The
Reverend Monsignor

 
FRANCIS EUGENE OLIVERIO
Words of Deliberation

Dear Alumni of St. Agatha's,

My first word is that I never forgot you.  You have been so often in my thoughts and always in my prayers.  In the days of our youth, we had each other and that was enough.  We had the security and safety of St. Agatha's and that gave us peace even though we were too young to realize it.  We had the love of the Sisters and dedicated staff and that was our freedom.

A good number of you, over the years, have told me of your love and gratitude for the Sisters.  What they have taught you in becoming self-respectful and independent young ladies and gentlemen was so much, and forever would gratitude pour forth.  As they were good to you, so were they good to me.

Oh, how I loved St. Agatha's!  How I hated to leave!  It was so much fun - stickball, handball, football, snowball fights, underwater football, sleigh riding down the slopes, visiting the units at nights for story-telling.  I really came for the snacks!  Do you realize I ate more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches than a whole nation of people put together???

Over the years a good number kept in touch - a letter, a phone call, a Christmas card.  Some have come for a visit.  Some of you are nearing sixty or more years of age.  Some of you are now grandparents.  I remember the altar boys.  I was strict with them.  I wanted to use all the altar boys from Christmas and Easter.  Sister Paula and Sister Charles used to dress you in red cassocks, big white stiff collars, and big red bows.  Louis Perez always led that large procession.  I wonder how many remember me screaming that in the procession hands had to be folded and one head directly behind the other.  Then I would scream that if any head was out of order there would be bloodshed in the Chapel and that would mean we would have to call the Bishop to reconsecrate the Chapel which was necessary when there was bloodshed.  What you didn't know, altar boys, was that the Sisters who could hear me would laugh and laugh to hear me talk that way!

How well I remember the snowball fights!  Zaida Cortez once hit Father Dunne from St. Anthony's with a chunk of ice right in the face!  He has the flattest nose in all of Rockland County.

Love you kids, always will.  After I left, Marcia Wilson sent me a Christmas LP with Mexican Christmas carols.  I still play it.  It is one of my dearest treasures.

God bless all of you.  Much love always. (AgaLinks 2000)

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FOR UPDATE ON FR. OLIVERIO OR TO CONTACT/VISIT HIM:
Maria Agosto: wallofreflection@live.com