The acceptance letters are in, and every eighth grader from Resurrection Ascension School, Rego Park, has been accepted to a Catholic high school. The students pictured above, from left, Sarika Arora, Meilani Rivera, Stephanie Lechki, Patrick Torres, Emilia Muga, Samantha Scully and Alyssa Santos, have received over $240,000 in scholarship money from various Catholic high schools. Way to go!

Graduates of St. Edmund Prep H.S., Sheepshead Bay, are invited to celebrate their alma mater’s 80th anniversary in April. Auxiliary Bishop Frank Caggiano will celebrate an anniversary Mass on April 12 at 11 a.m. in the parish church. Alumni who wish to attend may register by calling Grace Carey in the Development Office at 718-743-6100 ext. 5080. Festivities continue with an anniversary gala and Emmaus Society induction ceremony on April 19, 7 p.m. at Russo’s on the Bay, Howard Beach. The honorees will be: James P. Benson, Mabel H. Chin, Blase J. Davie, James F. McElroy Jr., James Wilkens, Esq., and Msgr. Thomas F. Noonan, posthumously. For tickets, contact Joanne Wright in the Development Office at 718-743-6100 ext. 5083.

All are invited to observe this special Year of Faith with a day of prayer and reflection on Feb. 27 at St. Bartholomew Church, Elmhurst. Reflections on the topic, “The Mystery of Faith,” will be given by Fathers Rick Beuther, pastor, and John Gildea, parochial vicar. Sessions will be given in English and Spanish in Heafey Hall at  9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. For details, call 718-424-5400.

In honor of Black History Month, take time to learn more about some black Catholic pioneers and saints as well as those who helped form the heritage of black Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens and beyond. Read up on St. Augustine of Hippo, a sinner turned saint; Servant of God, Msgr. Bernard J. Quinn, who established an apostolate for black Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn (fatherquinn.org); Mother Mary Lange, foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence; Venerable Pierre Tousaint, a layman; and Franciscan Sister Thea Bowman, promoter of intercultural awareness.

Don’t miss out on the Year of Faith Young Adult Bible Study Group at St. John’s Prep Astoria. Father James Rodriguez will lead the sessions on March, 6, 13, 20 and 27, 7:30-9 p.m. Sessions are free, just bring a Bible. To register, e-mail Paul Morisi at pmorisi@diobrook.org by Feb. 25.

This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to Flushing-born Sister Grace Corde Myerjack, M.M., a member of Maryknoll Sisters Contemplative Community,  Maryknoll, N.Y., who is celebrating 60 years in religious life. Sister Grace observed her anniversary along with 20 of her fellow Maryknoll Sisters who are marking 60, 70 and even 80 years with the congregation during a Feb. 10 Mass at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters from St. Kevin’s parish, Flushing, in 1953. She served in apostolic ministry before entering the congregation’s Contemplative Community in 1961. Congratulations Sister Grace! Ad multos annos!

As part of the Little Doctors program, fourth and fifth graders at St. Athanasius School, Bensonhurst, hosted the school’s fifth annual Catholic Schools Week Blood Drive on Jan. 31. Above, the Little Docs don blue scrubs as they provide juice and tend to Kenny Wodzanowski, director of the Bensonhurst Cluster Youth Ministry Office, one of 68 donors who rolled up their sleeves and donated.
To make a blood donation, you may schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-933-2566.

by Marie Elena Giossi

Representing various backgrounds, dialects, parishes and ministries, local black Catholics converged on Our Lady of Light parish, St. Albans, for the 32nd annual diocesan Black History Month Mass of thanksgiving last Sunday, Feb. 19.

Song, dance, prayer and praise were among the ways hundreds of black Catholics from parishes throughout Brooklyn and Queens participated in the diocesan Black History Month Mass of thanksgiving at Our Lady of Light parish, St. Albans, Feb. 19.

Sponsored by the diocesan Vicariate of Black Catholic Concerns (VBCC), this year’s celebration focused upon the history, contributions and diversity of the black American family under the theme, “We Are the Church.”

“This Mass helps us understand our tradition and where we come from,” said seminarian Dwayne Davis, master of ceremonies.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our heritage … all of us, together as one body, united to celebrate our gift of being black and Catholic,” he said.

Haitian-born retired Auxiliary Bishop Guy Sansaricq, VBCC vicar, was the main celebrant and homilist. Concelebrants included Father William Smith, pastor, and Father Caleb Buchanan, vicariate coordinator. Several altar servers, seminarians and deacons assisted on the altar.

Several hundred Queens and Brooklyn residents filled the pews of Our Lady of Light’s worship site at St. Catherine of Sienna Church just before 4 p.m.

Catherine Spivey, longtime parishioner of St. Gregory the Great Church, Crown Heights, arrived on a chartered bus with parishioners and others from Brooklyn parishes. Spivey said she wanted to join together with fellow brothers and sisters in the faith “to praise God as a people, to show we know He has been and is with us at all times.”

