Take a look at our December newsletter!
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WE KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH
IN A MANOR OF SPEAKING
From Local Roots to Leading Light at Holy Rosary Parish Serving an Ever-Changing Staten Island
deep, whether it’s with my parish, neighbors, or even old high school classmates like John Merlino, who asked if I’d like to be featured in this month’s Merlino & Gonzalez newsletter. I grew up on the south end of Staten Island and attended Monsignor Farrell High School, where I first met John. He was a year behind me, and though our paths diverged, we reconnected at a Staten Island Business Insiders dinner. After catching up on the years passed, John asked if I’d like to share more about my work and life in their newsletter. I was honored and agreed without hesitation. For the past 11 years, I’ve served as the pastor of Holy Rosary Church, located right by the Verrazano Bridge. This parish, situated on the north end, contrasts the southern part where I was raised. Our community is dynamic, reflecting a tapestry of cultures and languages. We’ve seen a demographic shift from predominantly Italian to a diverse mix, including Mexican and Russian residents. This diversity requires me to speak Spanish and occasionally Italian, ensuring I can effectively connect with and serve everyone. No matter how our community changes, I want to ensure I grow and evolve in order to serve it better. I truly see Holy Rosary Church as not only a church but also a community hub. We have a school — Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy — named after a Marine Chaplain who was killed in Vietnam and whom the Vatican is considering for sainthood. The school, alongside our religious education program, helps us nurture young minds from pre-K through eighth grade. Community outreach is a cornerstone of our mission. When Hurricane Sandy devastated our area, our response highlighted the incredible spirit of our parish. We operate a food pantry funded by private donations, helping meet the immediate needs of South Beach residents. Additionally, our Bridges of Hope initiative supports local housing projects, ensuring no one in our community feels overlooked.
It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with old classmates, especially those who have become pillars of the community. As we celebrate Christmas, I want to let my old friend, Father Michael Martine, share with you his love for Staten Island and his work to uplift anyone who may need a helping hand.
After 28 years of priesthood and experiences to last a lifetime, I still can’t help but look ahead to all we can do to uplift this wonderful community. As the pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Staten Island, I’ve had the unique opportunity to serve my hometown, a community that’s seen considerable change over the years. My connection to this place runs
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PAW-SOME ADVENTURES
Could your child be a future celebrity chef? Could your baby be a world-class baker in waiting? Help transform your toddlers or school-age kids into tiny tastemakers by following these three simple tips. Use your space as a skill zone. It takes more than just a love of food to make delicious meals and treats, as cooking and baking put all five senses to the test. Helping in the kitchen enables small children to heighten their awareness of smells, tastes, sounds, and textures while learning new words. Having them measure ingredients and pour them into bowls is an easy way to refine their motor skills, and your guidance behind the counter will encourage them to follow directions. If your kitchen companion is a baby, you can still involve them by describing the sights, sounds, and smells surrounding them and letting them touch some of the food — all great tools to assist in developing their connection to the world. Kid-proof your meal prep. Before taking your child on a culinary journey, check that their countertop travels won’t endanger them. It’s obviously a big no-no to rest a sharp knife on a cutting board that small hands can reach, but little things like toothpicks can also pose a risk. If your small assistant is old enough to cut up ingredients, a plastic utensil will be less painful than steel if the blade misses its mark. Keep family flavors flowing. Want to give your elderly mom or dad a holiday surprise they’ll never forget? Present them with a meal based on one of their famous recipes that their grandkid(s) helped prepare! Holiday gatherings are great for sharing the details and delicacies that shaped your family’s history — and a wonderful opportunity to pass down those special traditions to the next generation.
WHISKING UP FAMILY FUN Kitchen Adventures: Kid Edition
With the holidays upon us, now is a perfect time to introduce little ones to the joys of baking and cooking by turning your kitchen into a safe space for learning and bonding.
Ditch the Coffee Shop TRANSFORM A CORNER OF YOUR HOME INTO A COFFEE HAVEN
Many Americans struggle to start their day without fresh coffee. According to a recent study conducted by Drive Research, around 73% of Americans have at least one cup of coffee daily. However, stopping at Starbucks or your local coffee shop every morning gets expensive quickly. Thankfully, you can make some delicious and invigorating coffee at home for a fraction of the price. Create the ultimate coffee bar by investing in the right appliance, redesigning a space in your home, and stocking your favorite creamers and blends. If you’re interested in designing a coffee bar for your home, you must first determine a good location. You don’t need much space for this project; simply using a small corner in your kitchen or foyer will suffice. From there, decide on the furniture to house your coffee needs.
To save money, consider repurposing a piece of furniture you own or go thrifting to find something that matches your aesthetic. Once you’ve settled on your furniture, it’s time to design it to house everything you need to make your morning coffee effectively. If it has cabinets or drawers, use them to store mugs, coffee pods, and mixing spoons; if not, you’ll need to get creative. You can utilize a mug rack and other organizers to house all your coffee necessities. Now, you need to add your coffee maker to the space. Remember, you don’t need the fanciest or most expensive coffee maker. The quality of your beans or blend will have a more significant impact on the flavor of your coffee than the machine. You just want something that will look good and reliably make you a cup when needed.
All that’s left is adding your personal touches to the area. You can showcase your personality through the design or just fill the area with things that bring you joy. Adding an aesthetic that makes you smile will help you start each day on the right foot. After making your first cup of Joe at your new coffee bar and taking that first sip, you’ll wonder why you never did this earlier!
