Saint Anne's Pastor, Msgr. "Father John" Gilmartin and Co-Chairs Marie Fischer, John Parks, Margaret Parks and "Mike" Fischer looking forward to Sixth Annual "Spirit Day" spectacular on Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 1 to 10 P.M., including 5 P.M. outdoor Mass at parish Church/School complex, New Hyde Park Rd. and Dartmouth St. Saint Anne's Spirit Day Committee, headed by Co-Chairs John and Margaret Parks and Marie and Mike Fischer brought welcome news to "Father John" Gilmartin, Pastor as the group gathered for their committee meeting on plans for the Sixth Annual "Spirit Day," set for September 13 at the Saint Anne's Church/School complex at New Hyde Park Road and Dartmouth Street here in Garden City.

John Parks and Maries Fischer with their Blackberry's (miniature phones/computers) at the ready, announced that the shared aim of the $100,000 annual "Big Bucks/Spirit Day Stakes" was to offer $50,000 to help design and start building a new elevator to make the church and its lower level accessible to all, especially the aging and those with disabilities. And, to reward lucky contributing parishioners and parish friends with $50,000 in cash prizes. Tickets are $125 each and the sale of 800 will subsidize the building and prize structure. The building and prize structures will be adjusted proportionally downwards if the 800 goal is not reached.

A hopeful precedent for success for the early funding of the new elevator was the highly successful "Big Bucks/Spirit Day Stakes" for 2007 which helped to start the funding of the renovation and furnishing of Saint Therese chapel honoring the late Monsignor William F. Costello. At the central part of Saint Anne's school, the chapel has become a place of prayer and reflection for the young people in the parish's Faith Formation program and school communities. The chapel also provides the opportunity for small parish groups to celebrate Mass in a more intimate setting.

In his preview, John Parks noted that the winning combination of Spirit Day events that produced a record turnout last year, despite the ominous early threat of rain, will be featured again this year. They include such favorites as the weird and wonderful looking inflatable rides, the Teen Night Club, the "Night at the Races," the colorful Saint Anne's MOMS banner plant sale, the amiable Knights "protecting" the beverage truck; the endless variety of fast foods, the appealing fence banners featuring our advertising supporters, the expanded number of craft vendors, the ever-busy new "Sweet Shop, the dramatic and thoughtful Respite Games appealing to special needs children of all ages, and the long- awaited announcement of the "Big Bucks/Spirit Day" winners with hidden hopes the announcer might misread one number and offer the disappointed another chance to win.

But, the winner and still champion" of attracting faithful friends on Spirit Day, 2008 as it was in 2007, will be the super-attended 5 PM Outdoor Mass, as the sun faithfully (and "squintingly" for many) sets west of New Hyde Park Road as Google might suggest on John Park's and Marie

Fischer's Blackberry's.

On "Spirit Day," the co-chairs promised to don brightly colorfed plastic builders' helmets and to use incessantly the "promising" magic phrase: See You Later, Elevator!!