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Queens Parish’s Athletes Get Their Gym of Dreams
BY BERNIE BEGLANE
One down…one to go!
An expression that certainly applies to the everyday world of sports.
No one knows that better than Msgr. Raymond Chappetto, pastor of Our Lady of the Snows parish, North Floral Park.
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HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: Tara won’t have to dribble around the gym at PS 191 anymore since Our Lady of Snows will have its own gym. |
After all, his deceased father, Lou, was prominent in the local sports world at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Astoria; promoting basketball at the long-shuttered Sunnyside Garden where the Lincoln Council Knights of Columbus team and my St. Teresa’s (Woodside) squad shared Sunday doubleheaders.
Also with the Queens Merchants Basketball League which played tripleheaders once a week at Volkert’s Hall, Long Island City.
Lou also was a basketball referee and baseball and softball umpire and officiated many games with your columnist.
By now you must be wondering about one down…one to go.
Msgr. Ray was ordained 37 years ago and has been at Our Lady of Snows for the last nine.
Vicar for Brooklyn West and other parish assignments preceded the latest appointment.
“Our CYO program at Our Lady of Snows involves almost 600 boys and girls,” stated the pastor.
“We have baseball, basketball, track and field, softball and swimming. It is a well-conducted program under the direction of Mike McGovern, our Parish Athletic Representative.
“Once plans were completed for the new church it was only natural that we turn the previous church into a much-needed gymnasium. Now we don’t have to rent facilities.”
Msgr. Chappetto, asked about the furnishings in the former church, replied, “We found a home for everything.
“The altar furniture went to the chapel of the House of Discernment which is where young men go to determine if they have a priestly vocation.
“The pews were given to the Catholic Cemeteries Office and the lights to SS. Peter and Paul Church in Williamsburg.”
Msgr. Chappetto was one of five boys born to Vera and Lou. The others were named Charles, Lou, Jr., Thomas and Richard.
“Working with dad in his promotions at Sunnyside Garden and with the Merchants League certainly came in handy in my priesthood,” related the priest, who played intramurals at Cathedral Prep under John (Jocko) Crane, legendary athletic director and coach — and also the diocesan director of the CYO.
“I was never good enough to play varsity, but I learned a great deal from Jocko. That knowledge also has been invaluable.”
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