The History
Our Lady of Fatima

1948-1998

In 1983, Our Lady of Fatima Parish celebrated its Thirty-Fifth Anniversary, and in an anniversary journal, the early history of the church was published. To commemorate Fatima 's beginnings, a plaque was placed in the outer vestibule of the church which reads as follows:

From 1943 to 1948, the vision and persistence of the Ladies Guild resulted first in a mission and finally in the foundation of Our Lady of Fatima Parish Community. Our prayerful gratitude to these courageous women, Mrs. Adriana Briggs, Mrs. Elinor Bohan, Mrs. Agnes Zahn, Mrs. Mary Leeds, Mrs. Mary Kelly, Mrs. Helen Raboud, Mrs. Victoria Schloeger, Mrs. Fred Deumig, Mrs. Mary Lipton, Mrs. Matthew (Grace) Bohan.

The Reverend James J. Mooney, pastor of St. Peter's, assisted by the Reverend George W. Hayden and Father Pitrone, established a mission in Manorhaven, and in 1943, the first Mass was offered by Reverend Hayden on Palm Sunday in a real estate office located at the comer of Manorhaven Blvd. and Sands Point Road.

By February 10, 1945, the Mission Center , which was the basic structure of what is now Fatima 's church, was completed being built through the efforts of the Ladies' Guild. Father Joseph McGoldrick was assigned as the administrator of the Manorhaven Mission by Bishop Thomas Molloy on June 5, 1948, and on July 5 of that same year, the name Our Lady of Fatima was announced.

When the church was inaugurated in 1948, Father Hayden recalled the early days of the Mission stating that he was aware of "the great ardor and zeal among the people of Manorhaven" and urging that they "continue that great ardor and zeal." He reminded his audience that Father McGoldrick is "here to teach, to govern, and to sanctify the people of Manorhaven," and he concluded with these words: "May God bless you on this great day in this beautiful Isle of Manorhaven, and may Our Lady of Fatima be with you always."

Father McGoldrick was an inspirational leader. In 1951, he added the present sacristy, had the brick wall placed in back of the altar, and enlarged the church (as the present altar area had previously served as the sacristy). For six years, Father McGoldrick led his parishioners in furnishing the new church and in strengthening the Catholic community that attended the church. Fatima and its activities had begun to expand and to include much of the life in and around Manorhaven. In 1953, Father McGoldrick was transferred, and on May 23, 1958, while pastor of St. Mary Mother of Jesus Christ in Brooklyn , he passed away.
Wedding in 1950. Fr. McGoldrick Celebrant.  Notice the vestibule on the right and lack of the brick wall, sacristy door on the left.
Wedding in 1950. Fr. McGoldrick Celebrant.  Notice that the wing has not been built.

The new pastor was Father Leonard Pavone who had an ambitious building plan. In 1953, he altered a warehouse, which was situated across from the church into the Youth Center (now the Parish Center ), adding a room in 1955. In 1956, he added the east wing to the church, and in 1958 the front vestibule was constructed. He was also responsible for building the present rectory. To finance these works, Father Pavone established an annual festival held on vacant land near the Soundview shopping area, and sponsored operas such as "Lucia" which was performed at the Weber auditorium on November 16, 1956. Father was a musician and was reputed "to be the first clergyman to become a member of Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians." In 1960, Father Pavone sought to build a new church on Cow Neck Road in Soundview but did not receive the approval from the Diocesan Council.

On September 29, 1962, Father Pavone died and his assistant, Father John Maietta, served as the interim pastor. In February of 1963, Father John F. Dwyer, a professor from the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington , was appointed pastor. In 1965, Father Dwyer secured the land next to the Youth Center for parking at the cost of $30,000. On March 27, 1969, with Ted Black, Chancellor of the NYS Board of Regents serving as chairman, the first Parish Council was instituted. The constitution for the council was presented on May 15, 1969, and in that same year, Father Dwyer had air conditioning installed in the church and also eliminated vigil candles in favor of an electric votive stand.

