(Continued from Front Page)

Nice way to start the day with a happy birthday to Msgr. Edgar McCarren, 90 years old July 29. Msgr. McCarren, a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Center in New York, has been living in retirement since 2003 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in East Palo Alto where Father Larry Goode is pastor.
Out of breath from qualifying as well as the excitement of being in the running for an on - site fitness center valued at $100,000 in the Governor's Challenge Competition is Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School in Belmont. "The entire student body is ecstatic," said principal, Sandra Larragoiti, noting that everyone including faculty took part in the contest. Heading up the regimen was Greg Carbullido. "The reason I promoted the Governor's Challenge was to engage all of our students to become fit and active," Greg said. "We have many children who participate in sports at the school but what about the rest of them?" Contest rules included having students active 30 to 60 minutes a day, three days a week, for a month. "With the grand prize we would like to start an after - school program called Cougar Fitness Academy," Greg said. Greg and his wife, Mary, are the proud parents of IHM third grader, Brendon, and first grader, Ryan. IHM is one of nine schools from the Bay Area region and 75 schools statewide that have made it to the finals. Winners will be announced in mid - September.
Congratulations to Dina and Benny Menconi who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and renewed their vows at Immaculate Conception Chapel in San Francisco with beloved Franciscan and friend of the couple, Father William Lauriola, presiding. "I was baptized at Immaculate Conception," Dina told me. Dina and Benny were married at St. Paul's in Noe Valley and have lived in Epiphany Parish for 49 years.
Congratulations to Judy and Patrick Bowler of St. Robert Parish in San Bruno on their 50th wedding anniversary. Msgr. Edward McTaggart, now - retired pastor of St. Brendan Parish in San Francisco and Pat's cousin, presided at the couple's wedding a half - a - century ago.
Celebrating 60 years of marriage and also with our congrats are Sophie and Ed O'Connor. The couple took their vows at Church of the Epiphany in San Francisco and are today parishioners of St. Bartholomew Parish in San Mateo. "A celebration was held at a garden party in Hillsborough attended by our four children and their spouses, seven grandchildren and one great grandson plus family and friends," Sophie said.
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