” with Paul Kengor--the story of a Catholic who infiltrated the public schools and seminaries with communism. Voila!

JIM PECK retired 15 years ago as an audiologist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In 2021, he had a house fire and will reoccupy in November. At the end of 2021, Jim’s wife sustained a life-ending head injury. Jim writes, “I miss her, but she was freed from ailments that made for poor quality of life. I have no major health problems. However, life enjoyment has been much diminished by appalling national and international events, as well as by losing cherished friends. I have become an authority on false and exaggerated hearing losses caused by various psychological conditions. My book on the subject was published in 2011. I continue to

write and make national and state presentations on the topic. I hope to give more talks at professional associations.”

1959

PATTY MULLINS O’KEEFE ’59, JANE MULLINS HACKETT ’64, and JUDY MULLINS WARD ’64 were together celebrating another family reunion in New Hampshire.

1960

PAT SANFORD TIERNEY wrote, “The 60’s gang met in Tarrytown last October – Sue O’Connor Boyd, Diane Santa Lucia Berger, Peggy O’Hagan Stabile, Linda Straus Kearney, Margot Worfolk, Eileen Schiller Toomey, Mary Salat Pampalk, Pat O’Rourke, Pat Sanford Tierney, and Ursula Gyurik.

1961

TONI ANASTASIO MCKEEN has been leading small private tours for the last 20 plus years, which have been very popular. The next tour scheduled is Turkey in March 2024. If anyone is interested in more info, just email her at tonimckeen47@hotmail.com. She also taught several levels of genealogy for the last 35 plus years.

1962

BILL YORIO ’58, ’62 wrote, “My wife Jacquie and our two daughters, Dana and Regina, are going to Paris over Columbus Day weekend for five days for a girls only trip to celebrate Jacquie’s retirement from the Port Washington School District. Our son Paul and I will probably spend that weekend with my son in law, James upstate in Windham, where we have a ski house.”

1963

ROBERT DORAN graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1967. He met his lovely wife at SBU and was married in 1968. Robert served in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. He was awarded three Bronze Stars and received an Army Commendation Medal for his service. Robert retired in 2017 after 44 years in the material handling industry. He and Lyn enjoy their son and daughter and their grandkids visits to their Bluffton, South Carolina home. St. Mary’s will always be the cornerstone of his “growing up” and attributes the school as his building block to an excellent life.

1965

STAN NOSEK wrote that he “retired after a 35 year career working at UC Davis, living in the hills of Northern California on a five-acre horse ranch near Napa Valley.” They visit Manhattan a couple of times a year and also visit friends and family on Long Island, making stops by St Mary’s occasionally. He recently completed the Yosemite Half Dome Hike for the 16th time, and plans to wear his new St. Mary’s T-shirt on his next hike. “Go, Gaels!”

1967

PAUL WILSON and his bride Paula, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 16, 2023. They recently returned from a Rhine River cruise where they fully enjoyed the sights, food and beverages of the region.

1968

MARYANNE LAHEY FRIEDLANDER has been married to Marty for over 40 years, with daughter Allison living locally. Maryanne retired a couple of years ago from her Nursing career in Psychiatry, both in clinical area and teaching. She enjoys local hiking, beach walking, gardening, Long Island history, and exploring holistic/energy based health practices. Maryanne has performed in an a cappella chorus for thirty years.

DENISE HAUBERT HODISH and her husband reside in East Meadow and are the parents of three children and have two grandchildren. After graduating, Denise attended Georgetown University where she received a Bachelor of Nursing. She returned to Long Island after college and worked as a nurse at Nassau Hospital where she held many positions until retiring in 2018. One of her fondest memories of St. Mary’s is Sports Night.

JANE PAPAS-KAHAN and her husband moved to Indian Wells, California from San Francisco eight years ago. They love the sunshine and blue skies. Family is nearby, and new friends make life good.

