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.

Experience the Difference: 

Building Knowledge ~ Developing Confidence ~ Strengthening Skills

As St. Edmund Prep, Sheepshead Bay, begins its 80th school year, upperclassmen continued the school’s tradition of welcoming the stranger.

Upperclassmen who are members of the mentors program volunteered their time to make sure the freshmen had a positive start to their high school career. The mentors helped them find classrooms, open locks, get new books and navigate the hallways. The freshmen were treated to a free lunch ­­in the cafeteria and made new friends that will hopefully last a lifetime.

The St. Edmund Prep upperclassmen join their physical education teacher to welcome the newest members of their community.

by Marie Elena Giossi

Despite temperatures in the teens, dozens of parishioners gathered for the blessing and dedication of a Marian Prayer and Memorial Garden at St. Mark Church, Sheepshead Bay, last Sunday, Jan. 15.

Nicholas Gozo lays a floral arrangement at the foot of the black granite monolith, which serves as the focal point of the new Marian Prayer and Memorial Garden at St. Mark’s Church, Sheepshead Bay. The garden, an outgrowth of the parish’s 150th anniversary capital campaign, was made possible by Nicholas Gozo, his wife, Prudy, and their family.

After the 12:30 p.m. Mass, clergy led the congregation outdoors to the newly constructed garden area, located on the Jerome Ave. side of the church. Removed from the busyness of the main thoroughfare, the garden was created as part of the parish’s 150th anniversary campaign to acknowledge and honor the campaign’s major supporters. It was made possible by longtime parishioners Nicholas and Prudy Gozo and their family.

Surrounded by young shrubs, the brick walkway features a two-and-a-half ton black granite monolith flanked by half-ton tablets. The standing stone features a highly detailed, hand-etched image of the Blessed Mother cradling the Christ Child against the backdrop of Sheepshead Bay/Manhattan Beach, identifiable by the presence of St. Mark’s bell tower and a seagull perched upon wooden pilings. Side stones list the names of major benefactors who contributed to the campaign.

Father Joseph Grimaldi, pastor, opened the service expressing his hope that the garden may serve as a reminder “of the close ties of Mary to Christ and His Church.” Calling the garden “a hallmark in our history,” he noted that it “brings the image of Mary into our community. It’s our Madonna of St. Mark in Sheepshead Bay.”

Successful Capital Campaign

The event marked the closing of the parish’s 150th anniversary capital campaign, Prepare, Share, Prosper, which began one year ago. The original goal of $750,000 was surpassed with 310 pledges totaling $916,000, and an average gift of $2,954.

Donations have already funded sidewalk upgrades and replacements, brick repointing; refurbishments to the church’s bronze doors; and repairs to the bell tower. Interior projects are planned for the coming months and additional funds are being set aside for deferred maintenance for the church property.

Father Grimaldi noted that the campaign was “a huge success, not only financially but also involving people in ministry.” He expressed his gratitude for parishioners’ contributions of their treasures and talents, especially the Gozo family for their ongoing financial and ministerial support in the church.

“My hope and prayer as I prepare to leave is that God’s grace will continue through the intercession of Mary to bring blessings upon all of the people in the parish and the community and the generous hearts that have made this possible,” Father Grimaldi said.

The blessing and dedication was one of the final events of Father Grimaldi’s nearly 12-year pastorate at St. Mark. On Jan. 31, he will officially begin his new assignment as territorial episcopal vicar of Brooklyn. Father Christopher Turczany, parochial vicar, will succeed him as pastor.

Following a reading of The Visitation from St. Luke’s Gospel, Fathers Grimaldi and Turczany, and visiting priest, Father Andrew Dunyo, took turns sprinkling holy water upon the stones. Parishioners huddled close as they watched the priests bless an additional plaque inscribed with the names of campaign supporters, which will be placed inside the church.

The Gozos, who wed in the church 55 years ago, stood in the garden area for the dedication with their children, Sara, Nicholas and George.

Along with financial benefactors, Father Grimaldi recognized others who brought this project to fruition. In particular, he thanked Michael Natale, Natale Monuments; etcher Dane Mikolvetch; landscaper Noel Ortiz, Great Outdoors; John Borgia, who oversaw the electrical work; finance committee member Richard Stockley; music director, Patrick Marvello; and Jane Kane, a pre-kindergarten teacher in the parish school who developed the image for the stone.

At the reception that followed, parishioners praised the new addition.

