Cathedral Alum News Spring – Summer 2011 SAVE THE DATE: 19TH ANNUAL CATHEDRAL PREP GOLF CLASSIC NORTH HILLS COUNTRY CLUB THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011 On Thursday, October 6, 2011, at the North Hills Country Club, Manhasset, New York, Cathedral Prep’s Alumni Association will host its Nineteenth Annual Golf Classic. As always, it should be a wonderful day! Since its inception in 1992, we have always had great weather, great food, great fun and great friends. There will be great golfing, raffles, auctions, a fantastic spread for breakfast, a hotdog lunch, a gourmet cocktail hour and most importantly, the opportunity to help Cathedral Prep to continue its mission of education and priestly vocation discernment. Paul Carr,’80, will be serving as this year’s chairman. At this year’s outing, we will recognize the outstanding commitment of Ilda and John Canton. Remember to register as soon as possible as we always fill up! Check in time will be at 9:00 AM with brunch following. The shotgun start will begin at 11:00 AM. There will be lunch and refreshments served at the l. to r.: Fr. Kevin Sweeney, '88, Fr. John front and back 9s and at the clubhouse. Contests include: hole-in-one for a Brown, '75, and Fr. Ed Mason, '76, at last year's Cathedral Golf Classic at 2012 car, longest drive, and closest to the pin. We will also be holding a silent North Hills Country Club, Manhasset, auction, a public auction and the annual Blue & White Raffle drawing for two NY. (2) cash prizes of $2,000.00. Drinks and a buffet dinner will be served at 5:30 PM in the clubhouse. If you are unable to attend there are numerous ways to be a contributing participant as a personal or corporate sponsor, by donating gifts to our auctions or by purchasing a Blue & White Raffle prior to the Golf Classic. For more information, check out the information below, register on-line at the following link (http://www.cathedralprepalumni.com/events/event_details.asp?id=165086) or call Fr. John Cush, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs at (718) 592-6800 ext 137 or [email protected]. See page 6 to register for the Golf Classic 1 13th ANNUAL ALUMNI REUNION – IMMACULATA DINNER On Friday, May 13, 2011, Cathedral Preparatory Seminary held its 13th Annual Immaculata Awards Ceremony and Alumni Reunion at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, New York. Over 260 alumni and friends were gathered to congratulate the golden anniversary class of 1961 as well as this year’s Immaculata Award recipients, Msgr. George Deas, ’45, and Lawrence Loesch, ’67. The evening began with an elegant cocktail reception, sponsored by William Flynn, ’45 and Immaculata honoree Msgr. George Deas, '45, receiving his award his family and continued from Fr. John P. Cush, '90, Director of Development and Alumni in the Chapel, where Affairs. Vespers were celebrated, The Class of 1961 was well represented, gathered by presided by Fr. Fred a tremendous effort led by classmates John Marano, ’82, Rector- McGloin, Kevin Duffy, Pat Walsh and Tom Principal. Fr. John O’Brien. Each alumnus in attendance was Cush, ’90, Director of presented a plaque by Fr. Marano. Development and Alumni Affairs, The evening continued with a delicious dinner and welcomed all and all gathered had a wonderful time getting introduced Msgr. Deas, reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones. who spoke eloquently Congratulations to Msgr. Deas, Larry Loesch, the about his time at Class of 1961 and all anniversary classes! We look Larry Loesch, '67, accepting the Immaculata Award from Fr. Fred Cathedral, both as forward to seeing you at the next Immaculata Dinner Marano, '82, Rector-Principal. student and teacher. Fr. and Alumni Reunion to be held on Friday, May 11, Cush then introduced Larry Loesch, who graciously 2012 at the Immaculate Conception Center. credited Cathedral for assisting him in creating a firm foundation that he later used to create a successful career and a strong moral compass. THE IMMACULATA AWARD This award, which is named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who as the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, is presented each year to alumni who possess the values that th Cathedral Prep represents through service Class of 1961 celebrating their 50 Anniversary. to Church and community. This year's honorees exemplify these qualities and we are blessed to have two such leaders in our alumni family. 