MADELYN VICTORIA SCHUH continues to paint and show her art (thank you Sister, Lucy!) and invites you to visit her website: www.victoriaschuharts. com for a look at her recent work. In addition to her own work, the past five years have been dedicated to producing exhibits and a film to bring recognition to Sam Feinstein,

a truly gifted abstract expressionist painter. Simultaneously, Madelyn provided training and access to healing resources to families whose children are experiencing mental health crises. Her mantra: Create beauty...Reduce suffering...Promote justice.

1969

MARK GRANTHAM ’65, ’69 transferred to Chicago Loyola Academy in Wilmette during senior year (father was transferred to a Chicago company). His undergraduate studies were at Notre Dame, Law at Creighton, and his MBA at University of Pennsylvania Wharton. He is a widower with two married kids who live in the San Diego area and still working or pretending to.

CATHERINE KERR wants to acknowledge that her whole life has reflected the continued impact of her education and formation at St. Mary’s, for which she continues to be grateful. Earlier this year, Catherine celebrated the tenth anniversary of her ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. Over those years she has served several parishes in the Philadelphia area and, though now officially retired, continues to serve part-time at St. James the Greater Episcopal Church in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Episcopal parishes are typically relatively small, allowing for close relationships with parishioners, and she has humbly shared the

joys and suffering of those people, baptizing, burying, walking with them through chronic illness and to the hour of their death, leading worship, and preaching the Good News of the Gospel Sunday-by- Sunday. Later this year, Catherine will celebrate the 45th anniversary of marriage to her husband, Chris. They have two wonderful children and three grandchildren who by turns delight and exhaust them. Life is good.

1970

MARYELLEN (LOCHER) MULLINYONKERS wrote, “Hello, Class of 1970! The memories of your smiling faces at our long-awaited reunion are still clearly imprinted on my mind. How lucky were we to also include Captain Bill Wassmer’s beautiful after party on his spectacular Lexington! Hope you are all well. Life is good here in Mount Vernon, New York. Jeff, Mom (96!) and I enjoy time spent with our girls, son-in-law and grandsons. Be well, Maryellen.”

1971

THOMAS WEISS wrote, “Hello to all. After all these years, I finally got around to this. I am retired now after working for the Veterans Administration for thirty-five years as a pharmacist (a little jump from Electrical Engineering, no?)! It was an interesting job, and I fortunately ended up in a position that was both rewarding and fulfilling. That is NOT an easy task in the pharmacy field. Otherwise, I actually never married so no great family/children stories to pass on. I wish the best to all my classmates. I would love to hear from any of you. Take care and God bless.”

1972

RICH MEYER wrote, “Greetings, Class of ’72, here’s the update. I have been married to my lovely wife for 47 years. Both of us are retired now in Senoia, Georgia, which is the closest thing to what they call ‘God’s country.’ Living in the South is the BEST thing we’ve

done and probably should have done it years ago. We have three grandkids in the pre-teens and he still owns a 1970 American LaFrance fire truck. After being a firefighter for 40 plus years, it keeps me busy. I keep in contact with as many as possible and get some travel in, after all that’s what retirement’s about!”

Classmates LORRAINE TOSIELLO and JANE CAVOLINA co-authored a book about Emily Dickinson and Louisa May Alcott, “The Bee & The Fly: The Improbable Correspondence of Louisa May Alcott & Emily Dickinson.”

1973

BRIAN BARTOW is general counsel of the California State Teachers Retirement System reporting AUM of $320 billion and 1 million members. He heads CalSTRS’ legal office as well as legal ethics and accountability, information security, and information management. Brian is a member of the California and American Bar Associations and chairs the Cyber Security Committee of the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys. He has been an adjunct professor of cyber security law at Elon University School of Law. He currently serves on the Elk Grove School District’s Racial Equity/Restorative Justice Task Force. He has a Juris Doctorate from MLK, Jr. Hall School of Law, at UC Davis, a BA in history from UC Riverside, and an AAS degree in nursing from Queensborough Community College. He is a veteran of the US Army Military Police and a graduate of the Defense Language Institute. Brian’s family includes four children ranging in age from 37-11, and two granddaughters. Brian and his wife enjoy traveling to their daughter’s gymnastics tournaments. In his infrequent spare time, Brian enjoys

painting and is a voracious reader.

