Deacon James Hanley

In 1989, my wife, Dottie, our two children and I returned to the Parish of St. Matthew after living in Farmingville, NY for 19 years. I was employed as an administrator at Half Hollow Hills High School West and I called Half Hollow Hills Schools my home for 27 of my 38 years as an educator. During the final years that I worked in public education, I began my studies for the Deaconate with the Diocese of Rockville Center's Pastoral Formation program. After this two year program, I began studying at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY in 1996 and was ordained a Deacon in May, 1999.

For the two years prior to my ordination, I was the Principal of St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, NY. At the time of my ordination, I was assigned to the Parish of St. Matthew and after leaving St. Dominic's, I began working with the Religious Education Department and more closely with Msgr. Mattei and the other members of the parish staff. In addition to my Religious Education involvement, I have been involved in weekday and Sunday liturgies, the Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, wake services and funerals, the Monday evening novena and writing for the "Knight Writer."

"Once a teacher, always a teacher." Last July, Brother Shane, the Principal of St. Anthony's High School, invited me to teach Grade 9 and 10 Theology. Unfortunately, I have less time to spend at St. Matthew's during the week but this new activity has been a wonderful experience. While I have less "free time" outside of school, I have realized a greater fullness in my deaconate. Each morning, I have the opportunity to share the experience of Mass with the students and the faculty. The classroom offers the opportunity to share my love of the gospels and our Catholic experience with the next generation of Catholic Christians.

If anyone is in need of assistance, I am always ready to assist in whatever manner necessary both as members of the Faith Community of St. Matthew and as a pilgrim on our journey of faith.