Meadow Hill

Saint Patricks-Saint Mary’s to host parish picnic

By Louise Haight
Posted 6/13/19

Congratulations to The Most Reverend Dominick John Lagonegro, Retired Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, on his Golden Jubilee Fiftieth Anniversary of Priestly Ordination. Bishop …

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Meadow Hill

Saint Patricks-Saint Mary’s to host parish picnic

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Congratulations to The Most Reverend Dominick John Lagonegro, Retired Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, on his Golden Jubilee Fiftieth Anniversary of Priestly Ordination. Bishop Dominick was ordained a Priest for the Archdiocese of New York on May 31, 1969, by Cardinal Terence Cooke in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. His dearest wish was to celebrate his 50th anniversary on the exact date of his first Mass, June 1, at St. Columba in Hopewell Junction, and the homilist at his Anniversary Mass was Msgr. James Sullivan who also preached at the Bishop’s First Mass.

Since his ordination, Bishop Lagonegro was appointed to myriad parishes throughout the northern counties of New York. For half a century he has served God and his people with spiritual strength, companionship, and loving generosity of spirit.

In 2002, he was named pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Newburgh, a post he held until being appointed Episcopal Vicar of Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, and Dutchess counties since 2014. At Sacred Heart parish, Bishop Lagonegro remains a beloved priest who dedicated to his parish with unexpected charitable acts and compassion, and he was a terrific pastor who kept the parish running peacefully. But most of all, he was a loveable, regular guy, who was happiest simply being called, “Father Dom!”

By the grace of God, Bishop Dominick was born to saintly parents, Dominick and Diamentina, and he lovingly talks about his family, especially the spirituality as a priest that he attests to the devotion of his mother and to Our Lady of Fatima. His mother’s older sister and her husband were at Fatima on October 13, 1917, when thousands witnessed “the miracle of the sun,” and this had a profound effect on his whole family. His love for his parents and family is extraordinary!

Bishop Dominick, at the request of Cardinal Dolan, continues to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation as he is able in Newburgh and all the churches where needed, and assists in any other way deemed necessary by Cardinal Dolan. He stated, “My Priestly Life has always been a great gift from God. In 2018, I only had 94 Confirmations, but I dearly enjoy celebrating Confirmations, and it is also a joy and a privilege to celebrate Mass and all the other Sacraments. I feel blessed to live in Newburgh, I love its colorful history and the beautiful Hudson Valley, but the real delight of my life are the people who were my parishioners and are my faithful friends, whom I cherish and carry in my heart.”

Mother Teresa said that Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. One of the virtues that stands out about Bishop Lagonegro is his joyful living out of his vocation as a priest filled with hope, filled with mercy, and filled with joy. The life our Bishop entrusted to God in that Divine encounter 50 years ago continues to bless us all. God bless you, Bishop Dominick for coming to our lives!

Flag Day is Friday, June 14, and it is a symbol of all that our Nation represents. We will say the Pledge of Allegiance to our American Flag, as we proudly stand at attention, right hand raised in salute, and repeat that solemn pledge, giving allegiance to the flag that protects us. Cherished names of our flag are “Old Glory,” “Stars and Stripes,” and “Star Spangled Banner.”

It has come to mean so much to us through the years since its adoption by the Nation in 1777, so much more than just a banner, that the Stars and Stripes as it waves in the breeze seems to us the soul and spirit of the land we love. On June 14, 1777, the following resolution was adopted by Congress: “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, that the ‘Union’ be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

It is on record these words from George Washington concerning the new flag: “We take the star from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.”

Our flag gloriously means divine right of liberty in man. Every color, every thread, every star, and stripe mean liberty; not lawlessness, not license, but organized, institutional liberty, liberty through law, and law for liberty. Proudly fly your American Flag and give thanks to God!

St. Patrick’s-St. Mary’s invites you to its Parish Picnic on Thursday, June 20, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Chadwick Lake Park. Each family is asked to bring a salad or dessert to share. At the entrance to the park, just mention to the Park Ranger at the Ranger booth that you are with St. Patrick’s-St. Mary’s Parish and they will let you in for free. Come out and enjoy the beginning of summer in our beautiful park, as it freely shares its myriad gifts of nature’s bounty with your children and friends.

Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club is having a moderate hike from Mt. Beacon to Fire Tower on Sunday, June 16. The hike is four miles and approximately four hours. The group will follow the Casino (red) Trail. There are spectacular views of Beacon and the Hudson Valley. The first 1,000 feet is very stressful. Please bring lunch and two liters of water. No dogs allowed. Meet at Mt. Beacon Park, 788 Wolcott Ave. in Beacon at 9 a.m. Confirm with leader, Louis Ruidisch, (845) 896-9332 or cell (845) 453-0871 or ruidisch3@gmail.com.

May you always have an angel at your side.