JIM BECKER retired after thirty years with the US government. He is living in the Low Country of beautiful South Carolina. It’s been fifty years since graduating from St. Mary’s and Jim thought he should check in. “It’s been a wonderful life so far and I owe much heartfelt thanks to his St. Mary’s High School and my high school friends that I stay in contact with to this day! Cheers to all.”

BILL BRUDERMAN wrote, “It’s been a LONG time since I thought about high school. I was quite saddened to hear about Brother Kenneth. Just wondering what happened to some of you over the years. Have lost a few friends, but still have some close one’s left from the old neighborhood. How about you? I still speak to Walter Noonan. I’ve known him since I was five years old. I left New York at age twenty-two and never moved back. I LOVE Arizona, but miss the seafood.”

LISA CHERUBINI DILETTI wrote, “So sorry to miss the 50th reunion! I just moved from the Washington, DC area where I lived since 1973, to Florence, Italy, with my Italian husband, who is from Ascoli Piceno. I met my husband in Bellagio on Lago di Como in 1986 thanks to my lovely parents. We are blessed with three kids (ages 25-32), two of whom are here in Florence, and one is in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I have been a marketing communications professional my entire career, as well as the executive director of an Italian soccer school: www.cuginisoccer.com. We live on a street in Florence with my maiden name - Cherubini. Il destino!”

THOMAS FUSCO graduated University of Arizona in 1977, was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger, Africa from 19781980. He earned his Master of Arts at UCLA in 1981 and was married in 1984, with one son born in 1996. In 1985 he received his Juris Doctorate degree

at American University. Thomas was an international trade attorney with the US government (1987-2012) and in a private firm (2012-2022). Thomas is now retired and a volunteer with the National Park Service at Arlington Cemetery.

TIMOTHY MCCORKLE went to SUNY Maritime College, then into the Navy as an officer for ten years. That was followed by a thirty-one year career in the railroad industry at Conrail and Norfolk Southern Railroads. Tim spent the final eleven years in a management position with Norfolk Southern. He adopted a child (now a 30 year old adult with three kids)! Tim divorced and remarried (Valerie Beste, Patricia’s sister) - and is now RETIRED, living in Tucson, Arizona! Tim reports, “Life is good!”

MARILYN MCKEEVER and her husband just celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary and recently moved from North Carolina to Colorado to be near their daughter and family. Their

son, wife, and grandchildren reside in Maryland. Marilyn is retired from a successful career as a human resources consultant and is looking forward to exploring beautiful Colorado.

SUSAN MCNAMARA (MYLOD) is living in North Carolina and married with five children.

GREG MURPHY has been living in Short Hills, New Jersey for 32 years. He has been married to Sandra for 35 and they have three children Connor (30), Mollie (28) and Clare (27). Greg retired three

years ago after a career on Wall Street. He graduated from Providence College in ’77 and Adelphi in ‘80 (MBA). His kids are all over the country DC, California and Colorado. He and Sandra are trying to figure out their next move. After living in New Jersey for almost 40 years, he thinks it’s time for a change. Greg thinks they will choose a spot near their kids. Greg attended the 50th reunion and it was great to see everybody. Thanks to all those who did the heavy lifting and organized the event.

KAREN WALSH wrote, “after meeting my present Husband, Brendan J. Walsh (class of ’72), in New York City, we married in 1981 and moved to Port Washington (1985). We presently reside in Port and also enjoy retirement in Bonita Springs, Florida. We were blessed with one daughter Erica (35 years old) who lives in New York City.

Brendan attended Boston College, and just retired from 40 years at Merrill Lynch. I graduated from UC/Syracuse

University as an occupational/hand therapist, worked at New York Hospital until I opened my private practice in Manhasset (also retired)! We now both enjoy golf here in Florida. And in our travels.

