Catholic Lawyers Guild celebrates St. Patrick and St. Joseph days at annual dinner

March 26, 2019 Rob Abruzzese

The Catholic Lawyers Guild held its annual St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s Day dinner at Marco Polo in Brooklyn on Thursday. Pictured is Dominic Famulari, left, president of the Guild, and Gregory Cerchione. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

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Members of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Brooklyn celebrated both St. Patrick and St. Joseph’s days with a dinner at Marco Polo in Carroll Gardens on Thursday.

Past presidents Steven Smith and Sara Gozo. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

“Most of the time we’re all so busy that when we pass each other in the courthouse we can’t really stop to chat,” said Dominic Famulari, president of the Guild. “This event is a way to kick off the spring and bring all of our members together for a dinner where we aren’t so rushed, or there primarily for CLE. It’s a great event with no speeches or programs. It’s just camaraderie amongst our members and a little bit of singing.”

Justice James G. Starkey sings at nearly every St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Day event for the Catholic Lawyers Guild. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

It’s an annual tradition that goes back to the days of past President Sara Gozo, who helped to organize the celebration of the two Catholic saints. Prior to combining the two events it would be hard for the group to get both its Irish Catholic members and its Italian Catholic members together at one dinner.

From left: Theresa Nuccio, Gianna Famulari, Michael Famulari, Margherita Racanelli, Dawn Sajecki, Betsey Jean-Jacques, John Famulari and Dominick Dale. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

The only speech on Thursday was by Justice Matthew D’Emic, the administrative judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term. He spoke briefly about the two saints who the group was there to celebrate.

From left: Hon. Matthew D’Emic, Hon. David Vaughan, Hon. Mark Partnow and Michael Benjamin. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

“I’ve been asked to say a few words about tonight’s honorees — St. Patrick and St. Joseph,” Justice D’Emic said. “I would say they were both listeners and generously responded to what they heard.

Lucy DiSalvo (left) and Hon. Harriet Thompson. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

“Although Joseph and Patrick are separated by 400 years and extremely different cultures, we celebrate their feast days tonight because they listened, overcame their fears and answered the call,” D’Emic concluded.

From left: Hon. Donald Kurtz, Ralph Marra, Paulina Ellis, Chuck Siegel and Dean Delianites. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

Angelo Venuto then sang Italian classics throughout dinner. He was only interrupted briefly by members Steven Smith, a past president, and Justice James Starkey, who have continued an annual tradition of singing a few songs themselves.

From left: Hon. Harriet Thompson, Hon. Rosemarie Montalbano, Derefim Neckles, Hon. Ingrid Joseph, Hon. Theresa Ciccotto, Hon. Carolyn Wade and Steven Smith. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

“Someone asked me to sing at the first St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s dinner,” Justice Starkey said. “To the surprise of guests assembled that night, I sang a tribute to St. Joseph and I’ve been doing it since.”

From left: Lawrence Moringiello, John Famulari, Dominic Famulari and Gregory Lendino. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

The Catholic Lawyers’ next event will be its annual awards dinner that will be held at Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island on May 16. There will be six honorees that night including Dominick Napoletano, John Famulari, Hon. Thomas P. Aliotta, Hon. George Silver, Keith Olarnick and Father Peter Mahoney.

Hon. Robert Miller, left, and Gregory Cerchione. Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

New board members and directors will also be installed at that dinner. Maria Aragona will be sworn in as president-elect, Yolanda Guadagnoli as first vice president and Gregory Cerchione as treasurer. Janet McFarland, Betsey Jean-Jacques and Gianna Famulari will be sworn in as directors.