Graduation Day

As predicted, commencement has come at last for the class of 2008. We welcomed 357 new Stanners into the Alumni Association last Saturday. In the closing story of his address to the graduates, Brother Roy George summed up his comments wishing them encouragement to do well and an invitation to return any time. The 2008 Graduation Program is attached for your review. I would encourage you to review the schools and scholarships these newest members have earned this year.

The Salutatorian, Ahana Sen, and Valedictorian, Jenny Kochupurackal, did a wonderful job of summing up their experiences at Molloy. It was heartwarming to hear the love in their words and fun to watch the periodic sparkle in their eyes.

This is a great day for our Association as we welcome these new members to our family. This class has had many remarkable accomplishments and challenges. A spirited group, they shared many retreats, events, dances and their sports prowess has left many a mark in the record books.

The most defining moment came towards the end of their time as a class at Molloy. Whenever a class member is lost it is cause for all to reflect and remember the frailty of life. In presenting a diploma to the Grogan Family, Brother Roy reminded us the value of each life that passes through ours whether it is for a moment, a season, or a lifetime. The auditorium rose in a loving ovation to the one lost all too young — Katy Grogan.

Senior Breakfast

The seniors came back for their diplomas and one final meal as the class of 2008. Yearbooks were passed, teachers served the students, Mr. Brian Klimas served as the MC for this event. His exuberance adds a great deal to any Stanner event. As part of the festivities, the Association provides each graduate with a welcome gift — an alumni hat…

Thanksgiving Announcement

After dialog with the administration and faculty, the decision has been made that this year’s Thanksgiving Liturgy and Reunion will return to the tradition of the past where graduates are permitted to visit teachers in their classrooms. There are still safety and security concerns which may require some modification in terms of registration, but it was agreed that we would use the same rules as in the past for visiting. If the door is open you are welcome to visit, if it is closed, do not knock or visit and please remember to keep the noise levels down in the halls. — Welcome Home Stanners!

Academic

The STANNER newspaper won regional recognition from the TABLET in May receiving First Prize in the Newspaper competition this year. Congratulations to the entire STANNER staff and to Charlie McKenna, moderator.

Review groups abound as students prepare for their regents’ and the last few weeks of school. I must admit that the school is much quieter without the senior class adding to the chatter and clatter of lockers closing between classes.

Athletic

I was invited to the annual “new alumni” track bar-b-que hosted by the track coaches. It seems that Brother Bob and the coaches have made a practice to invite the recently graduated seniors back for a bar-b-que and some last minute “awards”. The evening started with a little Frisbee, Basketball, Volleyball and general chicanery along with some resting… then dinner, awards and cake… What a nice way to pass into your first week as a member of the Association. PS dinner was great!

Spiritual

St. Patrick’s Mass CD available for purchase.

The Alumni office is pleased to release its first DVD — Archbishop Molloy High School’s 50th Anniversary, St. Patrick’s Cathedral Mass DVD. The choirs, the homily and the beauty of the Cathedral are all captured on this wonderful keepsake DVD. Tom Harrison in the Alumni office took the photographs and designed this keepsake DVD Holder with more than 15 pictures of the day!

Now available in our Alumni Office for $10.00 per copy, or on-line in our store for $13.00 including postage and handling.

I asked Michael Germano to provide us with a summary of this year’s campus ministry activities. His work in the school involves every aspect of spiritual development. There are many activities and his report appears below.

“This past academic year 2007-08 was, in a simple word, bittersweet. As most of us feel, Molloy is our home and the unparalleled love and compassion that is showed to all who enter these doors is always evident. I believe that was particularly true this year. We celebrated our 50 years as Molloy at St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a wonderful mass presided by Fr. Frank Shannon. This year also saw us raise over $11,000 for various local and global causes; we collected over 620 coats; 1540 toys (donated to 7 different charities); 110 care boxes for OCC; through our Right-to-Life club, we took 48 students and joined 450,000 people at the March for Life in DC; and have now included 2 new Molloy sponsored service programs- St. Mary’s, a children’s hospital in Bayside, and LifeSpire, a corporation devoted to mentally and physically handicapped people. We are a part of their bowling program- where our kids go every Sunday from 9-12:30 PM where they assist in a fun day at Jib Lanes.”

“But with all of this good, we also endured many losses; parents and loved ones who were gone too soon, especially our sister Katy Grogan and our brother Patrick Murphy. But, as we do at Molloy, we mourned our losses together as a family and have only become stronger for it. It is our faith that tells us that they are alive and well and with our loving God.”

