 | Jones Center of Chicago Heights, on the East Side.
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News on St. Anthony Hall Note
that our hall, named after St. Anthony, is available for rental, for
special occasions, such as baptisms, first Communions, quinceneras,
weddings, and funeral luncheons. Even people who are not regular members
of San Rocco Oratory are welcome to rent the hall. Your contact person
is Yvette Betancourt at (708) 654-7497 or [email protected].
This hall is at 330 East 21st Street in Chicago Heights. The entrance
is on the east side of our main parking lot, east of the church
building. A full kitchen is available. As you wish, you can
prepare your own meal or obtain catering from a local restaurant, such
as Glenwood Oaks or Scrementi's.
 | At the annual St. Joseph's Day Table, Pepe DiGiovanni addresses the multitude.
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 | The great DiGiovanni clan, in red, takes part in grace before meals and the blessing of the St. Joseph Day Table.
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 | As you can see, today everybody wears red.
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 | Easter Sunday, 2012, San Rocco Oratory is filled.
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 | The Easter Sunday choir sings in full voice, directed by Celeste Jones, at the piano. We have seven women and three men.
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 | August Anzelmo proclaims the First Reading. Earlier, he obtained the Easter lilies you see in front of the altar.
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 | For the Responsorial Psalm after the First Reading, Mary Jones sings the verses. She is in her fourth year at Milliken.
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 | Father Gilligan proclaims the Gospel. As usual, the introductory dialogue and the conclusion are both sung. On the left is
Ryan Wess; on the right, Mike Pena. Both hold candles, in honor of
Christ who speaks in the Gospel.
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 | As
usual, the priest sings the petition of the Universal Prayer, the
Prayer of the Faithful. In the back, you see the banner of the risen
Christ, displayed during Eastertime, up to and including Pentecost
Sunday.
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 | With
the people, the choir sings after each petition, "Lord, we beg you,
hear our prayer." While the people sing in unison, the choir sings in
four-part harmony.
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 | At
the beginning of the preparation of the gifts & altar, the people
bring forward the bread & wine, as well as the collection.
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 | During
the Our Father, many people raise their hands in prayer, as recommended
in the 1984 Italian sacramentary. This is the traditional "orans"
posture for prayer, today still used by the priest, at Mass and at the
Liturgy of the Hours.
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 | As
on other Sundays, Communion on Easter is given under both forms of
eating the consecrated bread and drinking the consecrated wine.
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 | April
29, we celebrate confirmation and First Holy Communion. Here, Paul
Rodriguez reads the First Reading. Paul is the sponsor of Michael Pena,
who today receives confirmation and Communion.
The deacon, Dennis Robak, is on the left. He coordinates the ceremonies
of the liturgy.
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 | The
confirmation choir supports the people, in their singing. Today, we are
blest with nine women and four men. The choir's four-part harmony is
strong and vibrant.
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 | Before
confirmation itself, Bishop Perry says a prayer to God our Father, for
the gift of the Holy Spirit. Above, Konrad Pater holds the sacramentary
for Bishop Perry.
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 | Here, Bishop Perry congratulates each person just confirmed.
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 | Above,
from the left, are Father Gilligan, Stefani Molinaro, Jovan Gutierrez,
Kristopher Kalch, Bishop Perry, Michael Pena (back row), Vincent Kalch,
and Sofia Pena.
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 | At
the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Bishop Perry says a
blessing prayer quietly: "Blest are you, Lord, God of all creation..."
This prayer is comparable to Jewish grace before meals.
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 | During
the preparation of the gifts & the altar, Bishop Perry now begins
to incense the altar itself, as a sign of honor to Christ. While
swinging the censer, he walks around the altar. After our fire in 2007,
this is the new altar that Bishop Perry himself blessed, when he came
here.
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 | While walking around the altar, Bishop Perry stops and incenses the banner of the risen Christ.
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 | As
he leaves, at the end of Mass, Bishop Perry greets individuals with a
handshake. Deacon Rozak, on the left, walks immediately behind the
presider.
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The following hymn is sung by all the people, as the main element in the final commendation. 1. May God welcome her in glory, and the Father's praise increase, for the blessings given her at birth, for the love we shared with her on earth, God, grant her rest and peace; God, grant her rest and peace.
2. O Lord, we will surely wander; yet, wherever we might roam, we remember how she laughed and cried, how her faith was firm and never died. Lord, bring her safely home; Lord, bring her safely home.
