Last Updated on January 31, 2025 by Editor
For more than 30 years, Mario and Carmelann Scalzo have been organizing events as the heads of the parish’s Social Ministry, formerly known as the Social Committee
By FRAN PERRITANO
St. Mary of Mount Carmel / Blessed Sacrament is renowned around the region and diocese — and beyond — for its wonderful and meaningful liturgies, beautiful music, an energetic congregation and faith-filled parishioners.
Beyond its religious foundation, however, there is another important aspect — the parish’s social community.
Parishioners and friends gather during the year to enjoy camaraderie at many parish functions outside of our beautiful church.
That’s where Mario and Carmelann Scalzo come in. For more than 30 years they have been organizing events as the heads of the parish’s Social Ministry, formerly known as the Social Committee.
“It started over 30 years ago when we were asked to give a reception at church, and then later we were continually asked to host the events on behalf of our priests,” said Carm, 78.
“After our first reception for Father Henry,” Mario said, “my wife and a few good friends who worked with us decided that we wanted to form some type of ministry to plan and sponsor social activities where our parishioners can become a close community.
Why have they been doing it for more than three decades?
“(I get satisfaction) hearing our parishioners telling us what a great time they had at our events and telling us that they would have stayed home wrapped up in front on the television,” Carm said.
Mario, 78, said it’s a joy “just to be with our friends and have fun planning and sponsoring activities that will encourage camaraderie with our parishioners. And the by-product that enables us to support local ministries and programs that extend beyond our parish.”
A major aspect of the Social Ministry is that people outside of the parish benefit.
“We always felt that we would like to share by supporting our church’s outreach efforts into our community,” said Carm. “We researched and found several groups and organizations that need additional resources to fulfill their goals.
All of the beneficiaries receive monetary donations to support their needs: They include: Veterans Outreach, Rescue Mission, Thea Bowman House (through Anne Elacqua’s program), Purple Heart, Abraham House, Father Luis’ Spanish ministry, Mount Carmel Society Thanksgiving program, The House of the Good Shepherd, and the Monday Night Walk In at the Rescue Mission
Mario stressed none of the Social Ministry’s events are fundraising.
“In fact, we subsidize all of the events with our funds to keep the costs to our parishioners down,” he said. “Our only fundraiser is the Bake Sale and Craft Fair.”
Among its numerous endeavors are Valentine’s Day Dinners, Mardi Gras parties, Murder Mysteries, the popular Bistro, dinners (roast beef, ham, manicotti and fish fries), A Night at the Races, The Christmas Galas, Breakfast with Santa, chicken barbecues, bake sales and craft fairs, pizza fritta mornings, several teas, a wine trip and raffles.
Guiding the Social Ministry only is one aspect of their lives.
Before he retired, Mario engaged in the technology field since the early days of mainframe computers in the mid-1960s. He retired from Bank of New York Melon as a vice president of technology development. Now, he’s in the choir, teams with Carm on the Marriage Committee, serves on the Board of Directors for the Italian Heritage Club of the Mohawk Valley, and is secretary of the St. Rosalia Society.
Carm is no slouch either. She retired as an office manager. In addition to the Social Ministry and Marriage Committee, she’s a eucharist minister and occupies her day cooking, cleaning and doing laundry — the basic necessities.
Of course, one of the most rewarding “occupations” is spending time with their grandchildren.
Mario and Carm met in high school and lived around the corner from each other. Their families were good friends. They also were members of the Mount Carmel Players group in what seems like a lifetime ago.
Both agree that social activities are important to our parish community.
“It keeps our parishioners linked together to have a social life and enjoy each other,” Carm said.
“We want to ensure that our parish family continues into the future and that we can continue to serve our parishioners and the community,” Mario added.
So, what’s in store for this year and how can others help?
“We will continue to support and sponsor events that will benefit our community and parishioners,” Carm said. “We are looking for new members of our ministry with some fresh ideas for more entertaining events.”
“The best vehicle to share ideas is to attend the ministry’s meetings and help us plan the events,” Mario said.
Like many ministries in the parish, the people involved are getting along in years. Younger parishioners need to step up and get involved — anywhere from teens to adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s, etc.
“We are looking to plan some activities that will be aimed at the younger generations, including children,” Carm said. “Of course, we would like some of these younger parents to offer some ideas as us older members are out of tune with today’s events for young adults and children.”