Church of Saint Mary Parish Bulletin July 6, 2025

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The Edith Denihan Memorial Auditorium in Immaculata Hall was filled with energy and anticipation on Wednesday, May 28, for the seventy-second Commencement Exercises at Saint Mary’s High School, as the Class of 2025, donning caps and gowns, joyfully walked in their processional. The evening ceremony was a wonderful celebration for all in attendance, especially the graduates, who had much to be proud of after their hard work and unwavering perseverance over the past four years.

With beautiful, thought-filled speeches from Miss Samantha Avdoulos, Valedictorian, and Miss Sophie Kwon, Salutatorian, every guest in attendance felt a sense of family, outstanding accomplishment, and joy radiating from the podium. Their speeches were a testament to the invaluable guidance and support provided by our dedicated faculty and staff, as well as their parents, who brought them into this world.

Samantha, who is from Whitestone and will attend Boston College School of Management to study marketing, shared, “Someone once told me that people are like flowers–we bloom when we’re in the right environment. And standing here today, I can say with absolute certainty: I bloomed here. I bloomed not because everything was perfect. But because of sunlight in the form of encouragement, water in the form of challenges, and roots in the form of lifelong connections I’ve made here.”

Sophie resides in Manhasset and is looking forward to the pre-med track at Georgetown University. She reminded

THE SCHOOLS OF ST. MARY

her classmates that “In uncertain times, it’s easy to feel like everything depends on us—our plans, our choices, our control. But one thing we’ve been reminded of, often quietly, is that God remains steady when everything else shifts. We don’t need to have everything figured out. We just need to keep moving, with faith that He’s walking with us, even when the path is unclear.”

Principal Gerard J. Buckley congratulated the Class of 2025, which earned nearly $25 million in academic scholarships and encouraged the graduates to remember the valuable lessons learned at St. Mary’s. “Be mindful that the choices you make lie squarely on your shoulders now. Remember to ask yourself if your decisions align with the values we’ve cultivated over the past four years at St. Mary’s, and throughout life, be true to yourself. Most importantly, remember, even when we are not looking, God is, so practice your faith.”

As a community, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to our newest St. Mary’s Alumni Family members, the Class of 2025! We also express our deepest gratitude to God and the families of our graduates, whose unwavering support and love have been instrumental in their success. We are also grateful to our dedicated faculty and staff, who nurtured and guided these young minds, and all the community members who support our school and its mission.

Ra e Prize Wish List

TRAVEL/TICKETS

• WEEKEND IN MANHATTAN/HAMPTONS

• SPA/GOLF/FISHING WEEKEND

• WINERIES

• YACHT/BOAT DAY TRIP

• THEME PARK TICKETS

• LOCAL RESIDENCE/VILLA/CONDO VACATION

• AQUARIUM/PLANETARIUM/ZOO

SPORTS

• TENNIS/GOLF/RIDING LESSONS

• GOLF FOURSOME AT A FAMOUS COURSE

• AUTOGRAPHED MEMORABILIA

• PICKLE BALL

SERVICES

• PERSONAL TRAINER

• BEAUTY SALON SERVICES

• DERMATOLOGY SERVICES

• HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES

• ROUND TRIP LIMOUSINE TO MANHATTAN

• DINNER PARTY AT YOUR HOME

• DINNER/LUNCH FOR TWO OR FOUR

• TREE OR FLOWERS PLANTED AT YOUR HOME

• LOCAL RESTAURANT GIFT CERTIFICATES

• DANCE/MUSIC LESSONS/CLASSES

• TOP GOLF GIFT CARD

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MISCELLANEOUS

• ART/PAINTINGS/SIGNED PRINTS

• FINE WINES/LIQUOR

• DESIGNER CLOTHING/HANDBAG/SUNGLASSES

• SPORTING/EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

• LUGGAGE

• FINE JEWELRY/WATCHES

• IPAD/IPHONE/IPOD

• WII/XBOX/PLAYSTATION

• GARDEN SCULPTURES

• GARDEN TOOLS/SUPPLIES

• HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS

• BABY GIFTS

• PET GIFTS/GROOMING

SPECIAL PACKAGES/EXPERIENCES

• DAY SPA

• LUNCH/DINNER ON A BOAT

• CONDO/CABIN/SKI RESORTS

• LOCAL LIMO/DINNER/OVERNIGHT HOTEL

• CATERED DINNERS

• GOLF PACKAGES

CONTACT KIERA WALSH FOR MORE

INFORMATION OR TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT DONATIONS. THANK YOU!

WEEK 1 JUNE 30-JULY 3*

THEATRE CAMP (Grades 5-9)**

This is a three-week program culminating with a show.

**Must attend all three weeks. Ends July 18.

ART CAMP (GRADES 1-8)

FUN & SUN DAY CAMP (GRADES 1-6)

BASKETBALL CAMP (GRADES 3-8)

*No camps held on July 4.

WEEK 2 JULY 7-11

THEATRE CAMP (Week #2 OF 3)

D

FUN & SUN DAY CAMP (GRADES 1-6)

CHEER CAMP (GRADES 1-8)

VOLLEYBALL CAMP (GRADES 6-9)

#3 OF

THEATRE CAMP (Week #3 OF 3)

LACROSSE CAMP (GRADES 1-8) WEEK 3 JULY 14-18

SUN & FUN DAY CAMP (GRADES 1-6)

WEEK 4 JULY 21-25

BASKETBALL CAMP (GRADES 3-8)

5 JULY 28- AUG 1

GoodSamaritanHouse AnnouncesFall BereavementGroup

A weekly support group for the bereaved and those struggling with unresolved loss will begin on September 9, 2025.

The session will run for ten consecutive weeks on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:30 PM. The primary goals of the group are to help the participants learn about the grief process, develop skills to manage their grief, and help them adjust to living in a world without the deceased.

The group is open to anyone who has lost a spouse, partner, parent, child, or sibling – including non-parishioners and people of other faiths. It should be noted though, St. Mary's bereavement sessions are faith based sessions that at times refer to bible verses or prayers to assist in the healing process.

For complete details and registration*, please scan the QR code or visit https://tinyurl.com/forthebereaved

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