3. The life we have lived is ending, and the world we know will cease. Yet the love we lived in our eyes, and the hope of heaven never dies. God, grant her rest and peace; God, grant her rest and peace. Copyright (c) 1992 American Catholic Press. All rights reserved.
 | St. Anthony Hall, part of the San Rocco complex, on the east side of the main parking lot.
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 | DiGiovanni family gathering, in the St. Anthony Hall of San Rocco Oratory.
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January 1, 2012: San Rocco Oratory receives a thank-you letter from the Jones Center
in Chicago Heights. Each December, we collect food for the poor,
which is then passed on to the Jones Center on the east side of town. Sunday, January 15, 2012: From the Coleman Group, Jordan Good comes to San Rocco for Sunday Mass. Afterwards, he gives a short, video presentation on GiveCentral.com,
a program that provides for electronic giving. This program is
recommended by the Chicago Archdiocese for every parish and
oratory. Bishop Perry says that the bugs have been worked out and
that the program works well. Instead of checks or cash, donors
simply have a regular amount transferred from their bank account to that
of San Rocco Oratory. After Jordan's presentation, people asked
several questions; there was considerable interest in GiveCentral.com.
About a year ago, after the Rector consulted St. Lawrence O'Toole and
Infant Jesus of Prague parishes, San Rocco Oratory began to use Parish
Pay. However, Give Central seems to have several advantages;
that's the program we use now. 
February 18, Saturday: Mia Brames, daughter of Brian Brames and Jill Jacobucci, celebrates her first birthday, in St. Anthony Hall. February
22, Ash Wednesday: For the traditional Liturgy of the Word on
this day, with distribution of ashes, the San Rocco choir participates;
their rehearsal immediately follows, in the church building.
Celeste Jones, director, has already selected new music for Eastertime. February 24, Friday: As in previous years, we celebrate the Way of the Cross (Stations) in church, followed by Vespers. We follow the order given in the Leaflet Missal
prayerbook. In Vespers, everything but the Scripture reading is
sung. During Lent, we gather every Friday, for Stations and Vespers. 
March 2, Friday: In the church building, at 11 a.m., we celebrate the funeral of Mary Varallo,
mother of Louise Davis and Marge Petrelli. At Assumption
Cemetery, at 1:30 p.m., we celebrate a funeral Mass for Halina
Koswenda. Her son, Matt, is married to Theresa Lauteri. March
9, Friday: Father Gilligan concelebrates the funeral Mass of Tina
Lavezzorio, held at Misericordia Home on the North Side of Chicago. March 18, Sunday: The great DiGiovanni clan holds its annual  reunion, with a St. Joseph's Day table.
The event takes place at Immanuel Lutheran church hall, in
Steger. That hall has a bigger kitchen than ours. Everybody
wears red. In the San Rocco bulletin today, people are encouraged
to make advance reservations for use of the St. Anthony Hall, to avoid
any conflict. As in many other parishes, we have to do this in a
spirit of cooperation and generosity, well ahead of time.  March 23, Friday: At St. Agnes Church, Chicago Heights, we celebrate the funeral of Joe Costello.
He and his wife Marie have been loyal members of the San Rocco family
all their lives; they lost their son Sam last September. The
funeral Mass was held at St. Agnes because of the large number of
participants, around 270. At the end of the Mass, all joined in
singing Notre Dame Our Mother,
traditionally sung after every game at ND. Joe was a loyal
alumnus, a "domer." Father John Siemanowski presides at the
liturgy and preaches. March 24, Saturday: At Infant Jesus of
Prague parish, we celebrate the funeral of Paul Rodriquez II, father of
Paul III, grandfather of Paul & Nikko, long-time servers at San
Rocco. The deceased was a member of IJP. March 30, Friday: Father Gilligan gives his yearly report to Bishop Perry, on the state of things at San Rocco Oratory. March
31, Saturday: Sofia Andreatta is baptized at San Rocco Oratory.
She is the daughter of Brian Andreatta and Kimberly Wilbur. 
April
3, Tuesday: A priests' day of reflection is held at Holy Name
Cathedral. At 10 a.m., the day opens with a presentation on
financial matters, led by Kevin Marzalik, director of finance. Priests are "strongly encouraged to attend this important address." April 14, Saturday: Kathryn Mantoan,
soprano in the San Rocco choir, is married at Infant Jesus of Prague
Church, Flossmoor. Her husband is James LaMear. The wedding
features a string quartet and extensive choral music. The
celebration concludes with the Ode to Joy (from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony), sung in German. April 21, Saturday: Gabriel Ayala is baptized. He is the child of Gilbert and Anna Ayala. April
29, Sunday: Bishop Perry comes to give confirmation to six children and
First Holy Communion to four of them. He presides at the 10 a.m.