The results of Vatican II were very much in evidence in the 1960's and early 1970's. During this period, lay lectors first appeared reading scripture and singing was encouraged at Mass. The sanctuary was reconstructed, and the priest was then able to face the parishioners while celebrating Mass. While changes were in the air, there was still the traditional Living Rosary and crowning of the Blessed Mother each May in the garden outside the Church. Led by Dorothy Gormley, members of the Rosary Society, their families, parish priests, and altar boys participated in the pageant. At the conclusion of the Living Rosary and the May crowning, there was benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The years 1972 through 1974 were active years for Our Lady of Fatima. In September of 1972, Father Dwyer retired from his position as pastor, and Father Lawrence Ballweg was appointed to head the parish. It was during this year that Fatima also celebrated its Twenty-Fifth Anniversary. A parish dinner dance was held in September, and on October 7, Bishop Walter F. Kellenberg visited the church to share in the Silver Jubilee. By the end of the following year, the inside of the Youth Center took on a new look with the creation of two classrooms to provide a better environment for the Confraternity Program. Also in 1973, the Parish Council voted to give financial assistance to St. Peter's for students from Our Lady of Fatima parish who were attending that school. The year 1974 brought the active participation of parishioners to Our Lady of Fatima. Twenty-one men and women were serving as lectors in the parish and a parish choir, under the direction of Helen Rochlein, was in full swing. She was succeeded by Helen Mochwart, our current Director of Music Ministry, whose responsibilities presently include planning music for Sunday liturgy, cantors and the choir as well as assisting couples in planning wedding liturgies and families in planning music for funerals.

First festival committe.
Front row Left to right: Unk, Unk, Joe Canassa, Unk, Rose Tullo, Unk, Unk, Mrs. Gormley
Back row left to right: Unk, unk, unk, Jerry Garofalo, Charlie Crum, Michael Amenta, unk, unk - click on the image for a large view
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In 1975, Father Ballweg encouraged the parish and the parishioners to sponsor the Luong family from Vietnam . The Luong family wrote, "We, the Vietnamese family sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima, wish to thank Father Ballweg and the people of Our Lady of Fatima for bringing us to Port Washington . We all thank the families who brought us into their homes and helped us so much. We thank all the people who gave clothing, food, furniture, and funds and helped fix up our pretty house. We feel that Port Washington is our new home and America our new country."

In 1979 Our Lady of Fatima held a clothing drive, headed by Dorothy Gormley and sixteen other workers, who prepared fifty-five cartons of clothing for the Catholic Relief Services. During that same year, Father John Moore became an associate in the parish, and in September Sister Claire B. Pfundstein and Sister Ellen Brown, Amityville Dominican sisters, arrived at Our Lady of Fatima.

They were the first two sisters permanently assigned to the parish. Along with Father Moore and Deacon Charles Rogers, who was ordained as the first permanent deacon in the parish in April 1979, their work centered primarily around parish home visitations which were part of the evangelization efforts initiated by the pastor. "We sought to see how we could better minister to the needs of the community and the parish, to listen to the hurts of those alienated, and to share the Good News of Jesus to those who were willing."

On February 10, 1980, the first "Fatima Focus" was published to replace the monthly bulletin with a convenient weekly. It was the brainchild of the Family Life Committee of the Parish Council which consisted of Mildred Pascucci, Domenick Minerva, Larry Rose, Anne Shackel, Sister Claire, and Father Ballweg. It was difficult coming up with a name, but Anne Shackel did it by going through the dictionary looking for a good sounding word to go with Fatima and so "Fatima Focus" it became. In February, Father Aaron arrived from India and became associate pastor, and Deacon Rogers, the Regional Chairman for the 1980 Bishop's Appeal Drive , was name recipient of the Caritas Medal, the highest honor bestowed by Catholic Charities. On April 6th of that year, Father Ballweg left the parish to assume the post of Diocesan Director of the Propagation of the Faith, and on April 20th Father Kenneth Nee was welcomed as the new pastor of Our Lady of Fatima.

First festival committe. - click on the image for a large view.

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It was in 1980 that Eucharistic Ministers were being instructed to serve the church, and in June, Bonita Brown (who headed the religious education program for six years), Yvonne Clemens, Mary Hoey, Domenick Minerva, Magdalen Plominski., and George Walsh were among the first in the parish to be prepared. The acceptance of this new ministry is a realization, noted "Fatima Focus", of the sentiments of the Holy Father and his brother bishops at the Second Vatican Council...."the laity, dedicated to Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit, are marvelously called and wonderfully prepared so that their works, prayers, and occupations, their physical and mental relaxation, if carved out in the Spirit and even the hardships of life, if patiently borne, become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Together with the offering of the Lords' body they are most fittingly offered in the celebration of the Eucharist. Thus, as those everywhere who adore in bold activity, the Laity consecrate the world of God."

