Bishop Sullivan Helps Celebrate a Family Reunion

By Bernie beglane

Turn the clock back to 1957 when four of the 10 daughters – yes, 10 daughters (there were no sons) – of Carmela and Joseph Russo were married.

The first was Camille, who exchanged vows with Frank Principato on Jan. 5.

Josephine followed on April 27, taking Vincent Gargano to be her husband.

Theresa, or Terry as she is fondly called, joined hands with Peter Amato on June 8.

Completing the walk down the center aisle was Rose, who married Salvatore Conte on Nov. 9.

Last Saturday afternoon the four couples celebrated their golden anniversaries at a Mass at St. Rosalie’s Church, Hampton Bays, celebrated by retired Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Sullivan.

Joining Bishop Sullivan as a concelebrant was Msgr. Dennis Regan, pastor of St. Rosalie’s. A reception followed in the Hampton Bays Council Knights of Columbus Hall.

“My sisters and I met our future husbands at the Italian Charities Club, Elmhurst,” explained Terry Amato, who is a member of St. Rosalie’s as is Rose.

“We lived in St. Margaret’s parish (Middle Village) and were married there.”

It was at Our Lady of Hope that the Amatos became friends with Bishop Sullivan. As a priest then, he celebrated Mass in the parish on Sundays.

That friendship has grown through the years.

Bishop Joseph Sullivan and the Amatos, Theresa and Peter.

While growing up in the area and graduating from Bushwick H.S., Amato also was a baseball player in various leagues that competed at Highland Park.

“Two of my sisters remained in St. Margaret’s and sent their children to school there, while the other two, including myself, were members of Our Lady of Hope parish (also Middle Village),” explained Terry.

The Principatos had two sons, Anthony and Joseph. The Garganos were blessed with three children, Maria, Salvatore and Joseph.

Joseph, John and Mary Beth are the Amato children, while the Contes have the most offspring: Jeanmarie, Frank, Joseph, Donna and Cara.

As for grandchildren, there are 22 among the four sisters. Salvatore, Sophia, Christina and Gina are in the Principato family.

As for the Garganos, there also are four: Mark, John, Monika and Christina.

Nicholas, Stephen, Lauren and John Peter are the grandchildren of the Amatos.

For the Contes there are a total of 10: Thomas, Matthew, Robert, Christopher, Nicholas, Benjamin, Alexander, Sabrina, Grant and Kaitlin.

Grandchildren of the four daughters also participated in the celebration of the Mass.

Robert Grisi (Rose’s grandchild) and John Peter Amato were altar servers.

Anthony Principato did the first reading, Monica Stephandl the responsorial psalm and Lauren Amato the second reading.

Thomas Grisi offered the petitions.

“Maria, one of our sisters, is deceased,” stated Theresa Amato. “Six of them are older than I am.

“We were talking about this golden jubilee and we all asked about one thing: where did all the years go?

“God has been good to all of us, starting with blessing us with great parents.

“They were outstanding. We all graduated from Catholic elementary and high schools.

“Sunday was time for family dinner. All of us followed their example. That’s why we remain a family today!”

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