Sunday Mass. Afterwards, he spends time with people, over at the St.
Anthony Hall. Tuesday, May 15: The San Rocco finance council meets in South Holland, at the rectory. The budget for 2013 is reviewed. Monday,
May 21: At the Heartland Funeral Home, on West End in Chicago Heights,
Father Gilligan presides at a funeral Mass for Jack Qunell. He was
the brother-in-law of Phyllis Petrongelli. May 27: For the
Pentecost liturgy, the full choir sings SATB music by Dimitri
Bortniansky, George Handel, Mark Patterson, and Antonio Vivaldi.
For this last Mass of Easter, we also sing Mass XVIII, the Missa de
Angelis, in Greek and Latin. Celeste Jones directs. Her daughter Mary, a
soprano, is back home from school. July 18: Yvette Betancourt
organizes a meeting in St. Anthony Hall in the evening. About ten
men are present, each the head of a soccer team, making use of our field
to the north. The meeting is largely in Spanish. We agree
on a set fee per team, as well as several other norms. Father
Gilligan has the secretary of St. Paul's parish, Lourdes Lopez,
communicate our invitation to Father Rene Beltran, the
pastor. The people of St. Paul are always welcome in our grotto
and field, for religious devotions and services. Sunday, July
29: Manuel and Luz Maria Lopez celebrate their 40th wedding
anniversary in the church building, with a Mass in Spanish.
Afterwards, they continue celebrating, over in St. Anthony Hall. August
9: Father Gilligan meets with Father Tom Jackson, O.P., of Holy Name of
Mary Parish, in Chicago. Like San Rocco Oratory, this parish has also
long made use of the Leaflet Missal prayerbook. 
August 11: Father Max Ssekiwala
hosts a meeting of his "circle of friends," at the Meyer Center at 35th
& Lake Park Avenue. He was formerly master of ceremonies for
Bishop Perry. August 12: The San Lorenzo Festival
brings an overflow crowd to San Rocco Oratory. The church
building is filled, even the vestibule. Everybody sings. The
choir has seven women and four men, with a joyful sound. We sing
the memorial acclamation
from the Roman Missal, in Gregorian Chant. People are happy, in
part because the sermon is brief. The prayers of the Mass,
including the Eucharistic Prayer, are in Italian. The First
Reading, in English, is read by Marilyn Jobbe. The Second Reading,
in Italian, is read by Teresa Bravo. This year, the president of
the festival is Tony Panici. He wears a splendid sash.
 | The
San Lorenzo Festival includes a big procession on Sunday morning. On
the left is the flag of Italy; on the right, that of the U.S.
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 | In 2012, an antique car leads the procession.
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 | The procession arrives at the San Rocco church building.
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 | At the head of the middle aisle, the statue of St. Lawrence is the center of attention.
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 | On
this day, the San Rocco church building is overflowing. President Tony
Panici is on the right, with the sash. Note the full vestibule in the
back.
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 | Here
again, you see the overflowing congregation. On the back wall is an
image of Christ, ascending to heaven; this painting is from the church
of St. Joseph, formerly in Chicago Heights.
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August 15: At 6 p.m. a crowd of
about 100 people, mostly younger, gather in front of the statue of Mary
at San Rocco Oratory. They then move in procession down 22nd Street, to
St. Paul's. They say the rosary and sing in Spanish, led by a passenger
in a truck, with two large loudspeakers. Some first communicants take
part, dressed in their white garments. The people carry a festooned
statue of the Virgin Mary. (See the images, immediately below.) After the 7 p.m. Mass at San Rocco, Father Gilligan meets with Father Rene, over on 24th Street and Butler.
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Saturday, August 25: Carla Vasquez celebrates her quincenera
with a Mass organized by her parents, Miguel and Trina; except for the
sermon, the celebration is entirely in the Spanish language. Carla's
court of honor includes six damas and six chambelanes.
Antonio, one of the chambelanes, reads the First Reading, from 1
Corinthians 13. His father helps with Communion. At the end
of Mass, Carla presents a bouquet of flowers to the Virgin Mary.
The celebration continues next door, at the St. Anthony Hall. Sunday,
September 2: At 10:50, towards the end of Mass, we celebrate the 103rd
birthday of Angeline Cipolla. Her son-in-law is Lawrence; her
daughter is Rosemary Pignotti. At 5 p.m., we celebrate the baptism
of Marco DeAngelo, son of Lynne and Rocky. Roderick, the brother of
Rocky, comes in today, from Dubuque, Iowa, just for this baptism.
