- April 25, 2024
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An Irish band provided the soundtrack for the evening.
Attendees played pass the potato at their tables.
The winners who held the potato when the music stopped played again together.
Mary Ann Simpson and Janet Milliken
Gloved servers prepare dinner.
Pat Risner, Sharon Donnelly and Agnes Forcht
Vinny and Donna Flynn with Deirdre Scueppert
Erika Matheis and Jim Mason
Chuck Sobieck and Joseph M'Mwirichia
Father Phil Schweda and the church's new pastor, Father Robert Dziedziak
Joe Zampino and Paulette Dooley
Attendees dined and drank.
George Watterson and Jerry Squatrito
Two cakes were served up at the party
Susan DiNatale and Glenda Olsen
Betty Bowe and Jan Swatzine
Antoinette Brill serves Beatrice M'Mwirichia.
St. Mary, Star of the Sea congregants still celebrated St. Patrick's Day on March 14 — at a safe distance.
The holiday event was one of the island's only parties to take place over a weekend when almost all public life ground to a standstill in the wake of the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. Attendees still gathered, but only six sat at a table, no one was allowed to serve food besides gloved waiters and everyone had to wash their hands upon entering the social hall.
"We had the option of cancelling, but our parishioners wanted to come," office manager Antoinette Brill said.
The event was also held to celebrate the life of Monsignor Gerry Finegan, the church's longtime pastor who died earlier in the year. Finegan was the "quintessential Irish priest," men's club vice president Ken Simpson said. Congregants kept his memory with them at this year's celebration by continuing their tradition of reading the Irish blessing before dinner was carefully served.
