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New Pastor Assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Parish
U.S. Navy Chaplain for 20 Years Named Spiritual
Leader of Lindenhurst Parish
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ROCKVILLE CENTRE,
NEW YORK, June 29, 2007—The Most Reverend William
 Murphy,
Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, appointed Father Anthony
M. Trapani pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish,
Lindenhurst, N.Y., effective June 27, 2007.
“It’s going to be an exciting experience,” Father Trapani
said. “This is where it all begins. My hope is to bring people
back to Church because this is where they belong.”
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Father Trapani attended Mount St. Paul
College, Waukesha, Wis. and earned a bachelor’s degree in
philosophy at the Holy Apostles Seminary College, Cromwell,
Conn.
Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre on May
26, 1973, Father Trapani’s first assignment was as associate
pastor of St. Bernard parish, Levittown, N.Y., followed by St.
Martha parish, Uniondale, N.Y. and St. Rose of Lima parish,
Massapequa, N.Y.
He served as a Navy Reserve chaplain from 1984 to 1987, when
he became an active duty chaplain. His assignments for the
next 20 years included Europe; Northern Africa; Arlington
National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.; Naval Education and
Training Center, Newport, R.I.; Va. as grand chaplain of
amphibious ships; Fleet Hospital 8, Spain; Naval Hospital
Bremerton, Bremerton, Wash.; and Naval Submarine Base, Groton,
Conn.
Father Trapani said the five months he spent at the Fleet
Hospital were the most intense. Of the 1800 patients there at
the time, about 25 to 35 percent showed red flag symptoms of
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“I was trying to console people who had to deal with the
intensity of a war,” he said. “The most important concern they
have is ‘Does God still love me?’ No one comes back
unaffected.”
Serving as a Navy chaplain has given him a broader perspective
on the Church, Father Trapani said.
”Young people are in desperate need of faith and something to
believe in,” he said. “My hope is to be able to inspire people
to take on a greater share.
“I’m at the front end of the need that’s out there for the
faith to be more dynamic,” he continued. “I know the things
that are important and the things that are not important.”
Editor’s Note: Photo Courtesy of The Long Island
Catholic/Greg Shemitz
# # #
About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
Celebrating its Golden Jubilee, 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)
For more information Contact:
Sean P. Dolan
Director of Communications
516-678-5800, ext. 625
sdolan@drvc.org
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