Welcome from the Staff at Holy Name of Mary Parish

The Staff at Holy Name of Mary

Do you have an interest in the priesthood? Do you have questions about religious life? This is your opportunity to get answers about life as a priest, sister or brother!

To obtain information or for any questions, please contact:
Vocation Director, Father Thomas M. Coogan
Vocation Office
440 West Neck Road
Huntington, New York 11743
Phone: 1-631-424-9888

Monsignor Thomas J. Harold, Pastor

Father Thomas Harold was born in New York in 1954 and baptized at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hempstead. He attended elementary school at St. Thomas the Apostle School, and at that parish celebrated the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. He is the middle of seven children and has five brothers and one sister. After graduating from St. Thomas the Apostle, Father Harold attended Chaminade High School from which he graduated in 1972. After graduation from Chaminade he entered the Society of Mary, Marianists, and attended St. John's University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology with a double major in English.

Father Harold began teaching English at Chaminade in 1976 and soon after beginning his teaching career, earned a Master of Arts in English from Hofstra University. While a teacher at Chaminade, he served as guidance counselor, the newspaper and yearbook moderator, and student government moderator.

Leaving Chaminade in 1987, Father Harold felt the call to the priesthood and entered the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in September of 1987. Bishop John R. McGann ordained Father Harold a priest on May 25, 1991, and assigned him to Holy Family in Hicksville where he served for five happy years.

In 1996 Bishop McGann appointed Father Harold as Vocation Director of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He remained in that office until June 26, 2002. As Vocation Director he encouraged young men interested in the priesthood, and was helpful to those men and women who had an interest in religious life.

In late 1999, Father Harold was appointed Temporary Administrator of Holy Name of Mary Parish in Valley Stream, and after the death of Monsignor Fagan in April 2000, Father Harold was appointed Pastor of Holy Name of Mary effective June 28, 2000. He was formally installed as the eighth Pastor at a noon Mass on October 1, 2000. He is excited about the future of Holy Name of Mary Parish, and is hopeful that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the assistance of the Blessed Mother, the parish will continue its vibrant faith life.

Father Harold loves being a priest. He cannot imagine doing anything that would bring greater happiness and reward. He feels that it is a great privilege to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, and is hopeful that others might feel that call to priesthood and be generous in their response.

He is an avid Mets fan and enjoys the game of golf. He has made several trips to Ireland where his grandparents were born. Visiting Ireland brings a sense of rest and relaxation and a wonderful reminder of his roots.

On May 16, 2007, Bishop William Murphy announced the conferral of papal honors for the diocese’s Jubilee Year, the designation of “monsignor” on Monsignor Thomas Harold, pastor of Holy Name of Mary Church, Valley Stream. In a letter announcing the honors, Bishop Murphy said that “the title of monsignor is granted to these 12 priests in recognition of their extraordinary pastoral service to the diocese."

Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved.
Van Kaam

Monsignor Edward J. Donnelly
In Residence as a retired priest

Monsignor Edward Donnelly joined Holy Name of Mary as a retired priest in residence after having retired as pastor of Holy Family Church, Hicksville, on June 30, 2004. He had been pastor of Holy Family Church since 1990. Monsignor was born in Brooklyn, studied for the priesthood at Cathedral College and Immaculate Conception Seminary, and was ordained a priest in 1954. He served as associate pastor of St. Patrick's, Huntington; Notre Dame, New Hyde Park; and St. Thomas the Apostle, West Hempstead. He was appointed administrator of St. Anthony of Padua, East Northport, in 1974 and pastor there two years later. He received papal honors with the title “monsignor” in 1985.

Reverend Theodore J. LeTure,
Pastor Emeritus

Father Leture was the fifth pastor of Holy Name of Mary, serving from 1976 to 1992. He presently is retired and living in Florida, and makes many trips back to Holy Name of Mary.