Rocky takes note of the fact that the cornerstone outside the church
building bears his name: Saint Rochi.  Saturday, Sept. 8: At 11 a.m. we celebrate the funeral of Ann Nardoni, 91, mother of Francine Kaberna and the late Dennis Nardoni.
Ann was the wife of the late Frank Nardoni. Jeanette Dandurand sings
the verses of the Psalms at the beginning and during Communion; she also
leads the singing and plays the organ, as needed to support the people.
The First and Second Readings are proclaimed by Jim & Frank
Kaberna, grandsons. The gifts are presented by Anne & Kate Kaberna
and Alyssa, Newling, granddaughters. In the Eucharistic Prayer, we
commemorate the late Frank Nardoni, Dennis, Brian, and young Dennis.
Jean Ciambrone helps with Communion. At the end of the funeral Mass, the
eulogy is given by Ann Nardoni's great granddaughter, Amanda Newling.
As usual at San Rocco, at the final commendation, we sing May God Welcome Her in Glory. Saturday, Sept. 15: We celebrate the quincenera of Blanca Ruiz; her family comes in from South Bend, Indiana. Except for the sermon, the entire liturgy is in Spanish. Saturday,
Sept. 22: With a Mass, we celebrate the third birthday of Alexis
Ramirez, daughter of Jose'; afterwards, people gather nearby, in the St.
Anthony Hall. In Mexican tradition, people make a "presentation" of
their child to the Church, around the third birthday. There is not
usually a Mass, just a prayer and/or a blessing. Today, however, we have
a celebration of the Eucharist, in Spanish. Saturday, Sept. 29:
At 11 a.m., we celebrate the funeral of Dawn Moreno, daughter of Carl
& Celia Baur, wife of Brian Moreno. She died Tuesday at
Silver Cross Hospital, New Lenox. At the end of Mass, the
local VFW gave her a special tribute. Afterwards, people
gathered at the Baur home in Chicago Heights. Dawn was only 48
years old. Dawn is survived by her sons Joey and Jeremy, as well as her
sister Robin and her brothers, Brian and Jason. There are also six
nieces and nephews. Sunday, Sept. 30: At 1:30 at The Park at
Olympia Fields, after Sunday Mass, we hold a funeral for Jenny
Newton, 104, who died August 25. She was a Louisiana native and a
long-time resident of The Park. She was happy to participate
in Sunday Mass at The Park, until the week she died. Her son,
Michael, survives her. Monday, Oct. 1: At 11 a.m., we
celebrate the funeral of Judith Panici ("Judy"). She died
Wednesday, also at Silver Cross Hospital. At the family's request,
Jeanette Dandurand leads the singing and plays the organ as needed, to
support the people's singing. Judy was 67. She is survived
by her husband Joseph, her son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Diana, as
well as grandchildren, in-laws, a niece, and a nephew. Judy was a
retired deputy of the Cook County Sheriff; at the end of Mass, there
was a special tribute to her, on the part of the sheriff's
representative. Police also were present for the funeral
itself. Wednesday, Oct. 3: The San Rocco finance committee
meets in South Holland, at the rectory there. The group reviews
the annual report and adds their signatures. The report is sent to
Cardinal George, Bishop Perry, and Kevin Marzalik, director of finance
for the Chicago Archdiocese. Because of a substantial grant from Father John Canary,
Vicar General, we are in the black. Recent expenditures included
necessary repair and even replacement of one air conditioning
unit. Sept. 30, the Amaseno Lodge also made a generous donation to San Rocco Oratory. The
finance committee also reviews procedures for use of the St. Anthony
Hall and the soccer fields outside. With regard to the hall,
we examine a draft of signs to be posted. We also want
to improve communication with the hall manger, Yvette Betancourt; people
have to reserve their dates and schedule with her, well ahead of
time. With regard to the soccer teams, we agree to have
written agreements in place, before the season begins next summer. Friday,
Oct. 5: The Faith and Friendship discussion group meets in South
Holland, in part to consider the 14th chapter of Matthew Kelly's book, Rediscovering Catholicism. Thursday, Nov. 1: Mass for All Saints' Day is at 7 p.m. Choir rehearsal immediately follows. Nov.