Also among the crowd was Msgr. Paul Jervis, pastor of St. Martin de Porres parish, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and postulator of the canonization cause for Msgr. Bernard J. Quinn, who began the diocesan apostolate to black Catholics.

Looking upon the diverse congregation, which was comprised of African-American, Caribbean, Afro-Latin and American black Catholics, some wearing native garb, Bishop Sansaricq announced to the faithful, “we are all one.”

One Nature and Likeness

“We come from all over but we all share one nature and likeness in God,” he said.

Thumping on African drums while praise dancers gave reverent expression to the Spirit’s movement within, youth from Our Lady of Charity, Weeksville, called the congregation to worship.

Highlighting the theme, a procession featuring members of more than 40 organizations and ministries in which black Catholics participate in Brooklyn and Queens parishes opened the Mass. Following the presentation, the vicariate choirs, under the direction of Kenneth St. Bernard, led a stirring rendition of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.”

Powerful hymns raised by the choirs of the Vicariate of Black Catholic Concerns, under the direction of Kenneth St. Bernard, vicariate music director, enhanced the diocesan celebration of Black History Month Feb. 19.

“Sometimes people forget that they are the church. They need to feel proud of who they are and what they do here,” explained Georgeann Campbell, vicariate chairwoman, who oversaw the celebration.

“We want to help people have a sense of pride and ownership in their church,” she said.

That is why Christine Almonte supports her daughter’s praise dancing, which was featured at Mass. She wants the teen to grow in the church and understand she has a place there. “This brings her closer to God, to believe in Him and praise Him,” Almonte said.

Embrace Ancestors’ Values

Faith, persistence, resilience and courage were four values Bishop Sansaricq discussed in his homily. He told the members of the congregation to remember and appreciate their ancestors’ trials and tribulations. However, he cautioned against lamenting over the past, suggesting instead that the faithful learn to embrace the aforementioned values that sustained their forebears.

He expressed disappointment in the decline of faith, solidarity and education in today’s world, advising youth and adults alike to overcome sin and strengthen their resolve for growth as individuals and within the church family.

He suggested Ash Wednesday as a starting point and encouraged participation in this summer’s Kujenga Youth Leadership Program and the National Black Catholic Congress as steps toward developing a better future.

“As Catholics and African-Americans and individuals, we need to wake up, retrieve our faith in God, seek inner strength and virtue, and develop a spirit of sacrifice,” he said.

The bishop’s words made an impact on Our Lady of Light parishioner Claudette Pestano, a Guyanese native. “It makes me more conscious … that we should be the light that leads the younger generation,” she said, adding that mothers, in particular, must set a good example and teach their children the value of respect.

Scouts Honored in Howard Beach

Congressman Bob Turner recently helped honor the Cub Scouts of Troop and Pack 139 of Howard Beach who received the Arrow of Light Award — the highest honor a Cub Scout receives — and crossed over into the Boy Scouts. Back row, Lisa Forgione, cubmaster and webelos den leader, and Miguel Hernandez, assistant webelos den leader, watched as Turner, center, presented congressional certificates to seven scouts, front row, from left, Elijah Ramirez, Nicholas Perez, Michael Horton, Alessandro Alesci, Raymond Stehle, Joseph Campisi and Daniel DeMatteis at St. Helen’s School.

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Spring is coming and now is the time to say goodbye to those jeans that are two sizes too small and that dress taking up space in the back of your closet.
Next Saturday, March 3, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Brendan’s parish, Midwood, will collect your new and gently used clean clothing from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
These Scouts are no strangers to service but this is their first clothing drive — something they hope to make an annual event. Clean out your closets and support the Scouts. For more details, contact Boy Scout Master Vincent Manguael at 347-374-3037.

But when you’re cleaning those closets, don’t throw away any old yarn or unfinished knitting projects you find! Donate remnants, along with partial or full skeins, wool or acrylic, to the Arts and Crafts Group at Our Lady of Grace, Gravesend, during regular rectory hours. Artists and crafters can create something beautiful out of your unwanted scraps.

Speaking of repurposing and reinventing, how about you?
Reinvent Yourself: Creating a Blueprint for Your Future is the theme of the 16th annual Focus on Women Symposium, which will be hosted by Brooklyn Women’s Services, an affiliate of Maimonides Medical Center, March 10, 9 a.m. at Sirico’s Restaurant, Dyker Heights.
The cost is $10 per person and includes a continental breakfast, take-home writing journal and valet parking. For tickets, call 748-1234 or visit www.bwsnyc.com.

This Lent, focus on your spiritual growth and learn more about the faith. American Martyrs, Bayside, invites you to a Lenten Mission Retreat: Based on the Seven Sacraments, March 11-14, 7 p.m. in church. Presenter: Father Michael Sullivan, O.S.A. For details, call 718-464-4582.

