A native of Brooklyn, Martha Buffo and her husband raised their family in East Northport before moving to the south fork. For close to 10 years Martha has been coordinator of social ministry at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. "She and her volunteers have been a very important social net for countless individuals and families who have fallen through the cracks of existing social service networks," writes Father Ronald Richardson, pastor of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. "She is a blessing to our community."
 

Msgr. Brendan Riordan, St. Aloysius’ pastor, identifies Sharon Snorteland as "one of our parish's great evangelizers. As the director of our pre-kindergarten program for the past 17 years" and as director "of our very successful Religious Education program, Sharon has been instrumental in the religious formation of not only our young people but also their parents," Msgr. Riordan writes. "As a longtime member of our parish, Sharon is very involved in every aspect of parish life, organizing our monthly parish family dinners, our family fun nights, and as a member of our liturgy committee."
 

"Hank has been an active member of St. Martin since the 1940s," writes pastor Father Richard Stelter, and "Mary has been an active member since 1970." Both have served as lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Hank has "employed his talents to construct sanctuary furnishings and other elements for our worship environment," Father Stelter notes, while Mary has been a member of both the parish school board and pastoral council, and taught in the religious education program. She presently chairs the stewardship program and coordinates and trains the junior lectors. Hank and Mary served together as Renew 2000 leaders and as a Pre-Cana host couple. They participate in the parish liturgy committee and have organized parish blood drives in the past.
 

"This very loving and generous couple does so much for those who are in need," writes Father Robert Mason, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes. "These two very special people quietly operate the parish food pantry for those who suffer from poverty and find themselves in need. They solicit food and cash donations from businesses and other generous souls," and "they both do this without fanfare and without praise. They truly imitate our Lord in his love for the poor and needy." The Rubanos also both serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and "offer their talents and services in so many ways. They are truly gifts to our loving parish family," concludes Father Mason.
 

Since retiring from their law enforcement positions, Joe and Barbara have devoted most of their time to assisting the pastor and people of Our Lady of the Isle parish. Over the past 17 years they have served on almost every parish committee, board and ministry, managed cemetery affairs, served as lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, assisted in the sacristy and with liturgical celebrations, and also been a great historical resource for the parish.
 

While Lorraine Bustamante has served Our Lady of Grace Church in many capacities for over 40 years, "her special love," observes her pastor, Msgr. Vincent Rush, "is working with children who have special needs and their families. As coordinator for our Special Religious Education program," Msgr. Rush explains, Lorraine "designs the classes based on the children's needs and cultivates an atmosphere that works as a small Christian community where together they find Christ in everyone and everything and share their gifts with generous and loving hearts. Her ministry is a continuous faith formation process that welcomes and embraces people with special needs throughout their lifetime and that extends far beyond the classroom. Her work is a labor of love," the pastor concludes, "in which God's grace is both reciprocal and palpable."
 

"John Dahl has served the parish family of St. James most generously in varied ways for many years," writes Father Robert Smith, St. James' pastor. "Chief among these have been the leadership he has provided and continues to provide for the parish's ushers / ministers of hospitality, in his organization and presence to the parish's blood drive in both the spring and fall, and in his dedication to the work of the Knights of Columbus. In addition, John always responds quickly, happily and enthusiastically to any request for service that may come his way."