Larry Morrish’s: UNSUNG BAY RIDGE

People, places and things below the radar that positively impact Bay Ridge lifestyles

NEIGHBORS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Our unsung heroes

This week, I would like to highlight a man who does much within our community, but he is always in the background — Ed O’Connell, a true gentleman whose ambition was to become a deacon within the Roman Catholic church.

I worked with Ed for a brief period many years ago and saw him devote much time and study toward achieving his goal. Today, he is a serving deacon assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Greenpoint.

Ed had retired from the Social Security Administration and he would volunteer his time at Our Lady of Angels, helping people in obtaining their Social Security benefits and addressing any of their concerns. He was also an usher and a Eucharistic minister at the church. Ed is always ready to volunteer his time when asked, and because of this, the lives of many seniors within our community are made easier.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Congratulations and best wishes to a true man of God and the people, Monsignor David Cassato, Pastor of St. Athanasius parish, as his congregation plans events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the church.

Stay tuned for events that include summer festivals, a dinner dance and other celebratory activities within the parish. Monsignor Cassato has great energy, and I wish him and his parish many more years of spiritual growth.

Congratulations to Gilda King on being promoted to associate principal of Fontbonne Hall Academy. Gilda has contributed many years of service to the school as a teacher and assistant principal, and her commitment to Fontbonne is admired by all who know her.

UNSUNG FOLK REMEDIES: Sesame Oil

Pure sesame oil has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and Oriental medicine. It has also been researched extensively in Western countries.

The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine published the results of a 2006 study that examined the impact on patients when sesame oil was substituted for all other oils in their diet.

After 45 days of food preparation, the individuals using sesame oil had a significant reduction in their body weight as well as blood pressure. These patients returned to their usual oil use and saw a reversal in both weight and blood pressure.

Please consult your doctor if you are on any medication.