“I grew up in this parish and it’s unlike anything we’ve ever had before,” said Richard Redling. “The garden is absolutely magnificent. It’s a great legacy.”

Redling admits that when he first heard about the project he “wasn’t too sure what it would be all about. We were asked to contribute and I’m glad I did.”

He appreciates that the image of the Madonna and Child “represents us as a seaside community. It depicts who we are and what we’re about.” He’s especially proud that it was designed by “one of the best local artists,” his former classmate at the parish school, Jane Kane.

“It’s a place where we can come for peace and solitude, a place to transcend the everyday and enter a place of spirituality,” shared Michael Von Ahnen, who joined the parish five years ago.

Though he doesn’t know the Gozo family well, he’s grateful for their gift to the community. “This says we’re alive and active,” Von Ahnen said.

Ready To Serve Bensonhurst Community

Regina Pacis, Bensonhurst, celebrated the installation of four new extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion on the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 8. Sister Anna O’Brien, M.F.I.C., pastoral ministry director, far left, and Father Vincentius Do, parochial vicar, third from right, congratulate the new ministers, from left, Salvatore Friscia, Mary Gambale, Kathleen Dunn and Linda Merone.

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 Tablet Talk Pick of the Week: 

Art enthusiasts, you don’t want to miss From Here to Haiti’s Art Show Fundraiser, this Saturday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. in Whitestone. View and bid on the works of over 30 Haitian and international artists, including Patricia Brintle, parishioner at St. Luke’s, Whitestone. Proceeds benefit the people of Haiti (www.fromheretohaiti.org) by repairing Catholic and Christian churches and structures. For show details and directions, call 718-746-3012 or 646-209-2891, or e-mail fromheretohaiti@gmail.com.

Save the date: The Fourth Annual Dinner Dance sponsored by the Kathie and Chris Lawler Endowment Fund for Senior Priests of the Brooklyn Diocese will be Feb. 3, 6-10 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston. This event honors Msgr. Vincent Keane and will be held in memory of Msgr. Thomas Donovan. Tickets are $75 per person; $700 table of 10. Enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing for a great cause. For reservations, call Tom, 718-839-5413.

Here’s some uplifting news for the new year: The elevator fund at Our Lady of the Snows, N. Floral Park, recently received a boost from the parish’s Ladies Craft Group, which donated $600 toward the campaign!

All are welcome to attend a Faith and Film Festival at St. Matthias Church, Ridgewood, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 6:15 p.m. This month’s featured film is A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Simms. Discussion will follow. Light refreshments will be served. For details, call 718-821-6447.

If you’ve ever thought about pursuing your master’s degree in theology or pastoral studies, consider enrolling at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington. Registration closes on Jan. 25 and the spring semester begins Jan. 30. For more information, call 631-423-0483 ext. 112 or 147, or visit the website, www.icseminary.edu.

The Passionists are inviting men between the ages of 18 and 40 to learn more about their way of life during a Come and See weekend, Jan. 20-22. There is no charge. For information or to register, contact Father Chris Cleary, C.P., at 718-739-6502 or Ccleary@cpprov.org.

The Social Justice Committee of St. Boniface Oratory Church, Downtown Brooklyn, will host “Prisoner as Person,” a presentation and panel discussion on Jan. 20, 7 p.m. at 111 Willoughby St. Event will feature experts regarding incarceration and the experience of societal re-entry. Speakers include the Hon. Alex M. Calabrese of the Red Hook Community Justice Center; Sister Marion Defeis, former Chaplain for Women at Riker’s Island and founding member of Providence House; and Rev. Stephen Chinlund, former N.Y.S. Commissioner of Corrections, and founder of The Network. For more details, visit www.oratory-church.org or call 718-875-2096.

This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to St. Mark’s Church, Sheepshead Bay, for bringing the joy and cheer of Christmas to their neighbors at Sheepshead Bay Nursing Home. Just before Christmas, Kathy Cash and her third-grade faith formation class visited residents to sing carols, spread cheer and deliver 90 cards made by the first- through seventh-grade faith formation classes. Students also distributed 30 handmade blankets from St. Mark’s Golden Age Society, equally well known as The Good Ladys. Ronnie and Linda Brigando, both extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at St. Mark’s, also distributed communion to residents. The visit was coordinated by Maureen Genoversa of St. Mark’s Homebound Ministry and parishioners Tom and Geraldine Kubat.