A Heartfelt Thank You From the St. Camillus Parish Reunion Committee

As we gather to celebrate the cherished legacy of our beloved St. Camillus Parish in Rockaway Beach, NY, which is currently over one hundred years old, we were overwhelmed by the love, dedication, and sense of community that brought this reunion to life.

In just a little shy of six weeks, a devoted team of over 20 people worked together diligently to organize an unforgettable day that honored the generations who passed through our doors. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make it such a meaningful and successful event. A special thank you to the clergy especially, Bishop Raymond Chappetto, whose eloquent and inspiring homily reminded us of the faith and fellowship that have defined St. Camillus Parish for over a century. We are also deeply grateful to Fr. William Sweeney, Fr. Alfred LoPinto, and Deacon Michael Pearce for their participation and spiritual leadership.

Our sincere thanks to James McCabe for the fantastic music during the service, which filled our hearts and stirred our memories. And to Timmy Henning who generously donated his time and talents as emcee and DJ for the after party. He kept the energy high and the dance floor full.

We also want to recognize Dennis S. O’Connor Funeral Home for their generous donation of memory cards, which provided a touching keepsake for many.

To the beloved St. Cam­illus Band (The Best Band in the Land), thank you for joining the festivities and bringing your signature spirit. A special shout out to Dotsy Livingston Kearns, who made sure the band members had music and instruments they needed to perform -your dedication to the band continues to inspire.

We are grateful to Ann Walsh and her niece for the beautiful balloon arch that welcomed the guest with joy and color.

Thank you to Bagel Barista for the delicious cookies.

A big thank you to the 50/50 committee. Also, to the members of the AOH Division 21 and Monsignor William F. Burke Rockaway Council Knights of Columbus, we appreciate your time and effort collecting the donations at the door-your presence was invaluable.

Thank you to all who came out to share the day and bid farewell to our beloved parish.

Finally, thank you to every committee member and volunteers. Without your hard work, generosity, and love for St. Camillus, this reunion would not have been possible. Special thank you to Richie Knott for organizing the committee and keeping us grounded during our committee meetings.

Let us continue to pray to St. Camillus and for one another, as we carry forward the spirit of a place that has meant so much to so many for so long.

With love and gratitude,

The St. Camillus Reunion Committee