Fr. Tom’s Letters

Each week Fr. Tom writes a letter to parishioners in our bulletin. Every letter is comprehensive, including current information about the Parish, an explanation of Scripture for that Sunday, and an invitation to become more engaged in the life of the parish.

November 23, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

CONGRATULATIONS SISTER JUDY!

Today we have the privilege to celebrate with Sr. Judy her 60 years as a Sister of St. Dominic, Amityville. Sr. Judy has been with us here at St. Anne’s these past 11 years. Often Sr. Judy was the first person of the parish staff to greet new parishioners as they presented and arranged their children’s baptism. Sr. Judy was the first person of our parish to meet those adults who looked to complete their Christian initiation through participation in the RCIA (now known as the OCIA). And for many parishioners on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, Sr. Judy is the first to greet you in the church vestibule when you arrive for weekend Mass. In all her roles, and especially as the “first person” to greet those who came to St. Anne’s, Sr. Judy always expressed a warm welcome, a gentle manner, and a most helpful approach. Her steadfastness, dedication, and cheerfulness in her greetings and welcome assured parishioners of a happy beginning at St. Anne’s.

Sr. Judy has organized the many liturgical ministers for all these years. So many clergy have come and gone, each with their own liturgical preferences, and Sr. Judy has patiently worked with us all. She has navigated the complex schedules of dozens of lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. Sr. Judy has organized and assisted at liturgies that have celebrated the First Communions of second graders, the complex solemn celebrations of Holy Week and all the various liturgies in between from the First Sunday of Advent to the conclusion of the church liturgical year as we celebrate today.

Prior to her arrival here, Sr. Judy worked for many years in our neighboring parish Notre Dame. In New Hyde Park, Sr. Judy worked both in the school and in parish ministries. Sr. Judy came to us at St. Anne’s after she completed a several year assignment on the leadership team of the Sisters of Saint Dominic, Amityville.

As we celebrate 60 years, we express gratitude to a woman who has served the Church on Long Island in so many different ways. The Sisters of Saint Dominic primarily minister in the Dioceses of Rockville Centre and Brooklyn. Our local Church has greatly benefitted from the many ministries of the Dominican Sisters. It is a blessing for St. Anne’s that Sr. Judy has shared herself so generously with us these past 11 years. I am personally grateful to Sr. Judy for her assistance to me over the years and for how she so charitably and generously welcomed thousands of people into the life of our parish.

Congratulations and Gratitude!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This coming Thursday we celebrate the national holiday that is the favorite of many, Thanksgiving Day! As much as any day of the year, this day allows us to combine our religious faith with our nation’s identity and history. The very theme of “pilgrim” is so much a part of our faith and our nation identity. Pope Leo, echoing Pope Francis, often speaks of our faith pilgrimage. We are nearing the end of the Jubilee Year of Hope when both popes on a weekly basis were welcoming various pilgrims to Rome. Our national heritage speaks of the pilgrims on the first Thanksgiving who gathered for their first feast of gratitude in their new homeland.

How important we treasure, cherish, and practice our gratitude at this time of year. Our Thanksgiving Day Masses are at 7:30AM and 9:00AM. Celebrating Mass on Thanksgiving Day offers a great beginning. We have the opportunity at Mass to pray to the Lord for all those with whom we will share our Thanksgiving Meal.

Much gratitude to all the [parishioners who shared in the Thanksgiving Sponsor a Family these past several weeks. We were able to supply more than 700 families who required our assistance. Thank you for your most generous response.

May we be united in gratitude for all the blessings we experience as a parish and in our families.

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving

Fr. Tom

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