205 Jackson Avenue
Syosset, NY 11791
Phone: 516-921-8030
Fax: 516-921-4549

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Dear College Students,

Each year at this time I like to write a letter to those of you who are going back to college. From what I have heard some of you receive this letter from parents or grandparents who send it to you. I'm glad they do. Consider yourselves lucky that you just receive it in the mail or are made to read it at home - because my nephews aren't so fortunate - they have to go out with me and listen to me preach this message to them! I have two college age nephews, Chris who is starting his second year at Cortland, and J.T. who is starting his first year at Fordham. Recently I went out with them so I could give them my “back to college” talk. I had just spoken to them about the need to bring the values and principles and morals that I know they have learned in their family with them to college, when J.T. interrupted by saying, “I know, I know, they'll be the first things I unpack when I get to college.” Now
that is not exactly the image that I was going to use, but I definitely liked it! In fact it reminded me of when I went off to college at Cornell in 1977 and when I unpacked my luggage and uncovered that my mother had put a crucifix in it. Unpacking that reminded me that I should be unpacking everything they had taught me - and it worked! So it is an image that I'd like to share with you: When you get to college, unpack your values and morals first!
Excessive drinking, any use of illegal drugs, sexual behavior, cheating, driving fast and distractedly, skipping classes, and the destruction of property, are unacceptable when you are home - well they are also unacceptable when you are at school. The rules don't change! If you behave poorly, that will attract other people who behave poorly, and I guarantee that will only end badly!
You know, as well as I do, that treating others with respect and dignity, that taking care of your own body as the Temple of the Holy Spirit that it is, that worshipping God on Sunday, that being honest and that using your energy and skills to help others - are the behaviors that you have been encouraged to practice throughout your lives, and which continue to be the behaviors we encourage you to practice in your college years. If you behave properly, that will attract other people who behave properly, and I guarantee that will end with great lifelong friendships and memories!
I mentioned being out with my college age nephews earlier. Something else we talked about when we went out the other night was the fact that Chris would be going back to Cortland two days later than he was scheduled to because he was a match with a patient who needed his bone marrow stem cells. So Chris was going to spend this past Wednesday hooked up to machines for six hours for the benefit of an unknown patient. That's the kind of service and selflessness that I know is so characteristic of healthy, strong, vibrant college age students! (As you can tell I am very proud of both my nephews - as well as, so many of you who I know to be generous, great people!)
So, two requests for this year at school: BE RESPONSIBLE and BE GENEROUS.
Be responsible by the way you behave - you know what you should not be doing, be responsible enough not to do it!
Be generous by the way you use your time for the benefit of others - volunteering, serving, helping - you know what you should be doing, be generous enough to do it!
And, oh yes, along the way do some studying! That's what you're there for. Discover new things, be open to the opportunities for growth that are all around you! I've noticed that a lot of young people when they are walking are looking downwards because they are texting - I'd like to suggest that when you're walking around - look up, look out - don't miss the world around you, don't miss discovering something new every day! May your college days be exciting, life-transforming, mind-expanding and fun!

Dear Parishioners,
I know this may sound trite, but I'm sure glad that we all have different interests in life.
On this Labor Day weekend I look around and am in awe of the many different interests
and careers that people have chosen. Thank God that there are people who are interested
in working with their hands doing manual labor - every time I see a road crew or pass a
construction site I am amazed at what they can accomplish! Electricians, plumbers,
and carpenters seem to be able to fix anything! Every time I visit a hospital or nursing
home I see individuals who are committed to providing great health care to the sick, the
elderly and to people who are physically and/or mentally challenged. Office workers,
church workers, government employees, lawyers, bankers, financial experts, and sales
people use skills of organization to keep things running, including the economy and the
government. Then there are the athletes and entertainers, and all who work in those
industries, who bring us the opportunity for relaxation and enjoyment. And of course
this week we are very aware of the service provided by everyone involved in the field of education - administrators, educators, and support staff. Also the military and those who work in the home, and the list can go on and on because as I said at the beginning it's amazing how people have such different interests and talents and careers. Well this Labor Day, let's give thanks for ALL of them. No ONE could accomplish everything - but together we have built a very productive, efficient and cooperative society!
To all who LABOR or who have labored or who desire to labor - Enjoy the holiday!