By Anthony Biscione
It was a crisp fall morning on Sunday, Oct. 19, when St. Ephrem’s parish and school community gathered in Dyker Heights to celebrate the 100th birthday of Madeline Scotto. The celebration began at the 10 a.m. parish Mass.
Mrs. Scotto has been part of the fabric and fiber of St. Ephrem School for most of her 100 years. A graduate of 1928, Madeline Porpora was a member of the school’s first graduating class. After St. Ephrem, she went on to attend St. Saviour H.S., Park Slope, and St. Joseph’s College for Women. In 1960, she returned to teach full-time in her alma mater. Teaching was her passion.
Madeline and Francis Scotto were married in 1952 and together raised five children. Her children, their spouses, her nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren were among the congregation.
Msgr. Peter Kain, pastor, in his homily, praised Mrs. Scotto for her years of dedication and service. Though she officially retired in 1997, her retirement never really took hold. Msgr. Kain joked that Mrs. Scotto never liked the “r” word – “retirement.”
She continued to volunteer her time on a daily basis to work with students struggling in math. Presently, she continues to work three hours each day coaching students for the diocesan math bees.
After communion, the children and adult choirs sang “May the Lord Bless You and Keep You” as Msgr. Kain presented Mrs. Scotto with a papal blessing from Pope Francis.
Afterward, Annemarie Bartone, principal, presented Mrs. Scotto with a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation from the students. Bartone remarked that Mrs. Scotto “never needed a book to teach social studies; she, as an eyewitness, lived through it. She never needed a book to teach mathematics; she lived and breathed numbers. Mrs. Scotto never needed a book to teach religion; she modeled and lived her faith.”
Mass was followed by a reception in the school auditorium. The fall decorations and hand-drawn cards from the schoolchildren decorated the hall as family, guests, parish and school staff members and parishioners wished Mrs. Scotto a happy birthday.
Formal proclamations were presented by New York State State Sen. Marty Golden, City Council Member Vincent Gentile and a representative from Congresman Michael Grimm’s office.
In thanking the crowd, Mrs. Scotto expressed her love and gratitude to Msgr. Kain, her fellow teachers, parishioners and most especially the parents and students of St. Ephrem School.