Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish’s 150^th Anniversary Celebration Commences with an Opening Mass

It was standing room only inside Saint Ignatius Loyola Church on the morning of January 11, 2009 as the Parish’s year-long 150^th Anniversary celebration began at 9:30 AM with an opening Mass.  The Most Reverend William F. Murphy, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, was the principal celebrant of the Mass.  Monsignor Donald T. Bennett, Pastor, Father Jose. P. Quilcate, Associate Pastor, and visiting priest Father Francis Arackal, OP, concelebrated the Mass while Deacon George A. Mais assisted.  The Knights of Columbus Color Guard also participated.

Bishop Murphy’s Homily went back in time to the first Mass celebrated in the Parish in 1855 by an Irish priest in a community that was mainly comprised of German ancestry.  The Parish was established in 1859.  The first St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Church was built in the same year and later replaced by the current church in 1891.  He continued by acknowledging many of the former Pastors of the Parish and the contributions that they made to the Parish and the community of Hicksville, ending with our own beloved Pastor, Monsignor Bennett.

Next, Bishop Murphy spoke of the vibrant and diverse people of the current Parish community, briefly speaking in Spanish as well.  He then addressed the younger generation present in the church, asking them to remember that they are part of such a faith-filled, history rich Parish, so that they can tell their grandchildren about the community of Saint Ignatius Loyola in Hicksville.

After the Mass, a reception was held in Monsignor Tarrant Hall, during which the clergy and parishioners enjoyed breakfast and refreshments while reminiscing about the past.

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