Homecoming/Memorial Sunday is a tradition at Union Chapel in the Grove that’s usually celebrated on Father’s Day to begin the summer season in what former trustee Stewart Herman called “God’s Summer Cottage.”
Originally a Homecoming service, it was expanded to include an annual celebration of the founding of both Shelter Island Heights and the chapel in 1872 and to honor Heights residents and North Ferry employees who had passed away since the previous June.
Due to the novel coronavirus, chapel trustees canceled June gatherings and postponed the Homecoming/Memorial Service to August 2.
July services have been informal, held outdoors to protect the health of those who gather. During August and September, services will remain outdoors but will return to the traditional format of presenting invited preachers and speakers from different faiths.
The Rev. Peter DeSanctis, pastor of Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, will lead the Homecoming/Heights Memorial. Also a Heights resident, DeSanctis annually preaches at the Chapel; this is his second time leading this service. Baritone Thomas Milton is the guest musician.
The chapel’s antique bell will toll for those who passed away during the year and John Kenney, president of the Shelter Island Heights Property Owners Corporation, will read their names:
- Tom McGriel
- Edna Meade
- Dorothy Mundy
- Patricia Reilly
- Peter Williamson
- Bill Winship
- Judith Winship
All are welcome at Union Chapel on Sunday, August 2 at 10:30 AM for interfaith worship outdoors in the leafy grove.
The Rev. Peter DeSanctis
DeSanctis, known by all as Father Peter, has been associated with Our Lady of the Isle in various capacities since the 1970s. He’s the son of the late Peter and Gloria DeSanctis of Shelter Island and is related to other Islanders.
He holds two master’s degrees, completed U.S. Army basic training at Fort Dix, and served in the 8th Medical Brigade. He also trained in Walson Army Hospital, the Veterans Administration, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. Father Peter assisted the New York City Medical Examiner’s office and was appointed liaison to the New York Police Department. He also graduated from the Suffolk County Fire Academy.
An attending chaplain at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital, Father Peter also assists at Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional Catholic School.
Here on the Island, he is an assistant coach for the Shelter Island School’s varsity golf team, a clergy member for the All-Faith Youth Group, and an active member of the Shelter Island Fire Department, American Legion Mitchel Pos 281 and the Shelter Island Lions Club and Lions Foundation.
During the pandemic shutdown, Father Peter had to be creative to keep his parishioners engaged. He participated in livestream Masses for the first time and became the central focus of a newly-created and active Facebook page.
When the church reopened, he performed the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation, all while wearing a mask, as did the children. He currently celebrates an outdoor Mass at the OLOI cemetery and continues to make home visits to parishioners.
On the hottest summer days, when his pastoral duties are done, he is often golfing at Gardner’s Bay Country Club or Shelter Island Country Club or swimming at the Heights Beach Club.
Guest musician
Baritone Thomas Milton has been the featured soloist many times at Union Chapel. An Island resident and cantor at Our Lady of the Isle, he has sung at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church and Perlman Music Program, and with the Shelter Island Community Chorus. He performs throughout the East End, including with the Choral Society of the Hamptons and the Peconic Bay Masterworks Choir.
Looking ahead
Garden Club Memorial Sunday will take place on August 9. The Rev. Samuel T. Clover, associate minister at The Reformed Church of Bronxville, will preach.
Visit the chapel website at unionchapelinthegrove.org. Follow Union Chapel on Facebook and Instagram.
JoAnn Kirkland is an assistant to the trustees at Union Chapel in the Grove.
