Rockville Centre, New York, July 18, 2006 – Bishop William Murphy appointed Father James Mannion as pastor of Holy Family parish in Hicksville, N.Y., effective June 28, 2006.

Father Mannion had previously been pastor at Cure of Ars parish in Merrick, N.Y. until he had a heart attack in January 2003. He was then re-assigned to St. Brigid’s parish in Westbury as associate pastor.

Although he was saddened to leave Cure of Ars, his home parish, Father Mannion said parishioners at Holy Family parish need him and newly ordained Father Henry Reid to help them through difficult times.

“There’s a need for a spirit of healing, a need for a spirit of new life in the midst of all the pain,” said Father Mannion. “My main concern is to be the pastor that brings people together.”

He compared his parishioners to a “large family,” saying he aims for them to “get along with each other.”

Father Mannion was ordained a priest December 12, 1981 and assigned to Our Lady of the Snow parish in Blue Point, N.Y. Later assignments included St. Bernard parish in Levittown, N.Y., St. Catherine of Sienna parish in Franklin Square, N.Y., St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, N.Y. and St. Frances de Chantel parish in Wantagh, N.Y.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Cathedral College, a master’s degree in theology from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, N.Y. and a master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University.

Holy Family parish needs to focus on reaching out and teaching, according to Father Mannion.

“We want people to feel a part of something bigger than themselves.”

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About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
The Diocese of Rockville Centre was formed in 1957 and covers 1,222 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 3.3 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 20,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 20,000 first communions and 5,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are 2,137 students in Catholic kindergarten, 23,825 in primary or elementary school, 12,628 in secondary school and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 76 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, two home-care agencies, two senior housing complexes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 80,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island. For more information, visit www.drvc.org

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

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