The eighth annual Kathie and Christopher Lawler Dinner-Dance was held on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston. This year’s event raised $65,000 for the Lawler Extraordinary Needs Fund for Senior Priests which, to date, has raised $600,000 to assist senior priests in the diocese.

This year’s honorees were Father George R. Cowan and posthumously, Msgr. Cornelius H. “Neil” Mahoney.

Father Cowan’s last assignment was as a parochial vicar at St. Vincent Ferrer, Flatbush. Msgr. Mahoney, who died in 2007, last served as director of the SS. Peter and Paul Spirituality Center in Douglaston.

When introducing Father Cowan, Msgr. George Deas joked, “George proves you can take the boy out of Brooklyn but you can’t take Brooklyn out of the boy.” On a more serious note, he called Msgr. Cowan “a good man and a great priest.” Msgr. Mahoney received praise as a wonderful priest during his time with the diocese as well.

The Kathie and Christopher Lawler Foundation was established in memory of Kathie and her son Christopher who were both killed on Nov. 12, 2001, when Flight No. 587 fell from the sky onto their Belle Harbor home.

The goal of the foundation is to supplement and enhance the diocese’s existing programs in assisting senior priests, many of whom were friends of Kathie, who was a diocesan employee.

For more information on how to donate to the Kathie and Christopher Lawler Extraordinary Needs Fund for Senior Priests, please visit www.cfbq.org or call 718-965-7375.