NDA Alumni Club’s annual ‘Eve of Solemn Remembrance’ will mark 21st anniversary of 9/11 attacks | Inside Out
Happy Friday Eve #HappyFridayEve
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Bishop John O’Hara as he adminsteres the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist during the Eve of Solemn Remembrance several years ago.(Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)Staff-Shot
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — With the month of September under way, Staten Islanders are reminded of the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Nearly 300 Staten Islanders lost their lives that day, and more than two decades later first responders are still succumbing to illnesses related to the toxic air at Ground Zero.
The University of Notre Dame Club of Staten Island will conduct its annual “Eve of Solemn Remembrance,” a religious observance to comfort family members, relatives and friends of the victims.
The event is set for Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in Our Lady of Pity R.C. Church at 1616 Richmond Ave., Bulls Head. The event will begin with sacred music by Maura & Company. The Mass will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Mass, that will be concelebrated by Bishop John J. O’Hara, will include a reading of the names of all Staten Islanders who died Sept. 11, 2001 and a candlelight ceremony.
Bishop John O’Hara, the main celebrant and homilist for the Eve of Solemn Remembrance for 9/11 as he sings a hymn several years back. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)Staff-Shot
In addition to those who died, the Notre Dame Club will mourn individuals who played an active role in past Eve of Solemn Remembrance services, such as co-founder and community leader Jim Smith, Jim Drury, assistant commissioner of the FDNY Notre Dame Club member, Monsignor Fred Berardi, chaplain of the Notre Dame Club, Kevin Fair, drum major of the Staten Island Pipe & Drums, and Maura Molloy, who was musical director of the service for the past nine years.
Each year, Jim Smith would read the names of Staten Islanders lost on Sept. 11, 2001, during the Eve of Solemn Remembrance. (Courtesy/Mary DiBiase Blaich/Catholic New York)Staten Island Advance
Members of the Staten Island Pipe & Drums. (Courtesy/Mary DiBiase Blaich)Staten Island Advance
ITS EARLY BEGINNINGS
Back in 2002, Joe Delaney, director of the Eve of Solemn Remembrance and the former president of the University of Notre Dame Alumni Club of Staten Island, founded the observance together with Jim Smith, who would read each name aloud, a vital part of the memorial. Delaney and Smith partnered each year to mark the event at well-attended Masses.
Joseph Delaney, co-founder of the Eve of Solemn Remembrance.STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
Sadly, Smith lost his life to COVID-19 in 2020. Delaney has continued with the sacred tradition.
The first Eve of Solemn Remembrance was hosted on Sept. 10, 2002 at St. Peter’s R.C. Church in New Brighton.
Delaney notes: “It is an honor for The University of Notre Dame Alumni Club of Staten Island to sponsor this Memorial Service that began 20 years ago, on Sept. 10, 2002 at St.Peter’s Church, New Brighton. From the earliest days of Christianity, the eve, the watch through the night, has been part of the most solemn Catholic commemorations. We hope our annual service will continue to bring healing to the Staten Island Community that suffered so much on Sept. 11, 2001.”
STATEN ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2022 ANNUAL BUILDING AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Building Awards Program, now in its 60th year, continues to celebrate the best in construction and design for commercial and residential properties throughout Staten Island.
Each year, entries are submitted by homeowners with new construction or renovations, contractors, engineers, architects, interior designers, landscapers, and craftsmen, which are judged by industry experts.
Submissions for the prestigious award ceremony are now open. Projects completed before 2022 are eligible, but all projects must have a completion date prior to August 2022. Completed construction projects, existing space renovations, interior design projects, green spaces, and more are all eligible to submit.
For further information visit https://sichamber2295.wufoo.com/forms/sichamber-2022-building-awards-application
All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and awards will be distributed on the day of the event. All award recipients are also covered at length in a Sunday edition of the Staten Island Advance, following the event. Judging will be held Friday, Oct. 7 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
“Everybody has their own personal tastes and preferences when it comes to buildings,” said Chamber President and CEO Linda Baran. “But that’s the great part about the Building Awards. Our judges are true professionals with years in the industry and, when they visit the sites, they look for quality materials, expert craftsmanship, and exquisite design. The Awards are all about the excellent work our building and design industries do here on Staten Island.”
