Daily News from New York, New York • 262

By PHIL ROURA and TOM POSTER OPI Archbishop Magulre, giving Holy Communion to Frank Sinatra last Columbus Day. 1 Vatican okays Bishop filaguire's retirement most popular, and influential, prelates of the Church, Maguire celebrated the Columbus Day Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral where he served Holy Communion to Frank Sinatra. It was Sinatra's presence at the altar rail that raised speculation that the singer had his first marriage annulled. Friends of Sinatra here and on the West Coast, insist the Sinatras were wed in the Catholic Church in California where he reportedly obtained the annulment.

Sinatra refuses to discuss the matter. Pope John Paul has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Thomas Magulre, top aide to Cardinal Cooke, who turned 75 last month. For the last 14 years he served as coadjutor to the cardinal. Maguire's retirement is in line with Vatican policy that churchmen submit their resignations upon reaching 75. Although officially retired.

Archbishop Maguire celebrated a memorial Mass Wednesday for his friend, the late Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, at St Agnes Church here. Long one of the A few pearls from Bailey College student Pearl Bailey took time out from her books at Georgetown University to bone up on her music for her Radio City Music Hall concert on Tuesday. But Pearlie Mce wouldn't be Pearlie Mae if she didn't get in a few thousand plugs for her nationally ranked Georgetown Hoyas. "They're a great basketball team, aren't they? I love them.

In fact, I've done some cheerleading for 'em," enthused Bailey, who is in the second year of studies that include Hebrew and Islamic Hindu. She also recently changed her major from French to theology. A former U.S. delegate at the United Nations, Bailey also had a few things to say about the Iranian crisis: "First of all, you must pray. Then, I have a wonderful idea to settle this thing.

Send a woman to Tehran. When men are under stress, they always think of women as their mothers and sisters. If I went I think it would help (the hostages). I could even sing a song that every Iranian knows from age 23 'My Persian Doll' and I can sing it in Persian, too." Williams: new man at Pops' podium. upi Movie man is tops at Pops Three time Oscar winner John illiams, who composed the music for "Star Wars," yesterday was named conductor of the Boston Pops, succeeding Arthur Fiedler who directed the famous orchestra for 50 years before his death last July.

Williams' contract runs for two years. He will compose works specifically for the Pops, which he conducted twice last May. Schedule permitting, Williams will continue to compose and direct music for films. "The instrument that Arthur Fiedler has shaped into being is an instrument with enormous possibilities for the development of music in our country," said Williams. "What I am looking forward to the most is a wonderfully invigorating, fresh activity." Over the years, Williams mainly has been associated with films, having composed or conducted music for more than 50 movies.

But he has also conducted orchestras in London, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and the Hollywood Bowl. His first appearance as the new major domo of the Pops will be in a television fund-raising benefit on April 20. Then, he'll open the Pops' official season on April 28 and will continue with the orchestra throughout the three-month schedule at Symphony Hall and the Boston Esplanade. Richard CorkcryDaily News Bailey: has answer to Iran. Bella's shaping up Dog Day in court It was anything but a dog day for Carmen Wojtowicz yesterday in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

A judge ruled that she is entitled to $100-aweek alimony and weekly for her two children from money awarded estranged hubby John Wojtowicz, central figure in the movie "Dog Day Afternoon." Al Pacino played the role of the gay bank robber in the film and Wojtowicz 2i got $60,000 from Warner Brothers after a legal bout After lawyers' fees, Wojtowicz received $40,000, reports our Bob Lane. 2 But the 40G was placed in escrow by the State Crime Victims Compensation Board to satisfy any claims of victims of 15 the Brooklyn bank robbery in 1972. If you catch Bella Abzug and Andy Stein sweating it out, don't think it has to do with their desire for the Democratic Senate nomination. Each would love to get the nod, but the perspiration is because both joined a bruising program at the Sports Training Institute." It's like working out in the ayatollah's basement," Stein said. "When you're finished with a session, you're really hurting." Abzug echoed Andy's sentiments.

"It's a real tough workout. It takes immense concentration. I go three times a week for hourlong sessions on the weight and rowing machines." Why flirt with torture? 'Cause they say it's good for you. Here there Welsh actress Rachel Roberts showed up at 26 Federal Plaza yesterday to fill out her alien address report card for the Feds. All aliens must register by the end of the month.

Composer Euble Blake, 94, and former heavyweight boxing champ Floyd Patterson will be honored for their contributions to entertainment and sports by Big Brothers, at its annual "Sidewalks of New York" banquet at the Waldorf on Thursday. Also to be lauded: Nobel Prize winner Dr. Joshua Letterbug, the president of Rockefeller University; and William P. Tavoulareas, the president of Mobil Oil. Earlier that day at the Sheraton Centre, singer Lou Rawls will head a "Parade of Stars" luncheon for the biggest fund-raising effort in the 36-year history of the United Negro College Fund.

With an assist from the folks at Anheuser-Busch, the program will be taped for a three-hour TV special to be aired later this year. Among those expected: Muhammad AH, Glen Campbell, Bill Cosby and Lola Falana. Liz Ashley, still sunning in the Carib, receives her phone messages at Bruce Goldstein's Club L'Avventura in St. Thomas, and friends here pick up her messages at Bruce's New York spot. Central Falls.

Would you say they're friends? S'long to Bose Hill's Father Gene An era will come to an end at Fordham Prep on Sunday. That's when the Rev. Eugene O'Brien, S.J., as familiar a face as there has ever been at the Bronx campus, ends an association of 20 years. Named headmaster in 1960 and president in 1975, The Rev. O'Brien will be taking a seven-month sabbatical before receiving anew assignment, still to be announced.

His successor is the Rev. Edward F. Maloney, S.J. But before he leaves, 1,000 well-wishers will give The Rev. O'Brien a sendoff unmatched in Fordham's history.

First on Sunday's "Father Gene O'Brien Appreciation Day" agenda is a Mass at the Fordham University chapel at 1 p.m. It'll be followed by a reception in the university's Campus Center, where the priest will be honored for keeping the prep thriving during a period when private secondary schools were faltering. He resisted moving the prep to Westchester, succeeded in errecting a new building and paid off the mortgage in record time. Even alumni from arch-rival Manhattan Prep will miss him. Jim HuahesDaily News Rachel's card (see Here there.