“I was blessed to have such a wonderful group of volunteers in all aspects of Campus ministry- especially my 9 leaders for ’08 and I know that my leaders for ’09 will help take our program to new heights, especially as we add more service programs. We are committed to look for new ways to help the least favored in Mary’s name.”

Non Scholae Sed Vitae

Class News and Notes

Mr. Constantine Plaissay ’58 stopped by on a trip east to see his grand daughter graduate from St. Dominic’s in Oyster Bay. As you can see from the pictures he brought a great set of items for our St. Ann’s Archives. As one of the few “Twelve Year Men” from St. Ann’s he had great stories to tell and memories to share. One in particular was the fact that when the school was being dedicated, his parents, florists in NYC, arranged to have a number of azalea bushes planted along the front of the school to dress up the occasion. To this day there are azaleas on the property and a few weeks ago, they were in full blossom. Though not the same bushes, they did bring back great memories for Connie.

We visited St. Champagnat, St. Ann, The Bell and the chapel. Connie had a chance to see the “new track” and reminisce about the olden days when you needed a roller to level out the track prior to practice and the many meets held here. Truth be told, there was a bit of emotion shared when President Sherry presented him with his Fiftieth Anniversary medal in light of the fact that he didn’t think there was any way to make it back this year to be with his classmates from the class of 1958. John did encourage them to come out to the school and see the wonderful work being done here. Connie, thanks for the memories…

Ryan Contino ’96 announced recently that he and his wife, Maria are expecting their first child at the end of September. We wish them a happy and healthy child. Please keep Ryan, Maria and all Stanners expecting a child in your prayers each week.

Tom Morgan ’96 stopped in after the funeral Mass for Dr. Murphy and we had a great discussion about the life he has led and the work he has done as a restaurateur since graduation. He is finishing up his studies to become a teacher and has just completed his student teaching in East Stroudsburg, PA. He is married and will begin his teaching upon completing his degree requirements. When asked what a Stanner is, he came up with a blend of feelings and actions. “A Stanner rarely puts himself ahead of others, lives a life of service, and is part of the best extended family a person could ever hope for.”

From the Stanner Bookshelf

Lou Barbera ’76 and his wife released a wonderful children’s CD – He’s My Bear. I listened to all of the cuts and immediately developed an affinity for — Lullaby (Sleep Pretty Baby). As a grandfather in waiting, I cannot wait to learn to sing it to my first grandchild. Lou’s joy in singing to his children and to children everywhere is obvious. I remember listening to Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary fame and his style is a lot like Stookey’s; personable and easy going. The album is available on-line at www.loubarbera.com.

The All-Star Alumni Hockey Team —

Our Varsity B Hockey team closed out season play with a 14 — 2 record and a 4 — 1 playoff performance to take the B Division Championship. Patrick Brown ’08 was the Most Valuable Forward and Playoff MVP while Matthew Zay was the League Most Valuable Defenseman.

In Spite of the team’s success, the number of students interested in carrying forward the leadership exhibited in this team’s performance is not sufficient to continue the sport for the next season. According to Coach Sheldon, “the program is suspended until such a time a sufficient number of players can be organized to sustain a consistent team. With all of the time required for travel teams it is difficult to field enough students each game.”

Roller Hockey is alive and well, however and as you can see, the alumni are ready and willing to tough it out in the Marsloe Gymnasium. Appearing in the picture are: Jim Sheldon ’88, Mike Scotko ’07, Jon Pflug ’07, Steve Romano ’08, Chris Francaviglia ’07, Dean Metzger ’07, Frank DiMaria ’07, Matt Sauli ’07, Pat Brown ’08, Tom McElhatton ’08 and Brian Klimas ’98.

In Memoriam

Christopher Brocchini Class of 1979 passed away on August 6, 2007. Word of his passing was just received from his brother, Lawrence ’82. He was survived by his other Stanner brothers; Steven ’84, and Gregory ’92. Christopher will be remembered at the November 1st Mass of Remembrance at the 2008 Reunion.

We received news of the passing of Mary, the sister of three Stanners; James ’83 Christopher ’80 and John Sciales ’78. She passed away on May 23rd. Please keep the Sciales family in your prayers as they mourn her passing. She will be remembered in November with the ringing of the St. Ann’s Bell at the Mass of Remembrance on November 1st at the Reunions.

Thought for the Week: Luck and God favor those with good habits