My fondest memories back in the day were the pranks that would go on only in an all Gal’s school! (and the guys jump starting my white mustang convertible in the dirt parking lot as we watched from the second floor chemistry lab window!). Such great memories of cheerleading, Sports Night, selling chocolate bars??! I treasure the education and experiences I had at Saint Mary’s! And here we are 50 years later...

1975

DOUG MCINTYRE’S debut novel, “Frank’s Shadow” was in in-stores on July 18. He had a reading/signing on August 15 at The Book House in Millburn, New Jersey and the following day at Barnes & Noble in Carle Place, New York. The intro and Q&A was hosted by WABC Radio personality, Frank Morano. Doug invites you to visit his website: www.DougMcIntyre.com.

Who would have thought that fifty years from the day, 11 young, wideeyed freshman women (CATHY GROSS TROMBINO, FRAN BLISSERT MCCUTCHIN, TERRY GRACE SEARS, EILEEN DORAN COOPER, MARY DILLON REYNOLDS, DENISE WALSH MORAN, DEBBIE NICK MEYER, MUFFIN MAHER SAUVIGNE, MARGE DORE, MADDINE INSALACO, and DEIRDRE DOWNEY) at St. Mary’s High School would walk through the doors of Immaculata Hall would be traveling through the beautiful

Tuscan landscapes in Italy. They called it their “Senior Summit,” but it was an incredible experience for so many reasons! Friendship, scenery, adventure, food, and laughter. Did they say food? Their classmate Maddine Insalaco has held a number of high level jobs throughout her career but she decided a number of years ago that Italy, especially Buonconvento, Italy would be her and husband Joe Vinson’s home. While they maintain a residence in New York, they offer cooking and landscape painting classes both here in New York City and in Tuscany. The tour Maddine and Joe put together for the ladies of ’75 was fantastic! From agriculture (goats, cows, pigs, grapes, truffles) to cooking, dining, and hiking they explored the best of the Tuscan landscape. So much fun was had by all of them and the laughter never stopped. The memories that they shared fifty years ago were never forgotten. If you are ever looking for an unforgettable experience they would highly recommend Maddine and Joe’s Tuscan experience (https://tuscanepicure.com/)!

1976

SUZANNE HARING recently moved back to Huntington, Long Island after 24 years in Redondo Beach, California to be close to family. She is married, with a young adult son. After getting her degree in creative studies from the New College at Hofstra University, she became a special events entertainer for 38 years. She had many awesome career highlights, performing at festivals around the world, movie premieres for Disney/Pixar, the White House, and a tiny part in Garry Marshall’s last film, “Mother’s Day” that he wrote her into. In 2018 Suzanne also started a health and wellness coaching business, where she duly coaches people to the healthiest and happiest version of themselves, and mentors others to do so, too. She transitioned into this fully when COVID shut down the events industry. She would love to reconnect with other alum and said, “local peeps, let’s get together!”

DEBRA VEY VODA-HAMILTON is hoping for a 50th reunion in 2026! She lives in Morehead City, North Carolina now, known as the Southern OBX. They love it and hope anyone from St. Mary’s who is in the area calls and stops by. She still loves work. Debra helps people resolve conflicts over animals

in divorce/contract/civil and criminal venues. Please listen to her podcast, WhyDoPetsMatter.com. She stays in touch with a few classmates, Susie Quinn and Su Haring, who just moved back from the left coast. She has two sons; neither married, nor grandkids. Debra still has Irish setters and shows them now under the prefix-Rumraisin.

1977

GARY NELSON is an architect for the Phoenix Office of the City Engineer and was awarded in November 2022 with the prestigious Architects Medal by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Arizona Component. Since the award’s inception in 1981, he is the first African American to receive this honor. Nelson is also the first African American architect to be employed by the City of Phoenix.