Holy Family parish, Flushing, invites locals to a begin their Lenten journey with a very special presentation: The Shroud of Turin, Feb. 29, 7 p.m. Presenter: Donald H. Nohs, associate general director of the Confraternity of the Passion International, is one of the world’s leading authorities on the Shroud of Turin and Jesus’ Passion. Nohs will share his knowledge of the Passion of Jesus and answer thought provoking questions. All are welcome to attend. For further details, call 718-969-2448.

Last week, we promised details on an upcoming visit to the diocese from Mother Dolores Hart. Here’s the scoop faithful readers: Mother Dolores will be the special guest speaker at a Communion Brunch at Corpus Christi, Woodside, March 18. Arrive for 12:30 p.m. for Mass followed by a full brunch. Tickets are just $15. Reserve your seat by March 12. Call 718-278-8114.

Attention alumni, former faculty and friends of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Windsor Terrace/Kensington, you are invited to Celebrate IHM School, which will close in June. (A new academy will replace IHM and Holy Name schools this fall.) Come back to see the school one more time, reconnect with friends and former teachers, exchange memories, attend Mass and share dinner on June 2. An organizing committee has been formed but volunteers are needed. If you’d like to volunteer, or if you have photos to share, contact the parish at 718-871-1310.

In honor of Black History Month, this week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to the black Catholic clergy, seminarians and laity who minister and serve in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens.

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Scout Sunday in Maspeth

The Boy Scouts of America observes the anniversary of its founding on Feb. 8 and annually designates the entire month of February to celebrating Scouting. Scouts and leaders of Cub Scout Pack 312, sponsored by St. Stanislaus Kostka Holy Name Society in Maspeth, were recognized for their contributions to the parish and larger community at a Scout Sunday Mass on Feb. 5. Father Paul Wood, pastor, above, celebrated the special Mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, and posed for pictures with scouts and their leaders.

Suite Success for OLM Theater Group

The First String Players, a young adult theater group at Our Lady of Mercy, Forest Hills, put on a production of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite at the parish in mid-January. Paul Morisi, diocesan coordinator of adolescent and young adult faith formation, directed the comedy, which was produced by Christine Breviaro. Above, Morisi and Brevario pose with the costumed cast, along with Msgr. John McGuirl, pastor, back row, center. (Photo courtesy Paul Morisi)

February is Black History Month and all are welcome to celebrate the history and contributions of the black American family during the diocesan Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving, sponsored by the Vicariate of Black Catholic Concerns, Feb. 19, 4 p.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, St. Albans.
The theme is “We Are the Church” and retired Auxiliary Bishop Guy Sansaricq will be the main celebrant. For more details, contact Elreta Fowler, 718-774-3806 or blackcatholicconcerns@diobrook.org.

Get ready for a night of revelry when you attend the Mardi Gras Dinner Dance at St. Thomas the Apostle parish, Woodhaven, Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m.- 12 a.m. in Mulz Hall. Enjoy fun and fancy beads, raffles, music, food, beer wine and soda. Tickets are $40 per person or $70 per couple and must be reserved by Feb. 11. For tickets, call 718-847-1353.

Running here, running there, running out of time for yourself?  Schedule some “me time” to participate in a special Lenten event just for people like you. Mary, Queen of Heaven Church, Old Mill Basin, is hosting a Busy Person’s Retreat, Feb. 27-March 1.
Early bird? Try the morning sessions beginning after 8 a.m. Mass. Free time after dinner? Evening sessions begin at 7 p.m. Retreat facilitators are Father Jude Siciliano, O.P., and Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P. For more details, call the rectory, 718-763-2330, or e-mail mqhchurch@aol.com.

Picture yourself in sunny Las Vegas! You won’t have to only imagine that vacation if you’re the big winner at the Spring Fest Raffle Night, March 23 at St. Columba Church, Marine Park. You are guaranteed a good time and the chance to win great prizes, a split-pot raffle and even that trip to Vegas. Tickets are $15, which includes chips and soda, coffee and cake. For tickets or a table, call Rose at 718-627-4247.

Quote of the Week: “The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity.” — Lewis Grizzard

To acquaint students with various professions and careers, Sacred Heart School, Bayside, instituted a Career Day Program and Dr. Ramon A. Franco, Jr., visited the sixth-grade class.
Dr. Franco is director of the laryngology division and medical director of the Voice and Speech Laboratory at Harvard University. Students enjoyed his engaging talk and visual presentation on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the throat.

This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to the Spanish Community at St. Matthias, Ridgewood. Following the Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day celebration, the group made a $10,577.65 donation to the parish. ¡Muy bien!

Visitation Principal Named

Educational Leader

Arlene Figaro, principal of Visitation Academy, Bay Ridge, for the last decade, was recently honored with a Leadership in Education Award, presented by the Brooklyn Real Estate Board. Founded in 1855, Visitation Academy is a Catholic, faith-centered community providing a unique learning environment for the education of young girls from nursery through eighth grade. Figaro, center, was congratulated by Renee Dorsa, right, president, Brooklyn Real Estate Board, and Effie Maldari. (Photo courtesy Visitation Academy)