In September of 1980, Father Nee announced plans to add space for two offices to the front of the Rectory, and a month later pier pilings were placed near the Parish Center as a nautical sign to identify our parish. As the year ended, $5,000 was given by Our Lady of Fatima to St. Peter's to support the parochial school where one hundred Fatima students were enrolled.

Soon after Father Nee arrived in 1980, he proposed that the pews be detached from the lateral walls allowing for two new side aisles which would enable parishioners to enter and leave the pews easily, especially during Communion. He also proposed that a church steeple be erected. Contributions as "gifts of' or "in memory of were solicited and acknowledged in the vestibule of the church with the inscription:

Our Lady of Fatima Steeple
Erected March 25, 1981
To memorialize our Lord
And as a loving gift of friends.

During the month of August 1981, it was announced that Sister Geraldine O'Neill, Coordinator of Religious Education, Sister Daria Shannon, Coordinator of Parish Outreach (she began to work with Sister Claire in developing more fully a Parish Human Services Program), and Sister Kathleen Somerville, coordinator of High School Religious Education and Young Adult Programs, were coming to the parish the following month. They were introduced to the Fatima community at a parish festival where they witnessed: "Sauerkraut! Gallons and gallons of sauerkraut. A strange memory but who can forget food preparation for all our parish festivals. It always meant a great deal of hard work, but the work was made easier by the times we shared and the cooperative spirit of all those who were engaged in the task."

When Sister Ellen Brown left the parish in August, she along with Sister Claire "had been residing at 10 Cottonwood Road commonly known as Manna-Haven. However, in September of 1981, Mr. Joseph Canigiani made 15 Cottonwood available -without charge -as a residence for the nuns of the parish. They lived there for six years and their former home, Manna-Haven, was transformed into the Parish Human Services Office. Also during 1981, the Fatima Charismatic Prayer Group was formed, and the 9:30 AM Family Mass was put into effect. Today, during this mass, which has become a Fatima tradition, the children are sent forth for their own Liturgy of the Word and homily after which they return to join their families after the Prayer of the Faithful. At the present time, Family Mass Coordinators, Sister Kathy and Tricia Shackel, work with a committee to plan the children's liturgy throughout the year.

In 1982, the "Romans 8" Program was held giving the over 100 parishioners who responded an opportunity to share and reflect with others on the conversion experience of St. Paul the Apostle. "Life offers many opportunities for each person to grow. Even if life seems to be at loose ends, there can still be growth. That growth or conversion can enable us to move more deeply into a better relationship with self, others and God." Initial follow-up saw a number of the participants gathering for a few weeks of scripture sharing based on the Sunday scripture.

Also in 1982, a single parents group and a Spanish Mass were initiated. In October, the first meeting of Our Lady of Fatima single parents comprised of divorced, separated, or widowed parents who were raising children took place. On Saturday, November 13th at 7 PM, a Spanish mass, which has continued to the present, was offered to care for the needs of the more than two hundred Spanish speaking families in Port Washington . In order to meet the continuing needs of this community, Sister Claire Pfundstein was appointed as the Spanish Apostolate Coordinator.

Our Lady of Fatima celebrated its Thirty-Fifth Anniversary in 1983 and published a journal which included the early history of the church. A summary of that early history precedes the following descriptions of the church during the fifteen years from 1983 to ·1998 updating its history.

1983 -1984

In 1983, the "Romans 8" continued and meetings were held on Wednesday evenings. In March, the custom of blessing and distributing St. Joseph 's bread at mass to the parishioners was begun. This practice was one of tradition whereby many small Italian communities shared bread on St. Joseph 's Day. Sister Claire left the parish on July 31, 1983 noting that her "four years at Fatima are among the best of my life." Soon after, Gloria Robledo became the Coordinator of Parish Outreach to the Hispanic Community.

The Thirty-Fifth Anniversary Dinner Dance was held in October, and the Reverend Charles Vogeley of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior congratulated Fatima and wrote: "May the SON shine in your hearts and fill you with His warmth and glow."

Starting in November of 1984, an offertory procession was instituted. The gifts of water, wine, and bread were placed on a table made by Robert C. Breslin. They then would be carried in procession to the altar during the Offertory of the Mass.

At this time, parishioners were encouraged to share their personal intentions by writing them in a book which also became part of the procession and was placed on the altar during the Mass. Fatima programs and customs continued to be established. Forty-seven families received Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Outreach and members of the parish. On Christmas Eve at the 5 PM Mass, the first Christmas pageant with children of the parish playing Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds and the Wise Men was performed. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults began with the intention of assisting adult candidates in their preparation of the Sacrament of Initiation and entrance into the church. The custom of distributing nails to all parishioners to carry during Lent as a reminder of Jesus' suffering and death along with His tremendous love for all had its beginnings in 1984. During the summer, a new organ was donated by Mrs. Helen Vittiglio and son, John, in memory of Grace and John Vittiglio.

