We would like to welcome Father Kevin Smith, the new pastor of St. Dominic's of Oyster Bay. We had the pleasure of meeting him on Sunday, at the St. Rocco Feast. Father Smith worked for Telecare some time ago. When the Pope was recently in New York, he did the play-by-play coverage of his visit for television.

Father Smith told us his homily on Sunday was about discipleship since it was the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul.

When chatting about the festival and the suggestion of Frank Schifano that the next one might be for St. Rocco and St. Patrick, Father Smith said, "You never know. I'm up to anything if it brings in a crowd. Two saints working on the weather would be great."

This year the feast was hit by "the perfect storm" of having the feast earlier in the year; that the school was still in session; that Sunday was graduation for local high schools; and the weather seemed to be always filled with "pop showers," a new name for sudden rains.

Carol Reilly said at the Mass, Father Smith talked about bringing the church together and reminded people how important their participation is. She said that he would be listening to them. He said, "I'm not here to tell you what you need to do as a parishioners, but to do what you want me to do."

He said, "I'm here to increase your faith."

Those were wonderful messages to hear, and meeting Father Smith, we were immediately impressed with his warmth and accessibility.

We join the parish in greeting their new pastor, and see great things ahead for St. Dominic's as well as the health of the religious communities of Oyster Bay.

It's a great time for all of us, and we all will benefit from the happiness and joy that we know will be radiating out of St. Dominic's. - DFK