The AIA Arizona Architects Medal is awarded to honor and celebrate members of the organization who have advanced the profession of architecture, recognizing their outstanding professional achievements and sense of social responsibility. The nominee’s achievements must be viewed as an advancement of the profession.

As an architect with the City of Phoenix, highlights of his projects include the Weather Respite Shelter on 27th Street and Washington Street, the Phoenix Convention Center shoring wall, Fire Station 62, the renovation of the Footprint Center in downtown, and Operation Patch and Paint neighborhood commercial rehabilitation.

A registered architect in 20 states, his private sector work includes project architect of Phoenix’s Chase Field, and George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, and project management of Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium. He also led Michael Baker International’s expansion of its architecture practice in the western United States, and was the company’s first African American assistant vice president.

Gary is the founder of the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Minority Architects (NOMA). NOMA is a community-based multicultural organization that has programs to introduce architecture to youth in underserved communities, mentors college and emerging professionals, and increases the number of minorities and women in architecture. Less than two percent of registered architects in the United States are African American. In October 2022, during its national conference, Gary received the 2022 President’s Award.

Gary is a 1985 graduate of Hampton University, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

1981

MELISSA REALI WENGLER accepted a new position at Towson University in the College of Health Professions as a professional advisor and college specialist. Melissa has been with Towson University for five years. She enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren, Grayson (10), Nora (4), and Lillian (2).

1983

TARA CROSSON wrote, “I live in New York City and my family is still in Manhasset. Too many fond memories to recount! But I do still think about Mrs. McHale, Sr. Ann Barbara, OP, Sr. Jeanne, OP, and all of my wonderful teachers and friends. I went to Fordham (BA) and Columbia (MS). I spent most of my career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in New York City, San Francisco, and Charlotte, North Carolina. I cherish my St. Mary’s memories.”

STEPHEN FOSTER reported Foster Financial as the premiere Employee Health Benefits Company in South Florida. “With over thirty years in the business, they have been serving businesses and individuals in South Florida with the most competitive rates for health, dental, vision and voluntary insurance plans. Foster Financial was founded in 1994 by Stephen Foster. Having over three decades of experience, Foster Financial has offered individuals and business owners a competitive edge and significant cost savings in the area of health and group benefits. Their client network expands to thousands of customers and businesses in South Florida. They guarantee every client that we will customize a benefit package that works best for them and their business. As an independent insurance representative for businesses and individuals, they do not work for an insurance company; they work solely for our clients and represent their interests.”

MIKE MAYE is currently living in New Jersey with his wife, Mary Jean Barnes. He has great memories of his time at St. Mary’s High School. He attended the 40th reunion on September 16,

2023 and shared, “it was great to see so many former classmates. A million little memories, a million little laughs!”

WAYNE MCPARTLAND was inducted into the Greater Baltimore Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 28, 2023.

CINTHIA WICKLEIN ROBILLARD reported being an outside sales representative her entire work life covering beautiful New England. She has been married for fifteen years and all of their children have four legs. She retired two years ago due to Marfan Syndrome.

MICHAEL SAVAGE wrote, “Hello, fellow St. Mary’s alumni. I am a proud legacy graduate of St. Mary’s. My father, siblings, and son are all Gaels. I went on to attend Marist College. I wonder where that idea came from? After several career paths and an interesting life journey, I now live in East Northport, New York. I spend my work days consulting local government and higher education customers on their digital transformation and journey to the cloud.”

1985

RICH BURGER has been married for 24 years to Donna. He has two children; Matt turning 22 and Olivia turning 19. Rich celebrated 25 years with JPMorgan in May working in the compliance department. Before that, he spent five years after college with the US General Accounting Office and three with the National Association of Securities Dealers New York City District Office as an examiner. Rich shared that he is “always grateful for the learning and faculty of St. Mary’s.”

STEPHEN D’URSO ’79 visited Paris.

