STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — More than 425 family, friends, parishioners and faithful supporters spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Nicotra’s Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn on Oct. 29 to celebrate the retirement of Rev. Evangelio Rina (”Father Gil”) Suaybaguio, after 47 years in the priesthood.
The sun-filled ballroom reflected the golden respect and fondness each and every guest held for Father Gil, who was celebrated with an elegant sit-down lunch, four hours of festive line dancing, a looping video of hundreds of photos of Father Gil celebrating sacred and happy occasions with Staten Islanders and speeches and toasts that recalled the memories with Father Gil over close to five decades.
The popular Father Gil, who is Filipino-American and known for his warm demeanor and generous nature, is the former Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St. Benedicta Church, West Brighton, after which he served at St. Joseph-St. Thomas Church, St. John Neumann, Rossville.
“After 47 years in the priesthood — 12 years in the Philippines and 35 years in the U.S., I thank you for all your prayers and support,” said Father Gil, who barely sat the entire celebration, as a steady stream of well-wishers approached to congratulate him and to snap a souvenir selfie.
“Thank you to the Jesuit priests, Diocesan clergy, French Canadian PME priests, American Maryknoll priests, the RVM sisters, and lay teachers for their dedication and for the faithful in general who in one way or another have been always with me in serving the people,” he added. “Most of all, thanks be to God for choosing me to be a priest and servant.”
Father Gil was formally accepted for incardination in the Archdiocese of New York on Dec. 16, 1998, after which he chose to stay in the U.S., not only to be of service to the faithful of the Archdiocese of New York and the Filipino communities here, but also to become what he considers God’s instrument in raising funds in this prosperous nation to…
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