The Building Awards Luncheon is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at the Island Chateau, Grasmere. Registration, sponsorship, and further event details will be announced in the coming weeks.
TODT HILL HOUSES FAMILY AND FRIENDS REUNION
Mitch Gotesky explains 12 years ago a group of friends had an idea that individuals who once resided in the Todt Hill Houses — some who hadn’t seen one another for 40 plus years — would want to reunite and take a trip down memory lane.
Gotesky thought it would be a time one event. But 11 reunions later, organizers are still making plans for the annual get together.
Staten Island Advance
The 11th annual Todt Hill Houses Reunion and Morning Golf Outing is set for Saturday, Sept. 24 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Nansen’s Park in Travis, with hot and cold food along with beer, wine and soda.
Those interested in attending should mail checks in the amount of $60 to Ed Letendre, 411 Spring Meadow Drive, Lakewood, N.J. 08701.
Contact Joe McAdams at jspm4270@aol.com, Paul Rey at King326@aol.com or the above-mentioned Mitch Gotesky at nycred1@aol.com.
Gotesky adds, “If you are one of the ‘privileged’ who was part of this awesome neighborhood growing up on Staten Island and plan to attend please, contact the committee.”
To be acknowledged are Pati Kirley Smith, Joe and Teresa Revello, Marge Sellenthin Oneil and Gotesky, the original committee, and Paul Rey, Ed Letendre, Joe McAdams, Fran Mulrooney and Tim Clinton who climbed on board to help continue the annual Todt Hill tradition.
CELEBRATIONS – SEPT. 4 TO SEPT. 10
SEPT. 4
Sunday is birthday time for Samantha Remi, Sam Borowski, Phil Brittain, Paige Nicole DiStefano, Patrick Cocozziello, Concetta Presto and Derek Balsamini.
SEPT. 5
Heading the birthday list Monday is Sebastian (Sibbie) Angelico, chairman and founder of the Emergency Children’s Help Organization (E.C.H.O.), along with Carol Minutello, Karen Rand, Sharon Jahns, Joseph Bocchiaro and twins Erin and Megan Sullivan.
Congratulations to Giuseppe and Maria Tafuri who celebrate their wedding anniversary Monday.
SEPT. 6
Happy birthday Tuesday to Phillip Waldhelm, Doris Bossert, Stephen Fish and Barbara Vitale.
Happy wedding anniversary Tuesday to Maryann and Tommy Geissler.
SEPT. 7
The best of birthdays Wednesday to retired New York State Supreme Court Justice John Fusco, who shares a birthday today with Forbes Irvine, Doreen Murphy, who turns 59, Eric Waldhelm, Robert Kilichowski Jr., Robert Wallen turns 27, Chelsea Smith and Gary A. Nielsen, who turns 58.
Happy wedding anniversary Wednesday to Regina and Charles Dugan who celebrate their 59th.
SEPT. 8
Birthday greetings Thursday to Bob Kilichowski Sr., Rosemary Andersen, Paul Hickey, Liam Tristan Carr, Ashley Rose Marrocco, Isabella Gundry and Joe Biskup, who turns 62.
Happy 59th wedding anniversary Thursday to Betty and Carl Carrara.
SEPT. 9
Happy birthday Friday to New York State Supreme Court Justice Michael Brennan, Rose Myslicki, Cathy Favolaro, Patti Bossert, Michael Ryan, Jose Quiles, Maura Grunlund, Michael Weinamaker, Michele Ferrante, Alexandrea Jean Enderes, Tom Wrobleski, Jose’ Quiles and Doreen Eisler.
SEPT. 10
Saturday is birthday time for Daniela Palumbo, Kelly DeCicco, Justin Larson, who turns 14, Cheryl Chirelli Wright, Rocky Salemmo who turns 32, Susan Taranto and Tim Geary.
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