This weekend I thought to share with you just some news about what is happening in the parish these upcoming weeks.

    First, and foremost, this weekend we welcome Father Tom Provenzano to his new home! As I mentioned before , Father Tom is no stranger to Port Chester and he comes with a wealth of experience. Born and raised in Tuckahoe, he is one of four brothers. This August 26, Father Tom will celebrate his 20th anniversary as a Salesian priest! He is happy to be with us and is ready to go! Welcome Father Tom!    

    Next weekend we celebrate Father’s Day, and it will also be a chance for the parish to say “farewell” to our Father Manny. Outside the main Church on the green between the Church and the Salesian residence, we will have some coffee and cake at the end of each Mass. Father Manny will be present and it will be a chance to greet him before he leaves for his new assignment at Don Bosco Cristo Rey School in Washington. Father Manny will actually leave here on June 30th! We will miss you, Father Manny!!

    The weekend of June 26th, once again our parish will be blessed with the ordination of two of our new Salesian priests and one of our new deacons! This is a real privilege and grace for our parish family. It is a special moment of grace for us because one of those new Salesian priests will be Deacon Lenny Carlino, who will be the new Youth Minister in our parish after spending some time with his parents! With Deacon Lenny, will be ordained Deacon Steven Demaio and with them, a new Salesian deacon, Brother Ky Nguyen. There is also another Salesian priest being ordained, Deacon Craig Spence; however, due to his father’s illness, Deacon Craig will be ordained in New Orleans. As a parish, we must pray for these young men as they prepare for this most important grace moment in their lives. We also pray that their witness will inspire other young men to become Salesians or diocesan priests.

    In the month of July, our Brother Dan in cooperation with our religious education program, has designed a true experience of Salesian “Oratory” giving our young people the opportunity for fun, companionship and solid preparation to receive some of the sacraments. I want to thank Brother Dan for his initiative in developing this summer program!

    Finally, as I have been doing consistently these past weeks,  I want to remind everyone that it is time to come back to Sunday Mass! I have a terrible fear that too many are settling in lazy ways, accustomed to watching Mass on T.V., mailing their envelopes to Church and thinking that is enough. Our Cardinal and many Bishops are reminding us clearly, IT IS NOT! If you are doing all the things you normally do and going about your day as usual, there is no reason for you not to be coming to Sunday Mass. The Third Commandment still stands. Indeed, those of us who have managed to get through this very difficult time have more reason now more than ever to be at Sunday Mass and to thank God in person for getting us through this pandemic. It is time to come home to Church. I look forward to seeing you again!

    God bless you!

Fr Pat