1985 - 1986

On Good Friday, there were outdoor Stations of the Cross when members of the parish were invited to carry the cross during a procession down Cottonwood to Cambridge to Boxwood and return to the church. Our associate pastors, Father Moore and Father Aaron, were reassigned in June of 1985, and in December, the children of the parish became further involved in the Christmas celebration by decorating a Christmas tree placed in the sanctuary.

In 1986, it was decided that there would be no parish festival, which had been held for many years by Fatima during the summer months. Instead, the space next to the Parish Center was rented to a Ride and Merchandise supplier who would make a donation to Our Lady of Fatima. In November, the sisters moved into a newly refurbished 10 Cottonwood with the attached garage converted into two offices.

As the year was coming to a close, the parishioners were informed about a new program called RENEW. Ten organizational committees were to be formed (i.e., Saturday Liturgy, Take Home, Prayer Network, Evaluation, Publicity, Home Visit; Telephone; Sign Up Sunday, Small Group, Large Group). A core group consisting of Sister Gerri, Connie Spada, Father Nee, Joe Formisano and Magdalen Plominski was established in December. During the first RENEW year, many parishioners contributed their time and talents to make the program a success. There was the "giving out of seeds to start our thinking and then the preparation and prayers that went into sorting hundreds of cards to put just the right individuals together." And it did all come together. RENEW, according to the "Fatima Focus", was to be "a spiritual renewal process to help parishioners have a closer relationship with Christ." It was to involve the total parish and create a spiritual climate throughout the parish community.

1987-1988

The goals of RENEW were listed in the "Focus" in January; on August 18th there was a special Mass said for the success of the RENEW program. In the fall over two hundred members of the parish signed up for small groups. In December, a new Suggestion Box was placed in the back of the church.

Sister Daria, O.P., left the parish on June 7, 1987, and Sister Kathy became the Director of Parish Outreach, now known as the Parish Social Ministry.

In the fall of 1987, a creative and exciting approach to nurturing the unique faith of our youth, in their journey of faith, was introduced. Each Confirmation student, in addition to their regular classes, was assigned to meet with an adult "Faith Partner" who would accompany her/him in preparing for Confirmation. During their monthly meetings, faith partners offered support, challenge, and vision to their students and to this day. This approach has added a rich dimension to the Confirmation Preparation Program.

Once again with the needs of the less fortunate in mind, the Giving Tree program was initiated at Christmas. Members of the community would take a link from the chain used to decorate the tree in Church and purchase the suggested gift, which when brought to the center would be sorted, wrapped, and distributed.

During the first half of 1988, sign-ups for RENEW continued. The "Focus" announced that during the six weeks of Lent beginning on February 14th, the small RENEW groups would meet in homes to reflect on basic themes from the life and teachings of Jesus. The Pastoral Council presented congratulatory thirty-fifth anniversary plaques to Sister Gerri, Director of Religious Education, who had taken her vows as a Domincan sister in August of 1953, and Father Ken, who had been ordained in June of 1953.

By September of 1988, there were nineteen groups ready for the third session of RENEW which focused on the topic, "The Empowerment by the Spirit". To begin this third session, Father Jim Dineen was invited to Fatima to speak on that topic. In October, Gloria Robledo, Spanish Outreach Coordinator, received the "Regina Bronze Award" by Bishop McCann for her outstanding service to help members of the Hispanic community.

1989-1990

At the beginning of the year, there were RENEW meetings of chairpersons and committee members to prepare for the next session which was to begin on February 5, 1989. The topic was on "Discipleship." In June, the Reverend Joseph Minturn and the Reverend Fruto Rosales came to Our Lady of Fatima as associates. In September, the Pastoral Council, formerly the Parish Council, issued its Mission Statement, which follows:

"The Pastoral Council of Our Lady of Fatima is a wisdom community committed to personal spiritual growth and prayerful discernment of the needs and gifts of the parish. We see our council as the vehicle for sharing the wisdom of the entire parish family, matching the gifts to the needs, and asking the Holy Spirit to help us reach answers for the common good."

Phase V of RENEW of "Evangelization" began in October. The small groups, as well as all the parishioners, were given guidelines which were printed in the "Focus" that pointed to the format of the session ­Focus, Reflections, Scripture, and Personal Meditation Questions. The second week in November was the last formal week of Fatima 's RENEW program.

