Clicky

Mastic Beach church pastor praises efforts of Pattersquash Creek cleanup group

|

The neighborhood cleanup efforts of the Pattersquash Creek Civic Association received special recognition this week from the pastor of St. Jude Roman Catholic Church in Mastic Beach.

The Rev. John Ryan, in his weekly church bulletin address, “From the Pastor’s Desk,” praised the association for its volunteer work in cleaning up local streets of litter and debris.

Ryan shared how during his daily 6:30 a.m. walks with the church dog Bella, they routinely come across fast food wrappers, soda cups and half-eaten burgers and fries.

“My walks with Bella have made me more aware of how people can be so inconsiderate of their neighborhood by throwing their garbage outside their car window and onto our streets,” Fr. Ryan wrote. “So much pollution is dumped on our local streets. I think we should be made more conscious of it and promote cleaning up and keeping our neighborhood looking good.”

He went on to thank “Frank Fugarino and the Pattersquash Creek Civic Association for their volunteer work,” while noting that the group recently filled eight garbage bags of debris and removed two car tires, a bicycle and an old muffler along Neighborhood Road, Mastic Road, Riviera Drive and Aspen Road.

Pastor John Ryan’s message

Below is Fr. Ryan’s heartwarming message to the congregation in its entirety:

As most of you know St. Jude Church has a dog, Bella, who definitely has brought joy to myself, Msgr. John, the staff, and visitors. For those who have a dog, you know how much love they bring to the household, becoming part of the family.

Training Bella was somewhat easy, and in fact, she is the one who has trained me; she tells me when to go for a walk and then pulls me along a path, whether I like it or not. I’m a pushover. Bella … Yes, Bella keeps me on my toes, no doubt. Whether it’s raining, snowing, windy, frigid cold, whatever it be we are outside at 6:30 in the morning going for our twenty-minute walk. No, Bella doesn’t mind the rain. In fact, I think she prefers the rain. That’s why I have my Bella jacket (wind and waterproof) and shoes for mornings such as those downpours. Yes, for those who have a dog, you know what it’s like and the demands that come with taking care of our pets.

I’m bringing up Bella because I want to thank Mr. Frank Fugarino and the Pattersquash Creek Civic Association for their volunteer work in cleaning up our local streets.

My walks with Bella have made me more aware of how people can be so inconsiderate of their neighborhood by throwing their garbage outside their car window and onto our streets. Bella has a field day
in wrestling with a McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Popeyes, and whatever bag or soda cup she finds along her walk. Many times, she even finds a week-old burger or fries and thinks nothing of eating it; there is no telling Bella to stop. So much pollution is dumped on our local streets. I think we should be made more conscious of it and promote cleaning up and keeping our neighborhood looking good.

That’s why I would like to thank Mr. Fugarino and his fellow volunteers at Pattersquash Creek Civic Association: Walter M., Tom P., and Mike L. Also, our William Floyd School District students: Brandon, Ryan, Ariella, Ethan, and Tyler who helped clean up and fill 8 garbage bags of debris, 2 tires, a bike, and an old muffler along Neighborhood Rd, Mastic Rd., Riviera Dr., and Aspen Rd. The Town just posted $1,000 dollar fine for anyone caught littering the streets in our area.

Working together, helping one another, keeping our streets clean may create a safer environment where we can not only respect our neighborhood but, more importantly, respect one another and see the dignity and sanctity in all human life. It’s one thing to love our pets, but it is so much more important and significant to love one another in a world that can sometimes treat dogs better than humans.

St. Jude, pray for us —

Blessings,

Fr. Ryan

Our Local Supporters