Catholics from across Long Island attended Mass Sunday in Rockville Centre to mark the diocese's 50th anniversary.

Hundreds of worshippers packed Saint Agnes Cathedral and raised their voices in praise. "The Diocese of Rockville Centre is just a wonderful place and the bishop is doing a great job," parishioner Dianna Castellano said.

The diocese was founded in 1957 when Pope Pius XII separated Nassau and Suffolk counties from the Brooklyn diocese. The number of Rockville Centre parishioners has grown from less than 500,000 to 1.25 million since that time.

Parishioners at Sunday's service also praised the diocese for helping educate people and place them in jobs.