A Bittersweet Reunion for St. Camillus

By Katie McFadden

Rain softly fell on the roof of St. Camillus Church on Sunday, September 7, reflecting the tears of some parishioners and alumni during the bittersweet reunion Mass, ahead of the beloved church’s impending closure at the end of the year. But greater than the tears were the smiles, the laughs, the stories and memories shared in retrospection and in gratitude for everything St. Camillus has provided for people since the parish began in 1908.

For the first time in a long time, St. Camillus Church was standing room only on Sunday, as parishioners, former students, St. Camillus special Olympians, community members and more, came from near and far for a reunion. As news spread of St. Camillus having to close by the end of year due to dropping attendance and financial reasons, those who love the church started planning a celebration of the church and late school. A committee quickly formed and got to planning a day that started with a Mass led by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Raymond Chappetto, and a reception at Springman Hall for all classes, dating back to the first, in 1954, and for all who followed, and anyone who holds St. Camillus close to their heart.

Starting his homily with a joke, taking a page out of Fr. Bill Sweeney’s book, Bishop Chappetto brought a positive message to the joyous day made possible by sad occasion. “Today is not really a day for mourning or grieving, but rather a day to celebrate what St. Camillus Parish has meant to us,” he told the packed church. The bishop took all on a trip down memory lane, mentioning the many priests who were a part of St. Camillus, including himself, from 1971 to 1974, in which he baptized 118 babies and married 51 couples, some of whom were in the audience, among others who came all the way from Texas and Florida and even right from the hospital to be there. “The priests come and go but the people stay. Everyone in this church here today knows that St. Camillus Parish and St. Camillus school have a very significant part of our spiritual journey. Today, all of us here reunited around the altar that has formed our spiritual life all these many years,” he said.

He spoke about the school band, formed by Monsignor William F. Burke. He spoke of beloved teachers, such as Mrs. Dwyer, who just turned 100. He spoke of the religious education program, communion breakfasts at Westrich’s, the rosary society, the Christmas bazaar and the packed additional summer Masses done to accommodate those who came to Rockaway for the peak season.

“Yes, this parish of St. Camillus has been such a great blessing for us. And it is very good that we are here to thank God and praise God for his goodness…Closings are not easy,” Bishop Chappetto said. But he encouraged all to keep the parish alive by continuing to share stories. “Memories are stories waiting to be told. So let’s share the stories with each other as we remember the priests, the sisters, the deacons and the laypeople of St. Camillus who helped form us.”

Following the Mass, the St. Camillus band, with their original instruments, gathered to play the school song, and then marched from the church to the Blessed Mother statue, where a crowd was laid upon her head, and then on to the school yard, as they would at the start of each school day, to play the National Anthem and other songs, lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and ring the bell to start the day. And inside Springman Hall, the parishioners, priests, and former students shared stories all afternoon at the reunion reception.

Marie Allen (maiden name), from the class of 1955, the earliest class member to be in attendance, shared that she was baptized and married at St. Camillus. But one of her favorite memories was being a part of the band. “I played the trumpet. We traveled all over. You don’t forget where you spent a lot of your years,” she said.

Joseph Gambino, class of ’58, who plays golf with a group mostly made up of St. Camillus alumni, the Rockaway Sandtrappers, had a lasting impression of Father Burke. “He’s the reason I’m here. He sat me in a corner one day and took an eraser and flung it at me. I said, ‘what was that for?’ He said, ‘You were late for church!’ ‘But I was outside selling The Tablet!’” Gambino recalled.

Owen Loof, class of ’64, shared that he not only attended the school, but was baptized, made communion, was confirmed and got married at St. Camillus, and his own kids even attended the school. He then went on to coach basketball and softball in the gym for nine years during the ‘80s. “It’s sad,” Loof said of the closing. “But this is such a great thing. To get everyone together like this, it’s a sad occasion but you look around, it’s like a going out of business sale. Everyone shows up when you’re going out of business. It great for people to get together and all of the people that worked so hard to get this together, I gotta give them a lot of credit, it’s great.”

Rich Pontieri, class of ’83, was one of the committee members who wanted to do something before the church closes and helped make the event possible. He shared fond memories of his days at St. Camillus. “I grew up nine blocks from here. We all came here to meet new friends from all different parts of Rockaway, from midtown, some uptown, to Breezy Point. I would’ve never met them. I still have my class friends from ’83. Every morning you’d come and put your bookbag on your class line and there was punch ball and skully and hopscotch. There’s so many people here and we all had the same experiences. St. Camillus taught me how to be a good person, and to give and to love,” Pontieri said.

Kyle McKay, class of 2008, said his favorite memory was “playing drums in the band or playing basketball here.” McKay was glad to be part of the event, but still shocked over the reason. “It’s sentimental just being here. I haven’t been here in almost 20 years,” McKay said. “It’s heartbreaking. I never through that this place would close.”

Robert Cerverizzo, class of 2013 and a member of the band who played at the ceremony, shared his favorite memory was “Green and gold days. The classes from K-8 got split up and half the class would be green and the other half would be gold and we’d do all kinds of races and activities and see who had the better side, but it was probably one of the most tightknit things that would bring the school together each year.”

Receiving communion and being baptized at St. Camillus and a frequent churchgoer, Cerverizzo said he saw the changes in attendance, but the news of the closing still came as a shock. “You could see the diminishing numbers, so it was understandable, but I know we all wish there was something we could do to keep it open. It’s shocking,” he said. But he made the best of the occasion. “It’s sad that it took this type of event to get everyone together but it’s so nice to see everyone throughout the graduation years here. I’ve bumped into old friends, teachers and I consider everyone family here. It’s a happy experience. Through nine years, I learned everything I could possibly learn here, and everyone came with open arms and greeted you with a smile. It’s just a place of love, family and care.”

As everyone continue to share memories and stories, DJ Tim Henning played nostalgic tunes to reunite people on the dance floor not only to dance, but to gather for class photos with each generation. As the music played on, everyone enjoyed a slice of cake that said, “St. Camillus, Forever in Our Hearts” and “Thank you for the Memories,” as the day became another beloved memory of St. Camillus that they’ll carry on forever.

St. Camillus Church is expected to close at the end of December.