Dear Editor: Such a wonderful occasion to celebrate Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s 175th anniversary in Astoria (Nov. 21)!

My two sisters (Linda and Mary) and I attended OLMC school. We had the Sisters of St. Joseph teaching us. I graduated in January, 1955 (I went on to St Joseph’s H.S. in Downtown Brooklyn as did my two sisters; also being taught there by the Sisters of St. Joseph).

I have so many great memories of my years at OLMC. I can remember my first-grade teacher (Sister Mary Marcus). Back then we did not have a lunchroom. We ate in one of the candy stores nearby and spent our lunchtime playing on Crescent Street (that was closed off during that time).

One of my favorite things was to go into the church during lunchtime to pay a visit (especially at St. Joseph’s altar – he has always been my patron since I was born on March 19, 1941). The church was always so quiet and reverent.

Congratulations OLMC – you will always be part of my happy memories.

Patricia Mosono Belmonte