By Jennifer Marino
For their service to St. Agnes Cathedral School, Durnan will receive the St. Catherine of Siena Award for Commitment to Catholic Education and McCarthy will receive the St. Thomas Aquinas Award for Ongoing Support of Catholic Education. The awards will be presented on Feb. 1 at the school's 2003 Gala Ball.
"Both are active and devoted and staunch supporters of the parish," said Msgr. James Kelly, rector of St. Agnes Cathedral.
Durnan treasures the 23 years she spent as a mom at St. Agnes, cooking hotdogs on Thursdays, organizing paint and pizza parties and raising funds for the new school sign. All seven of her children, Lorie, Christopher, Stacey, Matthew, Sarah, Paulie and T.J. attended St. Agnes Cathedral School. Durnan and her husband, Paul, are looking forward to celebrating their 40th anniversary this coming year.
Durnan has been an active member of both the parish and school communities in many ways. She's been a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher, a member of the Parish Council, the St. Agnes Mothers Club and the Home School Association. Presently she is a Eucharistic minister, a member of the Diocesan Council of Stewards, a Lady Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and a Dame of the Order of Malta.
"[She is] very much committed to Catholic education," said Kelly.
Outside the St. Agnes community, Durnan, who moved to Rockville Centre in 1968, was a leader in the Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a co-director of the Family Ministry Bureau, the treasurer of an orphanage in Mexico and a member of the board of directors of Catholic Charities Health Systems. Her four grandchildren, Lucy, Dorothy, Julianne and Christopher, also keep her busy.
This is not the first time Durnan has been honored. In 1998, she received the Molloy College Life Achievement Award. Besides all of her volunteer work, she is co-founder, chief financial officer and a member of the board of directors of the Durnan Group, Inc.
McCarthy moved to Rockville Centre with his wife, Pat, from nearby Malverne in 1960. Their five children, Regina, Patti, Dan, Brian and F.J., and a niece, Barbara, all graduated from St. Agnes Cathedral School. Currently, two of McCarthy's 12 grandchildren attend the school. He and Pat have been married for 52 years.
McCarthy's devotion to the Catholic Church is evident in the 15 pilgrimages to Lourdes he has organized with his wife. He has also volunteered in several capacities as president of the St. Agnes Cathedral School board, leader of the committee that refurbished St. Agnes Cathedral, member of the Parish Council and, currently, as trustee of the parish.
Kelly says McCarthy is always there if something needs to be done.
McCarthy's service has not been limited to St. Agnes. He has served as chairman of Mercy Medical Center, director of Catholic Charities and a member of the Diocesan Finance Council and the board of trustees of Molloy College. Currently he is chairman of the Council of Stewards for the diocese. He is a Knight of Obedience in the Order of Malta, a Knight of St. Gregory and a Knight Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre.
"He gives of his time, talents and finances generously to the parish," said Kelly.
McCarthy is a director of First Long Island Investors, a director of Berkshire Capital Inc. and a director of Eastman Dillon Oil and Gas.
Both McCarthy and Durnan will be honored at the black-tie gala to be held at the Garden City Hotel. Tickets are $250 per person. There will be dinner, dancing and an event journal. For information regarding reservations and journal ads, call the school at (516) 678-5550.
