From The Desk Of Dr. Charles Murphy

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From The Desk Of Dr. Charles Murphy

Friday, 28 December 2012 00:00

Parents are their child’s teacher. In fact, out of the scores of teachers your child will have during their lifetime, there is no teacher more important. Parents will spend more time and have more at stake with their child than any classroom teacher ever will. Therefore, it is important for parents to create a rich learning environment that will enable their child to succeed in school.

Simple questions to ask about whether your home is one that fosters an environment of learning: Does your home have books for your child? More videogames or books? Is there a quiet place for your child to complete their assignments, as well as to read and study? Does your home have limitations on television viewing? Do you spend time together as a family? Do you check your child’s assignments daily? From the get-go, parents must set high expectations.

Academic success is largely based upon the time your child spends engaged in educational activities. Do you want a child who reads well...knows their math facts…earns good grades.

Naturally, high academic achievement is produced through hard work and application to task. Just like most things in life. In short, educational success will come from parents who expect more from their children. It’s rather easy to tell the parents who do and the parents that do not. It doesn’t cost you any money and your child will be able to reap dividends for the rest of their lives. Henry Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops.” In a parent’s case, their influence never stops.

News

Father Sommer Coming To St. Bernard’s

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

When Msgr. Ralph Sommer was growing up he found inspiration from the example of his uncle, Father Ralph Besendorfer. “He was a Brooklyn priest,” said Msgr. Sommer, who is known to parishioners as “Father Sommer” or “Father Ralph.”

“My uncle was a most powerful and delightful influence, happy, caring, and helpful,” said Father Sommer, outgoing pastor of St. Brigid’s Church, in Westbury. “I would look at him and say, ‘I could do that.’”

For a number of years, Father Besendorfer would come out to St. Bernard’s in Levittown on weekends to assist.

Now, Father Sommer finds himself about to become pastor of St. Bernard’s on June 26, succeeding Msgr. Gerard Ringenback, pastor of St. Bernard’s since 2001.

He doesn’t know if anyone at St. Bernard’s will remember his uncle, Father Sommer said, but “if I meet people who remember him from that time, it will be a nice thing.”

Born in Flushing, Queens, Father Sommer grew up in Garden City, attending St. Anne’s School. He advanced to St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary, a high school for young men considering the priesthood.

“It was a caring community,” with priest-instructors and students who shared an interest in exploring the priesthood.

For college, he left the seminary system for Adelphi University near his home. “I walked every day. We didn’t have another car.”

Adelphi offered an opportunity to test his vocation. He majored in psychology, “which I thought would help me if I became a priest.”

After Adelphi, he returned to priestly studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington. Upon graduation, he was ordained a priest in 1983.

Sports

Semonella Signs

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

Senior pitcher Anthony Semonella at Division Avenue High School has received a scholarship from the University of Bridgeport and has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at the collegiate level. He was joined by parents Donna and Ralph Semonella, Principal Dr. Francesco Ianni, Physical Education Chairperson Mauro Chiti and varsity baseball coach Tom Tuttle as he signed a letter confirming his acceptance to the university’s athletic program.

Photo provided by Syntax

Robert Naughton To Return To Cardinals

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

St. Thomas Aquinas College freshman Robert Naughton, of Levittown, has made his impact known in the NCAA Baseball East Coast Conference. Naughton started out his 2013 campaign not allowing an earned run in the first 19 innings he pitched.

At completion of his first season Naughton pitched 58 innings compiling a record of 6-1, leading the East Coast Athletic Conference with an era of 1.54.