Strong Early Response To St. Anne's Promotion

Saint Anne's "Big Bucks Bonanza" promotion, this year aimed, in part, at funding the design and furnishing of a chapel memorializing the late Msgr. William F. Costello, has attracted a strong opening response of "Early Bird" ticket sales, according to Co-Chairs Marie Fischer and John Parks.

The duo attribute the response to the continuing sense of loss by the parish at the untimely death of this faith-filled priest last summer. A First An-niversary Mass for Monsignor Costello had been celebrated at Saint Anne's Church at 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday, July 18. Following the Mass, Monsignor "Father" John Gilmartin, Pastor, with the help of members of Saint Anne's "student design team" outlined on the chapel site its progress to a group of parishioners and visiting clergy. While situated in the parish school, the chapel will also be of service to Faith Formation classes and other par-ish spiritual needs, according to "Father" John.

Named for Saint Therese Lisieux for whom Monsignor Costello had a particular devotion, the chapel is being de-signed and furnished by Robert Rambusch and Larry Hoy of Renovata Studios, the liturgical design consultants who worked with Monsignor Seidenschwang in the 1993 redesign of Saint Anne's Church.

The second half personally rewarding part of the "Big Bucks" promotion offers a Grand Prize of $25,000 and five runner-up prizes of $5,000 each to lucky winners. The dramatic drawing is limited to 800 entries. If fewer than 800 tickets are sold, the prize pool will be 50% of the total amount raised with the prize levels and the funding of the Memorial Chapel decreased proportionally. You may have as many as five entrants on a single ticket if each is listed on the application.

Tickets at $125 each may be ordered by calling Saint Anne's Rectory at 516-352-5904 . Drawing for the prizes will take place after 10 P.M. on Saturday, September 15. "Early Bird" entrants are listed on a continuing "honor roll" in the Saint Anne's Weekly Bulletin.

The "Big Bucks" promotion is a major element of Saint Anne's Fifth Annual Spirit Day held between 1 and 10 P.M. on Saturday, September 15. Its theme this year is What a Difference a Day Makes-"Spirit Day 2007!"

It reflects the gratitude of Saint Anne's parishioners for the many activities and expenses funded over the years by returns from the "Big Bucks" promotion.. Attractions on "Spirit Day" for youth include basketball contests, dunk tank, all-new Respite games, new and exciting inflatable rides and the relatively new "Teen Night Club." Live music reigns supreme with DJ all day long and a live band all evening. If you like small wagering, you'll enjoy the ever- exciting "Night at the Races." Home gardeners should love the Fall Plant Sale and handy men women and youngsters the Craft Fair.

The most popular event of the day--a favorite for sure of Msgr. Costello--continues to be the ever-packed 5 P.M. Saturday Mass celebrated outdoors.

FINAL REMINDER: Tickets for the "Big Bucks Bonanza" jointly offering $50,000 in funds for the design and furnishing of a chapel memorializing Monsignor Costello and $50,000 in cash prizes are available at $125 each. To order, please call the Saint Anne Rectory at 516-352-5904.