REGINA MCGLOIN (Billy McCrorie) and LIZ RUSSO (Kent Gilges) spent a spontaneous weekend together in the Finger Lakes hiking Watkins Glen, boating on Canandaigua Lake and stomping across the Cornell University campus in Ithaca. “The best part by far was laughing around the bonfire trying to remember classmates/teachers names and all the funny stories from 37 years ago! Does anyone recall Mr. Wrensen’s ‘Get to Know Each Other’ activity of throwing your shoes in a pile? It was a heap of penny loafers and jazz shoes! Those were the 80’s!”

1988

MARY BETH HEISKELL is well and in Westbury, New York. She is an elder law attorney. Her daughter just graduated from King’s College and her son just left to play football and study exercise science at Sacred Heart University.

1990

JOE MCCARTAN lives in Huntington Bay and has been married to his wife Lisa for 24 years. They have three children, Morgan (Cornell ’22), Joseph (Colby College ’27), and Andrew (11th grade). It’s been 34 years since he graduated St. Mary’s and he still keeps in touch with numerous alumni. Joe told us that he “is looking forward to the next reunion for the Class of 1990.”

DONNAMARIE O’REILLY reported after more than 20 years as an international educator, she was named Head of the Anglophone Section for Bilinguals at Institut Notre Dame, a private French

Catholic school in the western suburbs of Paris. Donnamarie, who has lived in France for a total of 15 years, first visited the city she now calls home with her fellow Gaels on their St. Mary’s junior year trip to Paris with Sr. Jeanne, OP back in 1989!

1992

AMY O’HARA GRIFFIN is married to the love of her life for almost 15 years, and they have a wonderful son who is thirteen.

1993

JAMES BLAKE wrote, “Hello, old friends, as many of you know I have a bad back due to a freak go-kart accident and I can no longer play golf –the game that I love. But luckily, I have found a new passion in pickleball. This has provided me so much enjoyment that I want to share with all my friends, so I’m opening a pickleball facility in Ronkonkoma with my fellow St. Mary’s alum, Rob Dunphy ’93, and Dean Miller ’88. We will provide lessons and opportunities to play pick up games. I look forward to seeing some familiar faces this summer.”

JOSEPH CAVALLARO reflected, “when you’re in high school and you’re going through it all, you never really stop to notice how great that time in your life really is/was. Only when you are far removed from it and dealing with the craziness of day-to-day life do you get a chance to look back at it. Lots of great memories.”

MATT FEENEY reported as he has gotten older, he “often reflects on my time at St. Mary’s, and I miss many of my friends.” He would like to invite all his classmates to join him next summer as he travels with the Allman Brothers Band. You can reconnect at the tailgates and enjoy some of the classic rock we enjoyed from back in the day.

DOUGLAS MENELLY works in external affairs, corporate communications, and investor relations, currently serving as director of external affairs (North America) for Willis Towers Watson, a 45,000 employee global commercial insurance brokerage. Based on his experience living and working in Shenzhen, China for six years, he speaks Mandarin and sits on the board of directors for two Nasdaqlisted Chinese companies (China Pop Culture Group, Shenzhen Semidux

Technology Corp), where he serves as chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees for both firms. He completed his Executive MBA from Columbia University (2012), in their Global Asia Program with study at London Business School and Hong Kong University; also recently completed (2022) a Global Executive Program titled “Cutting-Edge Insights in China” from Zhejiang University International Business School (ZIBS). He is happily married with two children, residing in Merrick, New York, with a second residence in Hunan, China.

CHARLES DREW MILLER wrote, “Dear Friends, I took a sabbatical from work to tour the Catholic churches of this great country over the last six months and have been inspired to share this moving experience with my classmates. Many of you may not know of my strong faith, but after six kids, and multiple knee and ankle, hair transplants and laser eye surgeries, time away from it all has been uplifting. Next year I plan to tour the South American churches. If anyone would like to join me on my quest, please reach out.”

1993

PAUL SCARAPICCHIA’S son, Joey Scarapicchia, committed to playing NCAA college baseball at Anna Maria College in Massachusetts during his freshman year in September 2024.