In the spring of 1990, Father Nee placed a Globe in the church vestibule "to remind us that we live on a beautiful planet, in a mysterious and expanding universe. We are custodians of our earth.... In union with every form of life in our global village, and as life's highest form we owe it to our Creator and Savior to love and protect her."

In September, Deacon Rogers moved to Amityville; he had been affiliated with Our Lady of Fatima throughout the 1980's and served the parish with great dedication. The Charismatic Prayer Group, which met every Monday evening, celebrated its Tenth Anniversary. In November, the parish sponsored Operation Persian Gulf, and parishioners were encouraged to write to servicemen in the parish who were fighting in Desert Storm. In February of 1991, a vigil light was placed by Our Blessed Mother statue along with the names of six servicemen and women from Port Washington, who were serving in the Persian Gulf . Prayers were said for peace and for the safety of our servicemen and women. As the year came to an end, there was an announcement that on January 11, 1991 there would be a reunion of those who participated in RENEW.

1991-1992-1993

The parish initiated a program of tithing, encouraging parish members to contribute to the parish a percentage of their earnings.

In February of 1991, creation of the Small Faith Communities, an outgrowth of RENEW, was announced to encourage a sense of belonging and of caring; reflection, deeper prayerful attitude toward life, connection of religion and life; and a tool to evangelize. Sister Gerri has continued to serve as the coordinator of these Small Faith Communities. In 1997 there were eight communities that gathered throughout the year. The "Focus" wrote"...Is it possible to find some 'safe place' for yourself? ...Is it possible to create warm space for group gathering and interaction that expresses a sense of hospitality and spirituality? ...Can you enjoy 'freedom to be yourself' and a sense of 'belonging' in a group? ...A continuing search for knowledge, critical thinking, awareness, and healing ...can faith and all those elements go together? The answer is YES to all of the above ...And the forum for experiencing all of these wonderful events are groups of 'Small Christian/Faith Communities' …They meet in a guided program to provide their members opportunity to be themselves ...to be free ...to belong ...to express hospitality and spirituality ...to enjoy faith sharing to pray simple prayer ...to search for knowledge ...to become aware to know GOOD NEWS."

In April of 1991, Parish Outreach started to organize a Bereavement Support Group, which was established in the fall of 1991. This group of widows, widowers, and those who had lost a loved one became jointly sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima and St. Peter's and continues to function with meetings on Friday evenings. P.A.C.E.S. (Port Adult Catholic Encounter Society), coordinated by Jane and Artie Candido, was founded in May, establishing social activities for men and women in their twenties and thirties. Christmas came and Santa's Outreach Workshop collected, wrapped and delivered gifts, and Victor Scotto provided meals to the homebound.

The following year, 1992, Father Fruto Rosales, Associate, was given the special responsibility to serve the entire Spanish community in Port Washington . In September, a joint ministry was undertaken to provide for activities for teenagers in St. Peter's and Our Lady of Fatima. The ministry, led by Jean Benincasa and Mathew Maiello, planned trips, coordinated youth activities, utilized the talents and interests of young people (grades 10 through 12) in Port Washington, motivating them to bring Jesus into their every day lives. At Thanksgiving in 1992, ninety­one needy families were provided with food through the Outreach Program.

Family time was introduced at Fatima in the fall of 1993 as part of the Religious' Education Program. This liturgically based catechetical program had three primary goals:

1. To enhance family relationships through communication, activities and rituals.

2. To enhance understanding of, appreciation for, and participation in the liturgical life of Christ.

3. To provide catechetical opportunities for children and adults.

In 1993, youth members adopted three Port families to provide for some of their needs during the Thanksgiving season. During the month of November, Mildred and Joe Formisano, members of Fatima since the 1950's, celebrated their sixty-first wedding anniversary. Joe served as president of the Parish Council, and along with Mildred, prepared students for Confirmation and headed parish festivals. They have faithfully served the Fatima community for nearly a half a century.

1994-1995

In May of 1994, Sister Kathy celebrated her twenty-fifth anniversary as a Sister of St. Dominic. During the summer, the parish enhanced the life of the community by being active instruments of Evangelization and Mission . Mildred Pascucci, coordinator, guided RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) in the Our Lady of Fatima parish community. RCIA involves the entire church, noted the "Focus", and provides instruction to newcomers, eighteen years and older. The coordinator works with a committee to plan the process for those adults who wish to become one with the Catholic community on a journey into the faith. The key moments of conversion are celebrated liturgically at the heart of the Fatima community. The RCIA is a renewed process for welcoming others into our Catholic family. Early in 1995, several men and women came into the church, having received support and instruction in the RCIA program.

