On August 1, 2015 my letter of appointment from Timothy Cardinal Dolan made me the first Pastor of a new parish in the Archdiocese of New York. Merging the two historically rich and important parishes of Immaculate Conception and Assumption into a single family in Tuckahoe and Eastchester, NY would form the parish. Throughout the Archdiocese of New York the two-year project of Making All Things New concluded with the merger and I want to thank Deacon Anthony Viola and the members of the parishes that joined the cluster to assist Cardinal Dolan in this monumental effort.

I feel privileged to follow so any wonderful pastors of the independent Parishes and now under the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, to pastor these flocks of many decades and yet reborn as a new single faith community. It does not feel strange to me to be among you since I taught Adult Education for Msgr. Anthony Maltese here in the late 1980’s; would cover Masses occasionally for Fr. Ron Ciaravolo at Assumption;
Msgr. Frank Oliverio was a household name and personality from his years at St. Lucy’s in the Bronx. I was Dean and Professor of Sacred Music for 15 years at Dunwoodie where many of you came to concerts and visits including the extraordinary visit of St. John Paul II on October 5, 1995. Since my ordination in 1982, I have celebrated the Funeral Masses of my cousins the Marruzella family who lived in the parish and sponsored my godson at your Baptismal font at Immaculate Conception – to name a few.

It will take some time for me to meet all of you. I have already begun by popping by during the month of August and stopping in the Churches, the Bible camp, meeting the staff, and saying a few prayers. Be patient because there is one of me and you are thousands. I thank Fr. Eric Raaser for his warm welcome and transitioning. It has
been difficult for me leaving St. James in Carmel, and I know Fr. Raaser shares the same feelings as we send him to his next assignment assured of our prayers, thanks and love.

Lastly, I ask for your prayers as I begin this adventure as the first pastor of the NEW Parish of Immaculate Conception and Assumption of Our Lady. Change is always hard but let us keep our eyes on the Lord and care for His flock: the people of God entrusted to our care. Please pray for me, Fr. Paul and Ms. Katy Feeney, your new Director of Religious Education as we begin to minister among you.

God Bless you,

Father Anthony Domenic Sorgie