30 January 2008

New Chaplains Appointed to Diocesan Catholic Lawyers Guild

ROCKVILLE CENTRE,  NEW YORK — The Most Reverend William Murphy, bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, recently appointed three priests of the diocese to five year terms as new chaplains to the Catholic Lawyers Guild.  Rev. Msgr. James F. Pereda, judicial vicar, Diocese of Rockville Centre, has been appointed chaplain of the Catholic Lawyers Guild.  Rev. Msgr. John A. Alesandro, pastor of the Church of St. Dominic, Oyster Bay was appointed chaplain of the Nassau County Chapter and Father John McCartney, pastor of St. Matthew’s parish, Dix Hills was appointed chaplain of the Suffolk County chapter.  

The Catholic Lawyers Guild was organized in 1958 to foster spiritual growth and fellowship among Catholic lawyers and all court personnel.  It also seeks to enhance appreciation for and observance of high ethical standards in the practice of law, and to encourage attentiveness among lawyers to the weightier matters of the law - justice, mercy and faith.

The Guild sponsors an annual Red Mass in Nassau and Suffolk counties at the beginning of the judicial year. Bishop Murphy celebrates and preaches at these annual Masses and they provide a forum wherein he can teach the Church’s social doctrine.  In addition, on the first Friday of each month at 12:30 p.m., the Nassau Chapter gathers to celebrate Mass and enjoy lunch at the Nassau County Bar Association in Garden City, NY.

Monsignor Pereda expressed his admiration for the members of the Guild observing that the practice of law provides an occasion for growth in the spiritual life for those who do so with professional competence and the desire to become saints in the world.  The Patron of the Catholic Lawyers Guild is St. Thomas More.

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About The Diocese of Rockville Centre

The Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 2.8 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 18,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 19,000 first communions and 4,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are approximately 22,000 students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary schools and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 69 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. There are also 120,189 total students in religious education. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 59,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island. (4/20/07)

 

Contact:
 

Sean P. Dolan
Director of Communications
516-678-5800, ext. 625
rvcinfo@drvc.org