At St. Mary's 7th Annual Parish Golf and Dinner Outing, held on Thursday, June 20 at Plandome and Deepdale Country Clubs, there were no lone champions, rather tight knit foursomes: parishioners, family and friends enjoying a fun day of golf in support of St. Mary's Parish Social Ministry. Over $117,000 was raised via golf and dinner reservations, a cash raffle, silent auction, tee signs and sponsorships. Most of all, it was an opportunity to have fun and make memories.

Under the early evening sun, Phil Strocchia won the golf shoot-out while guests enjoyed the cocktail hour on the patio over looking the 18th hole. At the Island Theme dinner party, Msgr. John McCann extended his thanks to event Chairpersons Jake Blake, Scott Heaney, and Hope McLaughlin who made this year's outing a grand success. Hope described the huge turnout as "a great symbol of support not just for the parish, but also for the Social Ministry."

Sr. Nancy Bacci, director of St. Mary's Parish Social Ministry, thanked the generous guests for their support of the many programs (all of which are staffed by volunteers) that "fulfill the church's mission of love, justice, freedom, and peace by communally responding in organized ways to human needs," including support for the elderly, bereavement groups, and legal, career and budget counseling. Sr. Nancy was welcomed to St. Mary's on September 10, 2001; her sensitivity and ability to reach out to those who suffered tremendous loss in the WTC tragedy was evident then, and endures today.

Joe Mahon was recognized for his 11 year commitment to St. Mary's as Director of Development and Alumni Affairs. Msgr. McCann presented Joe with a plaque and wished him well in his new endeavor. Later in the evening, Frank Coughlin, Jr., parishioner and friend to Joe for 10 years, recognized him for uniting St. Mary's parish family with the development of events such as Take-A-Break (the annual fundraiser for St. Mary's Elementary School), high school reunions, and the Don Monti Memorial Golf and Tennis Classic. Joe received a standing ovation then thanked the parish family "who really made everything possible. Without you, we would not be the supportive family that we are." Joe has accepted a new position as Development Director at a hospital and healthcare center in Oneonta, New York.

The evening ended with the raffle drawing and auction winners. Many thanks to all the volunteers and underwriters for their involvement and generosity.