Letters To The Editor

'Farewell Fr. Brian'

To the Editor:

On Father's Day, at 10:30 A.M., Father Brian J. Ingram performed his last mass as Associate Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Garden City and delivered his last sermon from the podium. The Church, was full to capacity. Not a single seat was available, the aisles were packed, and the big entrance doors, wide open to accommodate the enormous crowd that came to say their farewell to a loved Pastor.

From the pulpit, Father Brian delivered a poignant, emotional speech mentioning, in between, hold and behold, in a firm and clear voice, his alcohol addiction problem back in 2004 and which required a period of extensive rehabilitation. Frankly, I was shocked and perplexed not for the problem of alcoholism itself and which is amply extended in each and every level of society here, there and everywhere, but by the fact that a Catholic priest, publicly admitted his weakness before his parishioners.

You could hear a pin or a hair falling down. Even a far away whisper as audible. Never in my many, many years as a member of the Catholic faith, did I hear a priest admitting such personal weakness. In fact, not even a 'peccadillo'. The initial surprise was immediately followed by a united forgiveness. At the end of his very touching, emotional sermon, a grateful congregation rose to their feet and gave Father Brian a standing ovation lasting several minutes. It was a beautiful expression of complete and total forgiveness. At the end of the mass, once again, the emotional and thunderous farewell was repeated with even more enthusiasm.

Outside at the head of the steps, father Brian was saying good-by to well wishers and receiving, in turn, a loving hug from men, women and children. Just before my turn came to wish him the very best, I heard a teenager say to him: 'Father, the rain drops of last night, were tears of sadness spilled from all the people that love you and will always continue to remember you'. After hearing these beautiful words, (Obviously well memorized by such a young girl) I expected to see an overflow of tears from father Brian but amazingly, he kept his composure although I could see a hidden tear in both his eyes.

Refreshments and appetizers were served at the School Auditorium, indoors, due to the expected continuous inclement weather. Once again, I had the opportunity to briefly say thanks to father Brian for his many charitable visits to my home during my wife's illness and who days before her final departure from this Earth, asked him to say the final farewell mass for her soul and in her memory which he did in a solemn ceremony. We hugged again and I promised him that I will visit St. Lawrence Church in Sayville in which he is now the pastor. When I was on my way out, I observed a lady cutting a huge chocolate and vanilla cake with father Brian's name across in colored letters. The lady offered me a piece which I promptly accepted. It was exquisite. One of the letters of father Brian's name, the 'R' in bright blue color, was at the end of the piece. Although very appetizing looking, I could not and did not eat it. On my way out, I deposited the paper plate with the 'R' intact in a receptacle outside the Auditorium.

Good luck, Father Brian. I look forward to the day, very soon I hope, when I will hug you again in your Church in Sayville. Those residents are very lucky indeed to have you as their new Pastor.

Antonio Moreno

Thanks For The

Pool Party

To the Editor:

On Saturday evening June 27th, TMA hosted a new event for the GCHS graduating class: a Luau Dinner/Dance pool party at the Garden City pool. It was a well-executed, well managed, incident free, magnificent party celebrating the class of 2009.

I was privileged to witness the magic that evening. The kids danced all night long first to a 10-piece steel band, and then to a DJ. John Parks had the BBQ grills cooking all night. And, later in the evening, the kids swam until the night air chilled them into their towels. Every student said "please" and "thank you" and was truly grateful that TMA and a team of passionate rogue parents, saved this graduation event from oblivion.

To the nay sayers who haughtily believed that we could not pull it off, I smile and gloat. How foolish it was of them to underestimate a bunch of determined Garden City housewives with a dream and plan.

The night was perfect. The kids were perfect. The memories are perfect. Thank you to Dennis Mullins, Nancy Leone, Mary Ellen Terraciano, Cathie Cornacchia, Joanne Rosello, Donna Masterson, Gerilyn Neibler, Barbara Tranfalia and the good sense of TMA. Thanks too to the 40 parent chaperones. It was my privilege to work with you.

But most of all, congratulations to the class of 2009-you got the last laugh as well as the most stellar party. I raise a flip cup to you. Good luck, and thank you.

Karen Ciccone

Thanks For Exhibit

To the Editor:

The LiCalzi family visited the Military History Exhibit at the Library last weekend with the principle intent of viewing the materials and memorabilia concerning our son 1st LT Michael L. LiCalzi, USMC who died in Iraq in 2006 serving our nation. As you know, Michael spent most of his life in Garden City, attended GC schools until he entered Chaminade HS, and went on to the US Naval Academy, whereupon at graduation he elected to be commissioned an officer in the US Marine Corps. In Michael's words, this was his only "honorable option given the alternatives".

We were all very pleased with the respectful manner in which Michael's service was presented. Likewise, we found the total Exhibit very informative and interesting; and certainly worthy of the status of a permanent exhibit at either the Library or Village Hall. Everyone agreed that the quality of the narrative information, maps and photographs was extremely high.

We also would like to thank all of those individuals and organizations that played a key role in the planning, design and execution of the Exhibit, especially that portion dedicated to Michael. These include Cyril Smith, William and Thomas Slattery, the American Legion, and the Friends of the Garden City Library.

Thank you again and best wishes to all of our friends in Garden City.

Greg & Carol LiCalzi