In April, C.L.O.S.E. was established with Marge Walsh as coordinator. The group was composed of family and friends of cancer patients and centered on the principles of courage, love, one day at a time attitude, strength, and endurance.

In August of 1995, Tony Colangelo became the Director of Youth Ministry. The youth of the parish became involved with peer counseling, liturgical groups, athletic events and enjoyed youth nights with numerous social outings including a ski retreat and a trip to Great Adventure.

At Christmas, fifty-nine families received gifts. The Christmas Social Ministry was assisted by the Brotherhood of the Community Synagogue, Diane's Place, Knights of Columbus, Port Jewish Center, Sandata Co. , Schreiber Library, St. Mary's Honor Society, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church Sunday School, and the Small Faith Communities of the parish in an affirmative and ecumenical spirit.

1996-1997

Father Rosales, who had served the Fatima community for seven years, was transferred to Our Lady of Loretto in Hempstead on June 30, 1996.

A marble baptismal font that had been in the courtyard of the rectory was moved to the right side of the altar and now is used for parish baptisms.

In the fall of 1996, a program of sacrificial giving, whereby the "First Fruits" go to the Lord and whereby "Stewardship" fosters a way of life, was announced. "Sacrificial Giving is planned, proportionate, and sacrificial. It includes time and talent and is a new expression of faith. The emphasis is on the priorities of our life and where God fits among those priorities." Sacrificial Giving Commitment Cards were brought to the altar during the offertory procession and presented with the rest of the gifts as "First Fruits" to the Lord.

The tradition began in 1996 to recite the Stewardship Prayer before the Offertory of the Mass. Regarding stewardship, Father Nee wrote, "Jesus asks us to demonstrate our love for Him through our generosity to others. In our everyday lives, He calls us to share our gifts with others."

In June of 1997, the "Focus" stated the "Assumptions about our Fatima Community":

1. Each person is called to partnership with God to bring creation to fulfillment.

2. In Baptism we celebrate the call of each person to ministry.

3. Each person is uniquely gifted for ministry.

4. The ministry of our church is a shared ministry. Together our giftedness is a powerful sacrament.

In December of 1996, there was a Thanksgiving Vigil Interfaith Service held at Our Lady of Fatima - the theme "Ecumenism". Helen Rocklein and Helen Mochwart coordinated the music. At the 5:00 PM Mass at Christmas time, the Youth Group presented the "Living Nativity" with scripture readings and live music.

During the spring of 1997, a new ministry for the Homebound and Physically Challenged was established by Joan Palattella who organized a First Friday Eucharistic Service following with a simple lunch and fellowship.

Also in 1997, the parish began preparing for their Fiftieth Anniversary celebration with Tom Plominski and Tricia Shackel serving as chairpersons. The first parish community event was held on September 28, 1997, with a Communion Brunch at the Port Washington Yacht Club with Monsignor Thomas Hartman as guest speaker.

And for fifty years the Fatima community has striven to collaborate in a shared ministry of the church!

RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY:
GEORGE WILLIAMS

 

Father Ken, reflects ...

The past twenty years of our history has been a gradual process toward Stewardship, although the word is relatively recent. The Rosary Altar Society, Holy Name members, Festival volunteers, and all parishioners were invited by Vatican II to become Eucharistic Ministers, Leaders of Song, Lectors, and members of Parish Outreach who help the needy.

As a result of the Renew process, small prayer communities meet regularly to share scripture and their spiritual lives. The initial transformation began in "Romans Eight", continued through "Trust" to our joint Renew experience with St. Peter's, and now to our present commitment as Stewards of Our Father's giftedness.

Parents and their children are responding beautifully to our Sunday Family Time...the parental responsibility to share their faith in the family setting has enthused an important segment of our parish...Sunday worship is experiencing new vitality.

Our Father's dream is our goal...the transformation continues as we carefully plan for Renew 2000...we have a new sense of what Paul means when he tells us that our gifts are "for the common good". Our Fatima community is alert, alive, and focused on our part in Jesus' mission.

We know we are stewards. Our prayer is shared and our renewed commitment to serve our world will motivate our thrust into the new century!

Fr. Ken

   

Thanks to Connie for sharing her photos with us!

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