Reverend Robert William Ketcham
Associate Pastor

Father Robert Ketcham was assigned as Associate Pastor at Holy Name of Mary, effective Wednesday, June 25, 2008. This is his first assignment since his ordination on June 14, 2008.
His home parish was St. John the Evangelist, Center Moriches.
Father Robert Ketcham was born on January 11, 1978 in Southampton. “My parents had the courage to bring the faith into the home.”
His mother and father are both devoted to the Blessed Mother. He has one sister and said the family would always pray the rosary at home. He likes to sing and play the guitar and as a teenager he played in a rock band.
Father Ketcham graduated from SUNY Oswego with a degree in Elementary Education and English. After college, he began to pray for guidance about where his life was going.
At this time, he was invited to join the LifeTeen group at St. John the Evangelist.
“It felt like home,” Father Robert said. He then took part in the St. Louis de Montfort Way of Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.
“We came together for 33 nights and prayed in front of the tabernacle. By the end of the consecration, I knew I was being called to the priesthood. It became very clear.”

Father Fernando Echeverri
El Padre Fernando Echeverri

El Padre Fernando Echeverri esta disponible para cualquier servicio o necesidad que tenga la hispano comunidad.
Reverend Fernando Echeverri is available for any service or need of the Hispanic community.

Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.
St. Francis of Assisi (1182 - 1226) founder of the Franciscan Order

Deacon Anthony W. Cuseo - Currently residing in Florida.

Deacon Tony Cuseo was ordained a deacon on May 18, 1996. He is a certified spiritual director and ministers in the parish as a pastoral minister. In May 2002 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from St. John's University, and a Masters Degree in Theology on January 28, 2005. His ministries include baptism, adult spirituality and leading wake services. In addition he is an Advocate for the Diocesan Tribunal.
Deacon Tony's main objective as a deacon is to serve the people of the parish and encourage the laity to assume a role in parish life.
Deacon Tony is shown above on November 19, 2006 receiving the Pope John XXIII Humanitarian Award from Harvest House, a housing program organized by the Amityville Dominican Sisters for the elderly. The award was presented at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. More than 400 people attended this tribute to Deacon Tony. He was cited for his service, work, and accomplishments as a businessman, a community leader, a deacon, and as a teacher. In his acceptance, Deacon Tony spoke of the wonderful gift the Sisters of St. Dominic have been to his life.

In this photo from the LI Catholic, Bishop William Murphy presents a St. Agnes Medal of Service to Deacon Anthony Cuseo during a ceremony at St. Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre, September 14, 2007. Deacon Cuseo is a volunteer at the St. Pius X Residence for senior priests in Uniondale. TLIC photo/Gregory A. Shemitz

Deacon James M. O'Hara Deacon Richard F. Raad Deacon Clyde C. Ruggieri

Mr. Richard A. McMahon, School Principal beginning August 2009

Mr. McMahon comes to us with the highest recommendations from those who have worked with him these past 36 years, both as a teacher and school administrator. He is a certified New York State School Administrator and certified for New York State Special Education K.-12 and New York State Elementary Education K-6. He has taught at the elementary, high school and college level for 18 years, including time at the American International School in Switzerland. He has spent 22 years as a school administrator, both as an Assistant Principal and Principal, primarily in the public schools of Long Beach, Island Park and Manhasset. Most recently, he has completed two years as Interim Principal at New Rochelle Trinity Elementary School. He brings to us a wealth of experience.
Very importantly, Mr. McMahon brings to us his Catholic faith. He is an active parishioner in his parish and serves as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. He is very familiar with Catholic education as an alumnus of Long Beach Catholic and as a parent whose four children attended Catholic High School.

Mrs. JoAnn Vitiello, previous School Principal

Mrs. Vitiello was Principal of Holy Name of Mary School from September, 2006 through June, 2009. Mrs. Vitiello came to us from St. Joseph's College where she served on the faculty of the School of Education and instructed her students who were preparing to teach elementary education. Prior to her years at St. Joseph's College, Mrs. Vitiello was principal at two Catholic parish schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Mrs. Vitiello brings a marvelous blend of experience as a teacher and administrator as well as a deep awareness of the needs and emphasis in contemporary elementary education.