4: A benefit for Bishop Perry's Zacchaeus House is held at St. James
parish, Lemont. In addition to dinner, there's a raffle and a silent
auction. Sunday, Nov. 4: A spaghetti dinner is held in
St. Anthony Hall, from noon to 5 p.m. The fee is $12 per person;
children under 6 are free. All day, crowds of people come; the
event is a great success. Locally, the Midwest Motet Society gives a
concert, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Chicago Heights. Today,
too, a table of remembrance is set up in the vestibule of the San Rocco
church building. This table displays photos, holy cards, and a
book of the deceased, all during the month of November. Sincere
thanks to Helen Herbst and Jeanette Dandurand, for their work in setting
up this table of remembrance. At the end of Mass, Mayor Ciambrone
makes a special announcement. A barrel is set out in the vestibule, for
food for the poor, to be given to Jones Center, on the east side of
Chicago Heights. People are asked to put canned food etc. in
this barrel. Rosann Ciambrone helps organize this ministry. Nov. 10: We celebrate the funeral of Josephine (Perry) Berlinski, aunt of Lou Aguzzi. Nov.
19: At St. George, Tinley Park, we celebrate the funeral of Father Bill
Curran, classmate of Father Gilligan. Presider is Bishop Frank Kane,
also a classmate. Father Bill's sister, Kathleen, survives him. Thursday,
Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Mass is at 9 a.m., a time chosen by vote of
the people. It is said that they need to start cooking the bird
early. Nov. 24: Yoalli Arabella Guzman, daughter of Mararita
and Fabian Guzman, is baptized today at San Rocco. The liturgy is
in both Spanish and English. The movable chairs in front of the
baptistry are arranged in a semi-circle, for the brief celebration of
the Word, in the first part of the liturgy. Sunday, Nov. 25: The
Feast of Christ the King ends the season of Ordinary Time. During the
longer Gospel procession, the choir sings the Madrigal Alleluia. Incense
is used for the Gospel and during the preparation of the gifts. The
choir sings Sunday Morning. After Communion, the choir sings Soon and Very Soon ("We are going to meet the King."). Sunday,
Dec. 2: The bulletin reports that $828 has been deposited in the San
Rocco checking account; these are funds generated by the recent
spaghetti dinner. Today, the First Sunday of Advent, as usual in this season, the choir sings the Trisagion, We Look for Light, and Blest Be the Name.
The choir director, Celeste Jones, has been rehearsing with the
choir several new selections, especially for Advent and Christmas. Saturday,
Dec. 8: Mass for the holy day is at 11 a.m. The Chicago
Archdiocese asks that evening Masses today be arranged for the
Sunday, tomorrow, not the holy day, today. Sunday, Dec. 9:
Coffee and conversation are shared after Sunday Mass, over at the
St. Anthony Hall, on the east side of the parking lot. Mayor Ciambrone
organizes this gesture of hospitality. About 100 people
participate, having crossed the parking lot from the church building. Sunday,
Dec. 16: Having been out of commission for several weeks, the
Wurlitzer organ is now repaired and fully functional. Chris
Marshall, recovering from knee surgery, is the technician who had to
replace the power supply. Inside the St. Anthony Hall, Yvette Betancourt and Father Gilligan post the signs approved by the finance committee Oct. 3. Christmas Eve: The great DiGiovanni clan gathers in the St. Anthony Hall for a family reunion. Christmas,
Dec. 25: Mass is at 10 a.m. Carols by the choir and people
precede the celebration. In the afternoon, the Venditti clan
gathers in the St. Anthony Hall for their family reunion. Saturday, Dec. 29: At 11 a.m. we celebrate a memorial Mass for Jim Petrongelli,
46, the son of Joseph and Lorraine. Jim's widow and five children
are in town for this Mass. Sally McDonnell, Jim's sister, gives a
eulogy after the opening prayer. The First Reading is proclaimed
by the oldest son, Jimmy; his sister, Alyssa, proclaims the Second
Reading. Celeste Jones plays the organ; her daughter, Mary, sings
the verses for the opening Psalm, the Psalm after the First Reading, and
the Communion Psalm; she also sings Ave Maria, by Schubert, at the beginning of the preparation of the gifts.
 | The
Venditti Family, at their Christmas, 2012, reunion in the St. Anthony
Hall of San Rocco Oratory. In the center of the second row, note Leonard
Venditti, Marilyn Jobbe, and Sandra Ziccardi, siblings.
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 | At
the Dec. 29 memorial Mass for Master Gunnery Sgt. Jim Petrongelli, his
photo and burial flag were on a table at the head of the middle aisle.
The cause of Jim's sudden death was left artery disease (LAD), i.e.,
occlusion.
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 | East
side of church, for the Jim Petrongelli memorial Mass. After this photo
was taken, more people came in and filled the building completely.
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 | West side of church. On the right are Jim's parents, Lorraine and Joe Petrongelli.
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 | Christmas Manger, 2012. The photo on the left is that of St. Padre Pio.
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San Rocco Oratory
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