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St. Pancras Hits 100 “We’re about community—parishioners and non-parishioners alike; whether you have a child in the school or not,” said Principal Philip Ciani, who last September celebrated his first year as St. Pancras School’s administrator.
the Times Newsweekly to provide an overview of the school at Myrtle Avenue and 68th Street, while discussing some of the events and activities that will take place, Joining them were Peg Walter, director of religious education; Linda Napolitano of the Parish Planning Committee; and Dorothy Young, president of fund-raising. “Everything we’re doing is taking on a centennial flavor,” Ciani said. As noted by Young, a “Brunch with the Easter Bunny” on Mar. 9 is among the upcoming events. A school centennial dance will be held in the auditorium on Apr. 19. Capping the schedule will be a centennial dinner-dance at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach on Nov. 1. The school’s birthday celebration was launched with great success last Oct. 12, when members of the Kiwanis Club of Glendale teamed in holding its Pasta Night to benefit St. Pancras School, on its 100th year. Approximately 440 alumni and friends turned out for the event, which was a complete sellout. The show of support was not surprising, given the pride and appreciation shared by generations of St. Pancras graduates whose education had included lessons in learning to give. Outpouring of support Father Gallo recalled last year’s response to the Annual Catholic Appeal, which required the parish to raise $46,600 as a sum payable to the Diocese of Brooklyn. “In anticipation of the school’s 100th anniversary, we told the parishioners that every nickel and dime over and above the $46,000 would go directly to the school,” the pastor said. Particularly gratifying was the response from two former public school principals who, as students, had graduated St. Pancras School. As anonymous donors, they contributed $20,000 to the campaign. “We went two hundred percent over our goal,” Gallo said, adding that it enabled him on last September’s Parent Orientation Night to present Ciani with a check for $50,000 for the school. Even so, upon relating this particular success story, Father Gallo lamented government’s failure to ease the burden for the taxpayers who choose to send their children to a Catholic school. In stating his belief that tuition tax credits are only fair, the pastor offered that he had done the math in figuring how much more it would cost the city and state if not for St. Pancras School. Affixed to the Myrtle Avenue side of the building is a sign that puts the savings at $4,446,000 per year. Getting the message Some people wear their hearts on their sleeve, as the saying goes. Presently, St. Pancras parishioners are being encouraged to display their affection for the parish by wearing a well-distributed button with a red heart against a background of purple—the color for Lent. It attests to the parish’s being a place that “Grows Heart-Mind-Soul.” It is the same message that is displayed on the school’s centennial banner, hanging above the main entrance of the building that was completed in 1953 under then-pastor Msgr. Herman Pfeifer. The school’s hall is named in his honor. As for the button, Father Gallo expects to see it worn by all who attend Mass—unless they’ve passed their own onto someone who doesn’t come to church or is without a child in St. Pancras School. “We have a good thing going and we want to share it with everybody,” the pastor said. Praise for principal He is quick to give credit to his principal, noting that since Ciani’s arrival, “not one parent, not one child” has felt a need to come to the rectory because of some school-related problem in need of resolution. For his part, Ciani’s 40 years at both public and parochial schools—a career that began in East New York and included a stint in southeastern Queens—has given him the confidence that he can solve any problem that might come his way. “I’ve been there, done that,” he said. Each school-day morning, the energetic Ciani can be found at the door of the building, ready to greet children and their parents. He stresses his availability—during lunch time, he’s in the cafeteria, interacting with students. After school, if a need arises, he is accessible to students and parents via his cell phone. Loss led to Glendale gain It was the misfortune of some parents and students in Brooklyn that made the highly regarded Ciani available to succeed Sr. Joseph Maureen Zick at St. Pancras. Prior to coming to Glendale, he was the principal at St. Anthony-St. Alphonsus School in Greenpoint, until it was closed by the Brooklyn Diocese in 2006 amid a reported decrease in enrollment. It’s no surprise that he stresses the importance of marketing his current school. Described by one parent as “tenacious,” Ciani has brought additional programs worth listing in any effort that promotes the school. His language and music programs, with the formation of a school band, have drawn praise—but no more so than the Mommy & Me program he initiated with support from the local Kiwanis Club. The activity for three-year-olds and their mothers is nothing short of “fantastic,” in the view of Peg Walter. She explained that the once-a-week program provides new parents with an opportunity to experience St. Pancras School before they have to make the decision of which school to choose for their child. Linda Napolitano agreed. “They already feel that they’re a part of the school—they have their roots here—and it makes it very easy to continue,” observed Napolitano, whose two daughters graduated St. Pancras School. One is currently a Catholic school teacher—due, in no small part, to the education she received at St. Pancras, her mother believes. Parish seen as family To parents like Linda Napolitano and Dorothy Young, the people of the parish and the school community—including the CYO sports program, such parish-based groups as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and all the volunteers—represent a special family. It’s a feeling that comes through in reading the messages that appear throughout the commemorative book that was published—an effort coordinated by Napolitano—in honor of the church’s centennial in 2004.
Amid all the printed words of congratulations and appreciation, there are the book’s bits and pieces of “family” history—in some cases, people and events fondly remembered by current parishioners. Among those pictured are the late Catherine Brady, who is identified in the book as a St. Pancras parishioner for 88 years, and Julius Farmer, a beloved custodian for 37 years who died on the premises of St. Pancras in 2003. Farmer was buried in a plot donated by Cypress Hills Cemetery and St. Pancras parishioners paid all funeral expenses. Brady, a St. Pancras graduate who died last December, was honored posthumously on Jan. 27, as a Mass with Bishop Octavio Cisneros as the main celebrant was held at St. Pancras Church to officially commence the school’s centennial. Her daughter, Mary Ann Harrison, was presented with a plaque in Brady’s honor. Events to remember Among the parish events that have garnered attention over the years, many recall when the St. Pancras Choristers accepted an invitation to perform in Rome at the 1982 beatification ceremony for Jeanne Jugan, founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Under the direction of church organist and choir director Andrew McArdle, the 70-member group sang for Pope John II, whom they subsequently met. It was an experience worthy of the pride shared by St. Pancras parishioners. As demonstrated by the recent Wax Museum event during Catholic Schools Week that had students giving presentations as famous figures, the parish school has seen its share of memorable highlights since its beginning with the arrival of four Dominican nuns in 1908. In keeping with the message of the Lenten button that is being worn 100 years later, more are sure to grow.
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