Dear Parishioners of Notre Dame,
It is with great joy that I begin my ministry with you this weekend! I am grateful to Bishop Barres for his confidence in assigning me here and am excited to get to work.
By way of introduction, my name is Father Scolaro and I am a proud native of Long Island. I grew up in Bayville as a parishioner of St. Dominic Parish in Oyster Bay. I was blessed to attend elementary school there and was given a strong foundation in the faith. This faith was only deepened at Chaminade High School by the Marianist brothers, and then solidified at the University of Notre Dame (God has a sense of humor!) where I studied biology and philosophy. Answering God’s call, after college I entered formation for the priesthood at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington. I then completed my studies at St. Joseph’s in Dunwoodie, and was ordained a priest in June of 2014. Since then I have served as associate pastor at St. Joseph’s in Garden City and as chaplain at Hofstra University.
With this being my first pastorate, I know I have much to learn, but I am grateful to Fr. Slater for all his hard work in building a strong and healthy parish. I am excited to continue his legacy by working with all of you and supporting the many good programs already in place. As Christians though, we know our work is never done, and especially now when faith seems to be diminishing in so many places, we are called to renew our commitment to spread the Gospel in creative ways. I look forward to working with you in bringing Christ’s message of hope to the people of New Hyde Park and with all of you I hope in the coming years to answer Bishop Barres’ call for dramatic missionary growth here on Long Island.
Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to serve you as your pastor, and I ask you to please join with me in entrusting these coming years to Our Blessed Mother. Through her guidance and protection may we be led to Christ and, united with him, may we grow in holiness and zeal each day.
God bless!
Fr. Scolaro
