Parish Staff
Cristobal Sanchez
Born in 1942, in the lovely port city of Havana, in the island of Cuba, where I grew up surrounded by a loving and supportive family and where I received my education, which ended at the Havana University. In 1962 I came to America. Here I met my wonderful wife and love of my life, Norma. Here I had my two sons, David, and Andrew, of which I am very proud. Here I had my two grandchildren, Lucas and Julian, the joy of my old age. When Father Rick Figliozzi was Pastor, he invited me to become a Deacon. I was ordained in 1998 and have been serving in the Parish ever since in various capacities. My latest assignment is the preparation of the Church Bulletin which I work from home. Due to physical infirmity, I am limited in how much I can serve. I preach at some Masses when I am needed. But my greatest treasure is the Catholic faith I received from my parents, which assures me of the Love of God which as the poet said is “as boundless as the sea.”
Philipp Petkov
Philipp Petkov was born in Baranovichi, Belarus and began piano studies at the age of six. In 1996, he entered the National School of Arts “Veselin Stoyanov” in Rousse, Bulgaria, where he studied solfege, theory, harmony, and piano with Veselinka Ivanova and Daniela Kjurkchieva. In Bulgaria, he competed in many festivals and competition winning several awards and distinctions including three 1st prizes (two for chamber music) at the “International Music Festival: Hope, Talents and Masters” (1999, 2002). He also took top prizes at the “International Competition for Piano Six Hands” at Marktoberdorf, Germany (2002) and the “Alexander Scriabin National Piano Competition”, Sofia, Bulgaria (2003).
In 2004 Philipp was discovered by Tamara Poddubnaya and brought to the U.S. to study with her at the Long Island Conservatory. Since then, Philipp has maintained an active performance and competition schedule and has won 1st prizes at the “2004 LISMA International Music Competition”, New York, “2005 Morgan Park Summer Music Festival”, New York, “2011 Nelly Berman School of Music Competition”, Philadelphia and Grand Prix at “2015 International Competition Musical Fireworks at Baden-Wurttemberg”, Germany. In 2008, he performed in Russia as a soloist with “Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra” at the “Saint Petersburg Grand Hall”.
Students of Mr. Petkov’s successful piano studio have been winners of many competitions and have been performing in concerts and events in the New York metropolitan area. Philipp has been invited to adjudicate important events such as “The 2nd Annual Kenneth A. Darrell Memorial Piano Competition” in Nashua, NH, 2011, “Greenwich House Music School Competition” in NY, 2012 and “Music Without Borders” in Bethel, ME, 2016.
Since 2010, Philipp and his wife Olga Tourkina have been performing together as a violin-piano chamber duo and the duet gave various performances in the United States, Russia and Mexico. Mr. Petkov is currently a music director and an organist at “Our Holly Redeemer Roman Catholic Church” in Freeport, NY.
Ana Sullivan
Human Services (Parish Outreach) / Thrift Shop Director
Helping and respecting others are principles I grew up with. Growing up in El Salvador, I learned this through the actions of my parents who always helped and cared for others, regardless of who they were. Years ago, I came to the United States and settled in Long Beach, New York. Later on, I married my husband, Duffy Sullivan and had two children, Ryan and James. In addition, in 2012 I was blessed with a grandson, Anthony Sullivan. While working and raising a family, I pursued my education and obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Old Westbury State University.
In 2011, I was offered a position working as Director of Parish Social ministry at St. John of God Parish Outreach. A position which I took very gladly. For the past twelve years I had the privilege to serve the community of Central Islip. As Director, I served the community in many different ways, such providing them with food, clothing, referring them to other agencies as needed it, and advocating for those who have no voice.
In 2004, I was hired by St. Mary’s of the Isle in Long Beach, in the Social Ministry Department. While working at St. Mary’s, I had the opportunity to help and serve the poor, by assisting them with food, clothing, and advocating for them. But most importantly, I listened to their struggles and found ways to help. In 2011, I began working at St. John of God Parish, as Parish Social Ministry Director, a position that I enjoy every day, because it gives me the opportunity to do what I love to do, which is helping and serving people, regardless of who they are, because in the end, we are all brothers and sisters.
As a new chapter begins for me at Our Holy Redeemer Parish, I am looking forward to applying all that I have learned and to use my knowledge to continue my mission of service with love and compassion the community of Freeport.
Joann Flaherty
Pastoral Business Assistant
Being blessed in so many ways, with good health, a good education and a wonderful and supportive husband and family, I have tried to give back for the many blessings I have received. As an accountant for Our Holy Redeemer Church for nearly 25 years with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Saint John’s University. I was hired by Rev. Richard M. Figliozzi in 1998 as a part timer for 2 days a week then 3 days a week when he gave me more responsibilities. Then in 2005, Father Rick offered me full time employment as the Office Manager. Rev. Nicholas Figliola asked me to be the Business Manager a year after he arrived in 2005. Rev. Douglas R. Arcoleo changed my title to Pastoral Business Associate shortly after he arrived in 2008. We sold our home in Freeport in January 2020 and bought a home in Perkasie, PA where our daughter lives. Father Arcoleo asked that I stay on to help Kathleen Weston transition into the position and help with the monthly reporting, budget and yearend financial reporting and then to continue to stay on and help the new Pastor when he arrived.
My husband Eugene and I have been married for over 38 years and have been parishioners at Our Holy Redeemer Church for 37 years. Saint Agnes Roman Catholic Church in Sellersville is our parish in PA. We have two grown children, Michael who is a civil engineer and lives in Huntington Station, N.Y. and Colleen who is married to Timothy. In April 2022, we were blessed with our first grandchild, Aurelia Rose who is our joy.
Ministries and Organizations that I have been involved in at Our Holy Redeemer are Eucharistic Minister (20+ years), Catechist at Our Holy Redeemer Religious Education (20 years), Our Holy Redeemer Youth Ministry (4 years) and Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Stella Maris (currently for over 20+ years).
Deacon Bruce Burnham, ordained May 18, 1991
I recently celebrated 30 years as an ordained Deacon here at Our Holy Redeemer. I have served in many ministries over the years first being Jornadistas Youth Group director, Baptism Prep director, RCIA, Charismatic Prayer Community spiritual advisor, and several others. I have a website where I publish my homilies and reflections and a prayer request line. You can find me at deaconbrucescorner.yolasite.com
My wife Kathleen and I have been married for 53 beautiful years. We are proud parents of three grown young women and grandparents to 5 wonderful grandchildren.
I look forward to serving the community here at Our Holy Redeemer for as many more years as the Lord will let me.
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