He is currently a senior at Floral Park Memorial High School and is captain of the varsity baseball team.

1997

JASON NACINOVICH lives in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. He owns his own BBQ and seasoning company, Hop Barons, so check it out: www.hopbarons.com

2005

MARIA RHOR PIO and her husband Marc, welcomed their second child, a girl, Genevieve on May 14, 2023. Genevieve joins big brother Theodore, who was born in 2021.

2006

DANIEL LOLLO is currently working at Queensborough Community College full time and St. Gregory the Great Parish, in Bellerose. He currently resides in Bayside, Queens.

CHRIS SANTARELLI and his wife welcomed their first child, Jack, this September.

2011

SAMANTHA NOBILE got married on September 29, 2023, to Michael LaDuca in Massapequa, New York.

2013

2015

NINA LYGERIS reported a busy time in her life. In December 2022, she married her college sweetheart and in June 2023, they welcomed their son, Levi Lygeris, into their family! They are currently living in Phoenix, but plan to move back to New York.

CHRISTOPHER HALL currently works for Boeing as a finance contracts representative and outside of work, he loves to give back through mentorship, sharing positivity, providing awareness on mental health, and sharing motivational speeches! Christopher loves to share these via YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and in-person speeches.

2016

TEMITOPE EMOKPAE is currently at SUNY Oswego, majoring in Computer Science. She will graduate in 2024 and attend graduate school at RIT. She changed her major from chemical engineering to computer science because it interested her more.

2018

PATRICK HAYES recently obtained his Engineer in Training Certification, which is the first major step to securing his Professional Engineering license!

2020

JUDE CUTOLO graduated from Nassau Community College with an Associate’s Degree in applied science for hotel technology and administration.

2021

JACOB NAJERA is a junior at St. John’s University and is on the Dean’s List. Congratulations, Jacob!

CLASS OF 1976 Kathleen Mulcahy hosted a mini-reunion for classmates Mike Hayes, Steve Johnson, Ray Hayes, and Caroline Cassidy McBride at her Sag Harbor home this past summer! Cheers to the Class of ’76!

CLASS OF ’92 MINI REUNION from left: Erin Askin Gayron, Christina Abad Brennan, Claudine Traina Fox, Deirdre Brennan Lawler, Jen Araoz Spano, and Ann Marie Rooney Crino.

1975 REUNION Kevin Ondrey, Eugene Fullam, Doug McIntyre, Doug McAward, Neal McLaughlin, Thomas Walsh, Stephen McKenna, Peter Romeo, John Orr, Paul McDermott, and Charles Slicklen.

Save the Date | Reunions and More

Alumni Hockey Reunion

March 9, 2024, 5PM – 7:30PM

Cantiague Park Ice Rink

480 W John St., Hicksville

Reception to follow at Willistons’, 17 Hillside Ave., Williston Park

Career Day

Friday, March 15, 2024

Marist Hall

The Return of Sports Night

Friday, March 15, 2024

Marist Hall

Zachary Zabatta Memorial Golf Outing

Monday, April 29, 2024

Garden City Country Club

Class of 1964 | 60th Reunion Luncheon

Saturday, June 8th, 2024

Manhasset Bay Yacht Club

Class of 1974 | 50th Reunion

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club

Class of 1999 | 25th Reunion

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Willistons’

75th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Denihan Field at Marist Hall

Class of 1962 | 80th Birthday Celebration

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club

KATHY WEISER, LISA JABBOUR IDOL, and JULIE HARING are hard at work planning the Class of ’74 50th Reunion!

