Community Corner

Boy Scout Builds Pathway to Virgin Mary for Residents

Boy Scout Rocco Recce marks the dedication of his Eagle Scout project, a Pathway to Virgin Mary, at St. Thomas More in Hauppauge.

A Hauppauge Boy Scout has created a pathway he hopes will offer solace and consolation to St. Thomas More parishioners mourning the loss of loved ones, particular those not here this holiday season.

Boy Scout Rocco Recce of Hauppauge Troop 343 celebrated the dedication of his Eagle Scout project: an engraved pathway leading the way to a statue of the Virgin Mary outside in Hauppauge on Dec. 11.

When thinking over ideas for his Eagle Scout project, Recce said his first thought was St. Thomas More.

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"St. Thomas More has been like a second home to me. I went to Father Midura and asked what needed to be done. He showed me the statue to Mary," Recce said.

The statue to the Virgin Mary, tucked out of sight from the entrance to St. Thomas More, looks out over Kings Highway. It has been there for several years, but up until recently, few knew of its existance or location.

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"There was no real way to get out here outside of an emergency exit door. People didn't even realize this was a memorial gardian," said Theresa Recce, Rocco's mother.

Rocco started a fundraiser in March, selling engraved stones to St. Thomas More parishioners and community residents. By May, 413 stones had been purchased. Each bears an individual message in memory of a lost child, loved one, prayer or donated by a church-related group.

For three and a half days this summer, Recce worked alongside fellow troop members to lay down a path the leads from the path of St. Thomas More around the side of the church to the Virgin Mary statue.

"For me, it was being able to make something known to the parishioners that wasn't a bit part of the church before. It was getting them to know something greater to here was my main objective,"the Boy Scout said.

Pathway stones set in groups, symmetrically, bear messages of "The DeFalco Family" to "Rev. David Farley 'Pray for us'." One stone stands out with a message of "Eleven Friends Forever," a stone purchased by Recce's friends to support his project.

In laying out the pathway, keeping the messages readable and symmetrical became a task - but there weren't enough to complete the pattern. So contrasting stones were used to lay a large cross.

At the dedication ceremony on Dec. 11, Recce had a surprise for Rev. Monsignor Francis Midura and the parishioners of St. Thomas. He presented a check for $17,600.55, extra profit from the brick sale not used for the project, to the church as a donation.

"[Rocco] said he would give what was leftover. I wasn't sure what it was, it was much appreciated. It will go into the next project which will be a new kitchen," Midura said.

Rocco, a junior at Hauppauge High School, is hoping complete three Merit badges this spring to inducted as an Eagle Scout.


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