by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – After 20 children and six adults were shot dead in Connecticut, Pope Benedict XVI offered his condolences and prayers, urging all to dedicate themselves to acts of peace in the face of such “senseless violence.” After reciting the Angelus Dec. 17, the pope, speaking in English, said he […]
by Antonina Zielinska On the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio rededicated Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in Red Hook. “The bishop, with this rededication, shows that this church is supposed to be open in waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ,” said pastoral associate, Sister Frauke Tinat, from the […]
Do you hear what I hear? Queens Village families may have asked that question last Saturday evening, Dec. 15. What they heard were the sounds of joyful carolers spreading Christmas cheer as part of Incarnation parish’s annual Christmas Carol Procession. An intergenerational mix of parishioners joined together for an evening of fellowship and spreading faith through […]
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Christmas in St. Peter’s Square this year has a particularly southern Italian flavor with a towering tree from the Molise region and a Nativity scene donated by the Basilicata region. Jesus, Mary and Joseph will be nestled in an artistic re-creation of the picturesque rocky setting of Matera’s […]
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI launched his very own Twitter account, sending a short inaugural message to his more than 1 million followers. “Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart,” […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Oil giants such as Total and Shell and other companies operating in southern Italy’s petroleum-rich Basilicata region footed the expenses for this year’s Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square. The regional government offered to donate to the Vatican a 1,615-square-foot artistic representation of Christ’s birth, resulting in “very significant savings” for […]
A bishop and scholar who is famous in Catholic circles for his outspoken defense of traditional religious customs will make a visit to the New York metropolitan area during the Feast of the Epiphany on the weekend of Jan. 6. Bishop Athanasius Schneider, O.R.C., auxiliary bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan, will celebrate three pontifical liturgies, including […]
NEWTOWN, Conn. (CNS) – Msgr. Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, was at Sandy Hook Elementary School almost immediately after the horrific shooting Dec. 14. When the enormity of the tragedy began to unfold, other priests, chaplains and Catholic Charities personnel “were on the ground,” Brian Wallace, diocesan director of […]
St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, announced that its chancellor, past-president and alumnus, Frank J. Macchiarola ’62 died on Tuesday, Dec. 18, after an extended illness. He was 71. Dr. Macchiarola returned to his alma mater, St. Francis College, as its president in 1996. The college flourished under his 12-year tenure. Under his leadership, the college […]
by Kathleen M. Gallagher THEY CAME TO Brooklyn from all over the state. They arrived on planes, trains and automobiles. They sacrificed a Saturday with family and friends, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the busiest time of the year. They met at DeSales Media Group, home of NET-TV, to participate in […]
