Annual Events

	St. Mary's Catholic Church Florence, Oneida County, NY
	Preserving the past for future generations	1845 - 2003

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Annual Events

Mass - Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 at 12:00 noon

Bishop Thomas J. Costello celebrated Mass and blessed the graves, after which was the Preservation Fund 50/50 Raffle.

To help in our fund raising efforts we again did the 50/50 Raffle.
Tickets were: $100 each (Need not be present to win)
A payout of $500.00 for each $1,000.00 raised.

50/50 Raffle WINNERS:
[ A list of winners will accompany our end of year mailing. ]

Mass - Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 at 12:00 noon

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Costello celebrated Mass and blessed the graves, after which was the Preservation Fund 50/50 Raffle.

Special Note - 2015 marks the 170th anniversary of the formation of St. Mary's -
Sept 2, 1845 - Sept 2, 2015

Tickets were: $100 each (Need not be present to win)
A payout of $500.00 for each $1,000.00 raised.

50/50 Raffle WINNERS ($500 each):
Mary Barker
Peg Corbett
Charles Dwyer
Mark LaRobardiere
Kristi Roes
Bob & Mary Sauer
Lynee & Amy Sauer
Pete McCarthy
Lurena McNamara
Richard Waterman
Jean Wolicki

Mass - Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 at 12:00 noon

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Costello celebrated Mass after which was the Preservation Fund 50/50 Raffle.
*Special note - 2014 marked Bishop Costello's 60th year in the priesthood.

As you know, we have achieved a tremendous accomplishment here at St. Mary’s. Without the support of you, our loyal friends, the restoration would never have been possible. As the continued work on the stained glass windows proceeds, we have to sustain and preserve what we have restored.

Tickets were: $100 each (Need not be present to win)

What we (your committee) are asking of each of you is your participation in a 50/50 fundraiser. Our goal is to sell a minimum of 250 tickets at $100.00 each with a minimum prize of twenty five (25) - $500.00 winners and an additional 50/50 drawing for each $1,000.00 raised. If we do not reach our goal the drawings will be based on the number of tickets sold. We understand we are asking a lot. The above odds at 250 tickets are 1 in 10 and the amount per ticket is less than $2.00 per week.
Remember there is no weekly collection basket passed at St. Mary’s. The ongoing regular expenses of heat, lights and insurance along with continued maintenance costs remain. To put it simply, we will continue to need your support, and maybe with the above raffle you can continue to help us, and St. Mary’s help you.

We appreciate your past generosity and ongoing support to St. Mary’s. We thank you for taking part in the raffle and if you couldn’t, we fully understand. Winners were contacted and a list of winners were in our end of year mailing.

WINNERS ($500 each):

1. Mark F. LaRobardiere	Camden, New York
2. Rick Cole	Blossvale, New York
3. Patricia Devereux	Fort Myers, Florida
4. Rev. Robert Dwyer	Windsor, New York
5. Rodney D. Kent	Oneida, New York
6. Kevin & Kathryn Godshalk	Hilton, New York
7. Barb & Tom Young	Camden, New York
8. Mike Matt	Taberg, New York
9. Kay Finch	Camden, New York
10. Nunzio S. Melchiorre	Utica, New York
11. Nadine Freson	Cleveland, New York
12. Joyce Seubert	Camden, New York

Mass - Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013 at 12:00 noon

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Costello celebrated Mass and blessed the graves, after which he drew the winning raffle tickets.

*a portable toilet was available on the premises
Florence Hotel served a special Chicken & Biscuit Dinner after Mass.

To help in our fundraising efforts, St. Mary's received a beautiful sideboard (Buffet) donated by Harden Furniture for a raffle. This lovely piece of furniture would be a welcome addition to any home.

Tickets were: $50 each or 2 for $75 (Need not be present to win)

Drawing: Sunday, September 22, 2013 at St. Mary's Church after Mass

WINNERS:
1st prize - Sideboard (Buffet) - LEONA CHERNOSKI
donated by Harden Furniture ($4,500 Value)

2nd prize - $250.00 cash - MIKE CLARK

3rd prize - $150.00 cash - ANDREW SPELLICY

Thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket in support of St. Mary's!

Mass - Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 at 12:00 noon

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Costello

Florence Hotel served a special chicken & biscuit dinner following Mass.

4th Annual - Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Florence, NY

December 2011 - on the former rectory grounds

THE LIGHTS OF ST. MARY'S

The "Friends of St. Mary's, Florence, NY lit the Christmas tree that stands on the former rectory grounds again this holiday season
As per the last 4 years, you could purchase a bulb[s] in memory of, in honor of, or to commemorate a special event[s]. Bulbs were $5.00 each or $50.00 for a complete string.

Thank you for your support.
Best wishes for the holiday season and the New Year.

3rd Annual - Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Florence, NY

December 4, 2010 6:00 pm (Saturday) - on the church grounds

Festivites at 5:00 pm, Florence Hotel with food, drinks and raffles.
Raffles: One ticket for $20 (eligible for 15+ drawings during the evening!)
Entertainment: All Star Kazoo Band with guest conductor

2010 Christmas Tree Lights

Tree lights were purchased for $5.00 per light or
a string of lights (25) for $100 (and received a free raffle ticket!)

Lights were purchased to honor someone, in memory of someone or to commemorate an event of your choosing.

Proceeds benefited the St. Mary's Preservation Fund.
Thank you for your continued support.

2nd Annual - Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Florence, NY

December 5, 2009 6:00 pm (Saturday) - on former rectory grounds

Festivites at 5:00 pm, Florence Hotel
Raffles and 50/50 Drawings: to benefit the St. Mary's Preservation Fund.
One of the drawings was for a large multi-prize raffle.
One ticket could be purchased with multiple opportunities to win.
Entertainment: Delta United Methodist Church Hand Bell Ringers
Food: Florence Hotel served warm winter comfort foods

2009 Christmas Tree Lights

Tree lights were purchased for $5.00 per light.

Lights were purchased to honor someone, in memory of someone or to commemorate an event of your choosing.

1st Annual - Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Florence, NY

December 6, 2008 6:00 pm (Saturday)

Everyone was Invited!

Decorating the tree near the Parish Center. Music provided by Dave Liddy from 5 to 6 pm prior to the lighting. Food and beverages were available at the Florence Hotel during the evening.

The tree lighting in Florence on December 6th was beautiful. The lights on the Statue of the Sacred Heart at the top of the hill reflected that statue onto the outside of the church which was breathtaking. The Blessed Mother's Shrine had a pretty red light shining on it and the tree on the former rectory grounds was bathed in colorful lights. When the last of the lights were lit, the bells were ringing from the church and a hush came over the crowd. It was very impressive and time for reflection on "the reason for the season."

There was a get together at the Florence Hotel prior to the lightning. There was food, raffles and music. Steve Quennville and Dave Liddy provided music. Steve sang " The Bells of St. Mary's" inside before we went out to light the tree.
This is a tradition that we plan to do yearly and based on the crowd waiting outside and the feedback from people we expect that the attendance will only get bigger.

- Mary Sauer

This page last updated: October 20, 2016

Preserving the past for future generations

Annual Events