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Protect Your Wishes With an Updated Power of Attorney HOW TO CORRECTLY REVOKE AND REPLACE YOUR POA
Steps to Update Your POA Fortunately, updating your POA is fairly simple with the help of your attorney. Here’s a straightforward approach to updating your POA: 1. Draft a New Document: Collaborate with an experienced estate planning attorney to draft a new POA that reflects your current circumstances and designates a trusted agent. 2. Revoke the Previous Document: Officially revoke your old POA by signing a formal revocation notice. This step is crucial to prevent confusion or overlapping authorities. 3. Inform the Previous Agent: Communicate with the agent in your previous POA to inform them that their powers have been revoked, ensuring no misunderstandings. 4. Notify Relevant Parties: To ensure they recognize the authority of your new agent, distribute copies of the updated POA to all relevant institutions, including banks and health care providers. Honoring Your Wishes At Merlino & Gonzalez, we understand the nuances of estate planning and are dedicated to ensuring your POA and other estate documents reflect your wishes accurately. Contact us today at 718-698-2200 to ensure your estate planning documents are up to date and rest easy knowing your future is in good hands.
A durable power of attorney (POA) is a critical component of any estate plan, allowing a designated agent to manage affairs on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. However, life is unpredictable. When circumstances change, you must update your POA to ensure it accurately reflects your current wishes and situation.
Changing Your POA There are countless reasons you may need to change your POA. For instance,
if the person you’ve appointed as your agent can no longer fulfill their duties due to incapacity or death, it’s crucial to appoint someone else. Similarly, changes in your marital status, such as a divorce, often require alterations to your POA to prevent an ex-spouse from retaining control over your affairs. Even shifts in your medical or financial situation can require a new POA who may be more capable of following your wishes.
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Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce Michele’s Recipe Corner
Sports and recreation also play a significant role in our outreach, with a robust basketball program that keeps local youth engaged and active. It’s about building a healthier, more connected community. Reflecting on my journey, from studying at Fordham University and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to serving across the Archdiocese of New York, I’ve gained experiences that enrich my ministry. Each assignment, whether in the bustling streets of Manhattan or the tranquil towns along the Hudson, has prepared me to lead with empathy and insight. I wanted to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible to bring back to my hometown. As I continue to serve, the challenges are many, chief among them being the dwindling number of clergy members. Yet, the work is as rewarding as ever, filled with opportunities to make a real difference. As we move forward, my goal remains clear: to nurture and grow our community, reaching out to more people and deepening our collective faith and commitment. If you’re inspired to contribute or learn more, I invite you to visit us at Holy Rosary Church. Together, we can continue making a positive impact, encouraging a cycle of caring and involvement that defines our parish. —Father Michael Martine JCL, KCHS
INSPIRED BY DELICIOUS.COM
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
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3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 6-cup ovenproof bowl and line the bottom with waxed paper. 2. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, and flour until smooth. Stir in pecans and figs, then add 1/2 cup hot water. 3. Pour batter into prepared bowl, cover with a circle of waxed paper, then cover tightly with foil. Bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. 4. For toffee sauce, put butter and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Stir in cream and increase heat to medium. Bring to just below boiling, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until thickened. 5. Turn pudding onto a plate and drizzle with toffee sauce.
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2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp baking powder 3/4 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup dried figs, roughly chopped 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped 1/2 cup hot water
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Toffee sauce •
1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream
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718-698-2200 | realestateplanninglaw.com WE KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Rev. Martine Reflects on 28 Years of Faithful Service Page 1
Mix, Measure, and Make Memories
Create a Coffee Bar to Make Your Mornings Shine Page 2
Why and When to Update Your Power of Attorney
Sticky Fig and Pecan Pudding With Toffee Sauce Page 3
Create Cherished Moments This December Page 4
Make the Most of the Holiday Season With Loved Ones Holiday Cheer Across the Boroughs
December in Staten Island and New Jersey is a time when the air crackles with the magic of the holiday season. This month, streets lined with twinkling lights and the crisp winter air set the stage for holiday light shows, music festivals, and classic Christmas movies. Embrace all the season has to offer! Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Show Nov. 29, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025 WinterWonderLightShows.com Welcome to Winter WonderLights, New Jersey’s largest animated holiday light show drive-thru! With over 1.5 million lights dancing to beloved holiday tunes, this spectacular event features two towering 30-foot trees, 11 20-foot trees, five magical tunnels, and stunning new displays honoring the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as
holidays like Hanukkah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa. Set the radio to enjoy the synchronized music and chow down on tasty treats from Dave’s Delicious Fries Food Truck as you make this show a treasured part of your family’s holiday tradition, come rain or shine! Universal Temple of the Arts Staten Island JAZZ Festival Friday, Dec. 20, from 7–10 p.m. StGeorgeTheatre.com/events-main Experience the soulful rhythms of jazz at the 36th annual Staten Island JAZZ Festival on Dec. 20 at the St. George Theatre. This year features saxophonist and vocalist Camille Thurman, innovative harpist Brandee Younger, the regal tones of Alicia Olatuja, and three-time Grammy nominee Lakecia Benjamin. Hosted by WBGO’s Sheila E.
Anderson and curated by Dr. Darrell Smith, prepare for an evening that celebrates the evolving world of jazz! ‘The Polar Express’ on the Big Screen! Saturday, Dec. 28, 3:15 pm StGeorgeTheatre.com/the-polar-express Join the magical journey of “The Polar Express” at St. George Theatre’s “Better on the Big Screen” Movie Series, sponsored by Williams Eye Works and Richmond University Medical Center. Doors open at 2 p.m., with a special pre-show performance by organist Ian Fraser at 2:30 p.m., followed by the film starting at 3:15 p.m. Revisit this heartwarming tale directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, which follows a young boy’s unforgettable train ride to the North Pole.
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