Sister Elizabeth Marie Lynch, C.S.J.
Retired School Principal

Sister Elizabeth is a Sister of St. Joseph of Brentwood, NY. Sister has her B.S. in Education from Brentwood College and her certification in Administration from Fordham University. Sister was a principal since 1970 and was the Principal at Holy Name of Mary from 1977 through June of 2005, when she retired.

Sister Emily Masse, O.P., Religious Education Director

Sister Emily began as Religious Education Director at Holy Name of Mary in September of 2004.

Sister Barbara Anne Shea, O.P.
Retired Religious Education Director

After more than 50 years of ministry in Catholic school and Religious Education, Sister Barbara retired from full-time ministry in June of 2004.

Sister Margaret Kelly, C.S.J.
Parish Outreach
hnmoutreach@verizon.net

Sister Margie Kelly is a Sister of St. Joseph and is the Parish Outreach Coordinator here at Holy Name of Mary. She grew up in Nassau County, attended St. Thomas the Apostle School in West Hempstead. After studying in Brentwood College and St. Joseph's College, she received a degree in Education and taught in Catholic Schools in Queens and Long Island for 15 years. When she came to Holy Name in 1983, Sister Margie began and developed the Parish Outreach Program and continues to organize and direct its many activities and areas of concern. In 1991, Sister Margie received her MSW from Fordham University and since that time has been utilizing her skills as a Social Worker to enhance the scope of Parish Outreach.

Sister Margie finds the work she does at Holy Name of Mary Parish to be both life giving and challenging. Those who come to outreach are often in great need but many times are also an inspiration to both staff and volunteers. And she is constantly amazed and touched by the wonderful generosity of individuals and groups on our community who share their time, possessions and themselves with others. There is no doubt in Sister Margie's mind that “this is a great place to be.”

On Saturday, December 15, 2007, Sister Margie was honored by Assemblyman Bob Barra as a Woman of Distinction. Honoring seven women from the 14th Assembly District, Mr. Barra cited Sister Margie's leadership in the local community as well as in the parish. He especially noted Sister Margie's compassion, “Her care and support of those within the community is endless.” Sister Margie's work as Parish Outreach Coordinator demonstrates not only her compassion and generosity, but also her leadership.

Mr. Kevin J. Faughey,
Music Director

Mr. Kevin Faughey is the full-time Director of Music at Holy Name of Mary. He serves the parish as Organist, Choir Master and Cantor. Mr. Faughey has served parishes in the Brooklyn Diocese and Rockville Centre Diocese for 40 years. He began as an Associate Organist at Immaculate Conception Church in Long Island City on January 1, 1965. Besides having a degree in Music, Mr. Faughey is also certified in Pastoral Liturgy and Music from the Diocese of Rockville Centre and is also certified as a Choir Master from the American Guild of Organists. Mr. Faughey is also the Conductor of the Glee Club of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in New York City.

He is married and has two children.

Mrs. Rosemary Pettei, Family Ministry Coordinator

Mrs. Pettei began at Holy Name of Mary in September of 2006. Mrs. Pettei came to us from St. Barnabus the Apostle Parish, Bellmore where she most recently served as Director of Religious Education. Prior to ministry at St. Barnabus, Mrs. Pettei was very involved in many parish activities at Holy Family, Hicksville. Mrs. Pettei's concentration is Family Ministry. Here at Holy Name, Mrs. Pettei will work with school-aged families in a special way, helping them in a more regular sacramental practice, particularly Sunday Mass. She will also assist in sacramental preparation. Mrs. Pettei has earned her Master's Degree in theology from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception.

On Eagles Wings, words and music 1978 by Rev. Michael Joncas
Sequenced by Tim Drinkard

Photos of Father Harold, Deacon Tony, Sister Barbara and Sister Margie, courtesy of Mary Ann Cahill