Monsignor Charles Nosser, who came to Our Lady of Victory Parish on Aug. 1, 1974, has retired. He will surely be missed by those in the Our Lady of Victory community that have had the pleasure of knowing him for the past 32 years. Those in particular, students at Our Lady of Victory School, who recently presented Monsignor Nosser with a special shawl they made to honor his retirement.

Monsignor Nosser came to Our Lady of Victory Parish from Notre Dame in New Hyde Park, where he was in residence. He also served parishioners at St. Joseph's in Lake Ronkonkoma and Holy Spirit in New Hyde Park. Perhaps the poem, Perhaps It Was You... describes best how Monsignor Nosser touched the lives of many:

"Perhaps Monsignor Nosser left you smiling as you left the children's Mass on Sunday, prepared spiritually for the week ... Perhaps it was his comforting words that gave you inner strength and courage at a time when you lost a loved one ... Maybe he added to your child's First Communion celebration by arranging for the doves to be released at the crowning of the Blessed Mother ...

"Maybe he understood when tuition was due and you suddenly were out of work ... Perhaps he made the coffee for a meeting, bought the ice cream and proudly marched with the parachute and your children in the Memorial Day parade ... Perhaps it was a favorite story or joke he told ... Maybe it was a friendly nod, a kind word or even a good bit of advice ... Maybe it was his foresight to establish an endowment fund for the school he loves ...

"Perhaps it was his sense of community that kept traditions alive and well, like the Parish Festival, CYO, Youth Ministry and Bible camp ... Perhaps it was his public display of 'thanks' to the administrators, teachers, support staff and volunteers ... Maybe it was something special that kept Monsignor Nosser at OLV for 32 years ... Yes, just maybe it was you!"

A dinner to celebrate Our Lady of Victory School's 75th anniversary, with a special tribute to all of Monsignor Nosser's achievements, will take place Friday, Oct. 20, at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston.