http://catholicism.org/viva-grucci-fireworks-giant-makes-a-booming-defense-of-christmas.html An online journal edited by the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Richmond N.H. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://catholicism.org/viva-grucci-fireworks-giant-makes-a-booming-defense-of-christmas.html#comment-352 Trustee Lori Devlin Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:33:25 +0000 http://catholicism.org/?p=4036#comment-352 I am a Trustee with the Village of Patchogue and would like to correct some information regarding the Boat Parade in question. It is held on Nov 23 and has traditionally been a kickoff to the holiday season, ie: Thanksgiving, Hanukahh, Christmas and New Years. It is sponsored by the Greater Patchogue Foundation which is a private foundation under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and whose mission includes inclusivity for the community. There was only one year 2007 when was it called the Christmas Parade at Phil Butlers insistence. As a Village we have a diverse faith community and we sponsor several wonderful celebrations such as our popular Main St Parade "Christmas Parade" held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We also sponsor a Menorah lighting and a Tree lighting. On the other hand the Boat Parade in question typically promotes what I consider a secularized version of the season whose decorations typically include Snow Globes, Snowmen, Reindeer, Snoopy and Santa. These are not what I consider appropriate symbols to be associated with the wonderous Virgin birth of Christ. To suggest that this parade must be called the Christmas Boat Parade seems to me an invented issue on the part of Mr. Butler designed to put our village in a bad light. Respectfully yours. Trustee Lori Devlin I am a Trustee with the Village of Patchogue and would like to correct some information regarding the Boat Parade in question. It is held on Nov 23 and has traditionally been a kickoff to the holiday season, ie: Thanksgiving, Hanukahh, Christmas and New Years. It is sponsored by the Greater Patchogue Foundation which is a private foundation under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and whose mission includes inclusivity for the community. There was only one year 2007 when was it called the Christmas Parade at Phil Butlers insistence. As a Village we have a diverse faith community and we sponsor several wonderful celebrations such as our popular Main St Parade “Christmas Parade” held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We also sponsor a Menorah lighting and a Tree lighting. On the other hand the Boat Parade in question typically promotes what I consider a secularized version of the season whose decorations typically include Snow Globes, Snowmen, Reindeer, Snoopy and Santa. These are not what I consider appropriate symbols to be associated with the wonderous Virgin birth of Christ. To suggest that this parade must be called the Christmas Boat Parade seems to me an invented issue on the part of Mr. Butler designed to put our village in a bad light.
Respectfully yours. Trustee Lori Devlin

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