By:Linda Prussen
The sweet strains of a single trumpet echoed through Cure of Ars Roman Catholic Church on Sunday, Oct. 14, as the Mass to Celebrate Cure of Ars' 75th anniversary began.
Bishop William Murphy, fourth bishop of the Rockville Centre Diocese, shared the altar with Cure of Ars Pastor Rev. James-Patrick Mannion, Rev. Robert Romeo, Rev. Zachary Callahan, and former Cure of Ars pastors Monsignor Edward Sweeny, Monsignor William Costello and Monsignor James Swiader. The bishop also celebrated Mass.
Six altar servers, instead of the usual three, attended to the bishop during the service. The choir and bell choir enhanced the Mass. And the procession included the Knights of Columbus.
Standing ovations, many outbreaks of applause and at
least two moments of laughter punctuated the Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Murphy touched upon the tragic events of Sept. 11, recognizing the terror attacks' effect on the parish and the community. "Life does prevail over death," he told parishioners. And he assured them God is present in everyone's life in small ways.
The bishop went on to ask anyone had been baptized at Cure of Ars to stand; then he asked those who received first communion to stand as well; then those who were confirmed at the church; then those who were married at the church. He closed with a laugh, saying, "I'm not going to ask how many of you died in this parish."
Later during the Mass, Rev. Mannion, Cure of Ars' current pastor, spoke and traced his spiritual journey, attributing his choice to join the priesthood to the influences of Cure of Ars' priests. He said, "Monsignor Costello was at Cure of Ars when I showed an interest in the priesthood, and [he] encouraged me."
Rev. Mannion gave thanks to the parishioners who contributed to the parish during its 75 years and a special thanks to all who made the diamond anniversary a success.
Toward the end of the Mass, two members of Cure of Ars' founding families spoke. They opened with the second laugh of the day, saying after that they had been members of the church since
1926, and "we stand before you like Abraham and Sarah."
At the Mass' conclusion, Bishop Murphy named the Cure of Ars school in memory of Monsignor Arthur Leonard, the parish's founding pastor. The school will now be called the Leonard Parish Center.
A reception followed the Mass in the church hall.
Photo credit: Photos by Linda Prussen/Herald
Photo caption #200: The priests who have served Cure of Ars in recent years, with Bishop William Murphy, second left, make their way out of the church rectory before a 75th-anniversary Mass last Sunday, Oct. 14. From left are: Rev. James-Patrick Mannion, current pastor, Monsignor Edward Sweeny, Rev. Zachary Callahan, Monsignor William Costello and Monsignor James Swiader.
Photo caption #201: Four altar servers get ready for the Mass. It took six to cover the Mass. Three are usually needed.
Photo caption #202: Members of the Knights of Columbus convene before Mass.
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