Msgr. Jaime Gigantiello, diocesan vicar for development, above, and other prominent Italian-Americans helped lead the 2015 Howard Beach Columbus Parade along Cross Bay Boulevard, Sept. 27. The parade celebrates Christopher Columbus and includes an array of floats. The parade also honors the achievements and contributions of Italian-Americans. (Photo courtesy Rita Damato)
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In this Month of the Holy Rosary, Montfort Father Gerald Fitzsimmons, pastor of St. Mary Gate of Heaven, Ozone Park, will lead a reflection “Mary’s Place in Our Lives” at Our Lady of the Snows Church, N. Floral Park, this coming Monday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the church.
All are welcome to this talk, which is being sponsored by the parish Spirituality Committee.
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The annual Rosary for Life Mass will also be held this coming Monday, Oct. 5 at Good Shepherd Church, Marine Park. Bishop Frank Caggiano will be the main celebrant. The rosary begins at 7 p.m. followed by the Mass at 7:30 p.m. Investiture in the brown scapular after Mass.
This year’s honorees are Florence Maloney and Robert Murphy. For more information, contact Wyn Powers, 718-377-6920.
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The Beethoven String Quartet Project will be at St. Ann’s Church, Flushing, on Friday Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. A free-will offering will be collected. For more information, call 718- 359-5996.
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The Regina Opera Company will present its “Regina Pops” Concert on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sunset Park.
Soprano Elana Gleason, left, will be among the Regina Opera soloists presenting a two-hour performance of show-stopping selections from various operas including “Carmen,” “I Pagliacci” and “Turandot,” Italian songs, and Broadway shows such as “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Oklahoma.”
General admission tickets are $12. Teens get in for $5 and children are free.
For tickets and details, email info@reginaopera.org, call 718-259-2772 or visit www.reginaopera.org.
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If you missed the San Damiano Mission’s first food festival last month, here’s your second chance. Head to Williamsburg this Sunday, Oct. 4 as the Conventual Franciscans celebrate the feast of their patron with another Food Festival, starting at noon.
And be sure to bring your furry and feathered friends. Animal blessings will take place before and after the 2 p.m. Mass.
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This week’s Tip of the Tablet TALK Top Hat goes to an Astoria husband and wife who have been faithfully living their wedding vows for half a century.
Parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Astoria, for over 40 years, Salvatore and Leonarda Grippi celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a beautiful Mass on Sunday, Sept. 27. Msgr. Sean Ogle, pastor, presided, and Father Joseph “Padre Giuseppe” Pham, moderator of the Italian Community, concelebrated the Mass.
The couple is pictured above with Father Pham, left, and Msgr. Ogle, right.
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Ridgewood-born Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., will visit St. Gerard Majella Church, Hollis, this Sunday, Oct. 4, for the 11:30 a.m. Mass. The bishop will stay to bless the basement hall.
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Send items for Tablet TALK to megiossi@desalesmedia.org.