St. Mary’s High School Class of ’68 55th Reunion

St. Mary’s High School Class of ’73 50th Reunion

St. Mary’s High School Class of ’83 Reunion

St. Mary’s High School Class of ’93 30th Reunion

St. Mary’s High School Class of ’89 Reunion

In Memoriam

The St. Mary’s community expresses its deepest sympathy to the families, friends, and classmates of the following deceased alumni and staff whose deaths (February 1, 2023 to December 7, 2023) were reported to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

Marita Fallon Pelletier ’53

Edward Cahill ’55

Dorothy Freed Heiskell ’55

Peter Driscoll ’56

John Hinck ’58

John O’Handley ’58

Virginia Schiller Waicul ’58

Martin Gately ’55, ’59

David R. Francescani ’56, ’60

Peter Hanley ’60

Mary Alice Karl Horn ’61

Fred Eggermann ’62

Kathy Barnaby ’63

Daniel Ryan ’63

Brian M. Maher ’64

Nancy Weigele Lambert ’65

John Caliolo ’67

John Edmonds ’74

Steven Walsh ’74

Vincent Barone ’75

Maryjane Canale Mortimer ’75

Thomas McCarney ’78

Louise King Burke ’80

Lori Larocca ’83

Christine M. Regan ’81, ’85

Jacqueline Pajuelo DeMeo ’90

Amy Ioveno ’91

Andrew Haverlin ’09

Why Give to the Schools of Saint Mary?

As the oldest and most dynamic of Long Island’s Catholic K-12 schools, Saint Mary’s instills renewed faith and intellectual excellence in its students by continually developing their scholarship and deepening their Catholic spirituality. As a result, our students grow in their capacity and desire to pursue the truth through faith and reason. They grow in their understanding of why they should love their neighbor as they love themselves. They dedicate themselves to know, love, and serve God in this life so they can be happy with him forever in the next. All who invest in our mission invest in advancing these splendid lifelong Catholic benefits.

“We deeply appreciate the support of our families, faculty, sta , trustees, alumni and friends – our Partners in Stewardship -- who join with us each year to make our family of faith and learning as strong, nurturing and impactful as it can be.”

- Edward Short

IN VES T IN SAIN T M ARY ’S — IN VES T IN A REPLIC A BLE MODEL OF DYNA MIC C AT HOLIC EDUC AT ION.

From general support donations to our Annual Fund and gi s to our Scholarships funds, to gi s for tuition assistance and contributions for facility enhancements, the combined philanthropic e orts of our Partners in Stewardship give our students, campus and the future in immeasurable ways.

ANNUAL FUND

The School's top giving priority – our Annual Fund - benefits every student, in every classroom, every day.

PLANNED GIVING

At Saint Mary’s, the future is now. Those who arrange for planned giving contributions – whether bequests, gi s of real estate or personal property, life income gi s or other types of appreciated property – ensure that the great Catholic education we o er students today will be on o er for years to come for students of the future.

Your Impact

From our classrooms to our chapels, in the arts and in technology, in our STREAM and our STEM Programs, in our athletic and theatrical Programs, in our Senior Shepherds and Solidarity Programs, your gift makes a profound impact on our students –and not just while they are with us at St. Mary’s, but for all their days.

One important measure of the impact of your giving can be seen in the fact that last year our graduating scholars received no less than $22,000,000 in college scholarships. The colleges to which they were admitted also attest to the impact of your largesse. Our St. Mary’s graduates were accepted to such outstanding institutions as Cornell, Princeton, Stevens Institute of Technology, Dartmouth, Salve Regina, Seton Hall, William & Mary, St. Thomas Aquinas, and the University of Virginia.

Thank you for continuing to be such generous Stewards in Partnership and advancing our vital mission! We are wholeheartedly grateful to you!

Sports Night Draft Day – Are you Blue or White?

Paint & Sip Alumni Party

Alumnae returned to St. Mary’s to create paintings that go along with the Sports Night themes of this year, Blue York City and White2K.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN YOUR FELLOW ALUMNAE TO WITNESS

The Return of

SPORTS NIGHT

FEATURING

BLUE YORK CITY & WHITE2K

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024 6:00 PM

ALUMNI RECEPTION MARIST HALL

SPORTS NIGHT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING BR. KENNETH ROBERT GYMNASIUM

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