Thanks from St. John’s Prep

William Higgins, left, principal of St. John’s Prep, Astoria, congratulated faculty and staff, who celebrated significant anniversaries of service, at an end of the school year luncheon. Among them were, from left, Kathleen Prager, for 25 years teaching; and receiving the Bene Merenti Award for 40 years service, teacher and vice principal Maureen Flood; teacher, coach and athletic director Edward Flood; and teacher and guidance counselor Harry Schlesiona.

Give the gift of life. St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Jamaica, is holding a blood drive on Sunday, July 29, 8:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Please call 969-3226 for more information.

On Sunday, Aug. 5, Our Lady of Mercy, Forest Hills, holds a blood drive from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the lower church hall. To make an appointment or for more information, call Sue Karcher at 268-6143.

St. Gregory’s Theatre Group in Bellerose celebrates its 28th season with a production of My Fair Lady. Show dates are Aug. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 5 and 12 at 2 p.m.

Performances are held in air-conditioned Gregorian Hall, Cross Island Parkway North and 87th Ave. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and children. Group sales available.

Call the box office at 718-989-2451 or visit tickets@sgtg.org.

Holy robe relics of the Infant Jesus from Prague, the Czech Republic, will be in the diocese Friday, Aug. 3 and Saturday, Aug. 4. On Aug. 3, the relics will be at Our Lady of the Angelus, Rego Park, 6-10 p.m. during which there will be Adoration, Rosary, confessions, a healing Mass, Novena prayers and Chaplet of the Infant Jesus, followed by veneration of the holy robe relics.

This will be repeated at Our Lady of Victory, Bedford-Stuyvesant, on Saturday, Aug. 4, 1-5 p.m. All are welcome.

For more information, call 718-595-0771.

This Week’s Tip of The TabletTalk Top Hat goes to four longtime members of the St. John’s Prep, Astoria, faculty and staff who are retiring.

Honored at a recent luncheon were Sister Vera Carol, R.S.M. after 30 years in the social studies department; Sister Claudia Bradshaw, C.S.J., after 23 years as chair of the guidance department; Sarah Davies after 23 years as an English teacher; and Anna Bonfigli with 11 years service in the school’s business office.

See others who were honored in photo above.

Principal William Higgins thanked them and wished all a happy retirement.

Thought for the Week: When you are dissatisfied with getting older and would like to be a teenager again, think of algebra.

Catholic Charities and the Diocesan Program for the Development of Human Potential have collaborated in developing an initiative to provide counseling, support, treatment and care to those seeking assistance for problems with alcohol and substance abuse.

To connect to the network of services make a confidential call to the Diocesan Alcohol and Substance Abuse Assistance Program Hotline at 1-800-659-1603. Or visit their Web site www.ccbq.org for more information.

St. John Vianney parish, Flushing, will be hosting its Annual Giant Indoor Flea Market on Saturday, Sept. 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the parish center at 35th Ave. and Union St. Rain or shine!

Vendors are needed. For information, call the parish office at 718-762-7920.

Financial aid is available to low-income families, who would like to send their children to Catholic elementary schools in the diocese this fall, through the Bishop’s Scholarship Program and the national Children’s Scholarship Fund.

Applications are available from any Catholic elementary school in Brooklyn or Queens or by calling (212) 515-7137 or through the CSF Web site: www.scholarshipfund.org/nyc/apply.

Excuse me, could you please repeat that? St. John’s University, Jamaica campus, Speech and Hearing Center is sponsoring free hearing screenings, which began July 2 and continue through Aug. 31. The center is located at 152-11 Union Turnpike.

Call 718-990-6480 for an appointment and directions.

Bulletin Humor: A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

Send news, jokes, photos or suggestions for

Tip of Top Hat to lbusetti@thetablet.org.

Sacred Heart League Induction

The Sacred Heart League of St. Finbar parish, Bath Beach, installed new members at a Mass on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
They are, from left: Eileen C. La Ruffa, Jeanne M. Kenny, President Carmella Golino, Patricia Carlucci, Deacon Anthony J. Favale and Geraldine Lippman. Father James Mueller, pastor, far left, presided.