Communion breakfast brings parishioners together
Last Updated on Monday, 07 November 2011 14:37 Written by Cathy Finnegan Monday, 07 November 2011 14:31
It was a beautiful sunny fall Sunday morning when guests arrived at the Ocean City Yacht Club for the Second Annual Saint Damien Parish Communion Breakfast following the celebration of Mass at St. Frances Cabrini Church. Stan Duzy, who chaired the breakfast, was tending to last minute details when Jim and I arrived and Claire Duzy was sitting at the ticket table ready for the onslaught of guests after Mass. Stan and Claire hosted a Duzy Family Reunion at their bayfront home and despite the high wind and choppy waters took their guests for a boat ride in the bay Saturday afternoon. Bill McGinty had everything ready for breakfast when he stopped to chat with me about Hurricane Irene and the problems she caused. Joan Ricketts, Dottie McLaughlin, Rita D’Ambrosio and Janet Burk were among the first to arrive. Dottie participated in the American-Italian Club’s Annual Road Rally the night before between 11th and 15th Streets from the Boardwalk to the bay. Joan, Rita and Janet didn’t do the Road Rally but enjoyed dinner at Sandi Pointe later. Dottie has had season tickets to the Eagles since 1961, but is so upset with them this year she hasn’t bothered to go to a game. Geri and Joe Genevose had bragging rights as winners of the Road Rally. Joe DiOrio and my husband had their usual Semper Fi Marine greeting when Joe arrived at the breakfast with his friend Florence Driscoll. Jim and I felt like the unofficial greeters while standing at the entrance to the dining room. We chatted with Jane Doran, Jay and Mary Jane Anthony, Kathy and Joe Rebl, Joann and Bob Marzulli, Norma and Carmen D’Angelo, Kathy and John McCann and Ruthann and Joe Firmani.
Pat and Gerry Hughey just got back from Italy and Spain last week while Jim Dever and Marie Kolbe were in Albuquerque, NM for Jim’s niece’s wedding. Frank Faverzani and son, Mark, just flew in from Milwaukee at midnight but made it to the breakfast on time. Frank was so sure the Phillies would be playing the Brewers he got his plane tickets too early and rather then take a loss went to visit old friends from Ocean City and got a personally guided tour of the Brewers’ ballpark including the team locker room, dugout and walk across the playing field. Marlene Sheppard arrived with a silver candelabra and added pretty white flowers and candles and set up in the lobby to sell tickets for a chance to win an eight course dinner for eight prepared and served by Marlene and her entourage with all proceeds going to St. Damien’s Youth Ministries. Gail Damone, Doris and Joe DiCorcia and my neighbor Grace Capizola were her first customers. Congrats to Edwina and Roy Wagner who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this fall. Marion Henry was glad I didn’t try to take her picture when Jim and I stopped to catch up with her and husband Pat. Marge McGuckin must have gotten her tickets late as she and her guests, Anne and Bob Suter, Dolores Kleinfelter, Anne and Walt Adelmann and Arlene Diaco, had a table in the small area off the dining room. Mary Benson and I joked about not getting older, just getting better.
As guests took their seats I joined Jim at our table with Marie and Bud Knight and Nancy and Tom Kelly. Melissa and Tony Wilson and their daughter Julia joined us a little late as they thought the breakfast was at last year’s venue, Greate Bay Country Club. Stan Duzy thanked the 250 sold out crowd for supporting the breakfast with half of the proceeds going to St. Damien’s Youth Ministries and half for scholarships to be given to students going to Catholic elementary and high schools or any college or university. The scholarships will be given in memory of Edgar Bozzi, one of the Mainland High School’s football players killed in a car crash in August. Bill Flynn and Father Michael Rush gave a parish update and Katie Haviland reported on the youth ministry. This columnist was first at the buffet when our table got the nod and we also chatted with everyone when they passed by to fill their platters. Elaine Perino, Peg and Patrick Juliano and Carm Roash wanted to know if I had any pull and could get their table called next. Fred Marcell loves singing in the choir at St. Frances Cabrini as he’s the lone male with 12 women. His wife Toni doesn’t mind and said her husband sings loud. When John Van Stone isn’t selling real estate he can be seen running and biking the Boardwalk and playing golf in charity tournaments. Diane Van Stone introduced me to her mom, Eleanor Reynolds, who at 87 still drives and loves riding her stationary bike. Diane calls her mom the Energizer Bunny. Warren Iredell reports he is the new treasurer of the Ocean Reef Condo Association. Marie Dugan kept telling me to be sure and take pictures of different people at the breakfast.
Stan Duzy got help from Frankie, Mark and Nora Faverzani who drew numbers of door prize winners that included Bud Knight, Pete Madden and Vicki Pironti. Sue Sheppard admired my red dress and black jacket with gold zippers and wanted to know how I walked in my high heels. Marlene Sheppard recently had the thrill of driving around the famous Watkins Glen freeway track with a racing instructor from Australia. After helping out at the door Joan and Harry Bellwoar enjoyed breakfast with Joe Bellwoar, Rosemary Melnick, Sally and Tom Hooker, Barb and Ray Mateer and Jackie and Pat Patrizio, who were also celebrating Harry’s 80th birthday. Johanna Miskill is one good bridge player as I spotted her name on the Championship Bridge Boards at the Yacht Club. Johanna, who has six grandchildren, flew to Alaska for her granddaughter’s wedding. Deacon Joe Orlando was the guest speaker and drew in the crowd quickly with his play on words with guest’s names. Jokes about men and women further peaked the audience’s interest and before everyone knew it, it was 1 o’clock and Joe shouted “Go Eagles” and everyone headed home to watch the Eagles beat the Redskins. Julia Wilson got to take home the pretty fall flower centerpieces donated by Mark Videtto at Spinning Wheel Florist. On the way out Donald McDonald stopped to ask why I didn’t take his picture. I told him he was too late as I had already taken my quota of eight photos for my column.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|