2 From the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs Dear Brother Alumni and Friends of Cathedral, Thank you for helping to make this such a wonderful year here at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary. Please know that you, as alumni, friends and benefactors of Cathedral, are very much part of our community. Not a day goes by that I do not have a visit from an alumnus to the school. Whether you attended 555 Washington Avenue or here in Elmhurst, whether you attended the six year program or the four year high school, Cathedral has helped to shape us into the men we are today. We have had some wonderful experiences since the last newsletter went to press. In December, the Tuition Assistance Program was inaugurated at the rectory of St. James Cathedral-Basilica in Brooklyn. Special thanks to Msgr. John J. Strynkowski, '58, St. James’ Rector, for hosting us that night. Thanks, too, to Michael Cox, '74, and Jerry Magaldi, '74, for spearheading this program for us. Thanks to the generosity of so many, the program is off to a great start: $115,485.00 has been collected to date, all going to help bring young men who are open to priestly vocations and who could not necessarily afford it to Cathedral Prep. Thanks, too, to all those who are assisting in this year’s Annual Appeal. Our chairman, John Casey, '57, and Deacon Chris Wagner, '89, and their committee have done a wonderful job “casting the net,” this year’s theme, trying to get as many alumni and friends involved, all helping to create a tremendous future for the young men at Cathedral Prep. Again, this issue contains a listing of those who gave so far to this year’s appeal. It certainly is not too late to participate! I have been blessed by those loyal friends and alumni who help form the committees here at Cathedral: our Alumni Executive Board, St. Matthew Society, Hall of Fame Committee, Golf Committee, Day at the Races Committee and so many others. Thank you all for helping make my first year as Director of Development and Alumni Affairs such an easy transition. Please know that “casting the net,” is more than just a phrase for our Annual Appeal- it’s what our office of Development and Alumni Affairs is trying to do. We hope that you know that you are always welcome to come and visit Cathedral Prep. Feel free to stop by and whatever assistance my staff and I can offer you, we'll be happy to do so. Know that you are remembered daily here at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in our chapel here at Cathedral. Please pray for me as well! Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev. John P. Cush, '90 Director of Development and Alumni Affairs Spiritual Director 3 ALUMNI ALL SOULS' REMEMBERANCE MASS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011 at 8:10 AM We will once again celebrate Memorial Mass for our deceased alumni and benefactors as well as the intentions for our alumni and benefactors on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 8:10 AM. Mass will be celebrated along with the student body. Please notify the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs if you are able to attend at 718/ 592-6800, ext. 137 or at [email protected]. If you wish to submit names to be remembered at Mass or in need of Memorial Cards please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. GRADUATION 2011 On June 1, 2011, 27 seniors graduated from Cathedral Preparatory Seminary at a ceremony presided by the Most Reverend Nicholas A. DiMarzio, D.D., Ph.D., Bishop of Brooklyn. The commencement speaker was Mr. Daniel O'Keefe, departing Vice- Principal and Academic Dean. Mr. O'Keefe was recently appointed as the Principal of Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx. The valedictorian was William Cassese, St. Ignatius Loyola, Hicksville, and the salutatorian was Orrin Kumar, St. Elizabeth, Ozone Park. Five of the graduating seniors will continue their priestly formation at Cathedral Seminary Residence of the Immaculate Conception, Douglaston, the college seminary program for the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Diocese of Rockville Centre and the Archdiocese of New York. May the Lord richly bless these young men, our newest alumni, with the courage and strength of the Holy Spirit as they depart from our Alma Mater. We are proud of them! Cathedral Preparatory Seminary Class of 2011 Earl S. Atwell II John Gregory Gaidis Josue Pintor William Louis Cassese Christopher Rajendra Keller Matthew Ramirez Brandon Catalanotti Orrin Anthony Kumar Edwin Jesus Rodriguez Alexander James DeLeon Patrick Kennedy McCague Patrick J. Ryan Mitchel Diaz Jonathan M. McKinney Jon Raymund Sarmiento Brendan J. Dolan Danny P. Mercaldi David L. Seixas Garcia Matthew Anthony Dybus Edward Albert Metzing Justin S. Sellers Matthew L. Flood Jake Christopher Nuzzi Dominick Siano Kevin Charles Freile Sebastian Richard Pieciak Michael A. Vella GIVING OPTIONS There are many ways to give to Cathedral Prep: (1) to cover operational costs, (2) to provide for tuition assistance, and (3) to establish an endowment through planned giving. You can give to Cathedral Prep in any of these ways by giving to our Annual Appeal (please see page 10 about how to give – The Annual Appeal deadline is August 31, 2011), by giving to our Tuition Assistance Fund Program (see Michael Cox's article on page 16), or by establishing an endowment through your retirement plan, life insurance, real estate or securities.