By Nicole Falco
Nearly 50 years later Kelly joined approximately two dozen former Holy Name of Mary priests, nuns, teachers and parishioners in participating in the church's Centennial Anniversary Mass on Sept. 8.
The noon mass was offered by Diocese of Rockville Centre Bishop William Murphy. Joining Bishop Murphy at the alter were his secretary, the Rev. Joseph DeGrocco; the Rev. Thomas Harold, pastor; the Rev. James Maltese and the Rev. George Saji, associate pastors; the Rev. Paul Bharathi, a summer assistant; and the Rev. Theodore Leture, pastor emeritus.
Sept. 8 was chosen as the Centennial Anniversary Mass to coincide with the birth of Mary, for whom the church is named. Joining hundreds of parishioners in worship were Valley Stream Mayor Ed Cahill and his wife, Maryann, and Town Councilman James Darcy.
During his homily, Bishop Murphy reminded parishioners about a few significant dates in the church's history, starting with the first mass at the Corona Avenue firehouse celebrated by founding Pastor Peter McGovern. The inaugural Mass took place on March 16, 1902, and included 300 parishioners. The first baptism on record at Holy Name of Mary took place on May 25, 1902. The new church building was dedicated by then Bishop Charles McDonnell on April 24, 1904, followed by the school in 1939. The existing church building was completed in 1957. One hundred years from the first mass before 700 parishioners, Holy Name now counts more than 4,000 families as its own.
"One hundred years of God pouring forth his love into your hearts. ... One hundred years from now there will be a bishop standing here - I'm willing to be that bishop - there will be other people sitting here as you are now [and] they will be looking back at you and me and they'll be saying thank God they passed on that heritage," Bishop Murphy said.
Following the homily, parishioners lighted candles as the Bishop led them in renewing their baptismal promises. The church choir and choral group led the hundreds gathered in song. "From Sea to Shining Sea" was sung in honor of the thousands lost on Sept. 11 and in particular the six members of Holy Name of Mary who died that day. The song had also been song during the Jan. 1 Opening Centennial Mass.
At the conclusion of the Mass, parishioners were invited to a reception on the church lawn. There, longtime parishioners mingled with a few of the church's former priests including Kelly, who is now at Our Lady of Angels; the Rev. Gerard Gfroerer, who served from 1957-59; Msgr. John Bennett, who served from 1971-77; the Rev. Jerry Ringenback, who served from 1978-83; the Rev. Thomas Mulvanerty, who was at Holy Name while still a Deacon during the late 1970s; the Rev. Nicholas Figliola, who served from 1979-85; the Rev. Robert Clerkin, who served from 1983-86; the Rev. Thomas Candreva, who served from 1988-92; and the Revs. Stephen Brigandi and Patrick Riegger, who only recently said good-bye to Holy Name.
"[The Centennial Year] has helped build community and helped the community identify with God and each other. It has made clear the significant role the parish plays in the community of Valley Stream," Harold said.
The celebration continues with a Centennial Anniversary Dinner at the Milleridge Cottage on Nov. 8 and the Closing Mass of the Centennial on Dec. 8.
