Rockville Centre's St. Agnes parish bash

Mardi Gras came early for nearly 500 revelers last Saturday night at the St. Agnes Parish Center as parishioners celebrated the Diamond — 75th — Anniversary of the building of St. Agnes Cathedral. Bishop William Murphy and Msgr. William Koenig each spoke, reviewing the tremendous dedication of the men who have served the St. Agnes parish over the last 75 years, starting with Msgr. Peter Quealy and continuing to the present.

As they arrived, men in tuxedos greeted guests with Hurricanes, a drink popular in the Big Easy. A nine-person band called “Stingers” played a lot of Motown and other dance music as guests dined on a mix of American and New Orleans fare, catered by Busco’s Gourmet Kitchen and Catering.

Francis X. Murray, who organized the event with co-chair Suzanne Sullivan, described it as a “very, very successful night,” and thanked his fellow organizers on the committee who helped make it the fundraiser a fantastic success.