Last week we celebrated the second anniversary of our new parish. We, are blessed and there is much for which to be grateful. At the same time, it was a clear reminder to me that as much as we love our church buildings, and should, the church is really the community. I am proud of the fact that we continue to work to get to know each other better and to form that faith community which is a parish!

This coming week, we will celebrate our annual parish Carnival. As some of you may already know, this year the torch has been passed, and after more than 15 years of dedicated commitment to make our carnival a success, Paul Gerardi has passed the leadership to Carlos Rodriguez. The community owes a great debt of gratitude to Paul for all his unselfish hard work throughout these years. Together with Dennis Bochichio, they formed a team
of success. With all the challenges of the merger, these last few years were not easy, but they made it happen. In the name of the parish I want to thank them for all their generosity. Today, I also want to thank Carlos Rodriguez for saying “yes” to taking on the coordination and working with Paul through this transition. Thank you!!

At the same time, while we recognize that the carnival is our major annual fund raiser and is so important for the parish, the week of the Carnival should also remind us that it is not just about money. The Carnival is about forming and strengthening community!! It is about people coming together and sharing in work and sacrifice and fun because they love their parish and want to see it as a force for good in the community. More than ever this is what our carnival needs to be about. Thanks to the groups volunteering to work the various booths. Thanks to those working to put it up and take it down. Thanks to those working so hard to sell raffle tickets. Thanks to those who did all the “behind the scenes” paper work for it to happen! Getting ready for our Carnival this week took the work of a caring and loving community.

As we open our Carnival tomorrow evening,  placing it under the protection of Mary Help of Christians, its success will depend on our community. Everyone of us in the parish should want to go to spend some time there even just to buy an ice-cream, but also to be with friends and fellow parishioners, showing our support and love for our Church. At one time the Carnival was the work of Corpus Christi Church, now it belongs to Port Chester. It is the work of the Catholic community of Port Chester/ Rye Brook sharing faith, and fun and proclaiming our unity. It is the community of the Parish of St. John Bosco coming together as one Church to show our love and support for our faith. Although not everyone may be able to do the physical work needed in the Carnival, everyone has a role to play — BE PRESENT and show you care and contribute the way you can. Your presence tells everyone who is working it was worth it!

As we begin our Carnival week, we pray for the protection of Mary, for good weather and for the grace to grow more fully as the Catholic Church community of Port Chester/Rye Brook.

God bless you!
Fr. Pat Angelucci