Msgr. David Cassato, pastor of St. Athanasius parish, Bensonhurst, joined Father Gabriel Toro and members of the Hispanic community for Easter Sunday Mass and a procession celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus.

O.L.P.H. Hosts Seuss-tastic Celebration

“Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try” — ah, they did try and indeed succeed to celebrate the joy of reading on the 108th birthday of beloved author Dr. Seuss at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, S. Ozone Park. 

Organized by teachers Peggy Breslin and Barbara Kingston, students in K-2 and 4-1 read Dr. Seuss books, created related crafts and made Cat in the Hat-themed snacks together in honor of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Day, March 2.

Inspired by The Lorax movie, the two classes are also sponsoring the planting of a new tree on the school grounds in time for Earth Day, April 22. (Photos courtesy Frances DeLuca) 

Spring is a perfect time to infuse new life into your marriage during a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend, April 20-22. (A Spanish-language weekend is also taking place April 20-22.) Take a closer look at your marriage, learn effective communication techniques and enhance the love you share. To register, call 1-877-697-9963 or e-mail marriageencounterbq@gmail.com. For the Spanish-language weekend, call Kathy, 646-201-8941, or Manny, 917-577-9268 or e-mail nycemm@live.com.

The annual Memorial Mass to commemorate the death of Msgr. Bernard J. Quinn, the Servant of God, will be celebrated at St. Brigid’s Church, Westbury, L.I., April 14 at 11 a.m.  Bus transportation is being provided from St. Peter Claver Church, Bedford-Stuyvesant, at a cost of $25 per person.  To reserve a seat, call 718-574-5772. To learn more about Msgr. Quinn, log onto www.fatherquinn.org.

A Lenten Blood Drive conducted by the New York Blood Center at Immaculate Conception Church, Jamaica, yielded 62 pints of blood — exceeding the parish goal by 19 pints. Way to go!

Quote of the Week: “Palm Sunday is like a glimpse of Easter. It’s a little bit joyful after being somber during Lent.” — Laura Gale

Renew your spirit this coming Eastertide on a special retreat with parishioners from St. Athanasius Church, Bensonhurst. Father John Campoli will conduct the retreat on the weekend following Easter, April 13-15 over the grounds of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, Long Island. Cost: $185, includes private room, meals and bus transportation. To register, call the rectory, 718-236-0124.

Don’t miss your chance to see America’s tenor Daniel Rodriguez in concert at St. Michael’s Church, Sunset Park, April 29. Concert features Rodriguez and his orchestra with New Zealand soprano Marla Kavanaugh. Concert begins at 4 p.m. Enjoy the concert, along with a cocktail reception and dinner for $75, or simply attend the concert for $50. Reserved seating. Tickets are going quickly. For tickets, call 718-768-6065.

This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to the fourth grade at the Mount Carmel site of Queen of the Rosary Academy, Williamsburg. Boys and girls raised over $125, which they presented to Msgr. Joseph Calise, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, to help subsidize the repair/replacement costs to outdoor statues of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Jude following some recent vandalism.

Join the TALK. Tell Tablet TALK what’s happening in your corner of the diocese. Drop us a line at megiossi@diobrook.org or call 718-499-9705 ext. 326.

St. Saviour’s Third Graders Congratulate Cardinal Dolan

Third graders from St. Saviour Elementary School, Park Slope, recently made cards and wrote notes of congratulation to the newly elevated Cardinal Timothy Dolan. In addition to students’ cards and notes, French teacher, Rose Santangelo, sent the cardinal a beautiful statue of St. Michael with best wishes from the administration, faculty, staff and students. Above, Santangelo, seated, holds the statue. She is pictured with the third graders; Maura Lorenzen, principal; and Gail Harvey, assistant principal. (Photo courtesy Sister Felicia Ann Parise)

St. Bernard’s Aquinas Crew Visits St. James

The Junior Aquinas program at St. Bernard School, Mill Basin, recently enjoyed a special visit to St. James Cathedral-Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn. Msgr. John Strynkowski, rector, gave students a tour and explained the history of the worship space, particularly its stained-glass windows. This year, students have been studying the medieval period, coats of arms and stained-glass windows so this was a wonderful way to enhance their appreciation for this art form. Students are pictured with Msgr. Strynkowski; Deacon Christopher Wright; and Aquinas coordinators, Melissa Wagner, Mary Wright and Annette Vale. (Photo courtesy Melissa Wagner)

Lent is a season of reconciliation, forgiveness, healing and hope. If a past abortion is weighing on your heart and soul, Rachel’s Helpers invites you to participate in a confidential, post-abortion reconciliation program this Lent. Forgiven and Set Free is an 11-week, small-group experience, beginning March 12. Bible study is emphasized. For details, call 718-939-6646.

Mercy Home, a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy since 1962, is marking its 150th anniversary this year. Mercy Home’s mission is to assure a high quality of life for children and adults with developmental disabilities. This is achieved through a network of residential programs throughout Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau County; residential support programs; community support programs; respite and in-home respite programs.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will begin the sesquicentennial festivities with an Anniversary Mass for the Mercy Home family at the Convent of Mercy, Clinton Hill, next weekend.
Supporters and friends are welcome to join the celebration at The Partners in Mercy Luncheon, April 29 at Russo’s on the Bay. Tickets are $200. For tickets, call 718-832-1075.

Ladies, if you have Type 2 diabetes, check out the free workshop, Keeping Diabetes In Check, March 7, 6 p.m. The event is sponsored by Brooklyn Women’s Services, Bay Ridge, an affiliate of Maimonides Medical Center. To register, call 718-748-1234 or go to www.bwsnyc.com.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and the diocesan Vocation Office would like to recognize the generous service given by altar servers to their local parishes by treating them to a special Altar Server Day, April 11, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Organizers are planning entertainment, games and a liturgical celebration for boys and girls at St. Mary, Mother of Jesus Church, Bensonhurst. There is no registration fee but space is limited. You must register by March 30. Speak to your ministry coordinator and then contact Lisa Amore, 718-827-2454 or lamore@diobrook.org.

Invite Mother Teresa to be part of your Lenten devotions. Witness the spiritual journey of one of the holiest women of the 20th century in Defense of Doubt: A Tale of Mother Teresa, an original play by Vince N. D’Onofrio, at Holy Family-St. Thomas Aquinas parish, Park Slope, March 23, 7:30 p.m. A free-will offering will be accepted. For details, call St. Thomas Aquinas rectory at 718-768-9471.

This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to Our Lady of the Snows, North Floral Park, where parishioners donated $2,122.58 during the parish’s Supper Bowl fundraiser last month. All proceeds benefit the parish’s Human Concerns Center, which is now in its 30th year of providing parish and community outreach services. Under the direction of Sister Vincent Marie Binder, M.S.B.T., the center provides bereavement, counseling and food pantry services. Last month, center staff sent 450 valentines to neighbors in hospitals and nursing homes as well as homebound parishioners, noted Patricia Nicolosi, center secretary.

St. Athanasius Students Promote Service

Promoting the service aspect of this year’s Catholic Schools Week’s theme, “Faith, Academics, Service,” fourth and fifth graders at St. Athanasius, Bensonhurst, hosted their school’s fourth annual blood drive during February. They had a great experience participating in the Little Doctors Program, sponsored by the New York Blood Center, and worked with their teachers, Maria MacCormack and Karen Hayes, to make the drive a success. Above, the boys give a pat on the back to Deacon William Kelly, one of many parishioners who made time to donate. (Photo courtesy St. Athanasius School)