Human Services 516-868-8289Rectory Phone & FAX 516-378-0665 & 516-546-1416Made with XaraOUR Holy REDEEMER R
Religious Education & FAX 516-546-1057 & 516-546-0526Call for Emergency Phone # 516-378-0665Our Holy Redeemer Thrift Shop 516-623-3247Email ohr1903@aol.comClick thumbnail to enlargeClick thumbnail to enlargeClick thumbnail to enlargeJust over thirty years ago, Joe and Carolee Scalamandre donated their 42 foot cabin boat to Our Holy Redeemer Parish in Freeport, Long Island, New York. OHR’s then Pastor, Msgr. Mattei, got permission from Bishop McGann to use that boat as an altar for a new series of Masses to be held on Freeport’s Nautical Mile. The first of those Masses took place on July 5th, 1981. The boat remained in the water as the congregation stood on the dock overlooking the altar located on the stern of the boat, renamed “Redeemer”. The original slip was near the old “Poop Deck” establishment but the boat was moved to another slip space near “Otto’s Restaurant”. It was especially difficult for the people on the dock to see the boat when Mass times coincided with low tide. People still came and enjoyed attending Mass at such a wonderful location. After one year had passed, the parish sold the boat and the Mass seemed to be doomed. Al Grover and his wife Artie came to the rescue. They offered the use of a large deck area right on Woodcleft Canal that they owned as a new site for the “Boat Mass”. Msgr. Mattei and the Bishop agreed and the Waterfront Mass continued at the Grover site for 14 years. The Grovers purchased a 30’ x 50’ tent to protect the congregation from the elements. The Grovers also provided hospitality including countless dozens of Dunkin Donuts each week, every year, free to those who attended Mass. In 2011, OHR’s new Pastor, Father Arcoleo, heard about the historic Waterfront Mass from a parishioner. He liked what he heard and made some inquiries. After much work by Father Arcoleo, the Grover family, Joann Flaherty, and many volunteers, the old “Boat Mass” was about to make a comeback. Finally, on July 10, 2011, the Parish of Our Holy Redeemer in Freeport reintroduced its summer series of waterfront Masses at the same location where it took place nearly 30 years earlier. The free coffee, tea, juice, water, and dozens of freshly made donuts were there, and the people came, too. Roughly 200 people have come to this Mass each week and they are not just from OHR parish. Guest Book signatures indicate that attendees have come from all over Long Island and from at least 7 states outside of New York. Click thumbnail to enlarge
Rev. Douglas R. Arcoleo Pastor37 South Ocean AvenueFreeport, New York 11520516-378-0665
Human Services 516-868-8289
Rectory Phone & FAX 516-378-0665 & 516-546-1416
Made with Xara
OUR Holy REDEEMER R
Click thumbnail to enlarge
Click thumbnail to enlarge
Click thumbnail to enlarge
Just over thirty years ago, Joe and
Carolee Scalamandre donated
their 42 foot cabin boat to Our
Holy Redeemer Parish in Freeport,
Long Island, New York. OHR’s then
Pastor, Msgr. Mattei, got
permission from Bishop McGann
to use that boat as an altar for a
new series of Masses to be held
on Freeport’s Nautical Mile. The
first of those Masses took place
on July 5th, 1981. The boat
remained in the water as the
congregation stood on the dock
overlooking the altar located on
the stern of the boat, renamed
“Redeemer”. The original slip was
near the old “Poop Deck”
establishment but the boat was
moved to another slip space near
“Otto’s Restaurant”. It was
especially difficult for the people
on the dock to see the boat when
Mass times coincided with low
tide. People still came and
enjoyed attending Mass at such a
wonderful location. After one year
had passed, the parish sold the
boat and the Mass seemed to be
doomed.
Al Grover and his wife Artie came
to the rescue. They offered the
use of a large deck area right on
Woodcleft Canal that they owned
as a new site for the “Boat Mass”.
Msgr. Mattei and the Bishop
agreed and the Waterfront Mass
continued at the Grover site for 14
years. The Grovers purchased a
30’ x 50’ tent to protect the
congregation from the elements.
The Grovers also provided
hospitality including countless
dozens of Dunkin Donuts each
week, every year, free to those
who attended Mass.
In 2011, OHR’s new Pastor, Father
Arcoleo, heard about the historic
Waterfront Mass from a
parishioner. He liked what he
heard and made some inquiries.
After much work by Father
Arcoleo, the Grover family, Joann
Flaherty, and many volunteers,
the old “Boat Mass” was about to
make a comeback. Finally, on July
10, 2011, the Parish of Our Holy
Redeemer in Freeport
reintroduced its summer series of
waterfront Masses at the same
location where it took place nearly
30 years earlier. The free coffee,
tea, juice, water, and dozens of
freshly made donuts were there,
and the people came, too.
Roughly 200 people have come to
this Mass each week and they are
not just from OHR parish. Guest
Book signatures indicate that
attendees have come from all over
Long Island and from at least 7
states outside of New York.
Click thumbnail to enlarge
Rev. Douglas R. Arcoleo
Pastor
37 South Ocean Avenue
Freeport, New York 11520
516-378-0665
